Technical Advisor - HIV Care & Treatment at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Application Ref. Code: TAHCTF7119
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Band: 9
Reports To: Technical Director
Department: Programs/FASTER
Position Type: Full Time

Project Background

• FASTER (Faith-based Action for Scaling up Testing and Treatment for the Epidemic Response) project is designed as a new component of the global FOCUS (Faith-based Organization Capacity Strengthening for Universal HIV Services) project.
• Funded by the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), FOCUS was developed with the intent of building FBO network capacity, assisting FBOs to contribute to HIV multi-sector planning for expanded service delivery, and documenting successful approaches. Led by CRS, FOCUS builds understanding of how to leverage the faith-based community’s contributions at sub-national and national levels, reinforcing mutual responsibility and country-driven leadership.
• FASTER takes FOCUS’ objectives to the next level by creating an enabling environment in Nigeria where government, civil society, the private sector, and FBOs can accelerate normative pediatric HIV case finding, testing, linkage to care and treatment, and adherence support by strengthening and streamlining joint coordination and provision of pediatric HIV service delivery.

Job Summary

• The Technical Advisor - HIV Care & Treatment will provide technical coordination and for quality assurance for the FASTER Nigeria HIV Care and Treatment strategies and ensure that FASTER adheres to national and international evidence based technical assistance strategies for Pediatric HIV  Care and Treatment Programs.
• The Technical Advisor - HIV Care & Treatment will facilitate technical collaboration between the FASTER project HIV Care and Treatment team and HIV technical teams of Government coordinating structures and PEPFAR HIV Care and Treatment Implementing partners.
• S/he will oversee the Pediatric HIV technical strategies of FASTER along the priority actions providing technical leadership in implementing and monitoring project deliverables and outcomes and ensure project outputs are provided as per the agreed work plan.

Specific Job Responsibilities
Program Quality and Technical Coordination:

• Project focal point for strategies towards strengthening National and sub-national Coordination platforms for effective pediatric HIV service delivery to improve Pediatric case identification, bridge Pediatric enrollment gaps and increase number of CLHIV on treatment.
• Support GoN and PERFARs efforts to scale up the use of optimal ARV regimens in children and adolescents
• Support the development of SOPs, job aids and guidelines on pediatric ART for government and faith-based institutions
• Champion strategies to strengthen inter/intra-facility linkages towards improved health systems for pediatric ART with focus on service delivery, optimize health workforce (including guidelines/ SOPs on task shifting), procurement/supply chain management of essential medicines and health
• Support innovative approach to creating demand for increased uptake of Pediatric and adolescent HIV services
• Provide oversight to ensure the achievement of FASTER project Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment objectives in the various implementing state.
• Support the implementation and evaluation of novel HIV testing approaches to improve pediatric case- finding.
• Support the development of effective strategies for linkage to care and treatment of children living with HIV. Lead the technical documentation of appropriate application of programmatic best practices.
• Utilize and develop appropriate tools to track program performance (site capacity assessment tool, regular financial analysis, treatment initiation, adherence monitoring/patient retention, etc.)
• Support the development and rapid evaluation of better screening tools to strategically identify children and adolescents in need of HIV testing.
• Strengthen GoN referral linkages to increase ART uptake and retention in care among children and Adolescent
• Support the roll – out of Differentiated Service Delivery (DSD) models to improve ART uptake and treatment retention amongst children and adolescents in Faith – based and Non – Faith based settings.

Representation and Learning:

• In consultation with the Technical Director, represent the FASTER Project on relevant technical forums and government engagement as required.
• Ensure necessary technical assistance and training is provided to partners to develop capacity to implement HIV/AIDS support activities as per the project requirement.
• Provide high level technical support for program innovation and learning; foster regular discussions with key stakeholders as appropriate; to facilitate cross sector learning on Pediatric HIV, OVC and adolescent programs.
• Support the FASTER project to roll out leaning briefs, peer reviewed articles, success stories and innovative that work in Pediatric HIV Care and Treatment.

Qualifications and Skills

• A primary medical qualification (MBBS) plus a master's degree in Public Health or its equivalent
• Minimum 7 years of experience in HIV/AIDS programming
• Minimum 4 years’ experience in project management positions with progressive technical and management responsibilities.
• Experience working in PEPFAR funded comprehensive HIV and OVC projects.
• Strong background in program implementation; experience in supervising and providing technical assistance for roll-out of evidence-based HIV and OVC programming strategies.
• Familiarity with the National HIV Care and Treatment guidelines (Pediatric & Adult) and experience working with the Ministry of Health and other relevant entities.
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• Technical experience with programming to address cross-gender issues and concerns among children and adolescents is highly required.
• Strong strategic, analytical, systems thinking, and problem-solving skills, with capacity to see the big picture and ability to make sound judgment and decisions.
• Strong communications and presentation skills; able to develop tailored and persuasive messaging for varied audiences.
• Experience managing teams and building partnerships in complex situations
• Proven leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal skills.

Required Foreign Language:

• Excellent written and spoken English.
• Required Travel: Ability to travel up to 50% of time

Key Working Relationships:

• Internal: Project Director, Technical and MEAL Directors and Nigeria FASTER Project Team
• External: NASCP, NACA, SASCP, SACA, HIV and OVC Program Implementing Partners

Agency Wide Competencies:
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:

• Integrity
• Strategic Mindset
• Continuous Improvement & Innovation
• Develops Talent
• Builds Relationships
• Accountability & Stewardship