Program Officer – Advocacy and Policy ( FULL TIME )

THE AIDS SUPPORT ORGANIZATION (TASO UGANDA)
The AIDS Support Organization (TASO Uganda), an organisation contributing to a process of preventing HIV infection, restoring hope and improving the quality of Life of persons, families and communities affected by HIV infection and disease, requires the services of dedicated, competent, innovative and results oriented personnel to fill in the following positions.
8. Job title : Program Officer – Advocacy and Policy.
Department/Location : TASO HQ, Advocacy and Networking
Reports to : Team leader Advocacy and
Networking. Supervises: None
Main purpose of the Job:
Advocate with a strong PLHIV voice on relevant aspects of healthcare policy, and human rights with the aim of influencing health agendas and policies.
The successful candidate will be responsible for the following tasks;
• Translate evidence into sound policy -linking policy, research and practice on HIV/AIDS to promote more effective health care services in line with HIV/AIDs and health policies.
• Disseminate key policy issues of concern to PLHIV and PLHIV organizations, and how TASO is addressing them through proactive and reactive policy-making, policy statements, collaborations, organizing and participating in key events
• Promote advocacy and policy work through strong coalitions and networks
• Develop and communicate policies that are consistent and transparent to help promote PLHIV voice effectively
• Provide quick access to TASO’s views on addressing key policy issues of relevance to PLHIV and PLHIV organizations in Uganda.
• List and share all upcoming events relevant to PLHIV-centered healthcare, especially those which may be of interest to PLHIV organizations.
• Promote the fundamental right to PLHIV centred healthcare that respects their unique needs, preferences and values, as well as their autonomy and independence
• Take up the responsibility of healthcare policy-making through meaningful and supported engagement to ensure that they are designed with the PLHIV at the centre
• Engaging PLHIV in health policy decision-making Process to ensure that policies reflect patient and caregiver needs, preferences and capabilities
• Liaise with the TASO training Centre in developing the advocacy training curriculum
• Build the capacity of PLHIV organizations to enable them be well-informed and effective PLHIV representatives and advocates. Train and help organise young PLHIV groups
• Develop consistent and compelling messages to promote sustained advocacy and produce publications that focus on policy-research-practice gaps and resource flows.
• Serve as delegate and a link to PLHIV meetings, forums and coalitions, social media and human rights networks
• Promote PLHIV Rights as in the charter of patients
• Identify, review and synthesize the most accurate evidence literature to provide accessible information to promote evidence-based programming, advocacy and policy positions.

NB:
The PO-Advocacy and Policy Must be a person living with HIV/ AIDS with a strong self confession of HIV status and females are particularly encouraged to apply

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS:
Program officer • Advocacy and Policy Academic Qualifications:
Bachelor degree in any of the following disciplines: Medicine, Social Sciences, Education, SWSA, Development Studies, Community and Adult Education, Community Psychology or Guidance and Counselling
Additional Training Necessary
Training in Advocacy and policy formulation, Training in HIV/ AIDS Counselling, Knowledge of human rights and protection, Training in research and budget analysis
Minimum Experience and Exposure:
5 years experience in a HIV/AIDS related work, 2 of which should have been in advocacy, policy and networking positions.

Only qualified candidates that meet all the above requirements are invited to submit their resume, copies of certified academic certificates, testimonials and three referees. Please firmly staple your papers together and specify the position applied for on the top right corner of the envelope. TASO offers a competitive package for all the positions.
Note: only short listed candidates will be contacted. CLOSING DATE: 12th June 2012.
Please forward your applications to:
The Human Resource & Administration Director
P.O. BOX 10443, KAMPALA
“OR hand deliver your application to TASO HQ level II, located at Old Mulago Hospital”.