Contact Investigators at Centre for Health Education, Economic Rehabilitation and Social Security (CHEERS)

Locations: Enugu, Rivers, Bauchi, Benue, Nassarawa, and Niger

Summary of the Position

• The main responsibility of the Contact Investigators is to assist in the design and implementation of Active Case Finding (ACF) for TB patients in selected communities in Enugu, Rivers, Bauchi, Benue, Nassarawa, and Niger States. The ACF activity will mostly involve carrying out home visits for each smear-positive TB case identified during community outreaches and from the nearest DOTS centers within the community.

Specific Responsibilities

• Carrying out home visits for each smear-positive TB case identified during community outreaches and from the nearest DOTS centers within the community
• Identifying and evaluating contacts of index patients
• Collect sputum samples from those presumed to have TB
• Transfer of Sputum to GeneXpert labs
• Follow up with the results of patients and refer all diagnosed Drug Sensitive or DR-TB patients to a linked DOTS clinic to start treatment
• Escort identified TB case to the DOTs Centers for easy access to treatment, follow up tests and review.
• Liaise with State Ministries of Health including the respective State TB and Leprosy Control Programs, partners (TB and HIV implementing partners, CSOs, Community gatekeepers, heads of religious bodies), health facilities and other related stakeholders in the planning and implementation of the ACF activities.
• Report weekly to the SPM.
• The CI reports to the State Program Officer.

Qualifications and Skills

• CHO/CHEW/Nurse or a Bachelor degree in relevant medical fields
• Minimum of 3 -5 years work experience in public health settings preferable – preferably TB or HIV programs;
• Experience in wide scale community-based intervention
• Experience in community mobilization efforts
• Experience managing complex health data.
• An out-of-the-box thinker who can develop innovative ideas towards achieving the objective of increasing TB case finding
• Proven ability to develop effective working relationships
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• The ability to organize and prioritize with eye for detail.
• All candidates must meet all the criteria of minimum qualification.

What We offer

• Challenging working environment with scope for professional and personal development;
• Being part of a dedicated, motivated and intercultural team;
• Salary depending on the capacity and experience of the candidate.