Epidemic Control Advisor - Taraba at ICAP

ICAP at Columbia University Job Description

Job Title:Epidemic Control Advisor

Reports To (Title):Technical Director

POSITION SUMMARY

Working under the supervision of the Technical Director for the RISE project in Nigeria (with additional technical guidance and direction of the program Technical Leads), the Epidemic Control Advisor will oversee the implementation of HIV care and treatment programming in Taraba State in Nigeria. The incumbent will serve as the focal point for coordinating all technical strategies in the State program with responsibilities for managing the strategic provision of technical assistance to the State Program Implementation Unit (SPIU), partner treatment facilities and communities-based operations with the goal of achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control, as well as improving HIV prevention, case finding and treatment monitoring activities.

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES

The State Epidemic Control Advisor will:

• Translate strategic vision of Technical Director and program Technical Leads into activities and results at the frontline of implementation in all sub-national units of the RISE program in the State.
• Provide technical leadership in RISE HIV response in the State, working with designated focal persons in the Taraba State Program Implementation Team (SPIU), to communicate HIV Surge urgencies and evidence-based performance optimization strategies in assigned RISE facility(ies) and/or Local Government Area.
• Provide technical leadership in communicating HIV Surge urgencies and evidence-based performance optimization strategies in Taraba State.
• Provide training, mentorship and supportive supervision to strengthen performance and quality of care through clinical optimizers, facility and community case management teams for achieving linkage to optimized ART, client education and retention, and management of virologically unsuppressed clients. 
• Support program monitoring, evaluation and reporting through the collation, analysis and reporting of process, output and outcome level data to help determine the project’s impact on patients’ clinical outcomes and quality of life.
• Identify gaps in equipment and consumables in assigned facility(ies) with prompt communication for appropriate remediation.
• Coordinate and implement Quality Improvement projects (including but not limited to patient satisfaction surveys, waiting time assessments, mortality reviews and SIMS assessments) from problem diagnosis, implementing remediation plans, tracking outputs of interventions and reporting.
• Liaise with State Ministry of Health officials, the SPIU and other stakeholders in coordinating HIV care and treatment programming through technical working groups, review meetings and conferences as requested by the Technical Director and/or Technical Leads and in line with RISE work plans for the state.
• Coordinate and conduct joint supportive supervisory visits relevant officials of the State Ministry of Health and other stakeholders to improve state-level coordination and ownership of the HIV care and treatment program in line with RISE work plans for the state.
• Work closely with the Technical Director and the all technical Program Leads to develop project work plans, monitor progress towards program objectives and timelines, including regular reporting to and communication with RISE leadership, USAID, and ICAP in New York.
• Document project training and technical assistance activities and contribute to the production and dissemination of technical reports, guides, manuals, success stories, and other printed resources and toolkits.
• Support the procurement of equipment, clinical service items and consumables in Country Offices and State Offices by contributing to bids quantification, documentation of solicitation for bids, procurement review and analysis and verification of supplies; in line with procurement policies and best practices.
• Stay up-to-date and serve as a repository on new information and knowledge in ART clinical management and programming; driving the introduction and implementation of innovative strategies and operational research.
• Routinely attend and provide appropriate technical leadership in program meetings, executing resolutions within her/his purview as appropriate.
• Operationalize the national RISE capacity building strategy in assigned state with emphasis on post-training follow-up, mentorship and performance tracking for facility and community ad-hoc staff, program staff and government staff in coordinating ministries, departments and agencies.
• Support program monitoring and evaluation through active engagement with service delivery data as well as program level achievements to produce insightful performance review and course correction dashboards for dissemination to program and non-program staff.
• Document project training and technical assistance activities and contribute to the production and dissemination of technical reports, guides, manuals, success stories, and other printed resources and toolkits.
• Routinely attend and provide appropriate technical leadership in program meetings, executing resolutions within her/his purview as appropriate.
• Carry out any other tasks as assigned by the RISE Technical Director.

EDUCATION

An advanced degree (MBBS or international equivalent) with MPH or other post graduate qualification preferred.

EXPERIENCE, SKILLS & MINIMUM REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum five (5) years of experience in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of HIV-related programs for expanded care and treatment, prevention, and surveillance in resource-limited settings,
•  Demonstrated technical expertise in HIV care and treatment, and excellent grasp of clinical issues and current literature in HIV treatment and track record working on US Government-supported PEPFAR programs.
• Experience in managing regional stakeholders in SMOHs, allied ministries, departments and agencies as well as non-governmental sectors for technical success and visibility of PEPFAR programs.
• Experience in leading clinical program support teams within the context and urgencies of the Nigerian HIV Surge strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in training, mentoring, and supervision of multi-cultural facility and community based clinical and program teams (including institutionalization of relevant review meetings at service delivery level).
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills
• Experience working in resource limited settings
• Strong computer skills with competencies in MS Office Suite required.
• Fluent English oral and written communication skills; ability to interact professionally in English and oversee the production of comprehensive program reports

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

• Travel within Taraba State, Nigeria conducting site visits for capacity building and program monitoring activities.
• Occasional travel outside assigned state based on program requirements.
• ICAP at Columbia University, a global health leader situated within the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health in New York City, seeks highly qualified candidates to serve as Epidemic Control Advisor– Nigeria
• The position is contingent upon availability of grant funding. Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.

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