Technical Officer

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC), is a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS), that provides strategic technical assistance and direct service delivery to achieve HIV epidemic control among all at-risk populations; strengthen global health security (GHS), including outbreak response; expand tuberculosis detection and treatment (TB), improve maternal and child health (MCH), address malaria; and promote health systems strengthening (HSS) including supply chain management.

The EpiC Cameroon buy-in will support the continuation and expansion of life-saving HIV prevention, treatment, care, and support services in Cameroon, building upon the foundational work of previous PEPFAR-funded initiatives. The focus will be on strengthening community-led platforms and integrating them with facility-based systems to increase access to quality HIV-related services, particularly for populations at higher risk of HIV, long distant truck drivers (LDTD), Children and Adolescents Living with HIV (C/ALHIV), HIV-exposed infants (HEIs), and their caregivers. The program will contribute to closing gaps mainly towards HIV case finding (the first 95) while maintaining the gains of the second and third 95 of the UNAIDS target. Collaboration with the Government of Cameroon (including the Ministry of Public Health and the National AIDS Control Committee), PEPFAR clinical partners, the Global Fund, and local community organizations will be essential to ensure the delivery of high-quality, evidence-based case finding, family-centered where necessary and population-specific interventions.

This position is located in Garoua, North Region.

Accountabilities

This position contributes and provides technical guidance on community-based HIV testing, treatment, care and support services, based on the direction set by technical leadership. It is expected the Community Technical officer will coordinate closely with the Strategic Information and Evaluation team to ensure implementation is on time and target. Assists with project implementation to ensure project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation, and collaborate with the broader team to ensure proper management of project timelines and budgets.

Technical Requirements

• Provides technical support to the sub-granted partners in the implementation of the workplan; provide technical support to review progress, discuss challenges and solutions

• Participate in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, workplans and progress reporting for the project.

• Works closely with assigned team to ensure activities are implemented according to standard operating procedures (SOP’s) and workplan. S/He should be able to set up strong mechanisms to monitor the implementation of activities by the sub-partners.

• Coordinates closely with the Strategic Information team and promotes data use for decision making.

• Monitors and maintains protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and ensures project implementation adheres to company strategy and donor guidelines and remains technically sound.

• Delivers presentations at professional meetings and conferences.

• Ensures project implementation, adheres to company strategy, and remains technically sound.

Project Design Implementation

• Implements established project design.

• Tracks project indicators and produces reports for others to act upon.

• Assists with implementing components of the technical portions of the project plan.

• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff.

• Conducts analysis of project, implementation to identify areas for improvement and propose appropriate technical strategy and guidelines; implements technical training and capacity building interventions; and identifies strategies to address training gaps.

• Responds to technical requests and inquiries from internal and external staff and regularly reporting to his/her supervisor or management on the progress of assigned tasks.

 Business Development and Client/Funder Support

• Assists with developing the technical portions of proposals and project design.

• Collects data for inclusion in proposals.

• Assists with proposal research.

Operations Management

• Ensures project activities are on track with work plans, with technical expertise informing project implementation.

Project/Program Reporting

• Assists with collecting data for inclusion in client reports.

• Assists with compiling and creating technical content (e.g., reports, presentations, manuscripts).

• Assists with publications, web pages, and presentations.

• Supports the development or writing technical briefs, reports, or other necessary materials to facilitate, best practices, policies, and procedures.

• Supports preparation of technical reports and papers summarizing results.

Quality Assurance

• Develops broader knowledge of quality standards through formalized system that documents processes, procedures, and responsibilities for achieving quality policies and objectives.

• Helps coordinate and direct activities to meet client/funder and regulatory requirements.

Applied Knowledge & Skills

• Moderate knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures by providing technical support for research studies.

• Development of scope of work and deliverables for partners, consultants, etc.

• Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.

• Has sensitivity to cultural diversity and understanding of the political, contextual, and ethical issues in assigned areas.

• Articulate, professional and able to communicate in a clear, positive manner with clients and staff.

• Must be able to read, write, and speak fluently in French and English.

• Excellent organizational and analytical skills.

• Demonstrated proficiency with using Microsoft Office Suite required.

• Ability to analyze and interpret data, identify errors, and prepare reports.

• Ability to solve problems and implement corrective action as needed.

Competencies

• Project Management (Planning and Time Management) - Accurately scopes out length and difficulty of tasks (sets objectives/goals/measures). Breaks down work into steps, schedules, task/people assignments. Marshals people, time, and resource efficiently. Arranges information in a useful manner and orchestrates multiple activities at once.

• People Management (Making Others Great) – Facilitate professional development of staff by providing challenging, learning assignments and opportunities. Shares and solicits feedback monthly at the very least. Helps establish compelling development plans. Assigns responsibility and accountability for tasks/decisions. Monitors process, progress, and results. Creates a climate in which people want to do their best.

• Creating and Managing Systems and Processes – Recognizes the need for standardization and balances client and organization need in systems design. Anticipates the effects of process change on people while optimizing task efficiency and simplicity.

• Employees are expected to possess or have high potential for development of these three fundamental competencies.

Problem Solving & Impact

• Works on problems of moderate to complex scope that require review of various factors.

• Exercises good judgment with selecting methods and techniques to determine appropriate action.

• Identifies and raises issues to senior technical staff

• Networks with key internal and external personnel.

• Decision may cause delays or failure to achieve results that impact departmental goals.

Supervision Given/Received

• Has no supervisory responsibility.

• Receives methods and procedures on new projects and assignments.

• Provides guidance to personnel of Community Based Organizations.

• Reports to the Community Technical Advisor and Lead of zone 4.

Education

• MD Degree or Bachelor's Degree or its International Equivalent in Public Health, Epidemiology or relevant disciplines.

Experience

• 4+ years of relevant experience managing data collection and technical assistance experience.

• 4+ years of relevant experience in technical implementation of PEPFAR or HIV-related public health programs.

• Documented experience providing technical assistance, capacity building, and business development in HIV/AIDS service delivery.

• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the sociopolitical nuances in the operating environment

• Good knowledge of the community environment and the cultures of the Northern Regions

• Demonstrated experience in the Cameroon public health sector.

• Experience operating in insecure environments.

• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).

• Experience in providing technical assistance to community-based organizations

Typical Physical Demands

• A hybrid of office and field environment.

• Ability to spend long hours looking at computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.

• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time.

Technology to be Used

• Personal Computer/Laptop, Microsoft applications (i.e., Office 365, SharePoint, Skype/Zoom/Teams), cell phone/mobile technology, and standard office equipment.

Travel Requirements

• Ability to travel within Cameroon, especially in the Northern regions 30 – 40%.

The expected hiring salary range for this role is 11,500,000 - 15,000,000 for annual gross salary for national local hire. When determining an offer amount, FHI 360 factors in multiple considerations, including but not limited to: relevant years of experience and education possessed by the applicant, internal equity, market pay,  and budget. For internal candidates, salary placement will also follow FHI 360’s current promotional increase guidelines.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

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