Counselors at APIN

Job ID: api-70298
Slot: 40 Openings

Project Overview

• The Public Health Information Surveillance Solutions and Systems (PHIS3) is a CDC-funded project designed to strengthen HIV service delivery systems and other public health interventions in Nigeria.
• Through continuous quality improvement, monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance, PHIS3 aims to advance health informatics and laboratory quality management in the country.
• As part of its activities, PHIS3 is supporting the Government of Nigeria through the FMOH (NASCP), and working with key stakeholders, (NACA, NCDC, NMOD, Lagos State MOH, and SACA, to implement the Nigeria State-level ART Impact Survey (AIS) in Lagos State.
• This population-based household survey will assess progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and measure HIV prevalence, informing strategies to enhance public health outcomes.
• We are seeking qualified and dedicated individuals to join our team as Field Workers for the implementation of this survey in Lagos State.

Duties and Responsibilities

• The HIV counsellor will ensure informed consent is administered to all consenting survey participants.
• S/he will conduct pre- and post-test HIV counselling for all participants who consent to the survey.
• The counsellor will ensure ethics are adhered to in the field and confidentiality of survey participants is protected.
• Receives respondents’ consent to be tested and offers pre and post-test counselling for all participants who consent to the survey.
• Directs participants to lab Scientist for testing.
• Discloses result to respondents.
• Assists in the referrals of HIV positive individuals for linkage to treatment and care.
• S/he will serve as an interviewer if the need arises.
• S/he will assist the team lead in resolving conflicts and difficult disclosure scenarios on the field.

Education / Experience

• A tertiary education is required.
• Two years HIV counseling experience and/or prior experience working as a counsellor in NAIIS or AIS survey.
• Participation in the 10-day core training based on the Nigerian National Guideline on HIV counselling will be an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• Knowledge of and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements. Previous participation in conducting surveys is an added advantage.
• Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills. Excellent (fluent) in a local language in Lagos is essential.
•  Knowledge of another local dialect will be an added advantage.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness) and the ability to resolve different disclosure scenarios during the survey.
• Should be knowledgeable in the culture of the state.