Currently there is a large number of programmes for vulnerable children affected by HIV in Kenya but few address the needs of children in the early years (0-5). These programmes are working directly with families on issues of protection, health, education, social welfare but most commonly targeting school age children with little attention to the broader family, siblings and in particular infants and young children in the same setting. There are missed opportunities for considering the caregiving environment and relationships within families that could be used to provide critical support to the early development of children. There are observable weak or absent links in programmes specifically addressing the impacts of HIV in children mainly in PMTCT and the follow up on paediatric testing, treatment and care services in the early years of a child’s life with many exposed infants being lost to follow up, and not being tested for HIV or receiving ART when they need it and never being linked to the additional care and support programmes required for their optimal development until much later in their lives when irreversible impacts have occurred.
The provision of early childhood development (ECD) interventions and the integration of ECD approaches into programmes for young children affected by HIV have also been shown to be weak or absent despite a strong evidence base to support their efficacy. Where they do exist, they rarely address the specific needs of children born into HIV affected families nor the critical role families can play in cognitive, emotional and physical development.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates are encouraged to send their proposals with a detailed CV and payment rates indicating the consultancy assignment on the subject line to reach the address below on or before 9th January, 2015. Kindly note that only shortlisted persons will be contacted
Applications to be sent to the Human Resource Office via email: jobs@kanco.org and dwali@kanco.org
