Tanzania Health Promotion Support Jobs - End of June 2015

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MoHSW) in Collaboration with Children's Investment Fund Foundation CIFF and Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS).

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The Ministry of Health  and Social Welfare through National Aids Control Program (NACP), in Collaboration with Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)  through Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) is looking  to recruit highly experienced, committed and motivated Tanzanians to fill in the Paediatric HIV/AIDS Officer, & Pediatric  Adherence & Psychosocial Support  & Community Linkages (APSC)  Officer  positions to be based in Dar Es Salaam with frequent travel of up to 25% to regional offices. The successful incumbent will be seconded to MoHSW (NACP) for two years, and will directly report to NACP officials.

POSITION TITLE: Paediatric HIV/AIDS Officer
REPORTS TO: Head of Care & Treatment - (NACP)
LOCATION: Ministry of Health and Social Welfare  - National AIDS Control Program (NACP) Dar es Salaam

OVERALL JOB FUNCTION
To strengthen the pediatric unit of within NACP - Care and Treatment team responsible for strengthening the national pediatric HIV response in relation to Accelerating Children’s HIV/AIDS Treatment Initiative (ACT) and beyond. To facilitate HIV prevention, care, treatment and support services for children in the country including improvements in early infant diagnosis of HIV (EID) among HIV exposed infants, HIV diagnosis in older children and adolescents, prevention of HIV in adolescents and linkage and retention of children enrolled in the national care and treatment program. This entails HIV counseling and testing at all entry points including provider initiated testing and counseling (PITC), EID services, pediatric HIV care and treatment, enrollment of adolescents living with HIV into adolescent friendly clubs to enhance retention and minimizing loss to follow up, effective adherence and psychosocial support, advocacy and community engagement, efficient management of commodities and ongoing mentorship and supportive supervision. On day to day s/he will work with the Pediatric Program Officer to ensure that the doubling enrolment of children into treatment is achieved and will link the NACP to other Implementing Partners in Tanzania to ensure the objectives ACT initiative are met.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Provides support to MoHSW –in monitoring the implementation for the ACT initiative, coordinate quarterly (in collaboration with USG) meeting for ACT stakeholders and regions to track  progress made for the ACT Initiative
 Develops and maintains effective liaisons with paediatric HIV implementing partner organizations to ensure that timelines and quality standards for implementation of care and support activities are met.  Coordinate with implementing partner organizations and participates in the planning and development of training programs, teaching modules, manuals, and educational materials to address identified needs.
 Work with the HIV care and treatment team at NACP to ensure provision of direct technical support to facilitate implementation ACT initiative including capacity building of healthcare workers through trainings in clinical management of pediatric HIV/AIDS, clinical mentoring, monitor progress of   ACT initiative, improvement of adherence support systems, improvement of referral systems
 Provides support to MoHSW –in monitoring the implementation for the ACT initiative, coordinate quarterly (in collaboration with USG) meeting for ACT stakeholders and regions to track  progress made for the ACT Initiative
 Liaise with ACT funding recipients  for s systems strengthening to track progress made and reports to both USG and MOHSW
 Creatively implement efforts to support improved pediatric HIV services, identification and support, PITC/opt out children HIV testing and good clinical practice in line with ACT initiative.
 Support NACP to implement adherence strategies in health facilities and effective identification and linkages of infected infants/ children from all entry points including  PMTCT to care and treatment and children/adolescent friendly clubs
 Ensure integration between TB and HIV services such that there is TB intensified case identification, infection control within CTC for all pediatric clients.
 Maintains effective liaisons with Regional and District Paediatric team, Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment Partners and other stakeholders to ensure achievement for ACT Goals
 Ensure that HIV clinical care activities at NACP service delivery health facilities conform to the Tanzanian national guidelines and that set standards are adhered and targets are met.
 Work with THPS central technical team to support NACP to develop and disseminate materials related to pediatric HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including clinical guidelines, protocols, algorithms; job aides and other necessary tools as deemed necessary.
 Prepare  quarterly reports to update  USG on the implementation milestones made  undress the  ACT initiative
 Compile monthly and quarterly ACT program implementation reports with timely submission to the NACP and THPS
 Support planning and coordination quarterly  meeting  the ACT national Task Force (Multidisciplinary to include other departments outside MOH- M of Women Gender and Children, M of Education, TACAIDs, etc
 Perform any other duties as may be assigned by Head of Care and Treatment Unit

PREFFERED QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
 Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree with at least 2 years of clinical practise in a recognised public health facility
 Program/project management experience in paediatric  HIV (familiarity with paediatric care and treatment favourable)
 Master of Public Health is an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED.
 Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems
 Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English
 Proficient computer/software skills, including a command of MS Word and Excel
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
 Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with others in a national and interlink NACP and Implementing partners
 Strong skills in diplomacy and relationship building with a variety of partners and stakeholders
 Ability to travel domestically for IP monitoring up to 25% of the time

JOB TITLE: Pediatric  Adherence & Psychosocial Support & Community Linkages (APSC)  Officer
DIRECT REPORTS TO: Pediatric Program Officer - NACP
LOCATION: MoHSW-National AIDS control program – NACP
Dar es Salaam

OVERALL JOB FUNCTION:
The pediatric Adherence and Psychosocial Support and Community Linkages (APSC) officer will serve as the focal point for all activities relating to: adherence psychosocial support and community linkages for HIV infected children enrolled in HIV care and initiated on antiretroviral treatment (ART) program in Tanzania.  The goal is to double the number of children in HIV care and treatment services. S/he will strengthen coordination of care within and between health facilities providing HIV care and treatment services, facilitate development of linkages between care and treatment clinics (CTCs) and community based support systems for children and adolescents living with HIV.
S/he will work with the NACP counseling and social support unit towards strengthening pediatric adherence and psychosocial support and community linkages services; and will be responsible for scale up of children and adolescent friendly clubs and clinics, strengthen retention strategies for children and adolescents living with HIV including adolescent peer education programs to improve disclosure and reduce stigma and discrimination for children living with HIV. This position is part of a multidisciplinary, comprehensive team and requires excellent communication and problem solving skills with travel up to 25% of the time within Tanzania.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
 Establish and maintain effective linkages between partners providing facility based care and those providing community/home based care and OVC.  Ensures that supported activities at multiple delivery sites conform to national standards, guidelines, and technical strategies.  Identifies and corrects problems, barriers, and issues impeding the effective implementation of Paediatric testing, linkages, Care, Support, and retention program activities.  Serves as an expert technical resource to MOHSW, IP’s , and other collaborating partners on matters pertaining to paediatric HIV Testing, linkages, care, support including retention.
 Conducts site visits to provide technical assistance and oversight to partners in ACT program implementation.  Ensures adherence to established work plans, guidelines, policies and priorities.
 Assess program needs and issues at the national level, local level and communicates to the Paediatric Leadership at national level and ensures consistency in the implementation of best practices for Testing, Linkages, Care and Support and retention at the national level and recommends revisions to policies and guidelines.
 Conduct periodic assessment of standards of care for paediatric HIV/AIDS services. [THPS will build capacity and provide guidance in implementing this activity]
 Take part in design, training and distribution of relevant job aides and materials related to paediatric adherence counselling and assessment.
 Coordinates Zonal Meeting for Regional Implementing Partners, USG, Regional and Council Health Management Teams and other Paediatric stakeholders  to discuss paediatric performance against targets
 Maintains effective liaisons with Regional and District Paediatric team, Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment Partners and other stakeholders to ensure achievement for ACT Goals
 Conducts site visits to assess progress of Implementation of the ACT Initiative. Analyses and evaluates program activities and writes report
 Prepare monthly summary report and provide periodic ACT progress reports and input for the preparation of the quarterly reports.
 Coordinate different sections of the  NACP including laboratory, pharmacy and supply chain logistics, testing and counselling, information education communication (IEC), community based HIV services and care and treatment together  with USG to discuss emerging challenges and solution as  NACP implement the ACT Initiative
 Strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration with Council HIV and AIDS Coordinators (CHAC) and other partners including linkages with community based organizations
 Participate in ACT Review progress of performance in implementing partners meeting
 Follow up with establishment and registration of children /adolescent friendly clubs in higher volumes sites
 Provide technical assistance to the MoHSW in developing tools, materials, standard operating procedures related to pediatric adherence and psychosocial support
 Performs other related duties as assigned by the head of care and treatment unit - NACP.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE:
 Nursing Degree/Registered Nurse with at least 5 years program/project management experience working in adherence, counseling and psychosocial support  and community linkages n  HIV  care and treatment
 Post graduate degree in Sociology/MPH is an added advantage
 Extensive knowledge of prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV (PMTCT), early infant diagnosis of HIV and pediatric HIV counseling and testing programs
 Experience in working with the Local Government Authorities (LGA) community systems is an added advantage

KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED.
 Ability to communicate clearly in written and spoken English
 Proficient computer/software skills, including a command of MS Word, Power Point and Excel.

How to apply:
Interested applicants should send their application letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum by 10th July, 2015 through email with a subject line Paediatric HIV/AIDS Officer or Pediatric  Adherence & Psychosocial Support  & Community Linkages (APSC)  Officer to HR@thps.or.tz .Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online.

THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.