Peace Corps Cameroon

Consultant Contract Statement of Work

Position: Program Development Specialist

Program Objective: HIV Prevention in Adolescents

Supervisor: Director of Programming and Training (DPT)

Duration: 6-12 months, not to exceed 260 total work days

Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon

Opening Date: 9:00 AM - 28 December 2017

Closing Date: 6:00 AM – 12 January 2018

BACKGROUND

Peace Corps Cameroon’s HIV Program has as a main goal to reduce as much as possible, new infections amongst adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). This is being achieved through the implementation of the DREAMS-like package of interventions which, holistically addresses the adolescent girls and young women’s risks and vulnerabilities to HIV infection. Interventions are focused principally on risk avoidance and risk reduction for adolescent girls 10-24 years old. Peace Corps’ strategy ensures that, the adolescent girl is well educated and empowered to make healthy choices that will keep her HIV/AIDS free. It engages communities (men, women, families, organizations, schools, association etc.) to support AGYWs’ efforts in staying HIV free. In addition, Peace Corps Cameroon is also committed to support HIV positive adolescent girls and boys to live healthier lives and adopt positive behaviors that enable them stay retained in care, adhere to treatment and as an ultimate end, and achieve viral suppression.

Peace Corps Cameroon’s behavior change focused approach to HIV prevention for AGYW, is unique as it engages and provides on going consistent support to the adolescent over a period of time, thus ensuring that s/he acquires the appropriate skills to reduce and/or avoid risks to HIV infection. This model/approach to programming has been applauded by PEPFAR hierarchy and the government of Cameroon, with an expressed need to strengthen both government and civil society capacity to adopt and implement this approach. This will support the government of Cameroon’s efforts to improve the quality of Adolescents’ HIV prevention programs as well as maximize impact.

Peace Corps Cameroon is therefore, seeking the services of a consultant who would coordinate the pilot process, thus supporting the agency to achieve its program objectives. This will be through the implementation Peace Corps’ current HIV prevention programming model with communities and local organizations in the PEPFAR supported regions in Cameroon, that do not work directly with Peace Corps volunteers. The person filling this role will be expected to support the local organizations to learn Peace Corps approach to implementing AGYW focused HIV Prevention Programs; and strengthen their capacity to implement similar DREAMS-like activities.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Programming and Training, and in collaboration with the HIV Coordinator, the principal role of the Program Development Specialist is to support the design and pilot of a model for Peace Corps Cameroon’s HIV Prevention Programming for AGYW’s. The project seeks to design and pilot an approach for translating PC Cameroon prevention programming to partners who are not assigned 2 year volunteers. Specifically, we would like to create a model that will enable Peace Corps to expand their reach toward reducing HIV risk amongst AGYW by building the capacity of organizations to implement our prevention portfolio of AGYW. The tasks involved therefore include but are not limited to the following:

Manage the AGYW pilot implementation

• Develop a project implementation work plan with milestones and expected outcomes.
• Develop a detailed job description for the Volunteer and work with each Volunteer and agency to develop detailed annual work plan for the pilot.
• Identify potential partners
• Work with health Program Manager (PM) and HIV Coordinator to identify which interventions to include in the pilot and develop training plan with training manger if necessary.
• Provide day to day support to Volunteer and pilot organizations – through site visits, email, calls etc.
• Provide technical assistance to Volunteers and implementing (host) organizations all through the pilot process
• Conduct frequent visits to implementing organizations to provide on- site support to roll out process
• Observe Volunteers facilitating trainings with their organizations. When necessary co- facilitate or work with PM, HIV Coordinator and or DPT to identify trainers.
• In collaboration with the HIV Coordinator and DPT, outline a budget to support the ongoing implementation of this project for the following fiscal year
• Provide necessary presentation and reports to Peace Corps stakeholders (PAC, PEPFAR interagency Space, National AIDS Control Committee, etc) to discuss project implementation and results on quarterly basis and project outcomes bi annually.
• Conduct protocol visits to government and relevant administrative officials

PCV and Partner Management

• Site Development: Set up the Volunteers’ position in the community. Set up the Volunteer office, figure out logistics
• Site Development: Identification of support materials required for PCV e,g laptop computer, supplies and liaise with staff for supplies
• Manage relationship between Peace Corps and implementing organizations
• Provide a thorough orientation and training on DREAMS and Peace Corps approach to Gender and HIV Prevention for selected PCVs and respective organizations
• Design an orientation plan for selected PCVs for the pilot
• Facilitate or co-facilitate training for PCVs
• Observe Volunteers facilitating trainings with their organizations. When necessary co-facilitate or work with PM, HIV Coordinator and or DPT to identify trainers
• Ongoing mentoring/support to Volunteers working with selected organizations in support of pilot roll out

Design and Monitoring outcomes of the pilot in partnership with HIV Coordinator and MRE Specialist

• Design a Monitoring Reporting and Evaluation Plan for tracking the pilot (Quantitative and Qualitative)
• Design an assessment tool and conduct assessment of potential organizations’ capacity to implement pilot
• Establish baselines with all organizations selected for the pilot
• Train up PCVs and host institution/organizations on indicators and expectations for quarterly reporting
• Monitor project performance and provide support to both local organization’s and PCV quarterly reports
• By the end of the pilot, develop with the host institution/organization suggested plan for continued roll-out without further PCV support
• Prepare and submit quarterly progress report to Peace Corps
• Submit a final pilot report to Peace Corps Country Director at the end of mandate, service.

Safety and Security

• Monitors Volunteers compliance with Peace Corps policies related to safety and security.
• Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.

Key Deliverables

• Baseline AGYW program assessment tool for Local NGOs established,
• Submit monthly reports specifically on progress made with implementation
• Set up meeting with National AIDS Control Committee NACC every quarter to discuss results and progress
• Prepare and present project progress to interagency team every trimester
• By the end of the first year of the project, produce a project management and procedures guide for PCVs and staff, with step by step guidance to carry out a similar project with other organizations.
• Submit a final project report with recommendations for future implementation to PC Cameroon

Occasional Money Holder

The Consultant may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders as directed by the Contracting Officer, or may be required to courier cash to Volunteers. The Consultant will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the Consultant will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• A Bachelor’s degree or higher in social sciences, or public health related discipline
• Demonstrated knowledge of the Peace Corps approach to development
• Understanding of PEPFAR Response within Cameroon
• Demonstrated knowledge of DREAMS Approach
• Fluent English

Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the following:

• Level III French or higher language skills
• Experience in HIV and Gender projects implementation at community level
• Prior service as a Peace Corps Volunteer or similar community extension agent role
• Excellent writing and proofreading skills
• Possess analytical skills with sense of creativity
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the knowledge and ability to work successfully in a team and motivate others
• Experience in writing and implementing a small grant funded projects
• Proficient in Microsoft applications particularly Word and Excel
• Proactive self-starter

HOW TO APPY:

Interested applicants must email info@cm.peacecorps.gov with Program Development Specialist in the subject line and include all of the following:

1. a cover letter addressing qualifications related to the position;
2. a current resume or CV with updated contact information;
3. three references capable of attesting to your work performance.

Questions may be addressed in writing to the Director of Programing and Training at Peace Corps Cameroon B.P 215 Yaoundé. Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. No telephone calls or personal visits from applicants will be received. Any application received after the closing date will not be considered.

The successful applicant will be required to pass a security background check prior to being issued a contract. The duration of the background check may vary depending on the applicants’ country of residence and nationality.

All U.S. citizen Personal Services Contractors are considered Government personnel for U.S. tax purposes. F.I.C.A. contributions and U.S. Federal Income Tax withholding shall be deducted in accordance with regulations and rulings of the Social Security Administration and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service, respectively. W-2s will be issued to US Citizen PSCs and filed with the Internal Revenue Service. The contractor is not eligible for the “foreign earned income” exclusion under the IRS Regulations (see 26 CFR 1.911-3(c)(3)).

If you have already submitted an application, please do not reapply. All prior applicant submissions will be considered in the review process