Technical Lead - Pretoria - Foundation for Professional Development

Technical Lead - Pretoria - Foundation for Professional Development

Reporting to: Principal Investigator / Deputy CEO

The purpose of the project is to implement data-driven, evidence-based approaches to support access to appropriate mental health care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) including vulnerable/at-risk individuals and improve access to care and support for healthcare workers (HCWs) providing HIV/TB services suffering from stress, burnout and related mental health conditions.

This role provides strategic leadership and oversees the implementation of data-driven, evidence-based approaches to support access to appropriate mental health care for People Living with HIV (PLHIV) including vulnerable/at-risk individuals and improve access to care and support for HCWs providing HIV/TB services suffering from stress, burnout and related mental health conditions.

The position activities will focus on but not be limited to supporting national, provincial and district level government and PEPFAR partner efforts to implement evidence-based approaches around:

• the development and implementation of various policies designed to achieve mental health integration for people with MH conditions (into HIV/TB programmes, NCDs & devolve MH care to PHC, community level and strengthen access to care for HCWs);
• addressing implementation gaps to improve access, retention, and adherence to effective HIV/TB services;
• decrease stigma/discrimination for PLHIV/TB affected by common mental health disorders;
• develop referral pathways for mental health disorders (vertical and horizontal);
• support interventions that will help decrease HCW stress, anxiety, and burnout to improve the quality of HIV/TB services in SA;
• support implementation science and evaluation projects to help document and refine various models.

The technical lead will provide oversight on the coordination of the work of the IMHSI Head Office based team, Senior Provincial Liaison (SPL) Managers, Provincial Mental Health Coordinators (PMHC), and the district and provincial partners that the project works with.

The technical lead will also provide technical assistance support to SAG on policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures. This includes strengthening mental health activities within NDoH primary health care (PHC) policies and guidelines, enhancing access to quality mental health services for PLHIV affected by mental health conditions, and improving access to mental health services for HCWs suffering from unhealthy stress, anxiety, and burnout.

Key Responsibilities:

• Technical Assistance support to SAG on policies, guidelines, and standard operating procedures;
• Capacity development of SAG and DSP staff on the Mental Health needs/services for PLHIV/B and at risk and vulnerable individuals;
• Referral network development for improved access to Mental Health services for PLHIV and HCWs;
• Community/stakeholders engagement on improvement of Mental Health services for PLHIV and at risk and vulnerable individuals;

Requirements:

• Degree in the health sciences or a related field;
• Master of Public Health or equivalent Master's degree;
• Mental Health related qualification advantageous;
• Public Health qualification if not in possession of MPH advantageous;

Experience:

• Minimum of 10 years' experience working within a multi-stakeholder environment within the research, private and/or civil society environment within South Africa;
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant management and technical experience;
• Previous experience in leading a donor funded project as a PI;
• Previous experience in capacity development and policy implementation;
• Experience in collaborating with multiple stakeholders;

Additional requirements:

• Proficiency in reading, speaking, and writing English;
• Proficiency in another local language advantageous;
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Teams, Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Report writing and business writing proficiency;
• Valid driver's license;
• Ability and willingness to travel;
• Willingness to work in a hybrid environment;

Application process: Interested candidates should apply by accessing the following link: https://vacancies.fpdsiu.co.za/

Closing date for applications: 7 January 2025 at 16h00