HIV/Linkage to Care Technical Lead at Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation

The University of Maryland Baltimore with funding from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) will conduct the Zambia National Population HIV Impact Assessment (ZAMPHIA 2020).

ZAMPHIA 2020 will assess progress towards achievement of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets on national and subnational levels.    The data will be used to focus HIV services and resources to the areas of greatest need and help move Zambia closer to HIV epidemic control.

The University of Maryland Baltimore affiliate, Maryland Global Initiatives Corporation Zambia (MGIC Zambia) is currently inviting applications from interested persons, who meet the minimum requirements to apply to the key positions advertised. Project Duration is scheduled for eighteen (18) months and successful candidates will be offered employment for that period.

HIV/Linkage to Care Technical Lead

The HIV/Linkage to Care Technical Lead will ensure clinical quality approach to Home based Testing and Counselling, linkage to care and return of actionable test results.  The HIV LTC lead will be responsible for overseeing the design of the LTC process and ensuring that identified Persons Living with HIV/AIDS are linked to care. This position reports to the Project Director and the principal investigators

Primary Responsibilities:

• Leads the design of protocol, manuals, SOP’s and training materials for LTC
• Responsible for linkage to care of all clinically actionable tests and survey quality monitoring.
• Develops and monitors referral system and lab results distribution to client and facility
• Ensures that the referral system is designed to the realities of the Zambian linkage and retention spectrum of care.
• Responsible for identifying realistic strategies that can lead to an optimum  LTC outcome for the PHIA
• Work with Community Based Volunteers, PEPFAR IPs and local health facilities to strengthen linkage to care
• Liaise with MOH/facility Referral Focal Persons and other entitiesthat will participate in Active Linkage to Care (ALCART).
• Coordinate the assignment of eligible participants to appropriate MOH/Facility POCs and CBO for ALCART
• Lead weekly ALCART meetings with MOH/facility referral persons of contact in which new ALCART cases are assigned to appropriate CBO, status of open ALCART cases are discussed, and final outcomes of ALCART cases are defined.
• In collaboration with ZAMPHIA 2020 Data Management team, develops and modifies key elements of participant- level ALCART logs and ensures that they are routinely available and of meeting a sufficient level of data quality.
• Routinely liaises with counselors/interviewers and Team supervisors/Leaders to troubleshoot issues with obtaining consent for ALCART and data quality issues relating to ALCART in the field
• In collaboration with data management  team, generates and disseminates weekly ALCART summary reports which includes summary statistics of ALCART eligibility, consents and outcomes status.
• In collaboration with the data management team, work to design dashboards that will monitor LTC activities real time and be able to report real time.
• Oversees logistic support to all entities who perform ALCART as necessary, which may include transportation and reimbursement for transportation
• Routinely Collects ALCART Status Forms from Linkage Officers of facilities  and uses data therein to update case-level information in the ALCART log
• Ensures that Referral Contacts/community Mobilization Committee have sensitized Health Facilities and MOH Management Teams about ZAMPHIA2020 Referrals and ALCART procedures.
• Ensures all entities  are adhering to timelines for linkage and assists with troubleshooting any issues preventing active linkage to care.
• Obtain and document Linkage to Care and ART initiation Status of all referred HIV positive participants

Qualifications:

• MBBS with MSc or PhD in epidemiology preferred.
• Knowledge of Zambia health sector
• Experience in Population-based HIV Impact Assessments (PHIA) field survey management in LMIC is a plus
• Strong understanding of HIV Linkages and strategies to optimize retention
• Extensive experience with PEPFAR Implementing Partners, CDC and MoH
• Ability to multitask and work with multidisciplinary teams
• Strong work ethic, high level of dedication