PITC OFFICER POSITION

HJFMRI provides resources, services and personnel necessary to support and enhance HIV medical research for the Walter Reed Program—Tanzania.

Partners

Partnering with the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, MHRP’s Walter Reed Program—Tanzania works to advance HIV research, prevention and care. Research is conducted in partnership with the Mbeya Medical Research Programme, a National Institute of Medical Research collaborating center.

HJFMRI and MHRP also support the Tanzania People’s Defense Force forPEPFAR-funded programs and have established pandemic influenza surveillance activities with the Tanzania People’s Defense Force.

Research and HIV Prevention

Research activities, supported by funds from both the U.S. Army and National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, involve basic and clinical research to develop a globally effective HIV vaccine.

Activities include:

Vaccine Phase I/II trials
Pandemic influenza research
Cohort development
Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV co-infection research
Twenty-five percent of all Tanzanians on antiretroviral treatment are supported by MHRP partners. HJFMRI provides key leadership and support of the treatment program and direct technical assistance for clinician training in HIV patient care, using the National AIDS Control Program curriculum. This support has been integral to expanding facility-based HIV care and treatment at Mbeya Referral Hospital and throughout the Southern Highlands.

HJFMRI assists MHRP in educating village health care workers, home-based care volunteers and caregivers supporting orphans and vulnerable children in the community. Education programs focus on HIV care and treatment and are conducted through the Regional AIDS Control Programs out of the Regional Medical Offices and through larger local community-based organizations.

HJFMRI also assisted in constructing the Mbeya Center for Infectious Disease, a part of the Mbeya Referral Hospital in Mbeya, Tanzania. The Center has enhanced the hospital’s ability to prevent mother-to-child transmission and provide antiretroviral therapy, voluntary counseling and testing and laboratory services.


The PITC Officer will work closely with the PITC Advisor to serve as the primary
technical expert and contact for WRP PITC activities at the organizational and
community level. S/he will facilitate the development, modification, and/or adaptation
of appropriate PITC strategies, with the goal of improving clinical and community
access to and use of services. The PITC Officer is expected to collaborate across
technical areas to strengthen the continuum of response from HIV Testing to Care.
S/he will build the capacity of local partner organizations and WRP staff to deliver
high-quality PITC services in the Southern Highlands of Tanzania.
Roles and Responsibilities:
• Provide technical support in the development of approaches and strategies for
mobilizing partner organizations and communities for the establishment or
strengthening of PITC strategies and activities;
• Liaise and consult regularly with the relevant authorities, partner organizations,
community leaders and beneficiaries in relation to the planning, design and
implementation of WRP and partner PITC activities;
Support the development of integrated, innovative and gender sensitive
interventions for the provision of comprehensive' PITC services for key popula-
tions and priority populations and their sexualpartners:
• Build the capacity of the partner orqanizations and government technical staff to
deliver high-q~~ity m;;"~e.rvic~; .'. ,U'.!,,' .• 1 ..•• '" ~ • "'\,:L " .••• \ ool.
.ii Provide on-gtiHfg'support lhrou£1h coaching,lsup"ei'Vislbrflii ~ts Md1l1~n10nng to'
partner organizations and WRP staff in implementing PITC activities;
• Document, consolidate and disseminate knowledge and information regarding
best practices, lessons learned, and proven approaches both within and outside
ofWRP;
• Ensure quality implementation, achievement of results for activities within the
WRP project and within partner projects, and collaborate with other WRP
program departments to ensure effective teamwork;
Collaborate with partners to develop quality assurance (QA) mechanisms and
ensures that QA mechanisms are in place and functional;
• Develop annual work plans, budgets and reports for PITC activities; and ensure
integration of project activities into wider WRP annual plans;
• Travel within the Southern Highlands for the purpose of program management,
continued service development, implementation and evaluation of service
delivery.
• Liaise with the M&E Department to ensure that PITC components are functional
(e.g. clarity of indicators, quality of M&E data collection tools, data quality and •
reporting). , _ ,_ " . .
• Develops and maintain good working relationships with other partners, govern-
mental and non-governmental, withJn the four regions;
Provide technical assistance to other HJFMF31 programs including HBC, Preven-
tion, GBV, Lab & other projects as needed;
• Perform any other asslqnmsnt or duties that may be required to support the
general program
Req~irements:
A degree in Nursing with Postgraduate training in Public Health and/or Coun-
seling, psychology, social work or other HIV and AIDS related discipline,
Knowledge and skills in organizing health campaigns including PITC is desirable
• ,At least five years of progressive responsibilities in HIV program management
and technical experience in clinic and community based settings, preferably in
an outreach context;
At least five years of experience with PITCprograms;
Demonstrable experience in developing health education materials a plus;
Knowledge of the current developments and best practices in the field of HIVand
AIDS prevention, globally and in Tanzania
• Ability to use standard software applications (Word, Power Point, Excel, etc.)
• Good communication skills; ability to troubleshoot; ability to work independently
and supervise others. '
Must be diplomatic and culturally sensitive, with excellent communications skills.
• 50% travel required

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Cover letters and resumes should be sent to
Human Resources Manager
P.O. Box 6396
Mbeya, Tanzania

OR
emailed to: recruitment@wrp-t.org

Applicants must include TITLE OF THE JOB in the SUBJECT LINE