for State Community Services Advisor (Zamfara State)

for State Community Services Advisor (Zamfara State), Global Health

Location:
Silla Zeka Plaza, 29 Adebayo Adedeji Crescent
Utako, ABUJA
Nigeria

People to People Health Foundation, Nigeria , Project HOPE is recruiting for State Community Services Advisor (Zamfara State) who will be a part of Project HOPE’s team in the implementation of the USAID-funded Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria (ACE). 

In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), PEPFAR/USAID investments have led to the achievement of significant progress in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. However, the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed that epidemic control targets are yet to be achieved. The Accelerating Control of HIV Epidemic (ACE) project provides USAID and its partners with the opportunity to support the GoN, civil society groups, and private sector actors in these focus states to close gaps in reaching control targets, address critical challenges in implementing their HIV response and accelerate progress towards sustainable epidemic control.

Project HOPE is working in consortium with Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL - Prime Partner) and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) for service delivery on the ACE project.

State Community Services Advisor (Zamfara) The State Community Services Advisors will work at the State level and will be responsible for leading Community HIV Care and Support services to projects target population and provide technical assistance for community systems strengthening. S/He will provide oversight and ensure coordination of project CBOs and community resource persons engaged to deliver quality community HIV Care and support services. In collaboration with the M&E and quality assurance team of the project, she/he will be engaged in improving data quality and quality improvement interventions related to community HIV care and support activities. Overall, this position will play a role supporting achievement of the “95-95-95” targets.

As technical lead on State-level community HIV Care and Support activities, S/He will:

Coordinate with State, LGAs and Community stakeholders on Community Care and Support activities as required Provide oversight to project CBOs and community resource persons on implementation of HIV care and support activities including PMTCT, EID, OVC and AGYW programming Serve as the primary representative of project community mobilization activities within focus State and implementing LGAs  Lead the development of State and CBO work plans, ensuring that targets are met and project outcomes are achieved Leverage support for Rapid Test Kits (RTKs) for testing from State and other stakeholders including private sector Liaise with relevant donor and government officials as required Work with health facilities to ensure the ART and PMTCT clinics are used as screening hub for WLHIV using Visual Inspection with Acetic Acid (VIA). Facilitate the optimization of maternal retesting to close gaps for missed opportunities. Strengthen referral mechanism for Community PMTCT, ART and OVC service delivery

Specific Responsibilities

Liaise with the facility and community teams to strengthen tailored/differentiated community-based HIV care and support services  Provide mentorship and supportive supervision for Community HIV care and support activities  Facilitate the adoption of a cluster-based approach to facilitate HTS at TBA/Faith-based centers for all registered pregnant women. Build capacity of CBOs and Community resource persons to implement Community care and support activities (PMTCT, ART, OVC and AGYW) Support the coordination of OVC Case-management and case conferencing for project beneficiaries  Support training facilitation of health care providers on cervical cancer prevention program and build the capacity of the health facility staff and service providers on cervical cancer screening, documentation, data collection and analysis. Provide oversight for effective referral systems and community facility linkages for HIV care and treatment services  Build the capacity of health care workers and facilitate access of women living with HIV for cervical cancer screening Prepare monthly and quarterly reports of all activities & forward the same to Lead CSA Perform any other duty assigned by the Supervisor

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum of bachelor’s degree in health or relevant social sciences and Master’s degree in Public Health Minimum of five(5) years of progressively responsible, relevant experience working with communities on HIV care and support activities  Minimum of three years of experience with PEPFAR-funded HIV projects (preferred) Demonstrated ability to design and implement strategies that employ evidence-based approaches to meet project targets, especially under rigorous timelines. Experience working and collaborating with diverse sets of stakeholders, including local partners, government officials, donor representatives, and CBOs

 Required Experience and Skills:

The applicant must have 5 - 7 years of professional experience in an integrated HIV Care and treatment, PMTCT, Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment Program. Demonstrated experience with community based programs Familiarity with Nigerian public sector health systems and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadline, and intense pressure to perform and timely target achievement is required for this position.

OTHER ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a  culture of respect, integrity, accountability and transparency.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within Project HOPE and among beneficiaries served by Project HOPE

 Compliance & Ethics

Promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout Project HOPE. As applicable to the position, maintain a clear understanding of Project HOPE' and donor compliance and ethics standards and adhere to those standards. Conduct work with the highest level of integrity

Competency

Strong writing and presentation skills Proven capabilities in leadership Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills Ability to read, writes, analyze and interpret, technical and non-technical in the English language Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government and rebel leaders and other related regional players

In addition to the responsibilities referenced above, candidates can expect to be living and working in austere conditions. Lifting moderately heavy objects from the ground, carrying a backpack for extended periods of time, and walking or hiking in remote locations may be necessary to perform these functions.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Project HOPE employees work in the global health field and may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”. Travel for extended periods by air and other modes of transportation. Must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment and must be able to communicate in verbal and written form. Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.