Senior Program Officer Care and Support (C&S) at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Summary/Overview

• The Senior Program Officer, C&S will provide administrative, programmatic and logistical support to Care and Support Unit of the Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Human Virology-Nigeria.
• S/he is also expected to spend about 60% of working hours on supervisory and advocacy activities.

Essential Functions

• Assist in the development and adaptation of guidelines, tools and other relevant materials for use in the national scale up of C&S activities in IHVN-supported sites in Nigeria.
• Assist in development of program strategies, work plans and implementation for effective operations of the hub and spoke model of scale up.
• Ensure smooth operations and coordination of C&S activities at the regional and or state offices.
• Forge and maintain strong relationship with NEPWHAN and other PLHIV networks
• Forecast and request for C&S commodities such as care kits and ACTIONmeal.
• Co-ordinate, track progress, review results and address C&S challenges
• Mentor doctors, nurses, support groups, Linkage coordinators, Treatment supporters, mentor mothers to provide quality care to PLHIV.
• Ensure that the facility operates a functional and efficient client flow system.
• Identify barriers to C&S and proffer solutions to these challenges.
• Assist and undertake needs assessments of new sites as required.
• Facilitate trainings sessions organized for site and community providers.
• Provide technical assistance to site and community staff through precepting, monitoring and mentoring.
• Facilitate training of health care workers at all IHVN supported sites in C&S.
• Facilitate effective linkages within thematic groups and overall community linkages.
• Report all activities to the Program Area Lead and the Director, Community Health department.
• Adhere and abide by the ethics and code of conduct of the Institute.

Qualification

• MBBS and Postgraduate Medical Fellowship or MBBS/ RN, RM, BNSc or Health related Degree and a Postgraduate Degree in Public Health with a minimum of 7 years proven work experience and expertise in the implementation of public health programs especially HIV/AIDS programs
• Strong inter-personal and public relations skills
• Excellent English language oral and written communication, with proficiency in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook
• Ability to communicate with a wide range of personalities is necessary and maintain strong relationships with PLHIV networks and support groups.
• Ability to clearly explain available C&S services.
• Community outreach and engagement talents.
• Clear understanding of the health system, Primary Health Care structure and HIV/AIDS.
• Supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening Primary Health Centers, local health structures and building local capacities for self-management.