NATIONAL HIV/AIDS SECRETARIAT (NAS)

Background on the Sierra Leone HIV/AIDS Response Project (SHARP).

In 2002, the Government of Sierra Leone developed the HIV/AIDS Response Project with support from the World Bank.

 

National HIV/AIDS Secretariat

The Acting Director

15A King Harman Road,

Freetown

This project is a country program within the context of $15 million Multi-sectoral HIV Program for Africa (MAP). According to the main goal of MAP, there are two development objectives of the SHARP:

  • Contribute to reducing the spread of HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone;

  • Mitigate the impact of HIV/AIDS on persons infected and affected.
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    NAS Mission/Mandate

    Mandate

    The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS) was established in 2002 by an act of Parliament and located in the Office of the President to coordinate the multi-sectoral effort to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS and its impact on persons infected and affected in Sierra Leone.

    Mission

    The National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS) is committed to providing leadership in coordination of HIV/AIDS programmes and activities of all stakeholders in Sierra Leone by developing, coordinating the implementation of a strategic plan that addresses prevention, treatment, care and support for both the infected and affected and assures the protection of their Human Rights.

    The mission is translated into the following functional areas:

  • Guide policy formulation and establishment of programme priorities;

  • Take the lead in national planning and monitoring;

  • Spearhead advocacy for HIV/AIDS activities;

  • Identify and address obstacles to the national response;

  • Mobilize and monitor allocation of resources and their utilization;

  • Foster linkages among partners;

  • Provide guidelines and technical assistance for implementation of HIV/AIDS programmes;

  • Gather and disseminate behaviour change information on HIV/AIDS;

  • Promote HIV/AIDS related research.

    • Management Staff

    The secretariat is currently headed by an Ag Director, who also serves as secretary to the National AIDS Council (NAC). His Excellency the President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr Alhaji Ahmed Tejan Kabbah, is the Chairman of NAC.

    The Ag. Director is assisted by the following professional staff:

  • Deputy Director/Coordinator of Community and Civil Society Initiatives;

  • Health Coordinator, HIV/AIDS RESPONSE Group (ARG);

  • Line Ministries Coordinator;

  • Capacity Building and Training Specialist

  • Information, Education and Communication/Behavioural Change Communication specialist

  • Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

  • Procurement and Financial Specialist (KPMG)

  • Health administrator

  • Information, Education and Communication/Behavioural Change Communications Coordinator

  • Documentation Officer

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    Procurement and financial management is provided by a financial Management firm- KPMG. The financial management system includes accounting, project management and procurement reporting, and auditing elements.

    INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENT OF SHARP
  • National AIDS Council (NAC)
  • National HIV/AIDS Secretariat (NAS)
    •

                  - Component 1 - Capacity Building, policy and Programme Coordination
                  - Component 2     - Multi-sector Responses for HIV/AIDS prevention and care
                  - Component 3     - Health sector responses to HIV/AIDS/STI Management
                  - Component 4     - Community and Civil Society initiatives (CCSI)
                  - Component 5     - Global Fund

    © DACO/SLIS July 2007