GLOBAL: IRIN PlusNews Weekly Issue 357, 19 October 2007
JOHANNESBURG, 19 October 2007 (PlusNews) - NEWS:
ZIMBABWE: Dangerous sex in "small houses"
NAMIBIA: HIV/AIDS dulls shine of good development scores
AFRICA: Design of effective HIV prevention trials the first hurdle
AFRICA: Major improvements needed to retain patients on ARVs
DRC: Sexual violence - the scourge of the east
ZIMBABWE: Kwashiorkor comes to the capital
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. World Conference on Lung Health of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 8 to 12 November, Cape Town, South Africa
2. Social Relationships and Adolescents: HIV counselling and testing decisions in Zambia, Population Council
VACANCIES
1. Male Circumcision Partnership Director, Populations Services International, Zambia
2. Health and HIV and AIDS Advisor, World Vision, Kenya
ZIMBABWE: Dangerous sex in "small houses"
There's a weekly television soap about the phenomenon, and even a hit rap song, as Zimbabweans begin to own up to "small houses" - long-term illicit sexual relationships - and their impact on HIV transmission.
full report
NAMIBIA: HIV/AIDS dulls shine of good development scores
A sharp drop in life expectancy, with HIV/AIDS the primary driver, has sent Namibia's human development indicators plummeting; gains in other areas will continue to be undermined by the epidemic unless treatment and prevention programmes are stepped up, a new report warns.
full report
AFRICA: Design of effective HIV prevention trials the first hurdle
We've long known how to protect ourselves from HIV, but the options are limited and not available to everyone: women who are powerless to refuse sex or insist on condoms, and can only trust that their partner will be faithful, pay the heaviest price. In sub-Saharan Africa, those between the ages of 15 and 24 are four times more likely to become infected than men of the same age.
full report
AFRICA: Major improvements needed to retain patients on ARVs
About a third of patients on antiretroviral (ARV) programmes in sub-Saharan Africa are being "lost" within two years of enrolment, a new study has found.
full report
DRC: Sexual violence - the scourge of the east
Women in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) are so familiar with the crude mechanics of sexual violence they have no problem explaining how it works.
full report
ZIMBABWE: Kwashiorkor comes to the capital
Theresa Machirori, a thirteen-year-old student in the Zimbabwean capital, Harare, has become used to the morning routine of washing her face, putting on a tattered uniform and going to school without breakfast.
full report
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. World Conference on Lung Health of the International Union Against Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, 8 to 12 November, Cape Town, South Africa
With the theme "Confronting the challenges of HIV and MDR in TB prevention and care", the conference will seek to address barriers to effective prevention and care taking into consideration broader political, economic and sectoral issues.
For more information, go to www.worldlunghealth.org
2. Social Relationships and Adolescents: HIV counselling and testing decisions in Zambia, Population Council
This study finds that families can play an important role in youth's decision-making about getting tested for HIV. To encourage youth to seek voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and ensure they receive follow-up care, programme managers should implement communication strategies that promote discussion about VCT within families and strengthen referral systems to better link HIV–positive youth with care services.
To download a summary of this study, go to www.popcouncil.org
VACANCIES
1. Male Circumcision Partnership (MCP) Director, Populations Services International, Zambia
Responsibilities
- Oversee implementation of large scale MCP research, service delivery and training in four African countries in conjunction with the research leads
- Develop project strategies and manage implementation; research and monitor evaluation systems
- Conceptualise/articulate ambitious, innovative male circumcision scale up strategies
- Guide collaboration between both international donors and local/international stakeholders on a regular basis to ensure matching funds and partnership approaches
- Represent MCP in international arena and conferences on male circumcision scale up and research
- Produce reports to ensure timely dissemination of research, best practices and lessons learned between country programmes and among international stakeholders and agencies
- Collaborate with team members to manage budgets, deliverables, work plans and reporting
- Manage the Deputy Director and other MCP regional team office members and country MCP team directors (from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Swaziland and Malawi).
Requirements
- A strong manager with a post-graduate degree and a minimum of 10 years experience in the design and implementation of international HIV service delivery, and operations research programmes
- Experience in developing/managing project strategies, implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Experience managing large grants preferred
- Demonstrated excellent written, presentation and oral communication skills
- Experience in a role requiring collaboration with complex internal and external organisations, as well as a demonstrated ability to work with efficiency and diplomacy, particularly as part of a team effort
- Demonstrated interest in global health issues and experience working in the field of HIV, male circumcision delivery or HIV prevention is preferred.
Application deadline: 18 December 2007
For more information and to apply online, visit: www.psi.org
2. Health and HIV and AIDS Advisor, World Vision, Kenya
Responsibilities
- Build the capacity of the national health office and HIV/AIDS coordinators/managers by assisting in the development of quality health, and HIV/AIDS programmes
- Work closely with country programme directors, health coordinators and area based functional teams to facilitate the development of health and HIV and AIDS initiatives in east Africa, including in the areas of capacity-building, needs assessment, modelling and survey design
- Network with major contacts and donors, if necessary.
Requirements
- Doctor of medicine or master’s degree in public health or other relevant social science with a bias towards health, and HIV and AIDS
- A combined medical and public health degree is a major advantage
- Three years field experience running large-scale public health interventions in a developing country setting
- Proven training skills
- Two years in a managerial or coordinator role with responsibilities for strategic planning, advocacy, and higher level networking
- Willingness to serve in very difficult conditions and travel a minimum of 30 percent of the time
- Swahili an advantage.
Application deadline: 9 November 2007
For more information, visit www.wvi.org
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