NGO JOBS

Organization: UNAIDS
Country: Myanmar
Closing date: 31 Jan 2014

Main tasks and Responsibilities of the Position:

Under the overall guidance and supervision of the UNAIDS Country Coordinator, and the direct supervision of the Advisor (Prevention), the Technical Officer works towards an enabling environment for improved and expanded HIV prevention services for people dependent on drugs, men who have sex with men/transgender and people engaged in sex work, especially in the area of reducing stigma and discrimination. The Technical Officer liaises with UNAIDS’ government, civil society partners, INGO partners and networks in order to facilitate on going capacity building and policy advocacy efforts focusing on an improved legal and policy environment and reduction of stigma and discrimination. Critical to this position will be knowledge and experience working with most at risk populations and of Myanmar’s civil society organisations working to increase access to services. Specifically, the main tasks of the position include:

• Provision of technical assistance and policy advice to Government and non-Government partners as part of UNAIDS’ policy advocacy and capacity building efforts, especially in the area of prevention services for people who inject drugs, engage in sex work or engage in male-male sex.
• Using existing and new training materials and approaches, identify, recruit and train a group of community spokespersons and representatives of networks of people who inject drugs, engaged in sex work or engaged in male to male sex to be trained as ‘advocates’ in efforts to reduce stigma and discrimination.
• Conducting or assisting in the conduct of a national review of social science research findings (in English and Burmese) related to drug use, sex work and male to male sex, resulting in the development of one or more synthesis papers that can be used for advocacy, capacity building and to inform prevention programming approaches. Conduct a process of consultation with existing key partners and new partners towards the development of a national research agenda on HIV prevention for Myanmar.
• Starting with the adaptation of an existing or the development of a new training curriculum, identify, train and coach a number of journalists and news editors to ensure reporting of news about people who inject drugs, engage in sex work or have male to male sex is unbiased, compassionate and understanding.
• Work together with the National HIV Policy Officer in the organisation and provision of HIV prevention seminars and workshops for senior policy makers and decision makers
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor

Education:

Essential: First university degree in social sciences, development studies, public health or related fields. Desirable: Specialization in one of those above fields

Experience:

Essential: At least 3 to 6 years of professional experience working in Myanmar in the area of HIV prevention, policy and/or community mobilization. Experience or knowledge of prevention programmes particularly issues related to harm reduction is essential, including: role of Health and Police, existing legislation and policies; needs of key populations; specific interventions such as condom promotion; needle and syringe programmes and methadone.
Desirable: Experience in the UN system, experience of living with HIV.

Languages:

Essential: Fluent in Burmese. Advanced level of English.
Desirable: Good working knowledge of one or more of Myanmar’s national languages.

Functional/Technical Knowledge and Skills:

Strong interpersonal, representation-, advocacy and capacity building skills. Deep knowledge and understanding of the lives of people using drugs, engaged in sex work, and/or engaging in male to male sex. Understanding of the AIDS epidemic and of principles of harm reduction for people dependent on drugs is essential. Knowledge of the UN system and broader development issues is desirable. Strong ability to ensure that the principles around human rights, gender and the meaningful involvement of people living with HIV are adhered to and applied in all UNAIDS partnership work and strategies.

How to apply:

UN P-11 forms and updated CV should be completed and submitted along with the letter of interest, educational credentials and references to Country Coordinator, UNAIDS Myanmar, No. 137/1, Thanlwin Road, Kamayut Township, Yangon (Tel: +95 1 534498, 504832, 503816, 538087, 538938) or send email to (htwey@unaids.org) no later than 31 January 2014