Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID)

Reporting to: Provincial Programs Manager

Location: Bulawayo & Mat South, Zimbabwe

Type of Contract: Fixed Term Contract

About OPHID

The Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID) PVO 31/16 develops and implements innovative approaches and strategies to strengthen HIV Care and Treatment services in Zimbabwe, by providing enhanced access for communities to comprehensive HIV prevention, care and treatment. OPHID, works with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) in implementing these interventions. OPHID is looking for suitably qualified and motivated individuals to fill the following post.

Position summary

Under the Target, Accelerate and Sustain Quality Care (TASQC) for HIV Epidemic Control program, the Technical Officer will be a key member of the Provincial technical/program team and focused on spearheading the implementation of the five strategic objectives of the program at district and site level.. Reporting to the Provincial Programs Manager, the Technical Officer will be responsible for coordinating training, technical assistance, and mentorship to Ministry of Health and Child Care healthcare workers, including the private sector as well as to OPHID district teams.

The Technical Officer will be a clinician with experience in HIV/TB, Cervical Cancer and infectious disease management and an experienced mentor with the ability to coach and mentor district teams. The successful incumbents will provide the expected deliverables for Bulawayo and Matabeleland South province.

Key responsibilities.

Technical guidance

Collaborate with Ministry of Health and Child Care (Provincial and District) or City Health structures and Private Structures to facilitate service partnerships with private practitioners for differentiated ART delivery and adherence support for clients including access to HIV commodities, and laboratory services for specimen; Work with Ministry of Health and Child Care, City Health and Private Sector to define minimum standards to be met by the prospective private sector players before participating in the program.

Conduct assessments to ascertain standards, accredit private facilities and conduct continuous monitoring of minimum standard; Provide clinical technical guidance to MoHCC and relevant stakeholders on the design and implementation of facility and community-based HIV care and treatment services, Cervical Cancer and COVID-19 care for adults and children; Identify opportunities for integrating “state of the art” approaches into HIV care and treatment, Cervical Cancer and COVID-19 activities by supporting design and implementation of assessments, learning projects or piloting innovative interventions in current programs; Support capacity building of OPHID district programs teams, including Health Quality Services Nurses and Community Health Services Nurses, through completion of workbooks; Support quality improvement initiatives at both facility and community level using the Model for Quality Improvement, Total Quality Management or Kaizen; Conducting Internal SIMS visits to health facilities and health posts to ensure that the quality of service provision is in line with the donors’ expectations; Facilitate Cervical Cancer, COVID-19, and HIV/TB Care and Treatment post-training mentorship to site-level health care workers (facility and community) through tele-health platforms; Support analysis of monitoring and evaluation data and trends in collaboration with the OPHID District Teams; Support preparation of technical presentation and other materials for TASQC, synthesizing and disseminating key research findings, cutting edge methodologies, and best practices to OPHID management team and then to the MOHCC regarding TB/HIV clinical services and their application thereof.

Network and build relationships with clinicians and other like-minded organizations providing HIV prevention, care and treatment to ensure alignment to technical standards and pursue appropriate programs; Profile TASQC achievements and potential of OPHID as a key player in HIV Care and Treatment to relevant stakeholders internally and externally.

Person specification

MBChB or equivalent; A Master of Public Health or any related field is an added advantage; At least 3 years’ experience in public health; Experience managing a private sector health service is an added advantage; Demonstrable technical and clinical knowledge in Adult and Paediatric HIV Care and Treatment, including Cervical Cancer Screening; Familiarity with MOHCC guidelines for COVID-19, HIV Prevention Care and Treatment, Cervical Cancer Screening and Treatment and Tuberculosis are is must; Experience in quality improvement at the health facility and community level.

Ability to work independently and as a team player; Good communicator with sound interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain relationships with various MOHCC stakeholders; Well organised and able to prioritize work and understanding his/her work outputs; Proficiency in MS Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), and online collaboration technologies; Experience working with multiple stakeholders and familiarity with PEPFAR MER indicators and reporting requirements.