Provincial Coordinator – Western Province at 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 Provincial Project Coordinator (PPC) will support and lead all EpiC 3-90 project activities in the province. In collaboration with the clinical, operation and strategic information teams. The PPC will provide guidance, and support to a wide range of program design and implementation issues for the EpiC 3-90 project at District level in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practices to regional and Country Program (CP) teams to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. The PPC will monitor program implementation; will work with Provincial Health Office (PHO), District Health Offices (DHOs) and provincial CDC focal person to ensure that the project implement activities that are efficient, sustainable and leading the project to achieving the HIV epidemic control; maintain relationships with project partners and key stakeholders; support health facilities in CDC required weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting.  The PCC will develop/utilize systems to track quality of program/activities being implemented, in collaboration with the Health System Strengthening/Continuous Quality Improvement Advisors (HSS/CQI).   The primary function of this position is to coordinate all project activities in the province and provide adequate support to all project supported health facilities, while maintaining a good partnership with all stakeholders in the region.

Job Responsibilities:

• The Provincial Project Coordinator will primarily be responsible for coordinating all project activities and implementation in the region, as well as representing, by delegation, the project at all PHO and DHO’s meetings.
• Work closely with PHO, DHO and local CDC focal staff to ensure good collaboration and smooth implementation of project activities.
• Assist all supported health facilities in MOH and CDC regular reporting, identify areas of project concern in the region and work with the program team to find viable solutions.
• Mentor health providers in the provision of HIV care and treatment services.
• Mentor and supervise teams ensuring sustained in improving access to ART for PMTCT and increased uptake of pediatric ART in line with the national HIV guidelines and national targets, in the province.
• Work with the HSS/CQI team to ensure continuous quality improvement.
• Work with the central technical /clinical team to implement evidence-based activities, as well as innovations that support epidemic control in all supported health facilities,
• Establish and maintain relationships with donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions at provincial level. Participate in forums in HIV care and treatment to collect and share best practices and promote CRS’ work.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening initiatives in EpiC 3-90 programming for staff and supported sites through learning and training strategies, conducting trainings, orientations, and mentoring and coaching of supported staff.
• Implement strategies that lead to improving case identification, linkages and new enrollment on antiretroviral therapy, in close collaboration with the clinical/technical team at provincial and central level.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning through collecting and analyzing program data, evaluating strategic projects, assisting with measuring program impact, capturing and sharing lessons learned and best practices, and research and internal reports.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of agency-wide strategies, standards, tools, and best practices at District project level that effectively engage partners, donors and governments. Help ensure a cross-sectoral approach integrating gender protection mainstreaming.
• Provide regular technical solutions/assistance (TA) to all project supported sites in the District, remotely and on-site, for strategic planning and application of program design, approved standards, best practices, partnership principles, tools, and M&E, leading to high-quality implementation.

Scope:

The Provincial Project Coordinator will supervise District Coordinators and the Clinical Mentors.

Background, Experience & Requirements:

Education and Experience

• Have a medical degree, MO/ML preferred, or an advanced degree in a public health or medically related field.
• Experience with antiretroviral therapy (ART) and understanding of current 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.
• Excellent analytical skills,
• Five years’ relevant post-qualification experience, familiarity with USG procedures.
• 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. STATA, SPSS and Epi-info, a plus.

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:

Supervisory: District Coordinators, and Clinical Mentors

Internal: Program Manager, SI/M&E Team, Deputy Chief of Party –

Technical/Operations, Chief of Party

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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