Progressio has made a significant contribution to international development and human rights for more than seventy years. We support poor and marginalised people, especially women, to empower themselves – People Powered Development – by placing development workers to share skills in nine countries, and through our international policy, advocacy and campaigning. Progressio has Catholic roots and works with people of all faiths and none.
Advocacy and Knowledge Management Adviser (HIV & Disability)
Disability HIV and AIDS Trust (DHAT) and Deaf Zimbabwe Trust (DZT)
Based in Harare, Zimbabwe
One year placement
Please note that for this placement we are only able to consider applicants who are fluent in English, Shona and/or Ndebele.
The Progressio Development Worker (DW) will provide technical assistance to the staff of the Disability HIV and AIDS Trust and the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust, strengthening their capacity to conceptualise, develop and implement HIV-related evidence-based advocacy and lobby programmes. S/he will also help develop the skills and knowledge of staff in undertaking research, documentation, knowledge management, policy monitoring and evaluation, organisational development and fundraising to support the organisations’ policy advocacy role.The DW is expected to be skilled in development policy and practice, as well as in coordination and communication frameworks for effective advocacy and policy influence.
BACKGROUND TO PROGRESSIO
Progressio is a UK-based charity working internationally to enable poor and marginalised people in developing countries to challenge and change the situations that keep them poor. We currently work on people’s rights, development and environment in nine countries and have a long history of working in fragile, post-conflict and authoritarian states. We work with people of all faiths and none.
Progressio works in long-term partnerships with local pro-poor organisations and community groups in the global South. We provide training, advice and support through specialist development workers (DWs) and consultants, most from the global South. They know what works and help our partner organisations find lasting solutions to the problems that poor communities face. We also send committed young adults from the UK to engage alongside local volunteers in community development work, through the International Citizen Service (ICS) programme. DWs, Consultants and ICS volunteers help thousands of people in some of the world’s poorest communities to make lasting improvements to their lives.
Because poverty is about unequal power relations and lack of rights, we support poor and marginalised people to empower themselves to change the structures that keep them in poverty. We help strengthen their call for change locally as well as in the UK and mainland Europe. With our supporters, we stand alongside poor communities in demanding that decision-makers give priority to those with least power and least wealth. For more information please visit: www.progressio.org.uk
PROJECT BACKGROUND
Progressio Zimbabwe will be implementing a one year project that focuses on improving access to HIV and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) information, care and support services for People with visual and hearing impairments (PVHI) through the distribution of accessible relevant materials, outreach and awareness raising on services, training and support to beneficiaries, caregivers and service providers, and strengthening the capacity of partners and target communities to support and champion issues of disability, HIV and SRH, particularly among health professionals and policy makers.
This project will be delivered in partnership with the Disability and AIDS Trust (DHAT) and the Deaf Zimbabwe Trust (DZT), both based in Harare.
The project builds on the realisation that the majority of PVHI, particularly in remote areas, have limited access to information on HIV AIDS and SRH, despite numerous initiatives on HIV & AIDS-related information, education and communication in the country.
In Zimbabwe, many services and channels for disseminating information on HIV & AIDS use English and normal print or audio form. Unfortunately, many people with disabilities (PWDs) do not understand English due to their low literacy levels and at the same time they cannot hear and/or read. Most PWDs are left at home when other able bodied people attend community meetings and training. Access to information amongst PWDs is further exacerbated by poverty in that most cannot even afford radios and televisions, let alone newspapers through which most information on HIV & AIDS is disseminated.
Adolescents with visual and hearing disabilities are at a higher risk of exposure to HIV infection. The main reason is lack of correct, appropriate and reliable information on HIV and SRH, as parents fail to communicate with their children using appropriate modes. The situation is further compounded by a lack of specially trained service providers, especially Health Care Providers, to help PWDs. Inadequate and inappropriate methods of disseminating critical HIV and SRH information, therefore, leave visually and hearing impaired people with limited access to information on various aspects of HIV & AIDS, including reproductive health and rights, as well as other critical areas of development. Such a scenario increases the HIV susceptibility and vulnerability of people with disabilities.
THE PLACEMENT
The Progressio DW will provide technical assistance to DZT and DHAT staff in strengthening their capacity to conceptualise, develop and implement HIV related evidence-based advocacy and lobby programmes. The DW will also help develop the skills and knowledge of the partner organisations in documentation, knowledge management, policy monitoring and evaluation, organisational development and fundraising to support its policy advocacy role. S/he will build the capacity gaps of the two partners through on-the-job continuous coaching, mentoring and practical skill share.
The DW is expected to be skilled in development policy and practice as well as coordination and communication frameworks for effective advocacy and policy influence.
- Specific responsibilities of the DW
§ Conduct a capacity assessment of DZT and DHAT in the areas of HIV policy advocacy, coordination and general communication.
§ Build the capacity of DZT and DHAT in critical areas of policy advocacy, including policy research, policy monitoring and tracking, development of alternative policies/strategies, parliamentary engagements, policy communications, regional and international engagements, policy analysis and social mobilisation.
§ Spearhead the development of training manuals and toolkits on the above topics.
§ Assist the two project partners in developing engagement strategies with the executive, legislators and the judiciary, on policy matters arising from the advocacy research.
- Expected outputs
§ The skills and knowledge of the DHAT and DZT staff in relation to policy research, policy monitoring and tracking, development of alternative policies/strategies, parliamentary engagements, policy communications, regional and international engagements, policy analysis and social mobilisation are enhanced, and this can be demonstrated.
§ Relevant training manuals, toolkits and educational materials are developed on each of the crucial topics: policy research, policy monitoring and tracking, development of alternative policies, strategies, parliamentary engagements, policy communications, regional and international engagements, policy analysis and social mobilisation.
§ Coordinate the production of sign language wall charts and reference materials for service providers. Reference materials include an illustrated guide to signing, HIV modes of transmission, HIV prevention methods, Voluntary Counselling and Testing, and an Anti-retroviral Therapy Roadmap.
§ Project’s engagement strategies with the executive, legislators and the judiciary on policy matters are developed and implemented, in order to improve advocacy for HIV policy and practice that benefits people with visual and hearing impairments.
§ Facilitate two community engagements and dialogue sessions between PWDs and community leadership to hold them accountable for the implementation of the Convention on Disability and other relevant national policies.
§ Develop two position papers of emerging advocacy issues at community level. Policy monographs and briefs and other policy documents being produced with the full involvement of the two partner organisations on policy research and documentation, and with extensive input from other appropriate civil society organisations and stakeholders, are shared with relevant authorities on time and in the right format.
- DW Management and counterpart
Whilst the DW will work with all the partners’ staff as a team in building the capacity of the organisation, the DW’s direct counterparts will be the Project Officers from the two partner organisations DZT and DHAT.
The DW will be accountable to the DZT and DHAT Directors. However, overall responsibility for the DW lies with the Progressio Southern Africa Sub-Regional Manager.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
This section outlines the skills and requirements we seek for this placement, please read it carefully and ensure that your application addresses each of these requirements, giving clear examples.
Specification / Essential / Desirable /Education / 1. Degree and/or Postgraduate qualification in Policy Studies, Public Health, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or in any other relevant discipline
Experience / 2. Minimum of five years’ experience in HIV AIDS related community development work, involving research, policy development, lobbying, documentation, campaigning and media work
3. Demonstrable experience of designing, implementing and monitoring the effectiveness of policy advocacy strategies on HIV AIDS in a similar environment
4. Experience in training/facilitation methodologies and direct training/mentoring in:
- Policy research
- Research methodologies (including critical analysis and participatory methods)
- Policy monitoring and tracking
- Development of alternative policies/strategies
- Parliamentary engagements
- Policy communications
- Regional and international engagements
- Policy analysis
- Social mobilisation
5. Experience of working with NGOs and community-based organisations on campaigning, community mobilisation and networking / 21. Experience of working with NGOs focusing on disabilities
Skills and knowledge / 6. Comprehensive understanding of disability issues, including disability mainstreaming and rights-based approaches
7. Proven skills in policy research, advocacy and campaigning
8. Commitment to team-building and a consensus-led approach to work
9. Sound political judgement and the ability to engage and deal with sensitive issues with a variety of audiences, including Parliamentarians, media and civil society
10. Demonstrated knowledge and an understanding of the social, political, economic, dimensions of HIV-related policy making and programme implementation in Zimbabwe
11. Excellent interpersonal, communications and writing skills (to publication standard), including the ability to communicate complex issues in an accessible way to a wide range of people
12. Demonstrable networking, influencing and representational skills
13. Well-developed gender analysis and commitment to mainstreaming gender in all areas of work
14. Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through formal or informal training and skills sharing in advocacy issues
15. Strong analytical, strategic and critical thinking skills
16. Ability to plan and implement own work with limited support and minimal supervision
17. Fluency in English, Shona and/or Ndebele / 22. An understanding and appreciation of disability rights
23. Strong persuasive writing skills
Other / 18. A readiness to work with people with widely differing belief systems and personal circumstances, including high risk populations
19. Demonstrable commitment towards the aims and objectives of Progressio and its partners
20. Willingness to undertake road travel in Zimbabwe / 24. Driving licence
THE LOCATION
The DW will be based at the Progressio Zimbabwe office, located in Harare.
PROGRESSIO'S TERMS AND CONDITIONS
* Placement
The placement is for a period of one year. Confirmation of the placement is based on successful completion of a three months’ probation period.
* Reports
All Progressio DWs are required to produce regular reports during their placement. Progressio provides a standard format for reporting. Additionally, the DW will be requested to utilise, and report on, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) means of verification tools/surveys associated with Progressio’s Regular Impact and Capacity Assessment (RICA) monitoring and evaluation framework.
* Holidays
Progressio DWs are entitled to 20 days holiday per year, plus public and national holidays as relevant in Zimbabwe. DWs are also entitled to the time required to attend twice yearly meetings of the Progressio Zimbabwe Programme.
* Office hours
Normal working hours in Zimbabwe are from 8am - 5pm, five days per week. The DW must be prepared to be flexible and to work outside of these hours when required. Time off in lieu for overtime worked can be taken with agreement.
* Remuneration
The total remuneration for this placement is a monthly allowance of USD$1,811.00 per month, which is fixed and non-negotiable (this amount includes the living allowance and the accommodation allowance).
* Travel
Occasional visits to other regions within Zimbabwe may be required.
The living allowance is a monthly lump sum figure and is expected to cover: moderate cost of living in the country of placement; costs associated with dependants whether accompanying or not, and National Insurance/Social Security contributions or other provision for the future which a DW may have in their home country.* Other benefits include
§ Essential household equipment (for non-residents of Zimbabwe)
§ Pre-departure grant of GBP £500 (for non-residents of Zimbabwe)
§ Progressio pays, and makes the arrangements, for air travel (in economy class) to your country of placement on an agreed date. You will receive a single flight back to your country of permanent residence at the end of your placement (for non-residents of Zimbabwe)
§ Voluntary emergency health costs support facility (only for emergencies)
§ Travel expenses for Progressio business.
Development Workers with accompanying dependantsPlease note that if you bring accompanying dependants with you for the duration of your placement the following provisions are made for them: 1) travel costs at the beginning and end of the placement (for non-residents of Zimbabwe); 2) voluntary emergency health costs support facility (only for emergencies), and 3) costs associated with pregnancy. Progressio is able to make these provisions for a maximum of two accompanying dependants.
Progressio does not provide an augmented living allowance for DWs with dependants. If you have dependants, you will receive the same living allowance that is mentioned above, which is non- negotiable.
HOW TO APPLY
It is essential that you complete the application form in full, as very specific information is required and will be used to decide whether or not you will be short-listed for an interview. Please note that CVs/resumes will not be considered.For further information and an application form visit: www.progressio.org.uk/jobs
Closing date: 16 September Interviews (in Harare): End of September
Please return the completed application form to:
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EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Progressio promotes diversity and equality of opportunity and welcomes applications from people regardless of sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief.
Progressio is the working name of the Catholic Institute for International Relations.
Charity reg. no. 294329.
- September 2015 -
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