Handicap International Seeking Volunteer "PROJECT MANAGER HIV/AIDS" SOMALILAND
Saturday, 15 March 2008
Handicap International is an international organisation specialised in the field of disability. Non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit making, it works alongside people with disabilities, whatever the context, offering them assistance and supporting them in their efforts to become self-reliant. Since its creation, the organisation has set up programmes in approximately 60 countries and intervened in many emergency situations. It has a network of eight national associations (Belgium, Canada, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, United Kingdom, USA) which provide human and financial resources, manages projects and raises awareness of Handicap International’s actions and campaigns.
Country context :
Somaliland (North West Somalia) has declared independent in May 1991 and still not recognized by the international community. After a few years of conflict, the political situation has stabilized in early 2003. The deterioration of the security in 2003 and 2004 with killing of 4 expatriates (Kenyan, Italian, British) and injuring a German, led to the reinforcement of the security rules and the limitation of movement in Somaliland between 2003 and 2005. Islam is the main religion (99% of population) and strictly practiced. In general, Somaliland is currently quite calm but the security situation is fragile because of the regional destabilization
Job context:
The HIV/AIDS project in Somaliland consists of following two components:
- A 3-year cross-border prevention, care and support project targeting the mobile population in the three counties of Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somaliland. Major areas targeted by this project include Diri Dawa and Samara in Ethiopia, between Hargeisa and Wajale in Somaliland, and the border points between Djibouti and the other 2 countries.
- A prevention project targeting the mobile population within Somaliland. This component is designed to understand, and address, in great detail, the trade-driven mobility and the level of risk of the mobile population in relation to HIV and AIDS.
Post constraints : Ability to live and work in conditions of limited comfort and leisure activities;
Job description :
Under the supervision of the Program director, the HIV/AIDS Project Manager will be responsible for the strategic implementation of the HIV/AIDS project. The Project Manager is expected to properly prepare the local Project Officer to assume the full responsibility of the HIV/AIDS project after one year.
His/her core activities will include:
Manage project implementation, including allocation of resources and ensuring that appropriate controls are maintained at all levels.
Provide leadership and support to each programme staff (management, technical input and advice as well as planning, executing, monitoring and evaluation of the project activities – training
Continuously assess needs and identify gaps in services, and translate these into new program initiatives;
Formulating and disseminating project strategy and BCC (behaviour change communication) tools in collaboration with the local partners and beneficiary groups;
for the targeted beneficiaries;
Developing ToR and plans for the operational research Organising and supervising BCC for the targeted beneficiaries.
Harmonising the activities of the proposed project and the ongoing cross-border project activities in close collaboration with the HI Ethiopia team particularly the Regional HIV/AIDS Coordinator based in Diri Dawa;
Preparing and executing partnerships with the local partners and being the primary link between the project and counterparts;
Developing referral system and linkages between the HIV/AIDS clinical care and support provided by the main hospitals and the beneficiaries of this project;
Initiating documentation and capitalisation of the best practices and experiences of the project throughout the project implementation period.
Profile sought :
At least a Degree in Public Health or Social Sciences or equivalent, from a recognized institution with a minimum of 3 years post qualification experience in the HIV/AIDS field.
Significant experience in Management (lead team, monitoring, evaluation…) with at least 1
year of administrative or managerial responsibilities is necessary
Experience in budget management and knowledge of financial procedures required
Proven experience in capacity building and transfer of competencies
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relations with a team;
Excellent verbal and written communication skills; Good cross cultural skills
Ability to multi-task and effectively handle stressful situations
Knowledge of the Horn of Africa / Somalia or Somaliland is an added advantage
Proficiency in computer applications
Languages : Excellent verbal and written English skills
Remuneration : Volunteer status only based on experience (750 or 850 euros)
Length of Mission : 12 Months
Start date : 1st March 2008
Please send cover letter and resume to :
By Email :
By Fax: 514-937-6685
Or by mail : HANDICAP INTERNATIONAL CANADA 1819 RÉNÉ-LÉVESQUE WEST, SUITE 401 MONTRÉAL, QUÉBEC H3H 2P5
