Terms of Reference and Scope of Work
CCM Communication/Stakeholder Coordination Advisor
BACKGROUND
The spread of HIV/AIDS mainly in high risk populations but also in general population, high incidence of sexually-transmitted infections (STIs) and re-emergence of tuberculosis are important public health problems faced by the Republic of Moldova. The national public authorities and key stakeholders active in domain have put into practice a national strategic framework meant to control TB and HIV diseases in Moldova. International donors and development assistance agencies provide support to the country to achieve health-related Millennium Development Goals through reducing mortality, morbidity and transmission of HIV/AIDS, other STIs and TB. The support aims at increasing the national capacity to implement effectively the National Program for Prevention and Control of HIV/AIDS/STIs (NPAS) and the National TB Control Program (NTP) and respond to HIV/AIDS/TB epidemics through:
•Scaling up HIV/AIDS/STIs prevention programs targeted at vulnerable and highly at risk of infection groups;
•Strengthening treatment, care and support for persons living with HIV/AIDS;
•Implementing effective strategies for TB control based on DOTS and DOTS plus;
•Strengthening institutional capacities to better respond to HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB in a multi-sectorial approach.
In March 2002, the Government of Moldova established The Country Coordination Mechanism (CCM), which has overall responsibility to coordinate the implementation of abovementioned National Programs and all external assistance provided to Moldova for national TB and HIV response. Currently, the CCM is coordinating the implementation of the National Programs for TB and HIV Control and Prevention covering the period 2011-2015. The CCM is chaired by the Minister of Health and has in its composition representatives of the Government, national NGOs as well as international organizations active in the field.
Operational aspects of CCM work are coordinated by the CCM Executive Secretary, placed at the State Chancellery of the Government of the Republic of Moldova, and the CCM Secretariat. This represents the coordination level within the CCM structure. The CCM Secretariat consists of two consultants: the CCM Secretariat Coordinator and Communication / Stakeholder Coordination Advisor.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES of CCM Communication / Stakeholder Coordination Advisor (CSA)
The overall function of the Communication/Stakeholder Coordination Advisor will be providing advice, assistance, and support to CCM members to promote effective communication about the Moldova HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB Control Programs, and coordination of activities among national and external partners.
More specifically, CSA will carry out the following tasks:
• Coordinate implementation and review the CCM’s annual working plans;
•Update the information related to CCM requirements and inform CCM members on the subject, ensuring all the CCM processes are responding to the requirements (oversight plan, communication plan, involvement of civil society processes);
•Facilitate the dialogue among the parties involved and contribute to building sustainable partnership around the AIDS and TB Control Programs;
•Facilitate, ensure the managerial work (elaboration of year plans and reporting) and monitor the activity of technical working groups on TB and HIV/AIDS/STI.
•Assist in organizing CCM meetings and in provide information for CCM members and Government officials on HIV/AIDS/STIs and TB issues, as requested;
•Assist CCM members and TWG in organizing multisectorial TB and HIV events (forums, discussions, meetings) as requested;
•Participate at drafting, consulting, and timely submitting to donors applications for CCM annual/biannual funding and CCM applications for Global Funds (GF) grants aiming to support national TB and HIV responses;
•Oversee the work of the communication specialist recruited to develop and publish communication materials for CCM constituency and maintain the CCM website;
•Undertake other relevant activities as assigned by the CCM Chair and Executive Secretary as necessary.
INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS
The Communication/Stakeholder Coordination Advisor will be directly accountable to the CCM Secretariat Coordinator and the Executive Secretary, and will administratively report to the PCU, the Recipient Entity of the GF CCM funding. CSA will maintain close links with the Ministry of Health and other Government officials, counterparts in public institutions, PCU staff, UN Theme Group on HIV/AIDS and other international agencies, NGOs and mass-media.
CSA will be provided with office space and facilitate access to relevant information needed for the successful execution of the assignment.
CCM Communication/Stakeholder Coordination AdvisOr PROFILE
In order to accomplish the described responsibilities, CSA has to meet the following background, competence and experience requirements:
- Higher education/degree in communication, public relations,international development or other relevant field – 20 points;
- At least three years work experience in project management -25 points;
- Work experience in the health and social domains - 30 points (familiarity with the TB and HIV/AIDS will be an advantage);
- Fluency in Romanian, English and Russian languages - 15 points;
- Computer literacy: excellent skills of using MS Office and internet – 10 points;
- Personal: abilities for team work, communication and learning interest.