HIV-Free Generation has cultivated expertise among its diverse partners that informs the implementation of behavior change communication tools in HIV prevention and the use of the public-private partnership model as a means to revolutionize HIV prevention intervention among youth. Here we showcase different tips and lessons learned from our partners periodically.

Expert Tips from Tijuana James-Traore, Associate Director of The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation:

How do you effectively operationalize a theoretical public-private partnership model for implementation on-ground?

“Applying and operationalizing the concept of a public-private partnership can be challenging, though well worth the effort. Our experience has taught us that there are several ingredients to a productive partnership, and it is important for all partners to understand and agree to these at the outset. These ingredients include the following:

1. Partners must begin with good will and a shared vision – Each partner has expectations for the partnership itself as well as for the benefits to the respective company or organization. As a result, it is important to be transparent and clear about these expectations and to reach consensus about what the project or activity hopes to achieve.
2. Communication must be open, honest and continuous – All partners should have frequent communication regarding the activities related to the partnership and share challenges and successes.
3. Partners must understand differences in work style, pace and decision making processes – There are marked differences between the way the private and public sectors work. It is therefore important to understand and accommodate these differences in style and process in order to manage expectations and reduce frustration.
4. Sufficient time and investment in developing, building and nurturing relationships is required – Agreeing to be partners is but the first step of a partnership. Partners then have to figure out how best to work together, who should be involved and when, and the frequency of communication. The time it takes to build and nurture relationships should not be underestimated.
5. Timely troubleshooting and problem solving – Challenges to the partnership are inevitable and should be addressed as soon as possible and not be allowed to breed unchecked. It can be difficult to raise sensitive and uncomfortable issues, but doing so is critical to the health and sustainability of the partnership.
6. Clear documentation of roles, responsibilities, sources of funding, etc. – While best intentions are laudable, clear documentation provides an important reference source when challenges arise. They help hold partners accountable and ensure that each partner has an opportunity to lend their skills and resources as appropriate.
7. Joint planning – Joint planning helps ensure that partners come to the table as equal partners and are able to lend their experience and expertise to the partnership. It also provides a learning opportunity for partners to benefit from the technical expertise of the other.
8. Clear and streamlined decision-making processes – Lack of clarity around decision-making and cumbersome decision-making processes can render a partnership ineffective. Limiting decision-making to key organizational leaders or designees serves to streamline the process and increases accountability.

The Partnership for an HIV-Free Generation continues to provide an important laboratory for understanding youth HIV prevention and public-private partnerships as an agent of behavior change. The lessons outlined above reflect learnings from the first three years of our partnership. We see this learning as an ongoing process as we continue to grow and evolve, and expect additional lessons learned as we move forward.”