HIV Care and Treatment Officer

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 children (OVC), research, and HIV/AIDS programs. CRS 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 HIV Care and Treatment Officer (CTO) will be responsible for providing HIV Care and Treatment including Pediatric Treatment to all project supported health facilities in Western Province. S/he will support the District Coordinator in providing ART focused support to health facilities, planning and appropriate use of resources. The CTO will also assist in identifying areas of concern within the project and work with the technical/clinical team to find viable solutions.  S/he will assist in mentoring clinical teams in the EPIC3-90 supported sites. S/he will work with the M&E team to analyze and utilize data timely for project improvements.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide ART technical/clinical support to EPIC 3-90 supported sites in the district/province
• Document best practices from supported sites and support M&E team in continuous quality improvement.
• Attend relevant meetings and represent the project’s Adult and Pediatric ART sections whenever needed.
• Support capacity building at district level and training and mentorship of site level staff
• Support the district Pediatric and general case identification, linkage, initiation and viral suppression whilst on ART
• Support continuity of services from PMTCT, VMMC, MCH, TB and other HIV related services
• Practical knowledge of site conversion, activation and integration into static ART sites
• Support the scale up of differentiated models of service delivery to decongest clinics, increase ART retention, and improve quality with a focus particularly on children and adolescents
• Support monitoring the retention of patients initiated on ART to identify and address losses to follow-up
• Train, orient and mentor HIV providers for HIV services (for children and adults)

Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Medical Licentiate / Clinical Officer/ HIV Nurse Practitioner and master’s degree in Public Health is a plus
• Clinical experience with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and understanding of Zambia Consolidated
• Guidelines for Prevention and Treatment of HIV infection
• Experience in HIV and AIDS programming in resource-poor settings at the field level and providing technical assistance to partner organizations.
• Five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, familiarity with USG procedures.
• Excellent analytical skills, self-guided, strong organizational and planning skills; Ability to work independently and under pressure
• Excellent communication, coaching and facilitation skills
• Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information and budget management systems, knowledge-sharing networks.

Personal Skills

• Excellent relationship management skills with ability to influence and get buy-in from people not under direct supervision and to work with individuals in diverse geographical and cultural settings.
• Strong strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking skills with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgement
• 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:

Internal: District Coordinator, Provincial Coordinator, SI/ M&E Team, Clinical Lead
External: GRZ agencies (PHO and DHOs), international and national non-governmental organizations

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.

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