HIV Care and Support Specialist at The Center for Clinical Care and Clinical Research

Location: Calabar, Cross River

About ICHSSA

• The Integrated Child Health and Social Service Award ICHSSA 1 is a newly awarded five-year agreement by USAID, commenced on December 19, 2019. ICHSSA 1 is implemented by the Center for Clinical Care and Research Nigeria.
• The project will ensure that Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) are cared for, and protected by their households, communities, and local and state government to reduce their vulnerability to HIV.

The project expected results is highlighted as follows:

• Households have increased access to basic services and care for OVC
• Communities ensure that OVC secure their rights
• Local and State Government deliver basic services, detect and respond to child rights violations
• Prioritized targeted services for specific OVC subpopulations delivered.

Specific Roles and Responsibilities

• S/he is to provide technical guidance to ICHSSA 1 partner CSOs in the Implementation oftechnical program activities for community-based HIV Care and Support in ICHSSA 1Program
• Under the direction of the HIV Care and Support Advisor, collaborate closely with the ICHSSA teamto roll out and implement an integrated and holistic community-based response to HIV /AIDs towards scaling up access to HIV prevention and care services for vulnerable childrenand their caregivers
• Provide technical input for the development of strategies, design and implementation of HIVPrevention / Care & Support activities by ICHSSA 1 project; ensure activities improve accessto HIV prevention and care services amongst project beneficiaries and their caregivers.
• Direct CSOs towards overall technical quality - including adherence to technical standards,best practices and donor guidelines for all HIV Prevention Care & Support activities of theproject.
• Support strategies towards ensuring that project activities are built on strong behaviorchange principles, and build the capacity of CSOs and relevant GON staff in effectiveimplementation and monitoring.
• Work with the Treatment partners and coordinate bidirectional patient referral from facility to community and vice versa.
• Obtains patient line list regularly and ensures data synergy with the treatment partners along with all custom indicators.
• Lead the process of monitoring of quality HIV care at the household and ensure drug adherence and viral load suppression
• Document OVC project attribution to the care and treatment partners overall achievement along the 95 95 95 epidemic control cascade.
• Work closely with the SMOH, SMWASD, SACA, and HIV TWGs in Akwa Ibom and Cross River states in identifying and capitalizing on leverage points for improved linkages and referral coordination at the community level and for Integration of HIV Prevention Care & Support elements into other OVC areas project activities and vice versa
• Other assigned roles by supervisor.

Key Working Relationships

• Supervisory: This position has no supervisory role
• Internal: State Program Manager, CSO Partners
• External: Other Implementing treatment partners, SACA ministry of health.

Qualifications and Skills

• MBBS with a minimum of 4 years relevant experience in implementing HIV Prevention, Care, and Support programs
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and civil society partners and communities as well as transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through workshops, training, and meetings using participatory methods and adult learning principles
• Experience in supporting HIV Testing and Counselling programs in health facilities, mobile units, and community outreaches
• Good knowledge of Government of Nigeria HIV Care and Treatment guidelines (Pediatric&Adult) and experience working with Ministry of Health and other relevant entitles
• Familiarity with New PEPFAR-OVC programming, principles, and focus
• Excellent English oral and written communication skills required
• Excellent analytic, organizational, and computer skills; skilled In MS Office including Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.

Agency-Wide Competencies (for all CCCRN Staff):

• These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CCCRN and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.
• CCCRN core values are; Excellence, Knowledge, Professionalism, Accountability, Diversity, and Collaboration.

Statement of Commitment to Protection:

• ‘’CCCRN’s recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

Language:

• Excellent English language oral and written communication skills
• Fluency in English required, with fluency in the local languages in Cross River.