Pact Overview

At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow.  The promise of a healthy life.  Of a decent livelihood. Of sustainable natural resources that benefit communities.  Now more than ever in its 42 -year history, Pact is helping millions of people who are poor and marginalized discover and build their own solutions and take ownership over their future.

Pact enables systemic solutions that allow those who are poor and marginalized to earn a dignified living, be healthy, and take part in the benefits that nature provides. Pact accomplishes this by strengthening local capacity, forging effective governance systems, and transforming markets into a force for development.

Department Overview

Pact seeks highly qualified and accomplished individuals for the recently awarded United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/PEPFAR-funded Zambia Integrated Health HIV Activity – (ZIH). The five-year project which is led by Pact in partnership with Center for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia, Circles of Hope, Mothers2Mothers, Coper Rose Zambia, Zambia Network of Young People Living with HIV – and a US small business, Viamo. Integrated Health will improve health outcomes of Zambians through equitable access to high-quality health services in the areas of client-centered HIV, Tuberculosis; Maternal; Newborn and Child Health, Family Planning and Reproductive Health. It will reduce mortality, morbidity, and HIV transmission for sub-populations in Northwestern, Copperbelt, and Central Provinces. Pact will work closely with the Zambian Ministry of Health to attain the country’s goal of reaching HIV epidemic control (95-95-95) by 2030. The activity will be delivered through three main components namely:

1. Increase coverage of comprehensive and person-centered HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH prevention, diagnosis, care, treatment and support services in both communities and health facilities.
2. Increase utilization of community and facility-based quality and person-centered integrated HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH services; and
3. Increase capacities of Provincial and District Health Offices to improve quality and sustain Direct Service Delivery of integrated HIV, TB/HIV, FP/RH, MNCH during and beyond the life of the activity.

Position Purpose

The advisor will work closely with the project community department, community partners, project teams and stakeholders to ensure the successful implementation of youth-focused interventions and programs. The primary objective of this role is to facilitate meaningful engagement and participation of youths and adolescents in all project activities, ensuring their unique needs and perspectives are considered and integrated into the project’s overall strategy.  The Youth and Adolescent Engagement Advisor will report to the superviser; Senior Technical Advisor – Community Services and Engagement.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement a comprehensive youth and adolescent engagement provision of HIV Testing Services (HTS) and TB screening services using the most effective modalities and strategies.
• Conduct a thorough assessment of the needs, challenges, and opportunities for engaging youth and adolescents in the project.
• Lead the development of approaches and interventions for strengthening youth and adolescents’ meaningful participation in the planning and monitoring of youth-friendly and gender-sensitive services for sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and prevention of HIV and gender-based violence (GBV).
• Capacity building of staff and partners in innovative adolescent health strategies
• Collaborate with project teams and partners to design and implement innovative programs and interventions that address the specific needs of youth and adolescents.
• Lead implementation of strategies to link HIV negative youth and adolescent to appropriate HIV prevention services, particularly retaining them in services.
• Engage traditional, religious, and provincial leadership for the mobilization of the youths and adolescents’ activities.
• Provide technical guidance and support to project teams in implementing youth-centered interventions, ensuring they align with best practices and evidence-based approaches.
• Develop and deliver training programs for project staff, community partners, and stakeholders to enhance their understanding of youth and adolescent engagement principles and strategies.
• Provide leadership in the mobilization of priority populations, including students at universities, colleges, and schools so that they also access HIV, FP/RH, and other services.
• Mobilize key gatekeepers and leaders, including lecturers, religious leaders, workplace leaders and traditional leaders to mobilize their constituents to seek and access health services.
• Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of youth-focused interventions, using relevant indicators and tools.
• Foster partnerships and collaborations with youth-led organizations, community-based groups, and other stakeholders to enhance the project’s reach and impact among youth and adolescents.
• Implement activities that advocate for the rights and needs of youth and adolescents within the project, ensuring their voices are heard and their perspectives are integrated into decision-making processes.
• Develop and implement innovative strategies to reach the youths and general public using traditional and social media platforms.
• Support to project subgrantees under community services including implementation of Quality Improvement Projects
• Ensure adequate matrix management, collaboration, and coordination with the Ndola technical hub advisor team (Clinical services /SIA/Transition and Sustainability).
• Stay updated on the latest research, policies, and guidelines related to youth and adolescent engagement in HIV and treatment programs.
• Contribute to project reports, publications, and presentations, sharing lessons learned and best practices in youth and adolescent engagement.
• Participate in technical working groups addressing youth and adolescent issues linked to the project.

Qualifications / Competencies

• Degree from an accredited university in health promotion, community health, project management, public health communications, social sciences, or a relevant field.  Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• At least 5 years of experience working on USAID/PEPFAR funded initiatives engaging the youths and adolescents in HIV programming at senior level.
• Experience in advocacy, communications and social mobilization of the Youths and Adolescents for the uptake of HIV, TB/HIV, MNCH, and/or FP services.
• Demonstrated competencies in designing and implementing SBC activities and community engagement processes for demand generation and uptake of HIV, TB, MCNH, and/or FP services in large-scale, complex, international development assistance programs, preferably with USAID and PEPFAR-funded programs.
• In-depth understanding and knowledge of Zambia’s SBC/community health structures and programming, as well as socio-cultural environment influencing drivers and barriers to service uptake and care seeking for the youths.
• Experience leading technical teams, achieving deliverables, and working under USAID contracts preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to work in complex environments, and work with and between different stakeholders.
• Ability to develop and maintain strong relationships with government and civil society stakeholders.
• Demonstrated skills in problem-solving and consensus-building.
• Strong professional written and oral communications skills in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in youth and adolescent engagement, preferably in the context of HIV and treatment programs.
• Strong understanding of the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities related to engaging youth and adolescents in health interventions.
• Knowledge of evidence-based youth engagement strategies and best practices.
• Experience in designing and implementing youth-centered programs and interventions.
• Familiarity with monitoring and evaluation methodologies and tools for youth-focused interventions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks and priorities.
• Knowledge of local cultural and social contexts is highly desirable.
• Zambian nationals are encouraged to apply.