HIV Support Specialist at UNAIDS

Mission and objectives, UNAIDS mission is to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. UNAIDS's vision is to achieve zero new HIV infections, zero AIDS-related deaths, and zero discrimination.

Objectives:

• Reduce HIV-related inequalities
• Promote comprehensive responses to AIDS that integrate prevention, treatment, care, and support
• Ensure that resources are focused on where they have the greatest impact
• Reduce HIV-related stigma and discrimination

Context

The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) was established on 26 July 1994 and officially launched in January 19961. Its mandate is to lead, strengthen, and support an expanded response to HIV/AIDS, aiming to end AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 as part of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Roles and Responsibilities:

• Leadership and Advocacy: UNAIDS advocates for effective action on the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
• Strategic Information and Technical Support: It provides data, analysis, and technical support to guide global efforts against AIDS.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: UNAIDS tracks and evaluates the pandemic and responses to it.
• Civil Society Engagement: It fosters partnerships with civil society and ensures their involvement in decision-making.

Resource Mobilization:

UNAIDS mobilizes resources to support an effective response to HIV/AIDS

With the support of Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), the Global Prevention Coalition Piloted Prevention Acceleration Teams (PATs), a low cost, sustainable modality for strengthening prevention stewardship in four countries (Ghana, Mozambique, Nigeria and Zambia) from October 2021 to October 2024. Establishing the teams supported UNAIDS COs and NACs strengthening overall leadership in prevention, address technical gaps in thematic prevention pillars and increase resource allocation to prevention.

Under the GPC grant for November 2024 to April 2026, UNAIDS has proposed HIV prevention stewardship support in 4 countries (3 same as in the previous phase), including Tanzania which has been selected based on its large number of new HIV infections, slow decline of incidence and gaps in primary prevention as highlighted by the impact assessment survey 2022/23.

The overall aim of this support is to enhance country stewardship capacity in 4 priority countries with large number of new HIV infections and/or prevention crises through a country tailored surge capacity model. The country’s support proposed will ensure that specific key elements of an effective HIV prevention response are in place in all four countries and countries have adopted key elements of a strengthened national management system.

Aim:

The overall aim of this support is to enhance country stewardship capacity in 4 priority countries with large number of new HIV infections and/or prevention crises through a country tailored surge capacity model.

Task description

Objectives

• The country’s support proposed will ensure that specific key elements of an effective HIV prevention response are in place in all four countries and countries have adopted key elements of a strengthened national management system:
• Use of granular incidence data and differentiated targets,
• Evidence-based method mix established including plan for new long-acting technology (2026-30),
• Sub-national scorecards,
• Performance reviews,
• National plan/ approach for scaled access platforms.
• Results Framework and Indicators

Target:

4 countries have adopted key elements of a strengthened national management system: granular data, differentiated targets, sub-national scorecards, performance reviews, evidence-based method mix, national plan/ approach for scaled access platforms. → Prepares countries for 2026-2030 impact

Indicator:

Country meets all the following criteria by December 2025:

• Used SHIPP tool or equivalent for planning,
• Has detailed granular prevention target table (ideally updated to 2030),
• Has sub-national scorecards (or equivalent),
• Conducted a national prevention performance review (using 2024 scorecards),
• Has an active national prevention plan/Road Map.

Milestones

• Enhanced country prevention stewardship capacity through surge capacity model:
• Country used SHIPP analysis for population prioritization (31 March 2025)
• Country adopted sub-national scorecard (31 July 2025)
• Country conducted performance review (30 September 2025)
• Country has 2030 granular prevention target table based on evidence and needs estimation for an evidence-based method mix (31 October 2025)
• Active national prevention plan/Road Map (31 October 2025)
• The UNV will be responsible for tracking the project implementation and work hand in hand with the hired consultant and UCO Prevention focal person. Specifically, under the supervision of the Services for All Adviser, the UNV shall assist in the efforts in supporting the country (TACAIDS and NASHCoP) to:
• Carry out the SHIPP analysis for population prioritization
• Review and compile the sub-national scorecard
• Support preparations for the performance review
• Participate in HIV Prevention TWG meetings

Eligibility criteria

• Age, 18 - 80

Required experience, 3 years

• Nationality, Candidate must be a national or legal resident of the country of assignment.
• Assignment requirements, Relevant experience, 3 years

Languages

• English, Level: Fluent, Required
• Swahili, Level: Fluent, Desirable

Required education level

• Bachelor degree or equivalent in Medicine, Social sciences, or public health, or another relevant field.

Competencies and values

• Working in Teams: Collaborating effectively with colleagues and partners to achieve common goals.
• Communicating with Impact: Conveying information clearly and persuasively to various audiences.
• Applying Expertise: Utilizing specialized knowledge and skills to achieve results.
• Delivering Results: Ensuring high-quality outcomes and meeting commitments.
• Driving Change and Innovation: Promoting and implementing new ideas and approaches to improve performance

Skills and experience

• Experience in Medicine, Social sciences, or public health, or other relevant programmes; experience with HIV Prevention is an asset, as is experience working in the UN or other international development organization.
• Other desired/mandatory required technical knowledge.
• Excellent oral and written skills; excellent drafting, formulation, reporting skills.
• Accuracy and professionalism in document production and editing.
• Excellent interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive; ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels; familiarity with tools and approaches of communications for development.
• Ability to work and adapt professionally and effectively in a challenging environment; ability to work effectively in a multicultural team of international and national personnel.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Word, among others), email, and internet; familiarity with database management; and office technology equipment.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines.

Desirable:

• Valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain.
• Sound security awareness.
• Have affinity with or interest in HIV prevention across the five pillars as per GPC roadmap volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN system.

Area(s) of expertise

• Health, Security and protection, Social work
• Driving license
• Other information
• Living conditions and remarks
• Dodoma is generally considered safe, but like any city, it’s important to stay aware of your surroundings and take standard precautions.

Access and Air Travel

Dodoma is accessible by road and has a small airport, Dodoma Airport, which is about 9 km from the city center. The city is also accessible by an electric train connecting it to Dar es salaam

Climate

Dodoma has a semi-arid climate with warm to hot temperatures year-round. The wet season runs from November to April, with most of the annual 570 mm of precipitation occurring during this period.

Cultural Awareness

• Dress Code: Modest clothing is recommended, especially in rural areas and during visits to religious sites.
• Alcohol Use: Alcohol is available, but public consumption should be done respectfully.
• Cost of Living
• The cost of living in Dodoma is relatively low. For example, the average monthly cost for a single person is around $564, including rent.

Accommodation Options

Accommodation ranges from budget-friendly apartments to more expensive houses. A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs about $295 per month.

Availability of Food, Water, and Electricity

• Food: Local markets and supermarkets offer a variety of food options.
• Water: Tap water is not always safe to drink, so bottled or filtered water is recommended.
• Electricity: Generally reliable, but occasional outages can occur.
• Medical Facilities
• Dodoma has several hospitals and clinics, but for specialized care, travel to larger cities like Dar es Salaam may be necessary.

Banking Facilities

• Banks and ATMs are available in Dodoma, providing standard banking services.
• Communications Infrastructure
• Internet and mobile phone services are available, with various providers offering different plans
• Provide brief description of relevant living conditions in duty station, for example, security situation, access and air travel, climate, cultural awareness such as dress code and alcohol use, cost of living, accommodation options, availability of food, water, and electricity, medical facilities, banking facilities, communications infrastructure, among others.

Inclusivity statement

United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements

Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy

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