The Funny Side of Fighting AIDS

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Southern Africa is terrible. Most countries in the South African Development Community have infection rates ranging from 15-25% of the population; Namibia’s rate is just under 20%. Despite the seriousness of the problem, a half-page job advertisement in last week’s newspaper made me laugh, and I give to you here, almost in its entirety:

Ministry of Health and Social Sciences

Namibia Global Fund Programme
The Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS), as the Principle Receipient (PR) of the Global Fund Grants, continues implementing the planned HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis activities. Given the existing staffing levels of the Programme Management Team, it is becoming increasingly difficult to ensure the smooth implementation of some aspects of the HIV/AIDS programme activities. It is against this background that the Directorate of Special Programmes (DSP), is looking for suitable qualified and experienced candidates for the following position:

Condom Logistic Officer

Duties and Responsibilities:
• Monitor condom stock levels countrywide by exploiting reports from the end-users distribution points;
• Promptly respond to logistic need whenever it arises;
• Identify causes of any shortage in condoms and report to the Condom Logistic Manager;
• Check condom stocks at all facilities in order to have an accurate starting point for quantities to distribute according to the population needs;
• Create, maintain and manage data of end-users distribution points for condoms;
• Promote condom use at any contact with end-users and monitor any increase in demand induced by that promotional activity;
• Anticipate any shortage of condoms at the end-user level;
• Compile annual plan and report and forward to the condom logistic manager on matters of condoms;
• Liaise with stakeholders for information and collaboration on condoms; and
• Submit reports on distribution of condoms activities.

The contract is valid until 31 March 2009, with the possibility of renewal. To start as soon as possible. All applications to be submitted: Global Fund, etc.

As you can see, America is not the only country where job titles become grossly overinflated! Come on, this job is for a glorified condom delivery person! Worse yet, there is also a Condom Logistics Manager to whom the Condom Logistics Officer will report. How many people work in the Directorate of Condoms?

The ad states that the Ministry of Health receives funding for this programme from western donors. I would bet that the Ministry has just received a large infusion of cash and, not wanting to lose the money, has created a make-work position. Although the job notice itself is amusing, it calls into question the effectiveness of aid given to poor countries. Does the money help to solve the problem, or does it merely give someone in Africa an easy job with a good salary?