DREAMS Technical Lead

The DREAMS Technical Lead will provide technical oversight and direction for an anticipated Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) project focusing on scaling-up Comprehensive High Impact Community Based HIV Prevention, Testing and Treatment initiation services in five PEPFAR districts in Lesotho. The DREAMS Technical Lead will support the third strategy under this project: Provide integrated programming of DREAMS core package of interventions for AGYW and their sexual partners. This Technical Lead will use project data to inform development and adaptation of best practices and will lead the DREAMS team to implement targeted and high-quality interventions that achieve project goals, objectives and project targets. S/he will identify opportunities for innovation and address bottlenecks. S/he will be responsible for representing the CDC DREAMS project interventions in donor, partner and district level meetings; for ensuring collaboration with other partners/stakeholders, and working closely with District Management Team (DHMT), to ensure alignment with their priorities and guidance. S/he will ensure timely and cost-effective district level implementation and reporting to the project management team. This position is contingent upon award. Lesotho nationals are strongly encouraged to apply. 

• Provide technical oversight, strategic direction and management for the DREAMS program to ensure that activities are designed and implemented to meet targets and deliverables.
• Ensure a clear, focused and targeted implementation plan to meet program deliverables, and all layers of the DREAMS intervention, including providing integrated programming of DREAMS core package of interventions for AGYW and their sexual partners.
• In consultation with the PI/PD and M&E Advisor, develop and adapt strategies and interventions to ensure quality of DREAMS prevention and clinical services and optimal use of data to inform improved layering efficiencies.
• Ensure timely implementation of all project activities, including planning and implementing assessments, site-level strengthening, follow-up and supervision, advocacy, demand creation, policy support, capacity-building and M&E across project DREAMS sites, consistent with Lesotho’s national health protocols and in close coordination and collaboration with CDC, DREAMS partners and the Ministry of Health. 
• Oversee annual work planning and support annual budgeting for Strategy 3, DREAMS programming
• Ensure that project implementation activities are in line with the work plan and timeframe and activities achieve quarterly and annual project targets.
• Ensure consistent application of the implementation strategy including prescribed training packages and empower DREAMS staff to provide solutions to bottlenecks and challenges.
• Foster and instill a culture of data for decision-making, and ensure that staff have access to data, and use data to inform and guide decisions about project implementation, and making course corrections and changes in strategy.
• Work closely with the MER team to ensure timely and responsive reporting; provide suggestions and solutions to improve data flow from site level, as well as enhance data visualization and use of data for decision making.
• Manage the DREAMS activity budget and ensure staff adhere to budget lines. Coordinate with the project manager to ensure prompt reporting on expenditure and resource gaps.
• Work closely with the project Manager, Finance and Admin staff, and HR team to ensure compliance with financial, HR and administrative procedures, and ensure efficient use of project resources.
• Manage, mentor and motivate field teams to undertake their roles and responsibilities effectively.
• Manage staff performance and coordinate closely with the HR team to address performance gaps as well as recognizing high performers.
• Represent project progress, achievements and lessons learned to CDC and PEPFAR.
• Collaborate with key stakeholders in PEPFAR and non-PEPFAR funded programs on DREAMS and other related program activities.
• Maintain excellent relationships with the donor, MOH, partners and stakeholders.
• Maintain effective internal communications to ensure that all relevant departments functions are kept informed of strategies.
• Document successes, lessons learned and challenges in implementation.
• Support drafting of project reports and results to the donor, including routine monthly, quarterly, annual and other reporting requirements as requested; and ensure sharing of information and knowledge with other country programs, and with the donor, to contribute to systems that support knowledge management.
• Author/co-author abstracts presentations, manuscripts, and success stories; collaborate with the communications specialist to develop stories for internal/ external use, and work with the communications specialist to deliver on the project’s communication plan, and ensure consistent utilization of the organization’s brand.

• Clinical degree in Nursing or Medicine
• At least 7 years’ experience in managing AGYW projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Nursing or Gender preferred
• Demonstrated current knowledge and experience in programming for AGYWs in Lesotho.
• Strong understanding of PEPFAR and Lesotho Government HIV priorities, and familiarity with MOH guidelines, policies and strategic priorities.
• Experience in managing and motivating teams, supervising staff, and addressing performance challenges.
• Proficient in Microsoft Ofice and Teams and competent computer skills (Word, Excel, Power Point Outlook Email etc).
• Articulate in written and spoken English with effective communication skills, and excellent interpersonal and written and oral presentation skills in this language.
• Ability to work in a complex environment charged with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
• Sensitive to issues working with marginalized groups within the Lesotho context.
• Motivated, passionate about this type of work, and hardworking.
• Lesotho nationals are strongly preferred.