Program Manager at Zambia Alliance for Healthy Empowered Communities

Organization: Zambia Alliance for Healthy Empowered Communities
Position Title: Program Manager

Department: Program
Location: Lusaka, Zambia
Reports to: Program Director

The Program Manager will work closely with the Principal Investigators and Hospital staff at two Lusaka Hospitals in implementing a dynamic set of interventions and support resources that will link and retain HIV-positive and -negative adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in educational/empowerment activities, HIV testing, care and treatment services, with an emphasis on ensuring regular access to ARTs for HIV-positive and -negative AGYW. The Program Manager will oversee the daily implementation of the activities of this innovative AGYW HIV prevention and treatment program at 2 sites within Lusaka. S/he will work closely with the Hospital staff to ensure that the unique services for AGYW function as an extension of their affiliated Hospitals and clinical services. S/he will have responsibility to help train and supervise a group of Community Volunteers who will be an essential part of the AGYW program through the provision of Peer Navigator like skills. S/he will have responsibility to ensure that program records are current and provide monthly reports. S/he is responsible for ensuring that the program team provides high quality technical products and clinical services, delivers required results, and uses resources efficiently and cost effectively. The Program Manager will also oversee the activities of other program staff to ensure that all program elements are working in harmony and are complimentary to both program and overall hospital goals.

Opportunity:  We are looking for young professionals who have both a passion for and experience with AGYW to implement a dynamic, innovative, exciting and new intervention and support program that creates the best possible support structures for HIV-positive and

-negative AGYW to ensure access to and retention in HIV treatment and care for HIV-positives and prevention services for HIV-negatives.  Because this is a new and ambitious program with a highly vulnerable population, there is a steep learning curve. Candidates should be tenacious and industrious with a flexible skill set that includes a thorough understanding of the social dynamics of the target population, an understanding of HIV prevention and treatment options, good communication skills with AGYW, the ability to motivate, the ability to provide individual and group support, patience, respect for individual differences, the ability to interact professionally in community and health care settings, and a demonstrated commitment to HIV prevention, treatment and care. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to provide essential support and mentoring to vulnerable and at-risk AGYW.

Hours: Full-time with flexible schedule, including some weekend hours. Some travel required.

For Immediate Hire. All applications must be received by 13th September, 2019 with expected hire date 1 October 2019

ESSENTIAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Manage and oversee on-the-ground implementation of the clinical and community-based elements of an innovative AGYW HIV prevention and treatment program at 2 sites in Lusaka, Zambia.
• Work closely with the Co-Principal Investigators to track and manage the project budget and monitor the effective use of project funds.
• Ensure day-to-day program implementation aligns with the annual work plan, and program objectives and commitments.
• Oversee the activities of the AGYW program staff.
• Support the AGYW program staff, including the Community Volunteers and Hospital staff regarding all referrals and clinical activities.
• Attend Hospital team huddles and departmental meetings on a regular basis and as needed in order to ensure coordination of referrals with appropriate treatment and care services, and all program related linkages.
• Ensure appropriate support and mentoring of the Community Volunteers and their day-to-day activities.
• Lead regular project supervision meetings of all AGYW program staff, as well as participate in regular distance led supervision by Principal Investigators when they are not in Lusaka.
• Liaise with Principal Investigators, and other AGYW program and affiliated Hospital staff on program related issues.

• Establish and maintain relationships with identified DREAMS and HIV Testing partners, and other community partner organizations to ensure an effective and efficient referral process and quality care coordination for all eligible AGYW, and to identify and resolve program issues that may impede program success.

• Conduct regular monitoring field visits of program partner’s (identified DREAMS, HIV Testing partners, and other community partner organizations) sites to keep abreast of key issues associated with overall project efficiency and effectiveness.

• Review regularly the identified evaluation data collected by the Hospital’s HIV clinical services to ensure quality and integrity, and submit as scheduled.
• Review regularly the identified evaluation data collected by the Community Volunteers about the range of HIV services provided in the community to ensure quality and integrity, and submit as scheduled.

• Ensure that all narrative and activity reports are submitted to the Principal Investigators in a timely manner.
• Coordinate program related events such as workshops, assessment visits, and annual work plan development.
• Monitor and track program expenditures to ensure adequate funding throughout the year.
• In collaboration with the other AGYW program staff, coordinate the annual work planning with partners.
• Represent the AGYW program and the organization as requested at various stakeholder meetings.
• Liaise with the Principal Investigators on program related issues.

• Liaise with other U.S. Government partners working in similar health program areas as requested.
• Other duties as assigned.

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, Social Work, or a related degree, with at least 2 years of experience in a similar program.
• Exceptional communication skills and ability to understand, relate to and motivate adolescent girls and young women, as well as to work effectively with both program and hospital colleagues.

• Deep, demonstrated commitment to empowering and working with youth as partners.

• Experience in managing budgets and collaborating with multiple projects/partners.
• Knowledge of program design, management and monitoring tools
• Significant experience with the HIV/ART prevention, treatment and care continuum.
• Knowledge of financial and human resources management, and general administration of program activities.

• Demonstrated group facilitation skills.
• Knowledge of Lusaka District Hospitals, local health care systems and resources, as well as local DREAMS and HIV Testing partners.
• Excellent problem-solving skills.
• Competency with computer skills (e.g. Word, Excel and basic data file management).
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including well-developed organizational and time prioritization skills.

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