BACKGROUND

HIV/AIDS is a priority for the US Mission in India, with two Embassy-level committees addressing HIV/AIDS

issues. Under the leadership of the US Ambassador, the Deputy Chief of Mission (DCM) chairs the US

Mission's HIV/AIDS Coordination Committee. The committee promotes collaboration and coordination

among USG programs working in HIV, including USG Consulates, USAID, HHS/CDC, the Office of Defense

Cooperation and other offices of the Department of State. The Ambassador has delegated the leadership of

the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) team in India to the DCM, who holds quarterly

meetings with the agency technical heads and the PEPFAR Coordinator to review policy and technical

issues.

The interagency PEPFAR team is comprised of agency technical heads, program managers and key

support staff from USAID, CDC, ODC, and a representative from the Department of State's Political Unit for

DOL. The Coordinator holds weekly DVC meetings for these staff, based in Delhi, Chennai, and Hyderabad,

to discuss programmatic, technical, and management issues. The team has recently set up State Technical

Working Groups, bringing together USG agency representatives to ensure a harmonized program in USG

focus states and unified communication with the State AIDS Control Societies (SACS) and the USG

Consuls General. Two Technical Working Groups (TWGs) on Prevention and on Treatment, Care and

Support, are being established; Scopes of Work, Operating Procedures for core and partner members and

identification of partner members will be finalized shortly. Day-to-day PEPFAR management is provided by

the PEPFAR Coordinator, and the Strategic Information (SI) Officer. A Program Management Assistant will

be appointed shortly.

ACTIVITY

The Mission Director and Deputy Director take the lead in communication with the Ambassador on the

HIV/AIDS program and provide guidance and approval for USAID's HIV/AIDS activities. The Director of the

Office of Population, Health and Nutrition (PHN) and in his absence his Deputy provides overall supervision,

leadership for relations with the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO), and representation on the

NACO Donor Steering Committee, the Country Coordination Mechanism of the Global Fund, and the

Technical Panel of the Gates Foundation.

The Chief, HIV/AIDS Division (Foreign Service National, [FSN]) provides leadership and management

support to USAID's HIV/AIDS program. He is supported by three FSN project management specialists, who

are Cognizant Technical Officers (CTOs) with technical and management oversight of prime partners. Two

project management specialists (FSNs) will be hired in FY08, one a new position as CTO managing the

private sector and technical assistance programs (PSI and FHI). This position requires program

management and technical skills in HIV/AIDS in line with USAID's core competencies. The other position is

a Technical Advisor on Care and Support (replacement position). The Division is supported by a program

management assistant and a secretary, both FSN positions. Two communication specialists in the Program

Office, one Personal Services Contract (PSC) and one FSN, support promotion and press activities for

HIV/AIDS and one FSN acquisition assistant in the Regional Contracts Office supports contracting

requirements. The US PSC position for HIV/TB will be appointed in FY 2009 as this function is currently

being carried out by a staff person seconded to WHO with USAID TB funds.

USAID provides national leadership on Targeted Interventions, IEC, condom social marketing, community-

based care and support, and private sector programs. USAID's staff skills focus on HIV prevention and care

programs, on capacity building from the state to local levels, and on the provision of technical assistance in

program management and technical areas.

The total funding is $850,000, of which $193,000 is for administrative costs (IT and ICASS: $185,000; Other

Costs: $88,000)