Capacity Building Specialist

APIAHF is seeking a Capacity Building Specialist for our Organizational Capacity Building Branch. Interested candidates should send cover letter, salary requirements, writing sample and resume to hr@apiahf.org [1]

Position Summary:

The Capacity Building Specialist II, is responsible for planning, coordinating, and delivering a variety of capacity building assistance activities on the topics of evidence based interventions and public health strategies. The Capacity Building Specialist will help community-based organizations (CBOs) that serve communities of color and/or people at risk for HIV to select, adapt, and implement evidence-based interventions and strengthen the processes and systems to monitor and evaluate those interventions.

This requires outstanding training and consulting skills as well as the ability to appropriately assess and diagnose capacity building needs, develop and implement action plans to address those needs, and to monitor and evaluate processes and outcomes. It also requires a solid understanding of frameworks and best practices related to evidence based HIV prevention interventions, public health strategies and monitoring and evaluation and the ability synthesize this information for adaptation and utilization by community based organization staff with variable levels of capacity. The Capacity Building Specialist is expected to work respectfully with staff at all levels of an organization ranging from front-line staff to executive leadership and board members.

Capacity Building Specialists at this level take the lead on assigned large, complex projects (most typically related to evidence based HIV prevention interventions and public health strategies) with minimal guidance except the outcome to be achieved and are invested in the success outcomes of the Program and the organization as a whole. The Capacity Building Specialist works with culturally diverse communities and is able to ensure the highest level of service to community partners. This requires outstanding project coordination skills, critical thinking, and effective communication. Reports to the Capacity Building Director.

Organizational Description:

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum (APIAHF) influences policy, mobilizes communities, and strengthens programs and organizations to improve the health of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) populations. Our values are respect, fairness, equity and health justice for all. Founded in 1986, we advocate on issues critical to the health and well-being of our diverse and vibrant communities. We approach our work with the philosophy of coalition-building and developing capacity both for AAs and NHPIs and in partnership with diverse racial/ethnic communities. APIAHF is based in San Francisco and has an office in Washington, DC, which focuses on policy and communications.

Duties and Responsibilities:

Provision of capacity building assistance:

1. Conduct organizational/program assessments of CBOs.
2. Develop capacity building strategic plans and work plans in response to organizational/program assessments.
3. Provide basic, intermediate, and advanced level capacity building in at least 5 specialized topic areas via various mechanisms (including technical assistance, training, workshops, and coaching).
4. Collect, analyze, and synthesize relevant literature to inform capacity building framework and strategies.
5. Manage and monitor assigned consultant progress and performance.
6. Develop documents related to capacity building strategies (e.g. training curricula, fact sheets, briefs, etc.)

Project management

1. Coordinate and monitor assigned national program objectives/activities.
2. Coordinate data collection & analysis from focus group reports, surveys, and other data collection methods to inform provision of capacity building services.
3. Assist in managing and monitoring project budget for assigned program objectives/activities.
4. Assist with report writing.

Other:

1. Assist in writing of federal and other-funder grant applications and reports.
2. Develop relationships and collaborative projects between CBOs, CBA providers, and researchers.
3. Travel between 20-30% for work-related meetings and events as necessary.
4. Attend and assist with all agency meetings, events, and functions as required.
5. Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree or nine years of work experience in health, behavioral science or related fields.
• Minimum two years project coordination experience.
• Minimum two years relevant experience providing capacity building assistance to organizations involved in HIV prevention, especially in regards to Technical Assistance, HIV evidence based interventions, and/or monitoring and evaluation.

Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities:

• Solid public speaking, facilitation, capacity building, training, and writing skills.
• Knowledge of communities both locally and nationally, including but not limited to AA and NHPI, African American and/or Latino communities.
• Knowledge of evidence based interventions (EBI) and public health strategies (PHS) related to HIV prevention.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate relationships with staff, board members, volunteers, and supporters of culturally diverse community-based organizations and coalitions.
• Strong project management skills, including ability to manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong computer skills including Microsoft Office, Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and internet applications in a Windows environment.
• Solid understanding of adult learning theory with solid meeting/training facilitation as well as consulting skills.
• Ability to collect/analyze qualitative and quantitative data to conduct program-related monitoring and evaluation.
• Ability to write evaluation summaries and reports in compliance with federal funder requirements.
• Ability to effectively represent APIAHF in the community and to outside agencies (in provision of capacity building services) and funders (via assigned national networks).
• Ability to interact effectively in the community and at multiple levels within organizations, especially with culturally diverse communities.
• Strong initiative, creativity and motivation, including ability to work under pressure with deadlines.
• Demonstrated excellent interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated excellent organizational skills.
• Demonstrated experience working effectively in team environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in health, behavioral science or related health field with 3 or more years of related experience.
• Successful completion of Training of Facilitator and Training of Trainer course for at least one CDC Diffusion of Evidence Based Intervention.
• Direct work experience within local, regional and/or national HIV service organization serving racial/ethnic minority communities and/or other groups at high risk for HIV/AIDS.
• Project management experience related to HIV testing, treatment adherence, linkage to care, and/or other interventions related to CDC’s High Impact HIV Prevention strategy.

General APIAHF Roles:

• Fosters an environment that promotes trust and cooperation among clients and staff.
• Enforces policies and procedures, including maintenance of confidentiality, to ensure that the principles of APIAHF are implemented.
• Accountable for participation in decision making processes and understanding the outcomes.
• Understands the mission, values and principles of APIAHF and applies them in work responsibilities.
• Participates in other activities, agency advocacy, and serves on ad hoc committees as requested.
• Attends APIAHF and Board of Directors meetings, when required.

Mental and Physical Demands:

• Pace of work is very fast.
• Standing time required is (15%) including walking.
• High level of concentration and attention to detail required.
• Time speaking and listening: 50-60%
• Ability to travel by plane for long periods of time for 20-30%
• Ability to drive

APIAHF offers a generous benefit program which includes medical, dental, vision, 401k contribution and match, paid holidays, sabbatical and more.