Community Care Specialist at Management Sciences For Health - MSH

Job ID: 13-6891
Location : NG-Niger State

Overall Responsibilities
The objective of the Community Services Specialist position will be to provide leadership to the state program in building a network of community HIV services (identification, referral and support of HIV positive clients, follow-up of clients on ART and/or TB treatment and follow up of PMTCT mother-baby pairs, home-based care, OVC and other related services) and link them with the health-facility based services

Specific Responsibilities

•     Provide technical input in the development of an integrated Pro-ACT project state plan in collaboration with the Directors, Advisors and State Teams.
•     Together with the Clinical Services Specialist, take lead in the establishment of the community component of the comprehensive HIV/AIDS and TB services
•     Take lead in building the capacity of Community Service Providers (CBOs, PLWHA, volunteers etc) in all the technical areas so they are able to provide the said community HIV/AIDS services.
•     Liaise with the Advisor for Community Services and the Inventory Officer to avail commodities needed at community service delivery points (water guard, ITNs, condoms, etc) and track utilization.
•     Liaise with the M&E Specialist to ensure community programmatic components of the M&E system are functionalized. (clarity of indicators, M&E data tools, data quality audits, reporting etc)
•     Identify and flag human resource needs including technical assistance/consultants
•     Represent MSH Pro-ACT project at the state level on matters of community HIV services.
•     Network with other State Government, CSO and community partners in the State to establish a functional referral system for clients between clinical and community-based HIV/AIDS services.
•     Document programmatic achievements and keep the State Team Leader informed on monthly, quarterly and annual basis.
•     Ensure provision of technical, financial, M&E and administrative support to the CSOs implementing small grants so they achieve desired project goals.
•     Participate in activities to extend/expand the Pro-ACT project to other LGAs and States.

Qualifications

•     A postgraduate degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Nursing/midwifery or related discipline.
•     Minimum of 3 years senior level work experience in health program management in developing countries.
•     A proven hands-on programmatic, technical and managerial expertise in provision of at least 4 community HIV/AIDS services and developing and nurturing partnerships with local NGOs, FBOs and CBOs.
•     Extensive experience working with networks of Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is a MUST.
•     Excellent understanding of the continuum of care for HIV infected individuals and be willing to multi-task for several services.