• Home
• What We Do
• Where We Work
• Resources
• News
• Data
• About

Strengthening the National AIDS Commission in Liberia

A presidential decree established the Liberia National AIDS Commission (LNAC) in 2008 with the intention of developing a multi-sectoral response to HIV/AIDS. The role of the LNAC is to coordinate and align the activities of stakeholders at all levels with the national strategy, ensure the development of a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for national programs, advocate for the development for appropriate policies and legislation, mobilize resources for a national response, and mainstream HIV/AIDS into the activities of other sectors.

A steering committee was set up to guide the process of developing a national strategic framework (NSF) for HIV/AIDS, which called for the development of a fully functioning LNAC Secretariat. A LNAC executive director was appointed in 2009 and the USAID Mission asked that Health Systems 20/20 assist in establishing the Secretariat.

First, Health Systems 20/20 defined the essential functions of the LNAC and then developed a staffing plan and position descriptions. A budget needed to operate the Secretariat was determined, the leadership section of the draft LNAC NSF was revised, and a work plan for getting the Secretariat operational was developed. Health Systems 20/20 shared two key lessons from other NACs: the Secretariat’s role needs to be one of coordination, oversight, and resource mobilization rather than implementation; and staffing should to be kept to a minimum.

Once staff were hired, Health Systems 20/20 conducted performance assessments, conducted initial team building, and provided management coaching. When asked in a survey about the most important result of the teambuilding, LNAC staff responded, “Now I know that we have to work together to get the job done.” Another staff member said, “This workshop has saved me months of time finding my way and getting to know my colleagues.” Health Systems 20/20 has continued to provide support to develop staff capacity, build an effective work team, provide executive coaching, and assist in developing the Secretariat’s work program. In addition, a Health Systems 20/20 M&E expert to works with the Secretariat’s M&E Coordinator to reduce the number of HIV/AIDS indicators from 55 to 12.

Accomplishments of the LNAC to date include:

• Revision of the NSF so that it is more consistent with the scale of the HIV/AIDS problem in Liberia and the resources available
• Approval by the government of Liberia of a start-up budget and the development of a full operating budget for the fiscal year beginning in July 2010
• Final approval of the NSF by the President of Liberia in June 2010
• Legislation formally establishing the NAC and Secretariat signed by the President of Liberia, thus ensuring the NAC is a regular line item in the national budget
• Staffing plan developed and eight full-time positions (line ministry coordination, civil society coordination, M&E, and communication) hired
• Team building carried out aimed at clarifying roles and responsibilities and learning how to work together effectively
• Staffing plan consistent with the role and functions of the LNAC and based on lessons learned elsewhere
• Secured office space for the Secretariat including agreement by the Global Fund to pay for the space and two full-time positions
• Programmatic activities undertaken by the Secretariat have focused on mainstreaming HIV/AIDS into eight other line ministries, launching an Association of PWLHA, and conducting county level workshops to raise awareness of HIV/AIDS.

While the NAC Secretariat is still a young organization in need of assistance with limited funds for programmatic activities, it is fully functioning and carrying out activities that will support Liberia’s 37,000 people living with HIV.