Zambia: Micro-credit, Micro-enterprise Development Consultant - Zambia

The purpose of the Open Doors project in Zambia is to expand and increase access to HIV/AIDS services for key populations including sex workers, men who have sex with men, and transgender. The Open Doors project is an activity to provide comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment services to key populations in targeted provinces of Zambia. The goal of this activity is to contribute to a reduction in new HIV infections in Zambia, in alignment with Zambia’s National AIDS Strategic Framework 2014-2016. Open Doors Project supports PEPFAR as it works towards the goal of an AIDS-free generation in Zambia and globally.

Economic factors appear to be key drivers behind sex work in Zambia. These factors range from poverty and the inability to meet basic needs, such as food and school fees, to the desire for material goods and luxury items for more aspirational reasons. Poverty also increases vulnerability, while sex workers who have savings or access to credit are better able to refuse unprotected sex, even when clients offer to pay more for it. Open Doors will implement economic strengthening interventions to empower key populations economically to reduce their HIV vulnerability. There will be an increase in the number of key populations participating in economic empowerment, savings and micro-credit activities.

Summary of Job: The Micro-credit, Micro-enterprise Development Consultant will provide technical assistance and training in micro-enterprise development with local groups that provide services for key populations so that these groups can include training in micro-credit, savings, micro-enterprise and small business development to empower key populations and bring them into the workforce and provide other options for employment and income. Key populations should be introduced to savings and credit lending schemes in order to empower them with economic strengthening since poverty often is one of the key determinants of risk of HIV. These savings groups will also provide a platform for increasing awareness of HIV services for key populations. Understanding the needs of these key populations will be critical and sensitivity to stigma and discrimination they experience an important consideration in the program.

Responsibilities

• Develop economic strengthening strategy for key populations and work plans for implementation of the micro-enterprise and savings and credit program with the Open Doors team including sub-partners.
• Conduct experiential learning sessions with partners and key populations to bring them into the micro-enterprise program. Set project goals and milestones for including numbers of key populations in the program.
• Provide regular updates to CAMRIS and to the USAID Mission as needed and requested by the Health and HIV/AIDS Office. Monitor the project and submit required program reports to CAMRIS and USAID including Strategy documents, work plans, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports, and any other required reports.
• Coordinate with other partners working on HIV/AIDS activities in Zambia via the Open Doors program.

Qualifications

• The position requires a Master’s degree (MA, MPH, MS) and a minimum of 7 years of professional experience in micro-enterprise development, micro-credit programs, savings and small business opportunities development with marginalized groups in the developing world.
• Strong background in public health programs, health systems strengthening and service delivery access and quality improvements desirable.
• Experience managing USAID and PEPFAR programs desirable. Strong attention to detail and organizational skills required.
• Candidate must be fluent in English. Professional level reading, writing, and speaking in English is required. Strong communication skills required.
• The candidate must be able and willing to travel to Zambia as needed. If the candidate is local, they will be based in Lusaka with travel to other parts of Zambia as needed.
• The candidate will work full-time 40 hour week with some long hours as needed to complete tasks. Travel to work sites to oversee and manage program as needed.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Power point, Excel) needed, other programs Ep Info, SAS, SPSS useful for data analysis, not required.

If interested in this opportunity please submit a copy of your most up to date resume with three professional references including phone and contact information to https://careers-camris.icims.com/jobs/1652/micro-credit%2c-micro-enterprise-development-consultant----zambia-open-dorrs/job?mode=view.

Please no emails or phone calls, only finalists will be contacted.