Programme Specialist: Adolescents and Young People (AYP) at NACOSA

The duties and responsibilities of the Programme Specialist will include, but not limited to:

• Provide input to Programme Description and NACOSA’s Programme philosophy, alignment with country priorities and plans, theory of change, evidence-informed methodologies, national and international M&E indicators, and targets, including chapters on specific grants.
• Coordinate with other Global Fund Principal Recipients in the delivery of a harmonized, high-impact AYP programmes in Tshwane, Gauteng.
• Provide input to programmatic policies and standard operating procedures (SOPs), quality assurance strategies, etc., as required to ensure efficient programme implementation.
• Provide input to programme operational plans and specialised layered services.
• Manage the Implementing Partner Selection process, including developing calls for proposal, and lead capacity assessment, selection, adjudication of implementing partners
• Lead in periodic assessments of program quality and support data and finance quality assurance assessments with implementing partners.
• Provide programme orientation to service providers, implementing teams or implementing partners to introduce the programme, its intended purpose, goals, targets.
• Coordinate and manage area based programmatic workplans and ensure that grant implementation is in alignment with the approved workplan, budget and targets.
• Provide in-depth programmatic guidance, mentoring, technical assistance, and leadership to implementing partners and service providers to ensure programme deliverables are met.
• Assist in the analysis of the projects’ performance in the designated areas of expertise.
• Review programmatic spend of implementation teams / partners to ensure adherence to programme budget and compliance to donor rules.
• Make recommendations regarding payment to service providers / implementing partners
• Conduct regular site visits and meetings with implementing partners to ensure effective communication and efficient programme implementation.
• Network with, and build strategic alliances and relationships with key stakeholders involved in the project in the local, national and international environment.

Requirements

 Required qualifications, skills and experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Public Health, Sociology, post-graduate qualification would be advantageous.
• Minimum 5 years related experience in leading direct implementation teams in target-driven programmes.
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in the HIV/AIDS and TB sector.
• Experience working as a Public Health programmes Specialist or in a similar role where technical guidance had to be provided to implementers or programme staff will be advantageous.
• Knowledge of South African HIV and TB Guidelines including HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health; HIV Testing Services; TB screening and adherence support. 
• Experience in working with the Education sector (Secondary and Primary School settings) in SRH programmes. 
• Project management skills, training and facilitation experience, networking & partnership, and interpersonal skills;
• Experience in developing training materials and experience in report writing;
• Knowledge of HIV prevention and sexual and reproductive health is an advantage;
• Excellent communication skills in English;
• Excellent computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and experience with web-based data systems;
• Highly organised, deadline driven and efficient with planning skills and a proactive and positive approach;
• Ability to work well in a team environment, with a variety of internal and external stakeholders;
• Willingness to travel frequently and a valid South African Driver’s license.

Personal Competencies

• Able to take direction; can self-manage to deadline; assertive
• Able to work independently; is assertive, self-motivated and driven; can work to deadline and is task-orientated and enjoys logistics.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively as well as independently and manage multiple stakeholder relationships
• Problem solver