NON- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR APPOINTMENT- TERMS OF REFERENCE

Background

HIVSA is a South African non-profit organisation established in 2002 and specialises in designing, implementing, and monitoring Health and Community Systems Strengthening programmes in partnership with Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) and other stakeholders. HIVSA pursues its mission through direct service delivery, technical assistance, and capacity building. In the 21 years since its formation, HIVSA has secured notable achievements, including becoming a prime recipient of USAID funding since 2012. 

Context and Scope

HIVSA notes that the non-governmental sector has become very competitive, with a heightened requirement for sound financial management, corporate governance and an effective sustainability and business development strategy.  To respond to these challenges, HIVSA is seeking to appoint Non-Executive Directors with skill sets and experience in the following areas:

1. Social and Behaviour Change Communication and/or Research
2. Marketing and/ or Public Relations
3. Fundraising and/or Business Development

Terms of Reference

1. Terms of Reference- Social Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) and/ or Research

The Non-Executive Director will be appointed to provide strategic guidance and support for the organisation’s SBCC and the research thereof for competitive positioning within the sector. Research expertise in the social sciences generally or in the SBCC field specifically would be an added advantage.

2. Terms of Reference- Marketing and/ or Public Relations

The Non-Executive Director will be appointed to provide governance oversight and expertise related to marketing and or Public Relations to the organisation, assisting HIVSA to strategically position the organisation competitively through marketing and public relations interventions.    

The NED is required to have extensive experience in the marketing and public relations sphere as well as networks and relationships to support the organisation’s marketing and public relations endeavours. 

3. Terms of Reference- Business Development

The non-executive director will be appointed to provide governance oversight and expertise related to Business Development in the health and wellness sector. The individual is required to assist HIVSA in innovating and looking for breakthrough ideas to build a game-changing portfolio of new businesses (by identifying business weaknesses and challenges and determining relevant solutions).  In addition, the role will include providing guidance on best practices for further developing current donor relationships to maximise the impact of their funding.

The candidate should have a proven track record in business innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategy development. Support should also be provided to the organisation’s efforts to build the right processes, structures and innovation ecosystems and relationships, essential for its business development strategy. This entails helping HIVSA to come up with its customised action plan to build new businesses.

The ideal Non-Executive Director must meet the following criteria:

• Previous board-level experience with specific experience in the NPO/ NPC environment.
• Open-mindedness and willingness to engage with a wide stakeholder group from diverse national, regional and professional backgrounds.
• Advising the CEO and the Board on the review, implementation and monitoring of the HIVSA Strategic and Financial Sustainability Plan.
• Exercising leadership, enterprise, integrity, and judgement in directing HIVSA to achieve continuing impact and sustainability for HIVSA’s work.
• Sound judgement, analysis and decision-making skills; and the ability to provide a challenging and supportive role to the HIVSA Executive Team that is developmental in nature.
• Willingness to commit their time to meeting attendance and provide other support to the organisation as needed.
• Outstanding leadership, teamwork, listening and influencing skills.

Other important information:

• Please note that this is a voluntary position and does not carry any remuneration. However, the organisation will compensate board members by way of an emolument.
• Non-executive director positions are tenable for a minimum of four years.
• Interested candidates should submit a short motivation and 3-page summary of their CV, with names and contact details of 3 contactable referees.

Due date for submission of CVs: 28^th of September 2023

CVs to be submitted to Lynn Lee: leel@hivsa.com

On Monday, the 31st of July 2023, we celebrated a big milestone: Our #ChomaMagazineTurned10!

We are proud to celebrate Choma’s 10 years in service.

So, a few things you probably didn’t know about Choma:

• Our very own Charlize Theron was present at the launch of Choma on the 31st of July 2013;
• When Choma was conceptualised, it initially sat under a programme area called “Bokang Batsha ”, which means “Celebrating Young People”.
• Since inception, Choma has interacted with more that 5 million users, many of whom are now young adults in the 25 to 30 age group, and now grappling with motherhood;
• Between 2013 and 2015, the highest number of users were accessing Choma through a social media platform that was called MXIT. How many of us remember MXIT 😊?
• The Choma Dreams Cafés were launched to take Choma online to an offline safe space.

We are proud to see the journey that Choma has travelled to date and the role that each and every one of you has played in contributing to this growth. We are proud of the contribution Choma has made to the many lives of adolescent girls and young women, as well as the adolescent boys and young men that have walked alongside their sisters and partners towards an HIV free generation.

 

 

We haven’t walked this journey alone. We have walked with amazing partners at community level and corporate level, as well as within the donor community, all of whom trusted Choma to be the instrument that contributes to a reduction in the high levels of HIV infection in girls and young women.

Choma Magazine is committed to gender equality, reduction in high HIV transmission rates in girls and young women, as well as seeing women gain economic freedom through achieving their highest aspirations in all spheres of their lives.

 

Neo Mohajane keeps the engagements going …

With commitment and focus, on Thursday (22 June) HIVSA’s HSS Programme Director, Neo Mohajane kept the engagements going by moderating a panel discussion themed “Acting decisively to end the epidemic”. Amongst the panellists was United States ambassador to South Africa, ambassador Reuben Brigety II, who recommitted the US’ support for South Africa’s HIV response, followed by the WHO’s resident representative to South Africa, Dr Norbert Kaluwa, who indicated that South Africa is on track to ensure its preparedness for future and emerging health threats. Another panellist, Prof Norbert Ndjeka who is the Chief Director for TB Control and Management, under the National Department of Health in South Africa, told delegates that although integration of TB and HIV services is working well and the proportion of people with HIV in the TB cohort has decreased, more still needs to be done as 10% of TB patients do not know their status and mortality is still high among TB patients.

Prior to the panel discussions, Dr Thembisile Xulu, CEO of the South Africa National AIDS Council (SANAC) unpacked the new NSP on HIV, TB & STIs (2023- 2028). She observed that the new NSP requires significant financial investment to the tune of an estimated R268m to be fully operationalised. The role of evidenced-based programming was also illustrated by Prof Khangelani Zuma of the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) who spoke about the importance of surveillance in informing policy and strategies. “We can only manage what we know”, he says.

 

Reflections from the SAAIDS Conference:

At the plenary session of the conference yesterday, 21^st June, the co-chairperson of the South African National Aids Council and Chair of the Civil Society Forum, Steve Letsike, reflected that with the world’s largest ARV programme, no one living with HIV should be dying of HIV and AIDS in our country. Letsike reflected that without psychosocial support interventions to anchor the HIV treatment programme, we become a ticking time bomb as a nation.

Other key themes emerging from yesterday’s deliberations include an exhortation from speakers, to continue focusing on the structural drivers of the HIV and TB epidemic, and to not lose sight of the fact that all of these epidemics are experienced by the same person. The same *Mbali who is 22 years old, is the same Mbali who is HIV positive, with a 5-year-old child, has been raped multiple times in her young life and is going through intimate partner violence from the father of her child. Solutions therefore need to take an integrated approach to ensure that at each level, from the community to the clinic, to the police services where Mbali seeks help, her needs are met holistically.

These reflections give impetus for HIVSA and its community partners to continue providing much-needed psychosocial support to communities infected and affected by HIV, as we continue striving towards ending the HIV pandemic by 2030 globally.

We also learned that the search for an HIV vaccine continues and that long-acting injections for TB treatment and HIV might be closer than we think, which will reduce treatment burden and fatigue.

Another key theme that has been threaded throughout the conference is the focus on young people and HIV and AIDS, with a focus on both prevention and removing the barriers to HIV treatment for young people. In her remarks at the opening ceremony on the 20th June, KwaZulu-Natal’s Health MEC, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu noted that young people have been neglected by social and behaviour change communication interventions, which she felt, is lamentable.

HIVSA’s Choma online magazine therefore has its work cut out, to continue engaging with girls and young women.

1. ABOUT HIVSA

Registered as a Section 21 not for profit company, HIVSA (www.hivsa.com) was founded in 2002, in the pre- HIV treatment era. We are based in Johannesburg, Gauteng and have a track record of implementing projects in the City of Johannesburg, City of Tshwane and Sedibeng. Over the years, we have learnt that connecting and including marginalised communities in all processes remains the only credible approach to truly build and empower communities as it affords them opportunities to be part of the development and growth chain. We are ambitious and resolute in demonstrating that communities are truly able to own and drive their development agenda. As such, HIVSA strengthens and mentors Community- Based Organisations (CBOs) and other structures to implement various initiatives. We always strive to bring health solutions to communities by facilitating access to health and social services. As such, we have Memoranda of Understanding in place with the Departments of Health (DOH) and Social Development (DSD) and longstanding partnerships with clinical and non- clinical partners to ensure holistic service delivery. Our ultimate focus is to empower individuals and communities to be self- sustainable through developing their capacities to solve and take ownership of the socio- economic and health challenges they face. Communities are integral partners and stakeholders in all HIVSA programmes.

We are privileged to be in a position where we continue to set new standards in the community health sector.

1. SUMMARY OF CAPABILITIES AND IMPACT OF WORK

Our fundamental belief is that solutions to community social and health problems lie within communities. Working with a network of Community Based Organisations (CBOs), we build community capacity to respond to and address social and health issues. We focus on the following areas:

1. Commitment to Community Solutions: Over the years, we have strengthened capacity at a community level to respond to HIV through training and capacity development of community- based health care providers.
2. Collaboration and partnerships: At HIVSA we believe that the true value of development is achieved through partnerships and collaboration. Aligning ourselves to the National Strategic Plan (NSP) 2017- 2022 has afforded us the opportunity to support and work closely with the South African Government Departments of Social Development (DSD), Health (DOH) and Education (DOE). Working with civil society organisations, NGOs and academic institutions has allowed us to pair diverse strengths and resources and promote effectiveness in tackling priorities and accomplishing shared goals. Our experience is that strong partnerships and collaborations are themselves a mechanism of lasting progress and sustainability on issues related to community development.
3. HIV Prevention and Access to treatment and support for vulnerable communities.
4. Increasing Resilience and Quality Services for Children and Youth at risk.
5. Creating Sustainable Community Based Organisations in the health and social sector.
6. Using innovative Technology such as mobile phones and social media for Social Change.

1. KEY PROGRAMMES AND INTERVENTIONS

 

·      Programming for Orphans and Vulnerable Children and Youth (OVCY)

Since 2012, through funding from USAID, HIVSA has been implementing an OVCY Support programme in the City of Johannesburg, Sedibeng and in 2018 expanded the programme, now known as the Preventing HIV & AIDS in Vulnerable Populations (PHVP), to include the City of Tshwane.  The programme builds on the existing capacities of locally based DSD funded CBOs in our areas of implementation and their access to households through their cadres of Community Caregivers (CCGs) who are responsible for service provision at a household level.

• HIV Prevention for Adolescent Girls and Young Women

In 2016, HIVSA began implementing the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored and Safe (DREAMS) basket of interventions to reduce HIV infections among Adolescent Girls and Yong Women (AGYW). The interventions included HIV prevention, supporting access to care and treatment, Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) education, economic strengthening, educational support and in some cases material assistance. The aim of DREAMS is to layer interventions that assist and empower AGYW in making informed choices about their SRH and accessing SRH services, facilitating access to HIV prevention methods such as Pre- Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), ensuring the completion of schooling and the building of social assets among AGYW.

·      Gender equality and the prevention of Gender- Based Violence (GBV)

Given its track record of over 20 years of working with youth in communities in the field of Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) and HIV and we believe we are well positioned to expand our current youth services to include gender-based violence (GBV) prevention programmes and initiatives. Over time we have become aware of the inextricable link between HIV and GBV, and from our own understanding of the complex causes of HIV, and from local and international research, we have concluded that it is essential to address issues of GBV in our work. While we have not previously identified GBV as a primary focus area in our work, we have effectively worked with GBV for the past decade and as a result has developed a deep understanding of GBV in the communities we serve and have developed sound competencies in this field.  HIVSA views GBV as a symptom of gender inequality and we firmly believe that unless unequal gender practices and harmful social norms are addressed, we will continue to experience high levels of GBV and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) in South Africa. To this end, HIVSA has developed the following Theory of Change (TOC) for its model:

 

HIVSA’s Theory of Change (TOC) outlines the need to address GBV if we want to see the required changes related to HIV prevention. Our response shows that if we want to prevent HIV, we also need to prevent GBV in a way that addresses the root causes of GBV, namely disregard for human rights, abuse of power, social and cultural norms, including those embedded in patriarchy and religion, that promote or tacitly condone unequal treatment of young girls and women. Our TOC further emphasises that it is important to target the context in which GBV occurs. In the communities we work in, we must educate young people, change gender norms, empower girls and women, mobilise networks and transform systems and networks. We ultimately want to ensure that young people practice and promote positive gender norms, and work together to end GBV, thereby mitigating the risk and impact of HIV.

The model of implementation is one that rooted in communities utilising community conversations to unearth and explore unequal gender practices. We see youth, both male and female, playing an active role in the implementation of the programme using evidence- based interventions and in advocating for change both on ground and online using the Choma platform.

·      Health Systems Strengthening

HIVSA has previously implemented community HIV testing and screening (HTS) services and facilitated linkage to care and treatment. This included the distribution of self- screening HIV test kits and utilising the HTS modality to conduct brief alcohol screening and advise in Alexandra.

We have previously offered an HWSETA accredited Further Education and Training Certificate in HIV Counselling with the aim of ensuring that lay counsellors received standardised and quality training that resulted in them obtaining a counselling qualification. While the organisation no longer offers accredited training, we continue to support the DOH’s Regional Training Centre in the training of clinical and non- clinical staff such as Community Health Workers (CHWs).

HIVSA was also actively involved in the conceptualisation and development of the Ward Based Outreach Team model comprising CHWs and related training content. As indicated above, we have also actively participated in the training of CHWs in support of the DOH.

o   Community mobilisation to support COVID- 19 screening efforts and vaccine uptake.

HIVSA has supported the DOH’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic since 2020. During the initial lockdown period, HIVSA’s team was deployed to support community COVID-19 screening activities. In the last two years, we have implemented different community mobilisation and demand creation initiatives to increase the uptake of the COVID-19 vaccine including providing education around the vaccine, dispelling myths, supporting vaccine registrations and facilitating access to static and mobile vaccination sites.

o   Commitment to Future Generations and Innovative approaches through Choma Magazine

Since 2013, HIVSA has been implementing an online magazine called Choma Magazine   (www.choma.co.za) which provides information on sexual and reproductive health and rights to girls and young women. Choma is aimed at preventing HIV infection in girls and young women, who are still disproportionately affected by HIV. Choma has an Ask Choma button which assists girls and young women with one-on—one support and referrals to vital services which girls and young women might need. Choma has reached more than 4 million users to date, with high rates of self-reported improvements in health seeking behaviour following exposure to Choma magazine articles.

Choma is available on all social media platforms, on Facebook, Instagram, twitter and website. The

Choma Cafés are another example of HIVSA’s innovation. The Choma Café is an award winning

social and digital safe spaces concept that has proven to be a “game changer” in increasing uptake

of HIV prevention and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights services among Adolescent Girls

and Young Women and youth in high HIV burden communities.

Choma social media highlights (January to December 2021)

149, 773 Facebook followers

4, 915 Twitter followers

3, 130 Instagram followers

4, 241 Newsletter subscribers

18, 766 users participated in surveys and quizzes

18, 697 questions responded to on all ASK Choma platforms

 

1. HIVSA’s INSTITUTIONAL CAPABILITIES

Having been in existence for 21 years, HIVSA has demonstrated sound institutional and programming capacities to successfully implement large, multi- year, locally and internationally funded programmes. Our Annual Reports may be accessed using this link: https://www.hivsa.com/publications/#hivsa-documents

The organisation is characterised by the following factors:

1. SUPPORTING SOCIAL GOALS IN CORPORATE ENVIRONMENT, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE (ESG) REPORTING

Through focused and strategic collaboration and partnerships, our work aims to deliver positive social impact to communities and individuals living in South Africa.

We want to see South Africa taking responsibility for its own development – African ownership for African challenges through the development of social solutions rooted in Africa. There has been a notable shift in private sector attitudes and investments in ESG for many reasons as reflected below.

Corporates are giving increased prominence to investing in ESG because of:

1. The move from shareholder capitalism to stakeholder capitalism. This requires a) conscious capitalism; b) corporate citizenship and c) a purpose- driven company.
2. Changes to regulations and legislation which requires strategic and salient responses.
3. The growing war for talent and a greater need for diversification of skills and impactful and authentic work cultures.
4. Customer demand greater social responsibility, awareness, and responsiveness.
5. Shifts in investor values, requiring improved portfolio and funding alignment to values and impact for greater progress.
6. Operations disruptions due to factors such as climate change, which requires a reduced negative business effect on the environment.
7. Improved performance through investing in ESG, enhancing business resilience, and improving productivity and business agility.

Given HIVSA’s track record in implementing sustainable community programmes, we believe that we can add value to the social initiatives within companies’ broader ESG strategies specifically where there is alignment to the work we do.

The Value we add:

1. Ability to engage with communities in a meaningful way.
2. Increased understanding of community challenges and developmental needs to assist corporates in planning their social intervention and/ or Corporate Social Investment strategies.
3. Inclusion of communities in the identification and design of sustainable and empowering solutions.
4. Identification of strategic partnerships to support implementation.
5. Supporting the implementation of community- based interventions.
6. Progress tracking and reporting on the achievement of targets and milestones.
7. Cost-effectiveness of our interventions given our ability to deliver large programmes with limited budgets.

To talk to us about partnership opportunities, please contact:

Ms Yashmita Naidoo

CEO: HIVSA

naidooy@hivsa.com

011-494 1900

To learn more about our work, please click on the link below:

Our Work

Palesa Ramakhetheng

Palesa Ramakhetheng is a beneficiary at Khomanani community-based organisation in Vlakfontein in the south of the City of Johannesburg, sub-district G. Khomanani is one of HIVSA’s 39 sub-partners implementing the HIV/AIDS in Vulnerable Populations (PHVP) Program. The centre provides several services such as nutritional support, and homework assistance and was previously implementing the DREAMS Program including the Choma Innovation Café.

The Choma Café

Khomanani received a Choma Innovation Café from HIVSA. The Choma Innovation Cafés aim to support Programmes such as the PHVP Programme that is currently being implemented at Community-Based Organisations, this is done by providing online information on Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) and other health-related information as well as creating a safe space for interaction on the abovementioned subjects for 10 – 19-year-old Adolescent Girls & Young Women (AGYW) and boys. The Choma Innovation Cafes were funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project. Palesa Ramakhetheng was one of the young girls who accessed the café. She is from a single-parent household. The household depends on Child support grant and food packs they receive from Khomanani Health Group.

Palesa Ramakhetheng at the Choma Café

Palesa was enrolled in the Choma Café in 2017 at the age of 12 years. She attended structured interventions on SRH offered in the Café as well as Vhutshilo 1 sessions.  Vhutshilo 1 is a structured intervention that aims to educate young people between the ages of 10 and 14 safe from HIV and STIs.  In 2019 Palesa was appointed as a member of the Child Advisory Board (CAB). The purpose of the CAB is to engage and empower youth along with their families and communities to ensure that youth are empowered to reach their full potential by being given a platform in which to express themselves. Palesa took on program leadership responsibilities by actively providing input to the program and informing them how the program is best implemented for them, this involves having a close relationship with onsite facilitators and providing ongoing feedback.  Through the SRH sessions, Palesa learnt about different ways of preventing HIV. She was tested for HIV, and she knows her status. In 2020 she was initiated on PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and she is still on PrEP to date.  PrEP is medicine youth at risk of contracting HIV take to prevent getting HIV. Palesa continues to take PrEP to ensure she stays HIV-negative.

Palesa also had the opportunity to access the Choma café for school research and homework assistance. Although she has always been a good student, Palesa gives credit to the Choma Café for passing her Grade 12 with a Diploma in 2022. She is awaiting acceptance at one of the Technical Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Colleges she applied to. According to Palesa.

“Choma made me fit in at school. No one could see my struggles and that I could not afford data.”

Background: HIVSA and its two sub-partners Ratang Bana Future for Children and Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry together with the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) South Africa hosted a delegation of 30 Senior U.S. Congressional staff led by Senator Lindsay Graham of South Carolina on 23rd and 24^th of February 2023. Ambassador Dr. John Nkengasong of the Office of Global AIDS Coordination and U.S. Ambassador to South Africa and Reuben E Brigety II and their staff members also participated in the site visits.

Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, the Minister of the Department of Social Development (DSD), Mr. Linton Mchunu, Director General of DSD, Mr. Nkere Skosana the Chief Director of the HIV/AIDS unit at the National DSD, Ms Bongi Buthelezi the Social Work Manager of HIV/AIDS unit at the National DSD, accompanied the delegation to showcase the successful collaboration between the South African Government and PEPFAR-funded and USAID-implemented Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Program in the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) across two Townships (Alexandra and Soweto).

Objective: The chief objectives of the visit were to assess the impact of U.S. Government investments in the United States President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) as PEPFAR celebrates its 20th anniversary and in anticipation of PEPFAR funding reauthorization. The delegation was able to engage with key stakeholders from the Preventing HIV/AIDS in Vulnerable Populations (PHVP) Program implemented by HIVSA and sub-partners Ratang Bana and Ikageng Itireleng, in collaboration with the DSD. They were also able to meet with program beneficiaries (adolescents and their caregivers) to learn how U.S. government (USG)-supported programs and resources have improved their health and well-being.

Context: South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 7.8 million people living with HIV (PLHIV), accounting for 21% of PLHIV globally. While incidence is declining each year, the HIV burden in South Africa continues to grow, particularly for children and adolescents. Nationally, there are approximately 198,311 new HIV infections estimated to occur between mid-2021 to mid-2022 with women over 15 accounting for 62.7% of all new HIV infections. While only 174,295 children and adolescents living with HIV (C/ALHIV) know their status; 54% are on treatment, and 38% are virally suppressed. South Africa needs to increase the number of children that are on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) by 86,626 to meet the 95:95:95 target. The PEPFAR South Africa OVC Program which HIVSA is a prime partner provides a platform for effective pediatric and adolescent HIV case finding and linkages to treatment; evidence-based interventions for the prevention of HIV and sexual violence; family strengthening interventions for adolescent girls; as well as first-line support and referral for gender-based violence.

Program implementation: HIVSA and its sub-partners have been implementing the PHVP Program in collaboration with the DSD and the Department of Health (DoH) in Gauteng Province (Johannesburg, Tshwane, and Sedibeng Districts). The goal of the program is to contribute towards HIV epidemic control by enhancing the quality, comprehensiveness, and sustainability of care and support services to improve the resilience, health, and well-being of OVC, in line with the South African Government (SAG) strategic goals for health and social development. HIVSA’s implementation model is embedded in capacitating and strengthening DSD funded Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) like Ratang Bana Future for Children and Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry through Technical Assistance and mentorship so that they can provide holistic service delivery to children, families, and communities they serve. To date, HIVSA has capacitated 67 CBOs/sub-partners and over 100,000 children have benefitted from the program since 2012.

The program is carried out using three distinct models: OVC Comprehensive, OVC Preventive, and OVC DREAMS Family Strengthening.

• The OVC Comprehensive model focuses on providing intensive case management to priority sub-populations such as C/ALHIV, children of PLHIV, HIV Exposed Infants (HEI), newly diagnosed or newly on ART, interrupted treatment, not virally suppressed, Children of Female Sex Workers (CoFSW), child survivors of sexual violence, double orphans, and those with escalated vulnerability due to parental HIV infection.
• The OVC Preventive model focuses on boys and girls aged 10–14 years old. The model offers the Vhutshilo 1 curriculum and focuses on a short, evidence-based programming approach that prevents sexual violence, delays sexual debut, and prevents HIV. The model does not include case management and is not tracked against benchmarks.
• The OVC DREAMS Family Strengthening model is part of the secondary package of services to support adolescent girls aged between 10-17 years by improving their well-being, building HIV prevention knowledge and skills, and strengthening the mental health of adolescent girls and their primary caregivers through the provision of the Let’s Talk intervention.

Site one: Ratang Bana Future for Children: Ratang Bana is a non-profit organization that was established in June 2010, and based in Alexandra Township. It is mainly focused on supporting and empowering vulnerable children, especially those affected and infected with HIV/AIDS. It provides psychosocial support services to children (financial, nutritional, material, counselling, prevention of drug abuse, and educational support). The organization has approximately 50 staff members led by a dynamic Manager, Ingrid Maredi.

Day 1( 23 February 2023): Delegates were welcomed by the USAID site officers, Onica Diamond and Mandisi Mabika, Minister of Social Development, Ms. Lindiwe Zulu, Yashmita Naidoo HIVSA Chief Executive Officer and Ingrid Maredi Ratang Bana’ Project Manager. The delegates were able to visit four “service” stations where they were able to interact with beneficiaries and their primary caregivers, that participated in various interventions, like Let’s Talk, the Choma Café and Vhutshilo. These interactions allowed beneficiaries to freely share their stories and experiences of how the PEPFAR program impacted their lives.

“Ntando aged 15 who is one of the adolescents living with HIV shared her story about how she was bullied in the community regarding her status, she shared how the treatment literacy sessions empowered her to stand up for herself.”

Day 2(24^th February 2023): Delegates were welcomed by the USAID site officer, Jessica Mullis, Yashmita Naidoo HIVSA Chief Executive Officer and Ingrid Maredi of Ratang Bana. The second day focused on the support and services provided to Children and Adolescent living with HIV. A round table discussion with 3 adolescents living with HIV and their primary caregivers took place. Amongst them were stakeholders from the Department of Social Development and Anova. The beneficiaries took the delegates through their personal journey of living positively with HIV and highlighted the positive impact of the program on their lives. During this round table discussion, it also came out so clear how the collaboration between community partners and clinical partners was impactful to the beneficiaries and the communities serviced. It showed how the fight against HIV will be won if multiple partners/ stakeholders worked together to offer clinical and psychosocial support to the communities and individuals.

Site Two: Ikageng Itireleng AIDS Ministry

Ikageng Itireleng is a non-profit organization that was established in 2001 and based in Orlando West Soweto.  The organization is focused on improving the quality of life for OVC through psychosocial support services (nutritional, educational, health, and other social support). The organization has approximately 61 staff members led by a passionate and goal-driven Program Manager, Mpolokeng Motloung.

On 23 February 2023, HIVSA hosted Senator Martin Heinrich, Senator Chris Coons, and Senator Mark Kelly, alongside their staff and DSD Officials. The delegates were able to interact and observe beneficiaries who participated in PEPFAR-funded activities through four stations, such as Vhutshilo and the Choma Café. Beneficiaries living with HIV were able to share their stories of how the program has changed their lives in dealing with stigma and discrimination, grief, and loss. Caregivers also had a chance to take the delegates through the journey of their children from the time they were not in the program up until they joined the program. They strongly mentioned the positive changes they have noticed in their children's behavior and how they adhere to treatment.

 

 

Ntando, “it is because of Choma that I have a good relationship with my mother."

Delegates were also able to witness the strong linkages between Anova and HIVSA, as one of the stations focused on HIV testing Services.

The visit was such a success, and we thank all participants involved in the preparation of the site.

 

USAID High level site visit at Ratang Bana (Blurb)

(Date of the visit – 4 November 2022)

On the 4^th of November 2022, HIVSA hosted a high-level USAID site visit that took place at Ratang Bana Future for Children, HIVSA’s sub-partner in Alexandra, Johannesburg led by a dynamic Project Manager, Mrs Ingrid Maredi. It was a great honour to host two key officials #USAID, Dr. Atul Gawande, Assistant Administrator for Global Health and Mr Han Kang, A Senior-level officer with the U.S. Foreign Service, working with Washington and Mission colleagues in efforts toward ending the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. Also in attendance were members of the South African USAID Office of HIV/AIDS, the Department of Social Development and HIVSA Senior team members. The visitors observed “a day in the life” of activities taking place at the site which is currently implementing the USAID-funded Preventing HIV/AIDS in Vulnerable Populations (PHVP) Program, led by HIVSA. The visit provided the guests with the opportunity to meet and engage program beneficiaries (adolescents and their caregivers) participating in the Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) program to learn how USG-supported programs and resources have improved their health and well-being.

 

Beneficiaries happily and openly shared their experiences outlining the successes of the program.  HIVSA appreciates the ongoing partnership with community partners such as Ratang Bana, who work tirelessly to improve the lives of young people and caregivers in their communities.

 

 

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A CONTRACTOR TO CONDUCT BUSINESS DUE DILLIGENCE SERVICES

HIVSA is seeking the services of a company or individual to perform due diligence on a potential financial investment through analysing and validating the financial, commercial, operational and strategic assumptions being made.

1. Scope of work

The due diligence process should cover areas of commercial/ operational, legal and financial due diligence as indicated below:

1.1 Commercial or operational:
• Plant and equipment
• Real estate: property and premises
• Stock and inventory
• Systems and processes (accounting platforms and any other applications in use)
• Employees/ staff (Nature of contracting)
• Customers (to highlight key customers and provide any market segmentation)
• Products and services
• Suppliers
• Business Intellectual property
• Market trends and issues
• Contracts and agreements

1.2 Legal due diligence
• Legal registration status and compliance with relevant laws
• Shareholding in the business
• Organisational structure and key staff
• Claims and warranties
• Patents
• Compliance of existing products/services with industry requirements
• Trademarks and business names
• Tax statutory audits and risks
• Unrealised legal claims/ risks
• Contingent and other potential liabilities
• Transfer of employee entitlements
• Contracts in place and terms thereof
• Vendor warranties and indemnities

1.3 Financial due diligence
• Financial performance over the past three years. Projections for the next three years (to include key assumptions)
• Current (if any) financing facilities and terms thereof
• Debtors (including assessment of the quality of the Debtors books)
• Creditors (including assessing the ageing of such balances)
• Work in progress
• Salaries and wages
• Employee entitlements
• Guarantees and bonds
Pre- payments and insurance

2. Qualifications /competencies of bidder
2.1 5 years or more experience in business and finance
2.2 Track record of similar work with 3 references provided

3. Deliverables
Following the due diligence process, the contractor is required to provide a report that covers the following aspects:
3.1 An assessment of the business. This should include a confirmation of the facts, figures and information provided by the seller.
3.2 A view of the future earnings based on past trading experience.
3.3 Key value drivers
3.4 Inherent risks in the business, including financial risks, and characteristics of the cash flows generated. This section should further include any pending legal or regulatory matters.
3.5 An estimation of the entity’s commercial potential
3.6 Desktop valuation of the business including a general benchmarking with similar type organisations

4. Proposal submission
Interested contractors should submit a proposal to F. Phiri (phirif@hivsa.com) by 18th November 2022. Proposal should indicate the anticipated amount of time to complete the assignment, costs and other relevant assumptions, including an outline of how the due diligence will be conducted, and required documentation to assess the business entity.
For further information relating to the scope of work, please contact Y. Naidoo (naidooy@hivsa.com).