GLOBAL: IRIN/PlusNews Weekly Issue 499, 20 August 2010
JOHANNESBURG, 20 August 2010 (PlusNews) - CONTENTS:
KENYA: TB patients with HIV miss out on ARVs
SOUTH AFRICA: Nevirapine linked to treatment failure
TOGO: Manya Andrews, "The condoms had the thickness and sensitivity of a tyre"
SWAZILAND: HIV threat "exaggerated", says King's brother
TANZANIA: Women caught in crossfire of HIV battle
SOUTHERN AFRICA: No single formula for HIV risk
KENYA: Clampdown on bogus herbalists
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. International Conference on African Same-Sex Sexualities and Gender Diversity, February 13-16, 2011 - Pretoria, South Africa
2. Progress Report on South Africa’s National Strategic Plan (NSP), Treatment Action Campaign
VACANCIES
1. Regional Adviser, Country Support, UNAIDS - Johannesburg, South Africa
2. HIV/AIDS Care and Support Technical Advisor, USAID - Pretoria, South Africa
KENYA: TB patients with HIV miss out on ARVs
Only a third of Kenyans infected with tuberculosis and HIV are receiving treatment for both conditions, despite the latest World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines recommending that anti-retrovirals be taken soon after TB treatment begins.
full report
SOUTH AFRICA: Nevirapine linked to treatment failure
One of the cheapest and most commonly used drugs for treating HIV in Africa - nevirapine - has been associated with an increased risk of treatment failure in a retrospective South African study.
full report
TOGO: Manya Andrews, "The condoms had the thickness and sensitivity of a tyre"
Manya Andrews is a health communications consultant and former head of the international reproductive health organization, Populations Services International, in Togo. At a recent conference on HIV and couples, she spoke to IRIN/PlusNews about how she and her team had to rethink what they knew about sex to kick-start Togo's male condom distribution campaign.
full report
SWAZILAND: HIV threat "exaggerated", says King's brother
Remarks disparaging programmes to reduce HIV infections, made by Swaziland's second top-ranking traditional leader, have sparked disbelief and anger among AIDS activists.
full report
TANZANIA: Women caught in crossfire of HIV battle
Regina Joseph was beaten up by a group of young men for "dressing indecently" on her way to the local market in northeastern Tanzania's Mkinga District.
full report
SOUTHERN AFRICA: No single formula for HIV risk
In southern Africa, prevention campaigns highlighting the HIV risks of having more than one partner at the same time have largely targeted heterosexuals and ignored the fact that men who have sex with men also have multiple partners.
full report
KENYA: Clampdown on bogus herbalists
The Kenyan government is drafting new regulations to stop fraudulent herbalists claiming to be able to treat diseases, including HIV, from practising.
full report
EVENTS/RESOURCES
1. International Conference on African Same-Sex Sexualities and Gender Diversity, February 13-16, 2011 - Pretoria, South Africa
An initiative of organizations such as OXFAM, the United Nations Development Prgramme and the Gay and Lesbian Coalition of Kenya, the conference seeks to identify and celebrate same-sex practices and communities and, in part, identify whether these communities are being adequately addressed by HIV/AIDS programming.
For more information, go to: www.agi.ac.za
2. Progress Report on South Africa’s National Strategic Plan (NSP), Treatment Action Campaign
This publication is the first of the AIDS lobby group’s quarterly progress reports on its progress in helping to achieve South Africa’s NSP targets. Covering the period between March and May 2010, the report also incorporates lessons learned, policy gaps and opportunities for progress.
To view the report, go to: www.tac.org.za
VACANCIES
1. Regional Adviser, Country Support, UNAIDS - Johannesburg, South Africa
Responsibilities:
- Provide training and facilitation support for UN HIV/AIDS theme groups as required
- Support the development, implementation and evaluation of proposals
- Identify joint programming opportunities and facilitate, support and monitor such initiatives
- Assist country coordinators to prepare national strategic planning and review exercises
- Ensure regional and national coordination and support for UNAIDS executive office, UN special envoys, and other senior advocates and officials
- Work with UNAIDS country coordinators and Geneva units to ensure country databases are up-to-date, including web-based epidemiological profiles and country fact sheets
- Ensure that briefing notes, ad-hoc reports and information materials required by other offices and units are prepared in a timely manner
- Monitor the implementation of workplans and prepare annual and ad-hoc reports on project implementation and lessons learned
- Develop and implement a system to monitor the performance of UN country teams, theme groups and UNAIDS country offices
Qualifications:
- Advanced university degree in development, economics, social or physical sciences, public health, public administration, or management
- At least seven years experience in implementing and managing country and/or regional HIV/AIDS and/or development projects, five of which should be in Africa, preferably in southern Africa
- Extensive knowledge of planning, management and evaluation of technical and operational support to developing countries in Africa
- Ability to advocate and communicate effectively, orally and in writing
- In-depth knowledge of development issues and multi-sectoral approaches to meet the requirements of developing countries
- Thorough understanding of the HIV epidemic and its impact on developing countries in Africa
- Knowledge of UN organizations and their delivery mechanisms
- Knowledge of organizations, institutions and individuals interested in and supportive of efforts against HIV/AIDS
- Fluency in written and spoken English; working knowledge of French and Portuguese an asset
Application deadline: 10 September
For more information and to apply, go to https://erecruit.unaids.org/
2. HIV/AIDS Care and Support Technical Advisor, USAID - Pretoria, South Africa
Responsibilities:
- Guide the preparation of country oppertational plans and preparation of ad
- hoc reports
- Provide technical leadership and advice
- Provide technical guidance to partners implementing the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in the assessment, development, implementation, and evaluation of HIV/AIDS care and support including palliative care initiatives
- Assistance in preparing funding proposals, and work plans
- Review partner compliance to USAID policies and guidelines
- Provide support to the PEPFAR technical working teams by assisting with country reviews within and outside of South Africa
- Provide technical input into the strategy, design and structure of the annual HIV Implementers Meetings regarding care and support, and review abstracts as required
- Promote information exchange with partners regarding effective care and support including palliative care programme implementation practices
- Provide assistance in the development of site sheets and fact sheets for visitors
- In conjunction with the U.S. Embassy and/or USAID Public Affairs Officers, develop press releases and talking points or other material in preparation for or as part of Congressional Delegations, technical working group reviews or similar such visits
- Accompany Congressional Delegations, technical working group members or similar delegations on site visits to USAID and/or PEPFAR partners
Qualifications:
- Masters degree in public health, nursing, medicine or other related field
- At least five years experience in international public health programming including proven expertise in technical oversight, design, and implementation of HIV/AIDS care programmes in developing countries
- Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in the area of HIV/AIDS care and support including palliative care, and areas such as home
- based care, psychosocial support and clinical monitoring of opportunistic infections
- Strong quantitative, analytical and reasoning skills, verbal skills and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and lay colleagues
- A thorough working knowledge of US Government operations, rules, regulations, procedures, policies and programmes and previous relevant working experience with USAID
- The ability to obtain the necessary security clearance
- Prior budget or financial management experience
Application deadline: 30 August
Completed applications can be emailed to . For detailed instructions on how to apply, go to www.fbo.gov
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