Violence Against Children Survey (VACs) Coordinator at THPS July, 2023

Background

Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) is an indigenous NGO established under non-governmental organization act No 24 of 2002 in 2011. THPS works in partnership with the Government of Tanzania (GOT) through Ministries of Health (MOH) in Mainland and Zanzibar; Ministry of Gender, Youth, elderly and special groups; Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), and the Ministry of Home Affairs with a goal of ensuring accessible high-quality health care services to Tanzanians; through the strengthening of health and community systems.

In FY24 year the GOT under the leadership of the Ministry of Community Development, Gender, Women and Special Groups and Ministry of Community Development and Gender in Zanzibar; in collaboration with stakeholders through funding from the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)/US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will conduct the second national Violence against Children and Youth Survey (VACS 24). The 2024 Tanzania Violence Against Children and Youth Survey is based on the broader work that has been done through the Together for Girls (TfG) partnership and through funding from the US Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFARJ/US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Through data, nationally led action, and advocacy, the survey aims to raise awareness, promote evidence-based solutions, and galvanize coordinated action across sectors to end violence against boys and girls, with a special focus on sexual violence against girls. VACS data are intended to inform a comprehensive, national multi-sector policy and programmatic response to the issue of violence against girls and boys.

VACS 2024 will be conducted with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and technical assistance through the U.S. CDC, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) – the led implementing partner. Data collection will be done by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Office of Chief Government Statistician (OCGS) in Zanzibar, and Survey will be implemented in collaboration with multisectoral partners including, the National Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), the Zanzibar Institute of Health Research (ZAHRI), and ministries of health through national Public Health Laboratories, the National AIDS Control Program (NACP), and the Zanzibar Integrated HIV, Hepatitis, Tuberculosis and Leprosy Program (ZIHHTLP).

THPS is looking for skilled, enthusiastic, creative, energetic individuals to fill the following vacant positions for the Violence Against Children Survey 2024.

Main duties and responsibilities:

Reporting to the Senior VACS Technical Advisor, the VACS Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the day-to-day survey implementation of the VACS which is a national violence against children survey (VACS) in Tanzania. The VACS Coordinator will be responsible for coordinating all of day-to-day survey team activities, coordinate, monitor and support the field teams, oversee the activities of relevant stakeholders including sub-contractors, and support the overall field implementation of the survey. Working with THPS VACS Child Protection specialist S/He will also be responsible to ensure timely linkage to quality response services to survivors of VACS and GBV, and to prevention care and treatment to the identified HIV positive participants.

Initially the incumbent will work with VACS team in protocol adaptation, tools development and support the training of staff on the survey protocol, procedures, policies, relevant regulations and also ensure that the survey protocol, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and other relevant policies and regulations are being appropriately adhered to at every level. The Survey Coordinator will report survey site progress and maintain survey regulatory files. The Survey Coordinator will provide oversight and management of survey teams including, Team Leaders, and survey staff.

Specific Responsibilities and Duties:

• Supervises the day-to-day implementation of the VACS from protocol adaptation, obtaining ethical and administrative approvals, supervising the data collection teams, overseeing the data management and analysis process, and lead in the dissemination activities
• Support all field implementation aspects of the VACS project, including protocol development and implementation, assist in drafting/adapting, revising and finalization SOPs and training manuals, as needed
• Support ethical reviews process/ institutional review board submissions, and maintenance of regulatory files
• Understand and adhere to the protocol, SOPs, and other appropriate regulations, procedures, and policies and ensure fidelity to survey implementation by field teams
• Assist with recruiting, training, and supervision of THPS VACS survey field staff
• Coordinate with capacity building workshops
• Design and implement a detailed deployment and monitoring plans for the field teams under the supervision of the Senior VACS Technical Advisor
• Prepare a full monitoring plan and weekly report of field team performance during the data collection period.
• Monitor on daily basis the survey data collection including daily check-in calls with field teams
• Participate actively in the field monitoring (regular visits of the field teams during the data collection) to ensure timely enrollment of survey participants and collection of high-quality data
• Coordinate under guidance of Senior VACTS TA the kick-off meetings and event
• Ensure that VACS staff under his/her supervision maintain confidentiality of survey participants and adhere to principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethics of human subject’s research
• Participate and document Steering Committee, MSTF and Subcommittee meetings and well as meetings with the MOHCDGSGs, MoCD (Zanzibar), ministries of Health, NBS, OCGS, UNICEF, CDC and other partners to discuss progress of the project and to address any challenges or issues that arise during conduct of the project
• Document daily THPS/CDC brief meetings and follow up action points
• Participate in the preparation of scientific analyses, abstracts, and publications
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

Required Education:

• o Masters’ degree or higher in public health or demography or epidemiology or biostatics or related field Or
• o Bachelor’s in public health or demography or epidemiology or biostatics or related field with significant relevant technical experience
• Required Technical Experience: Minimum 3 years’ work experience in public health research or surveys or program evaluation, preferably on health, and social related issues
• Broad understanding of terrains and landscape, health facilities, road network in various places of Tanzania
• Familiarity with regional administration and local government structures including R/CHMTs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with fluency in English and Kiswahili required
• Strong computer skills (MS Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint at minimum; preferred proficiency with statistical Software such as SASand SPSS).
• Ability to provide high quality technical assistance and lead and work with a diverse team
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to work under pressure, demonstrate creativity and adaptability in developing new ideas to solve problems
• Flexibility to work after normal working hours and on weekends with significant travel outside of duty station

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send an email [email protected] attaching their application cover letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum with a position title as a subject line.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online.

THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women, people living with HIV/AIDS and people living with disability are encouraged to apply.

The deadline for submitting the application is 21 July 2023.