HIV Prevention and Co-morbidities Advisor (HPCA): Catholic Relief Services – Zambia Country Program

About Catholic Relief Services

The Catholic Relief Services (CRS) country program was established in 2000 and administers a varied and diversified portfolio of nutrition, health systems strengthening food and security economic growth and livelihoods, orphans and vulnerable (OVC) research and HIV and AIDS programs. Catholic Relief Services out the commitment of Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and the vulnerable overseas.

Background
Epidemic Control 90-90-90 (EpiC 3-90) supports the Ministry of Health (MOH) in targeted faith-based sites to achieve the UNAIDS Fast Track goals for epidemic control: 90% of all PLHIV know their status, 90% of those diagnosed receive sustained ART, 90% of all people receiving ART have viral suppression.

EpiC 3-90 supports comprehensive HIV/AIDS service delivery at supported faith-based facilities while building capacity and systems for sustainability through a three-pronged approach: 1) Support health facilities improve their delivery of HIV prevention, treatment, and laboratory services; 2) Improve key health system functions and structures needed to deliver quality HIV services; and 3) Health information is strategically collected and utilized to improve HIV service delivery. Through the course of the project, EpiC 3-90 will gradually decrease its involvement so that District and Provincial Health Offices (DHOs, PHOs) assume oversight of and technical assistance to supported facilities.

EpiC 3-90 is a consortium project of Churches Health Association of Zambia (CHAZ), Chreso Ministries and Catholic Relief Services (CRS), as a prime consortium member, CRS brings globally recognized expertise in grants management, health systems strengthening and sustainability, and top-notch HIV/AIDS service delivery.

Job Summary
The HPCA is responsible for providing technical support to supported health facilities. S/he maintains relationships with project partners and key stakeholders in project clinical implementation; contributes to development of annual country operation plan (COP) submission, health facilities system strengthening, strategic plans and reports; develops/utilizes systems to track program clinical quality in collaboration with the Continuous Quality Improvement Advisors.

The primary function of this position is to provide technical support in HIV prevention activities, community-based services and care and treatment of HIV infected patients that are co-infected or have other comorbidities. This position will support cooperation and communication with all health facilities in the management of the EPIC 3-90 project and other community development activities related to the project. The HPCA reports directly to the DCOP-Tech and will work closely with the Strategic/M&E team and other clinical staff.

Responsibilities:
The HPCA will primarily be responsible for integrating prevention and HIV comorbidity management in all supported sites and their community HIV services. S/he will support the DCOP/Tech in communication with health facilities, development of the Country Operating Plan (COP), planning annual targets and ensuring the appropriate use of resources. The HPCA will also assist identify areas of concern within the project and work with the program team to find viable solutions.  S/he will supervise and mentor’s prevention and clinical teams. S/he will work with the M&E team to ensure continuous quality improvement.

Specific Responsibilities:

• Support facilities in designing and implementation of targeted and evidence-based HIV prevention strategies and interventions at the facility and community level.
• Train and mentor facility staff to build technical skills in HIV prevention and management of comorbidities
• Support implementing partners identify and determinate lessons learned from the project activities.
• Establish an on-site training strategy and plan to integrate HIV comorbidity management
• Build capacity in the facility to provide VMMC, HIV Cervical Cancer screening and implement priority population prevention activities.
• Document best practices from supported sites and support the M&E team in continuous quality improvement.
• Attend relevant ART /TB-HIV/Prevention Activities meetings/conferences and represent the project’s ART section whenever needed.
• Provide support, care and appropriate management of HIV patients with other co-morbidities
• Prioritize TB case identification and HIV testing of all TB patients, promote symptom screening and scale-up and optimize Xpert MTB/RIF to improve TB case finding among
• Build capacity for clinicians to use LF-LAM in diagnosing active TB in highly immunocompromised patients
• Support monitoring the retention of patients initiated on Co-treatment, identify and address losses to follow-up.
• Improve retention of recipients of care, monitoring the health status and condition of patients in DSD models including the Community Posts,  Community Based ART distribution Points and Community Health Worker ART Dispensations promoted by CRS EPIC3-90.

Key Working Relationships:

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy Chiefs of Party (Technical & Operations), Si and M&E team; Consortium Members (CHAZ and Chreso), and Health Facilities

External: Host country government agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations.

Job Specifications:

1. Have a medical degree (Medical Officer) preferred, advanced qualification will be an added advantage
2. Experience with antiretroviral therapy (ART), tuberculosis treatment and other comorbidities, understanding of Zambian ART guidelines and TB guidelines
3. Experience in HIV and AIDS programming in resource-poor settings at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations.
4. Excellent analytical skills,
5. Proficiency in MS Office Suite, including Word, Excel, Outlook Express and Internet Explorer. SPSS and Epi-info, a must.
6. Five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, familiarity with USG procedures.
7. Good command of spoken and written English.
8. Self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills; Ability to work independently and under pressure
9. Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills

Personal Skills

• Excellent relationship management skills with the ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under the direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with the capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Strong presentation, facilitation, training, mentoring, and coaching skills
• Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented

Required/Desired Foreign Language:

Proficiency in English and any Zambian local language

Travel Required:

70% travel

Key Working Relationships:

Supervisory: will supervise the Prevention Advisor, Community HIV Services Advisor, and Senior Community Advisor.

Internal: Chief of Party, Deputy chiefs of the party (technical /Operations), Clinical Lead and Senior Lab Advisor, SI and M&E team, Provincial and District Coordinators, Other Advisors
External: District Health Director (DHD), District Health Information Officer, District Clinical care specialist, District TB/HIV specialist

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity
• Models Stewardship
• Cultivates Constructive Relationships
• Promotes Learning

Disclaimer:

This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

Note: By applying to this job, I understand and acknowledge that CRS requires its staff to treat all people with dignity and respect and to actively prevent harassment, abuse, exploitation, and human trafficking. Further, I understand that if I am a successful candidate, I will be subject to a comprehensive background check, and my personal/professional references will be asked to evaluate my behaviors related to the above safeguarding-related topics.

Applicants Instructions:

Please email a cover letter, and curriculum vitae which should include three references to [email protected]

Please include the position (& Location) you are applying for in the subject line.

The closing date for applications is 18th October 2019. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview