Amref’s Position Vacancy for a Project Officer – HIV Testing Services

December 23, 2021

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization; currently implementing more than 140 programs, directly reaching more than 12 million people across 35 African countries. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in eight countries in Africa, namely, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi, South Sudan, Zambia and Senegal. Amref’s work in each country responds to local needs and priorities, strengthens existing capacities in communities to have
ownership of their health and strengthens the local health systems. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America. Amref has a staff complement of over 1,500.

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To increase sustainable health access to communities in Africa through solutions in human resources for health, health service delivery, and investments in health’.

SCOPE OF WORK
The purpose of this role is to ensure timely, effective and quality implementation of contextualized HIV testing services and strategies that meet donor’s expectations and demands through day – to -day provision of mentorship and close monitoring of program supported health facilities.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

HIV Testing, Identification and Linkage
• Provide every day Mentorship support to supported health facilities in implementing recommended HIV testing, identification and linkage initiatives such as HTS Eligibility Screening at all service delivery points, Partner Notification Services (PNS) for newly identified, newly enrolled, high viral load and key population index clients as well as HIV Self – Testing strategy
• Follow up on referral and linkage of all identified positives and bridging linkage and enrolment gaps.
• Work closely with the HTS technical lead on cost – effective facility as well as targeted community based HTS strategies / interventions.
• Ensuring adequate coverage of HTS service delivery points through proper HTS Providers leave planning and timely flagging of coverage gaps with the facility in – charges and HTS Supervisors.
• Monitor progress of HTS indicators in all supported facilities and innovatively support the facility teams towards achievement of donor targets and objectives

HTS Quality Management
• With the support of the Technical lead – HTS, ensure adherence and fidelity to nationally approved HIV Testing Quality Management Guidelines, Policies and Frameworks by all supported HTS Providers, in line with the Revised 2016 National HTS and 2018 ART Guidelines.
• Work closely with the Technical lead – HTS to plan and implement HTS Quality Management activities and interventions in all supported facilities.
• Work closely with the Laboratory Project Officer to support the implementation of the Rapid HIV Testing Continuous Quality Improvement (RT – CQI) interventions in all the supported health facilities and HTS service delivery points.
• Work closely with the Technical Lead – HTS, Laboratory Officer and the County/Sub -County Medical Laboratory Coordinators (SCMLCs) to coordinate the collection, receipt, conduction and administration of Proficiency Testing (PT) panels in the supported sites as well as dissemination of the results as well as the conduction of corrective
actions for HTS Providers/testers who receive unsatisfactory results.
• Conduct regular capacity building sessions in the supported facilities to ensure quality and timely implementation of recommended HTS strategies such as eligibility screening at all service delivery points, Partner Notification Services (PNS) and HIV self – testing among others.
• Regularly review HTS/PNS/Linkage and other related service provision Registers. Identify HTS quality gaps and address the gaps as may be appropriate.
• Ensure implementation of Quality Improvement (QI) Projects for HTS strategies noted to have gaps/weaknesses.
• Support the documentation of innovations, success stories, milestones, best practices and lessons learnt in implementation of interventions

Monitoring and Reporting HTS Indicators Performance
• Work closely with the cluster HIS Project officers to ensure all facilities have their HTS targets, disaggregate the targets per HTS provider / department and ensure that the HTS performance dash boards are updated on a monthly basis.
• Regularly review and share HTS performance feedback to supported facilities with and through the support of the HTS Supervisor and address noted gaps
• Monitor and present the weekly performance of all supported sites in testing, identification, PNS implementation and linkage to ART and address noted gaps.
• Track individual HTS Providers identification performance on a weekly basis.
• Prepare monthly progress reports on the performance of HTS indicators for supported sites
• Regularly participate in HTS data review meetings at Program and facility level
• Work closely with the HTS Supervisors to enforce Key Performance Indicators (KPI’s) for HTS Providers as well as participate in quarterly or bi -annual performance appraisal sessions.
• Regularly plan for and conduct joint facility level HIS and HTS data quality audits to verify and validate HTS and PNS reports
• Support facilities in proper documentation, and use of data for decision-making.

Other General/Cross – Cutting Roles and Responsibilities
• Contribute/participate in the development of the monthly, quarterly or annual, departmental work plans and budgets and regularly refer to these plans in the implementation of program activities.
• With the support of the Technical Lead – HTS, link closely with the respective SCHMT to address HTS issues that require the attention of the SCHMT.
• Support, respect and uphold AMREF relationships with sub -grantees as well as the County and National Government representatives.
• Ensure compliance with AMREF policies and regulations as well as those of the MOH.
• Any other roles assigned by your Supervisor/Line Manager.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
• Bachelor’s degree in Community/Public Health, Nursing, Medical Laboratory Sciences, Social Science, Counselling Psychology or other related course.
• At least Five (5) years’ experience in HIV Programs implementation.

SKILLS
• Undergone HIV/AIDS related Trainings; e.g. Peer Education, HTS Quality Management or Behavior Change Communication.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to build partnerships and consensus, within teams and other stakeholders.
• Ability to be self-directed and self-motivated and a team player.
• Proficiency level computer skills – spreadsheet, internet, word processing, and email software.

COMPETENCES
• Demonstrate experience in implementing programs requiring participation of government and community stakeholders.
• Demonstrate ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.

How to apply
Interested? Please visit our website https://amref.org/vacancies/ to make your application. You will be directed to our online portal where you will need to create an account in order for you to be able to submit your application. Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. Closing date will be December 31, 2021. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.