Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF)

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Job Title: HIV Testing Services Technical Officer

Job openings: 02

Locations: 01 for Littoral region and 01 for Centre region

Reports to: Associate Project Director/HIV Care and Treatment Advisor

Contract Duration: One year with possibility of extension

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

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is a global leader in the fight against pediatric HIV and AIDS, working in 19 countries and at over 5,500 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 1,000—nine of 10 who work in the field—the Foundation’s global mission is to implement HIV prevention, care, and treatment programs; 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.

For more information, please, visit our page: www.pedaids.org.

EGPAF works in partnership with the Ministry of Health NACC and the Regional and District Health Teams to support HIV Prevention, Care and Treatment and health systems strengthening services. EGPAF is mainly funded by PEPFAR through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Purpose of the Job

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation is seeking to recruit two HIV Testing Services Technical Officer to be based in the Littoral and Centre regions respectively. The HIV Testing Services Technical Officers are responsible for providing overall leadership, coordination and management for the implementation of high quality HIV Testing services across EGPAF supported clusters in the Centre and Littoral regions. S/he will provide technical oversight and capacity building to EGPAF Staffs and health care workers in supported sites to assure delivery of quality, relevant and quantifiable services. The HTS Technical Officers are responsible for guiding HTS Program Officers through imparting technical direction so that the Program Officers can provide day to day contact with health care workers and non-clinical staff at supported sites– providing technical assistance to establish and strengthen implementation of integrated and comprehensive prevention activities, support systems strengthening, improve quality of HTS / Linkage and retention as well as contribute to treatment failure management and monitor progress towards achievement of quality results in order to attain the objectives of the DELTA  Project.

Key Responsibilities: 

• Supervising and providing strategic direction for HIV Testing services
• Oversee site assessments for new sites for integrated HIV service delivery,
• Oversee development of integrated HIV facility interventions and work plans
• Working with the Laboratory Program Officer, assist in establishing and supervising the PT program to ensure the quality of testing is sustained
• Assist the health facility management team (HMT) to develop and implement quality assurance programs for each supported site
• Facilitate the acquisition of Project supplies from National / regional / district Depot/Hospital and engage the HMT when supplies are not available at the district depot/hospital to ensure no stock outs
• Oversee visits to EGPAF Project supported sites in the all supported sites in the region to provide technical support in implementation of Prevention and Testing Services
• Works closely with the HMT in identifying training needs, planning and delivering trainings for facility staff, according to the training plan.
• Provide feedback to facilities and participates in supportive supervision and site assessments including SIMS, CQI, and RDQAs.
• Is responsible for Leading /driving the attainment of the 1st 90th and contributes significantly to achieving of the 2ndand 3rd 90's for both adults and children.
• Monitors and reports monthly the availability of Rapid Test Kits (RTKs), Condoms and other supplies necessary to accomplish Prevention and the project objectives
• Working with the SI & E Manager, assists the project in working with clinic staff in data collection and data management and reporting including utilization of such data for planning and decision making.
• Responsible for tracking and reporting on all project input, processes, outputs, outcomes and impact at supported sites to ensure that adequate progress is made towards set targets.
• Prepares the monthly, quarterly and annual progress reports for prevention & Testing.
• Working closely with the QA/QI Technical Officer, participate in site assessment, follow up on identified gaps and implementation of interventions including formation of Quality Improvement Teams and re-assessment of progress
• Working with other Teams within the project, identify opportunities for integration including, formation of and supporting Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs), community-facility linkages and assist in documentation of successes, best practices and challenges associated with such linkage and integration
• Responsible for coordination of the support and appraisals for HTS providers, adherence counsellors and HTC supervisors within the facilities in liaison with the facility in charges

Required Qualification

• Medical Doctor with at least 3 years of continuous HIV program implementation or BSc in Nursing with 5 years of continuous HIV program implementation. Registration with the required regulatory bodies is mandatory. A Master's degree in Public health or other related degree is a distinct advantage.

Required competencies, skills and experience

• Fluency in both spoken and written English and French 
• 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 district 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 computer basic skills- MS Office; Internet; Basic data analysis skills
• Self- managed, self-driven, results oriented individual with excellent communication, interpersonal, report writing and analytical skills
• Dedicated team player with ability and experience to work in a multidisciplinary team

How to apply 

Qualified candidates should submit a CV and cover letter indicating the town for which they are applying through the following link Testing Services Technical Officer.

Applications will be considered on or before 22nd March 2018, 5:00 PM Cameroon time.

Please note that only short-listed applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.