HIV Facility Linkages Specialist: Catholic Relief Services

Deadline: 19 April 2022

Department: Programs - Pathways

Band: 8

Reports To: Senior Technical Lead Health & Social Services

Country / Location: Zimbabwe, Harare

Travel Required: 30% of time to field locations

Supervisory: None

Internal: Deputy Chief of Party, Senior Technical Lead Health & Social Services, Early Childhood /Education Advisor and Positive Parenting Specialist; Social Behavior Change Specialist and other Pathways staff

External: Communities, government institutions and other NGOs

About

Catholic Relief Services carries out the commitment of the Bishops of the United States to assist the poor and vulnerable overseas. Our Catholic identity is at the heart of our mission and operations. We welcome as a part of our staff and as partners, people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need.

Country background

CRS has been supporting program activities in Zimbabwe since 1989 and has long-standing relationships with Church and non-Church partners and communities throughout the country. Zimbabwe program implements projects through 14 partner organizations in 30 districts in the areas of health, OVC, education, food security and agricultural livelihoods, and peacebuilding.

Job summary

You will provide technical analysis and support to Pathways project in the area of HIV clinical linkages in line with Catholic Relief Services (CRS) program quality principles and standards, donor guidelines, and industry best practice to advance the delivery of high-quality programming to the poor and vulnerable. Working closely with other Pathways staff, your skills and knowledge will contribute to determining how effective, adaptive and innovative CRS’ HIV Linkages programming is across the globe.

Job responsibilities

Coordinate and monitor the HIV / AIDS activities (HIV Testing and Counseling, referral and linkage, HIV treatment, adherence, viral load monitoring etc.) undertaken by implementing partners of the program in collaboration with the Health Facilities; Monitor, track, analyze and evaluate clinical data, review HIV registers and provide technical guidance on sound HIV management for Pathways clients and beneficiaries in accordance with MOHCC clinical guidelines and protocols; Collaborate and facilitate LIP relationship with national, provincial, district and site level MoHCC staff and clinical partner counterparts to strengthen facility-community linkages; Provide technical guidance to LIPS for other health related services required by Pathways beneficiaries such as maternal, newborn and child health services to ensure integrated health service delivery; Work with implementing partners and district level stakeholders, including a wide network of health workers, teachers, para social workers and others to map out existing services, identify needs and improve coordinated referrals for OVCs and caregivers; Collect and disseminate HIV linkages related information and resources to Pathways staff and partners and assist with organization, design and coordination of training workshops to support capacity building efforts; Identify new approaches and methods for online learning; Contribute to the learning agenda by researching and analyzing information, conducting literature reviews, mappings or information gathering from various internal and external sources on assigned topics; Provide recommendations for program operations, training, communications and MEAL in line with the Pathways HIV Community linkages and clinical support strategy; Provide technical support in establishing strong linkages and referral systems between the Community and the health facilities for suitable HIV prevention, care, treatment and follow up activities.

Education and experience

Medical or nursing degree with current registration with relevant practitioners’ council; A postgraduate qualification / Master’s Degree in Public Health, HIV Management, health services management or related degree an added advantage; Completion of an advanced HIV / AIDS management course an added advantage; At least 3 years’ experience in clinical management of HIV and TB/HIV at public health facility / OI / ART clinics an added advantage; Experience providing training, supportive supervision, technical assistance and capacity building in health facility and community settings; Experience in quality improvement processes a plus; Understanding and experience using MoHCC data systems (ART registers, EPMS etc.) a strong advantage; Experience with USAID / PEPFAR funded projects preferred; Proficient in MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, knowledge-sharing networks; Proficiency English oral and written communication skills. Knowledge of other local languages.

Personnel skills

Good relationship management skills with ability to work collaboratively as part of a multidisciplinary and multicultural team; Strategic, analytical, problem-solving and systems thinking capacity and skills; Strong data collection and research skills and ability to interpret and analyze data; Proactive, resourceful and results-oriented; Ability to work under pressure, balance competing demands to achieve agreed-upon results.

Agency-wide competencies (for all CRS staff)

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results. Strategic Mindset; Integrity; Accountability & Stewardship; Builds Relationships; Develops Talent; Continuous Improvement & Innovation. Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties and responsibilities associated with the position.