Caribbean Regional Interagency President's Emergency Program for HIV/AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Coordinator

The incumbent is the primary point of contact with the Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and is the coordinator of activities related to the US President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (the Emergency Plan/PEPFAR) in the Region. The PEPFAR Coordinator plays a critical role in the planning, implementation, and reporting of program performance of inter-agency programs. The role of the Coordinator is particularly critical given the institutional and geographic complexity of this Regional partnership Framework. The U.S. Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean heads the inter-agency, multi-country PEPFAR program and is the final decision-maker under PEPFAR Guidance to all program plans and activities submitted to the US Global AIDS Coordinator for approval. The coordinator must ensure that the Ambassador and DCM in Barbados are kept closely apprised of Regional Partnership Framework issues and developments, and that issues requiring their decision are brought to them in a timely manner. The Coordinator is a facilitator, a communicator, and at times, a negotiator. The Coordinator is, in general, not a technical director, although the Coordinator may be expected on occasion to ensure follow-up on implementation of technical recommendations based on the Country Operational Plan (COP) and other performance review information. When delegated this authority by the Ambassador, the Coordinator may represent PEPFAR with external partners including government, press, and others. Agency leads may also be expected to play a role in public diplomacy based on authority delegated by the Ambassador. Embassy Bridgetown should establish a management interagency working group comprising agency leads (who may be heads of agencies or of technical offices depending on agency preference). The relationship between the management-working group, the Coordinator, and each Ambassador/Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) will vary according to national and regional requirements. While there may be some exceptions based on the determination of the Ambassador, the norm is that the Coordinator will be accountable to ensure such a group is established, has an agenda, and is achieving objectives. The Chief of Mission of each participating country will receive technical support from the Coordinator, with the overall communication and reporting to OGAC being managed by the Coordinator through Embassy Bridgetown. Leadership of Technical Working Groups (TWGs) will vary from, and should be rotated periodically, and be seen as an opportunity to promote Foreign Service National (FSN) leadership where appropriate. The management-working group may delegate coordination of TWGs, but in general, the TWGs should report directly to a management oversight group. While there may be some exceptions based on the determination of the Ambassador, the norm is that the Coordinator, in collaboration with Agency leads, will be accountable to ensure that these groups are established, have an agenda and are achieving objectives. Agency leads should be copied on communications between the Coordinator and TWGs or staff as well as on substantive communications between the Coordinator and the core team lead in headquarters. This procedure is essential to retain trust and respect between agency leads and the Coordinator. In addition, it is critical that the Coordinator be copied on internal agency communication related to matters of PEPFAR program strategy, implementation, and management and staffing. The Coordinator may represent the agencies at official meetings if so delegated by the DCM and Agencies. When a Coordinator meets with host country Government (host Government) counterparts, s/he should include agency leads or, if not possible, consult with agency leads. The Coordinator is the lead for the COP, Semi-Annual Performance Review (SAPR), and the Annual Performance Review (APR) development process. The Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that reports are submitted to Washington in time, for organizing the logistical arrangements for inter-agency work, and for keeping agencies on task for inter-agency efforts.