Senior Technical Advisor

mothers2mothers (m2m) is an African Primary Health Care organisation that employs women living with HIV as community health workers across 10 African nations. These “Mentor Mothers” deliver integrated health services at clinics and in communities to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to the services they need to be healthy and stay in care. Over the next five years, this proven, peer-led model is being scaled up to double down on ending HIV, as well as to tackle new health challenges and reach more people—all with the aim of building a fairer, healthier future. The employment of local women as community health workers means that we are delivering a model that prioritises healthcare for families who need it most, delivered by women who know them best. 

 Since its creation in 2001, m2m has created jobs for nearly 12,000 women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and, together, they have reached over 15M people with critical health services and education. In 2021, m2m reached over 1.6M people across 10 African nations, including 402,616 adolescents (ages 10-19)—51% more than the year before. m2m also advanced the Global Goals of ending HIV/AIDS by 2030—by achieving virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among its enrolled clients for the eighth consecutive year, and meeting all of the ambitious UNAIDS Fast-Track Targets among its clients four years ahead of the 2026 target date. For more information, visit www.m2m.org.  

Senior Technical Advisor

This position manages the UNICEF-funded Government of South Africa-administered Young Mothers Program through focus on Technical and Strategic Information support to institutionalise the pregnant adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) Peer Mentor Model and improve the access, uptake, and quality of care for children and adolescents living with HIV in three districts in Gauteng province (Tshwane, Ekurhuleni, City of Johannesburg), and the Sekhukhune district in Limpopo. 

The incumbent will provide technical assistance to national, provincial and district Departments of Health (DOH), including serving as the key liaison with UNICEF and DOH representatives. S/he will be responsible for managing all aspects of the project from project management, to quality improvement, donor reporting and monitoring spend against the implementation plan. The incumbent will also be responsible for stakeholder management. 

The Senior Technical Advisor will work closely with the Country Representative, the Program Advisory Officer and Project Officer to share lessons learned, best practices, and project updates. 

This position is based in Pretoria, reporting to the Country Representative and managing the Project Officer.

Key Performance Areas:

1. Project Leadership and Management 

2. Supervision 

3. Stakeholder engagement

Qualifications and Experience:

1. Postgraduate qualification in Public Health, Social Sciences or related field. Master’s preferred

2. Minimum of 10 years relevant experience in the health sector, including HIV/AIDS, Reproductive Maternal Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNC&AH), vertical transmission prevention (VTP) Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) programming

3. Demonstrated experience working with government at all levels (national, provincial, district)

4. Experience working with UNICEF and other government and foundation donors

5. Excellent ability in providing technical assistance, and proven in-depth knowledge of health programming, with specific experience in reproductive, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, and adolescent programmes and interventions in South Africa. Extensive knowledge of health system in South Africa.

6. Demonstrated experience in the provision of strategic information technical assistance.

7. Demonstrated experience in the deployment and monitoring of quality assurance and quality improvement initiatives.

8. Demonstrated experience leading a technical assistance activity, through evidence and data driven decision-making and using M&E data for programme improvement, and serving in technical advisory roles.

9. Strong design and conceptualisation skills, Able to think creatively and; systematically at all project levels.

10. Demonstrated success in developing and managing project work plans, budgets and ensuring project deliverables are met on time and within scope.

11. Strong stakeholder management and representation skills, with the ability to foster productive relationships with donors, government officials, and partners.

12. Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the organisation at high-level meetings and forums.

Competencies required

1. Ability to work under pressure, manage multiple tasks and meet tight deadlines independently with sound decision making

2. Ability to work with staff based in multiple locations

3. Self-starter, team player and results-oriented

4. Strong strategic, analytical, negotiation and advocacy skills 

5. Cultural sensitivity and ability to effectively engage participants of different cultures and backgrounds

6. Computer literacy (MS Office suite)

7. Fluent in English and local language

mothers2mothers is an equal opportunity employer. We particularly encourage applications from people living with HIV and AIDS (PLWHA), people with disabilities, women and previously disadvantaged people. Competitive salary packages will be negotiable in accordance with m2m’s remuneration policies.

To Apply:

Interested applicants should apply for this position via https://mothers2mothers.hua.hrsmart.com/hr/ats/Posting/view/993 by 31 October 2024.