Elizabeth Glaser seeks to recruit a hiv testing services program officer

Description :

Job openings :  05

Contract Duration :  Open-ended contract

Terms of Offer :   This position is remunerated on local terms. (for local candidates only)

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“Sometimes in life there is that moment when it’s possible to make a change for the better.

This is one of those moments.”

Elizabeth Glaser :

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 16 countries and at over 5,000 sites around the world to prevent the transmission of HIV to children, and to help those already infected. Today, because of the highly successful work of the Foundation and its partners, pediatric AIDS has been virtually eliminated in the United States. With a growing global staff of over 3,100 — nine of 10 who work in the field—the Foundation’s global mission is to implement prevention, care, and treatment; further advance innovative research; and to execute strategic and targeted global advocacy activities  to bring dramatic change to the lives of millions of women, children, and families worldwide.

 

Job Summary :

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is seeking to recruit 5 HIV Testing Services Program Officers to be based in the Littoral/Douala region. The HTS Program Officers will work with the district and facility teams to enhance uptake and provision of quality HIV testing services (HTS) in the health facilities with a focus on high risk populations – families of clients enrolled in HIV care, TB care, malnutrition care, maternal and child health clinics, in-patient care, and maternities. S/He ensures that health facilities implement high yield HIV testing approaches with fidelity (Index Case Testing and targeted PITC, self-testing and VCT) with fidelity while ensuring high quality standards and proper linkage to ART. The HTS Program Officers will strengthen the whole continuum of care from testing to enrolment in HIV care.

 

Key Responsibilities :

• Support HTS counselors and health care providers to provide routine HTS to clients seeking health services in supported facilities with a focus on high yield strategies such as Targeted PITC and Index Case Testing ;
• Enhance saturation of HTS in ANC, TB clinics, malnutrition clinics, postnatal and family planning clinics and among clients admitted in in-patient settings ;
• Strengthen facility and home testing of family members of clients enrolled in HIV clinics including scaling up of partner notification and contact testing activities ;
•  Train and mentor HTS providers to deliver quality HTS services as per national guidelines ;
• Enhance linkage/referrals of HIV positive clients in care through the implementation of a case management model through physical escort of clients to HIV clinics and regular follow-ups including home visits, until enrollment in HIV clinic is confirmed ;
• Strengthen prevention messages and IEC in the health facilities and in all entry points for HIV testing ;
•  Hold regular HTS program review meetings to monitor progress towards desired quality and defined goals ;
•  Implement quality improvement initiatives to enhance HTS uptake in supported facilities.

Required Qualification :

•  Degree in Clinical Medicine, Nursing, Psychology, Laboratory ;
• rained in current MoH HTS guidelines ;
• Trained as a trainer in HIV Counselling and testing is a distinct advantage ;
•  At least 3 years’ experience in HIV service provision in the public health sector ;
• Solid understanding and experience in the use of national HIV monitoring and evaluation tools particularly  ;
• HIV Testing lab registers, QA and reporting tools ;
•  Excellent mentorship and report writing skills ;
• Fluency in French is mandatory and work knowledge of English is a distinct advantage.

Required competencies, skills and experience :

• Experience in managing a large, diverse and dynamic team of health professionals providing integrated HIV testing, care and treatment services ;
• Experience in establishing and sustaining working relationships with the Ministry of Health at the district level, and health providers at site level ;
•  Significant and up to date knowledge of the current HTS, ART and PMTCT guidelines, standards, tools and best practices. Up to date knowledge of general HIV management is a pre-requisite ;
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating mentorship and capacity building in HTS and HIV service areas ;
• Thorough knowledge of PEPFAR Program and MOH/NACCC reporting requirements including familiarity with the data collection and reporting tools used by MOH ;
•  Proficiency in basic computer skills- MS Office; Internet; Basic data analysis skills ;
• Self- managed, self-driven, results oriented individual with excellent communication, interpersonal, report writing and analytical skills;
• Proficiency in French and English ;
• Dedicated team player with ability and experience to work in a multidisciplinary team.

Competencies :

The Foundation expects all employees to possess the fundamental competencies of interpersonal skills, communication, accountability, continual learning, and driving results. The ideal candidate will either be proficient or advanced in the following set of competencies, specific to this position’s level of Officer :

• Team Building – Team building is a person’s ability to inspire and foster team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. He/she also facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals ;
• Customer Service – Customer service is a person’s ability to anticipate and meet the needs of internal and external customers while delivering high-quality products and services and being committed to continuous improvement ;
• Decisiveness – Decisiveness is a person’s ability to make well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data is limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences. He/she will also perceive the impact and implications of decisions.

How to Apply :

Qualified candidates should submit a CV and cover letter through the following link : here

Screening of applications will be on a rolling basis. Please note that only shortlisted applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted. Applications are only acceptable through the above link.

This position is subject to donor funding.

Apply here