Project Officer

Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization (MACRO) is a locally registered nongovernmental organization (NGO) established in 1995 to complement Government’s efforts in the fight against HIV and AlDs and other health related issues.

MACRO’s Vision is “Malawi populace free of ill-Health” and its Mission is “Transform lives of Malawians through provision of high-quality HIV and AlDS, and other health related services”.

With funding from the Embassy of the Netherlands in Maputo and through Frontline AIDS, MACRO is leading the implementation of the Resilient & Empowered Adolescents and Young-People (READY+) program in Blantyre, Lilongwe and Mzuzu targeting Young People aged 10-29 living with and most affected by HIV. The goal of the READY+ program is that Adolescents and Young People living with or most affected by HIV, especially those who are most vulnerable, are resilient, empowered, and knowledgeable and have bodily autonomy and the freedom and agency to realise their sexual and reproductive health and rights. MACRO will promote and facilitate age-appropriate disaggregated SHR, care and treatment for adolescents and young people 10-29 years, and deliver youth and economic empowerment interventions to ensure young people are resilient and well-equipped to lead fulfilled lives.

Currently applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals to fill the following vacant position to be based in Lilongwe.

Position: Project Officer

Reporting to: Project Manager

Position Overview

The Project Officer will work closely with the Project Manager to lead in the day-to-day implementation of READY+ program interventions in the technical areas of SRHR/GBV, Case Management, and Youth & Economic Empowerment. Under the direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Officer will be responsible for supervising and mentoring Peer supporters at district and community levels to ensure delivery of high-quality services to YPLHIV and actively engage partners/stakeholders to foster program ownership and facilitate sustainability of all 5 outcomes under the READY + model.

EXPERIENCE & QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Social Work, Community Development or any other related field.
• 3 years of work experience in implementing youth programs on SRH, HIV prevention, Economic Strengthening and Case Management of young people living with or most affected by HIV.
• Experience in implementing and managing any donor-funded project is an advantage.
• Comprehensive knowledge of SHR, HIV/AIDS prevention, counselling and testing and behavior change interventions.
• Comprehensive knowledge of OVC case management, community-facility linkages, integration of multiple programs and activities across the continuum of care.

PERSON SPECIFICATION/SKILLS

• Knowledge in financial management and budgeting
• Good knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets and databases is required. Numerical skills for data analysis are required.
• Detailed knowledge of community-based services, structures, national policies and programs.
• Good knowledge of administrative requirements, budgeting and fiscal management in support of sub-awards and contracts.
• Excellent oral and written communications skills.

Main Responsibilities

• Facilitate the delivery of awareness sessions to increase knowledge on SRHR, HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment services among adolescents, young people and community members.
• Train and place Peer Supporters at high volume clinics to enhance access to and uptake of HIV and SRH services at youth friendly sites.
• Lead, supervise and mentor Peer Supporters in delivering accurate information on SRHR & HIV prevention, care and treatment services through group and one-on-one sessions.
• Capacity building of communities to support HIV treatment and retention among OVC, AGYW and their families
• Facilitate dialogue sessions with community members to scale up awareness sessions on SRHR and HiV related services.
• Deliver child protection and positive parenting education to caregivers of adolescents and young people enrolled in the program
• Train Peer Supporters, faith leaders and community gatekeepers as gender champions
• Coordinate HIV/AIDS case finding for Adolescents and young people at district, facility and community levels.
• Identify and enrol high-risk Adolescents and young people in case management and provide referrals to an expanded referral network of services.
• Facilitate uptake of health, HiV prevention, care and treatment services amongst Adolescent and Young People.
• Conduct youth leadership training for AYLPHIV representatives
• Conduct/participate in routine technical working group meetings to lobby for policy reform and involvement of AYPLHIV
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders to establish youth networks for advocacy
• Promote safeguarding practices in the implementation and delivery of Ready+ program interventions.
• Provide oversight on safeguarding practices among Ready+ project staff, partners and stakeholders.
• Monitor and maintain MACRO safeguarding standards through supervision and mentorship.
• Develop and submit monthly and quarterly reports in collaboration with M&E
• Develop and submit weekly, monthly and quarterly workplans to enhance program efficiency.
• Support development of project budgets
• Develop and submit timely activity requests in line with the annual workplan and project budget.

All interested applicants for the above position are requested to submit their application, CV, educational qualifications, names and contact telephone numbers of at least three traceable referees to The Executive Director, Malawi AIDS Counselling and Resource Organization through email to: dreamsliteproject@yahoo.com

Closing date for receiving applications is Monday, 16 September 2024, only shortlisted candidates will be acknowledged