Ad-hoc Clinical Services Support Staff at Catholic Relief Services (CRS)

Locations: Abuja, Benue, Nasarawa, Enugu, Imo, Rivers, Delta and Lagos

Project Background

• Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is an international non-governmental organization supporting relief and development work in over 99 countries around the world. CRS programs assist persons based on need, regardless of creed, ethnicity or nationality. CRS works through local church and nonchurch partners to implement its programs, therefore, strengthening and building the capacity of these partner organizations is fundamental to programs in every country in which CRS operates.
• The Faith-Based Action for Scaling up Testing and Treatment for the Epidemic Response (FASTER) project, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is designed to accelerate progress in pediatric HIV diagnosis and treatment in partnership with governments, civil society organizations (CSOs), the private sector, and faith-based organizations. FASTER will catalyze progress towards achieving UNAID’ 95-95-95 targets by addressing structural barriers to pediatric HIV testing and treatment. CRS leads the FASTER project Consortium which includes the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI).

Specific Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of FASTER project technical strategies and activities design to respond to the program priority actions to address Paediatric and adolescents case findings, linkage to treatment and retention in care in response to HIV/AIDS pandemic across various supported facilities.
• Support Capacity building of Health Facility staff to improve HIV Case-finding, linkage and retention in care.
• Support the facilities to implement the DSD models for the children and the adolescents living with HIV.
• Strengthen/establish the adolescents support group across facilities.
• Support the provision of adolescents’ friendly services for the adolescents.
• Strengthen the Index case and genealogy testing strategies among FASTER "priority" sites.
• Facilitate the effective referral coordination platforms across various LGAs and facilities being supported FASTER project.
• Support the age-appropriate disclosure among children and adolescents living with HIV
• Strengthen the capacity of HCWs on HIV counselling and testing, PMTCT and Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), improving referral and counter-referral systems between communities and facilities.
• Work with IPs to scale – up the use of age-specific HIV Risk screening tool for determining children and adolescents at risk of HIV and prioritizing them for HIV testing in community and facility settings.
• Support the development of effective strategies for linkage to care and treatment of children living with HIV.
• Support the facility referral linkages to increase ART uptake and retention in care among children and Adolescent.
• Strengthen the asset-based model Operation Triple Zero Initiative for adolescents and young people living with HIV.

Qualifications and Skills

• A Bachelor’s degree in Medicine (MBBS) is required. A master’s degree in Public Health or its equivalent will be an added advantage.
• Experience working in PEPFAR HIV and OVC programs
• Familiarity with National HIV Treatment guidelines
• Ability to work both in a team and independently and ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training
• 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.
• Proven leadership qualities, depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal skills.
• Excellent written and spoken English.