Technical Head, Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute: Sex Worker Programmes

Technical Head: Sex Worker Programmes
Location: Johannesburg,ZA
Organization Name: Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (120 2016)

Department Description        

Wits RHI has a flagship portfolio of programmatic and research work relating to sex workers and their clients, based in Johannesburg, with sites across the country. The work focuses on developing policy and health services for sex workers relating to HIV, STI and TB. The Institute liaises closely with the Department of Health, SANAC and other stakeholders in the field to achieve the provision of quality, accessible services to Sex Workers in South Africa. Our team is seeking an innovative thinker and proactive technical lead to provide technical and strategic direction to guide research and policy development around this important portfolio.

Main purpose of the job

To lead the formulation of the technical strategy in line with the Programme and organisational objectives and oversee the technical direction relating to the project at an organisational level.

Location

Hugh Solomon Building, Hillbrow, Johannesburg

Key performance areas

• Oversee all Sex Worker related work within RHI, including the PEPFAR Sex Work Programme and research projects such as TAPS.
• Facilitate the development of a strategy for the sex worker portfolio that meets organisational needs.
• Provide visible leadership as an advocate for evidence based advancement of sex worker focussed health programmes in public forums.
• Through visible leadership with stakeholders and externally, ensure RHI is positioned as a leader in the field of Sex Worker related health programming and research.
• Develop work plans and other planning documents to ensure the programme is well managed and implemented.
• Evaluate progress of implementation of plans, and take corrective action as necessary to ensure goals are met.
• Lead the Sex Work portfolio management team, and ensure that the portfolio is managed in a unified and integrated manner.
• Compile departmental, project and programme reports as and when required.
• Write budgets and monitor expenditure as required.
• From the work Wits RHI does, ensure the extraction and communication of evidence, lessons learnt and recommended policy revisions as necessary.
• Ensure the implementation of good practice tools i.e. HIV standards, TB register, Infection Control Manual, Good Participatory Practice etc.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with appropriate organisations to meet training and mentoring needs
• Liaise with the Training Department to address training needs and present training interventions.
• Monitor the delivery and quality of training.
• Monitor the effectiveness of capacity building interventions.
• Participate in ongoing mentorship programmes initiated by other WRHI stakeholders.
• Supervise masters students as required
• Develop a research agenda for the field of Sex Worker SRH.
• Write grant proposals, protocols and ethics applications in order to fund and carry out research studies.
• Supervise conceptualisation, design and execution of research studies conducted by Sex Work Programme team members
• Monitor research projects through liaising with project managers and fulfil all duties of the principal investigator where necessary, in keeping with applicable regulations.
• Attend and participate in organisational research meetings.
• Keep abreast of relevant research findings and collaborate with other investigators on related studies within Wits RHI.
• Write and submit research outputs for publication
• Develop and implement stakeholder relations plans as necessary.
• Act as a point of contact for the Sex Worker portfolio for partner organisations, sub partners, research collaborators, donors and internally where appropriate.
• Ensure sub partners are in compliance with their contractual obligations.
• Communicate with all levels of RHI staff around inputs and outputs.
• Communicate with local, regional and international collaborators and stakeholders.
• Provide feedback to internal and external stakeholders.
• Act as a point of contact for the relevant technical area for the DoH, partner organisations, donors and internal stakeholders where appropriate.
• Ensure all donor requests and requirements are comprehensively addressed in a timely manner.
• Attend to all staffing requirements and administration.
• Supervise and manage the duties of subordinates to ensure optimal staff utilisation and maintenance of sound labour relations.
• Set and review work plans.
• Perform and facilitate performance development and assessments.
• Identify substandard performance by team members and take necessary corrective action.
• Coach and train subordinates and team members to ensure the acquisition of knowledge and skills required by the organisation.
• Promote harmony, teamwork and sharing of information.

Required minimum education and training

• MBBCh, Masters or Postgraduate degree in Public Health
• Professional body registration
• Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) ¡V If clinically active
• Required minimum work experience
• Mininimum 8 years senior management experience of complex projects

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities

• Post graduate degree in related field.
• Experience working in a research environment.
• Demonstrated leadership, management and change management ability, including the ability to manage a diverse team.
• Be proactive agent influencing positive change with external stakeholders with the ability to develop and maintain relationships at all levels of WRHI and partner organizations.
• Positive, energetic team leader with an ability to adapt to complex situations, manage stress, deliver goals pro-actively.
• Organized with a thorough and accurate approach to work, attention to detail.

The closing date for all applications is Friday, 1 July 2016.

The Wits RHI will only respond to shortlisted candidates. Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications unsuccessful. In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.