RE – ADVERTISEMENT
NATIONAL AIDS COORDINATING AGENCY
VACANCY No. 6 of 2011
The Government of Botswana in 2008 signed a 5 year financing agreement with the World Bank to implement the Botswana National HIV and AIDS Prevention Support Project (BNAPS) through NACA. The project is currently at its mid-term and is entering Phase II with expansion to additional health districts. The project has a budget of US$50 million invested in: (1) strengthening the institutional capacity of NACA, (2) funding HIV/AIDS prevention activities at ministerial level and (3) funding HIV/AIDS prevention activities at Civil Society Organization/Private Sector Organization level through a “call for proposal” system.
There is an urgent need to understand why a considerable amount of resources invested in prevention services and behavior changing intervention efforts do not seem to be working. Such an understanding will enable the BNAPS community based grants to isolate and target the sources of vulnerability and challenges faced by the most high-risk groups in the project’s five districts. A Social Assessment study (SA) was conducted in 2010 as a first-year deliverable and the report is ready for dissemination to various stakeholders so that it informs the kind of interventions to be implemented.
The National Coordinating Agency (NACA) now requires the services of a Behavioral Scientist to support the BNAPS project, by strengthening the capacity of CSOs and stakeholders, to develop and implement innovative, effective prevention initiatives that are driven by fact based qualitative information, through applied behavior analysis techniques, that measure, reveal, the thought trends and environmental contexts that drive the notable gap between HIV and AIDS knowledge and actual behavior.
BNAPS Senior Behavioral Scientist (1 position)
This will be a 1 (one) year performance contract, renewable on need-basis and upon satisfactory performance and availability of project funding.
QUALIFICATION: Degree in Social Sciences/Public Health/Psychology/Health Promotion/Health Education/Sociology or Related Field. A masters Degree will be an added advantage.
EXPERIENCE: 14 years relevant work experience. Experience in applied behavior analysis and conceptualization, applicable to Public Health and/or HIV and AIDS. Practical and proven experience in the principles of the analysis and interpretation of behavior and its systematic application to affect sexual & reproductive health behavior in the context of HIV and AIDS Prevention; Experience in identification of the variables responsible for change in behavior.
Duties:
1) Analyze existing reports such as the Social Assessment, BIAS-I,II,III and other relevant to form a basis for fact based targeted programming in BNAPS;
2) Create a data base of variables of social significance in behavior change by district, to guide prevention programming throughout BNAPS;
3) Participate in the development of Tools, Guidelines and Materials that will guide service delivery practitioners to effectively change behavior;
4) Participate in the support CFP Pre-Qualified CSOs to take into account significant district specific qualitative & behavioral variables in developing targeted prevention messages;
5) Working with the M&E Consultants, develop qualitative behavioral indicators and formulate targets that can be used to monitor and evaluate behavior change at community level;
6) As necessary, design and conduct behaviors specific Special Studies that will inform Prevention Program Planning, Implementation, Review and redesign at district/community levels;
7) Demonstrate and document believable control over the risky sexual behaviors that drive high HIV Infection rates e.g. MCP/IS/TS that the BNAPS Project seeks to support change in;
8) Working closely with the SA Consultant(s), participate in the further articulation of behavior change socio-cultural community norms that can be used to mobilize and capacitate leaders and communities against MCP, IS,TS;
9) Support the packaging of the SA findings for “different target audiences” and from “critical voices” to ensure accuracy and appropriateness of information packages to increase potential for impact;
10) Continuously participate in monitoring, analysis, document and disseminate progress on behavior change interventions to NACA and key national HIV and AIDS Stakeholders as necessary;
11) Lead the design and implementation of a qualitative research agenda that supports prevention nationally.
Key Competencies
Functional and Technical Skills
Interpersonal communication skills
Analytical Skills
Customer Focus
Ethics and Values
Intellectual Horsepower
Drive for Results
APPLICATIONS: Interested persons who meet the above stated requirements should send or hand deliver their applications together with copies of their Curriculum Vitae, relevant certified copies of certificates and two recent references of not less than two years to:
The National Coordinator,
National AIDS Coordinating Agency (NACA),
Private Bag 00463,
Gaborone.
Or email: nacarecruitment@gov.bw
Closing Date: 25th November 2011
For further information if required please contact: Colleen Bekoe, at 3710314.
NB: We are unable to respond to all applications and therefore only short-listed applicants will be contacted.