National Chief Clinical Mentor (NCCM) Assistant at APIN

Requisition ID: api-58214
Department: Clinical Services

Background

• Nigeria is working towards meeting the global 95-95-95 goals by 2030. As the country moves towards achieving epidemic control, the challenge is to ensure that current efforts are sustained in the long term.
• Transitioning to chronic HIV care after epidemic control is achieved will require People Living with HIV (PLHIV) to engage with the health care system in an ongoing, chronic care relationship for the remainder of their lives.
• Clinical mentoring has been identified as critical to building successful networks of trained health workers for supporting clinical teams in HIV care and treatment for the long term. 
• In this light, NASCP with the support of CDC and in collaboration with stakeholders is rolling out the National Clinical Mentorship Programme (NCMP) to ensure sustained provision of quality HIV services at all levels of care.
• Through this program, a pool of mentors will be created and trained at national and state levels to provide ongoing support for reviewing cases, solving problems, reinforcing guidelines, and ensuring high-quality HIV care.  

Justification

• The structure of the NCMP mirrors the multi-tiered structure of the Nigerian health care systems within which the HIV response is implemented. NASCP will provide overall governance and coordination of the program working primarily through the National Chief Clinical Mentors (NCCM) deployed in each state.
• In turn, NCCMs will work collaboratively with State AIDS Programme Coordinators (SAPCs) in the respective states to implement the program through the State Clinical Mentors Team (SCMT).
• Given the multi-tiered approach described above, effective coordination of the program will be a key element of success.
• Direct oversight for the program will be provided by the National Coordinator, NASCP.
• In addition, two staff members will commit about 20% of their time to the NCMP.
• However, given the complexity of the program, full-time staff will be required to support the program’s delivery and coordination in NASCP.

Tasks
The candidate will support NASCP’s governance and coordination of the National Clinical Mentorship scheme (NCMP), by undertaking the following:

• Liaising and communicating with National Clinical Mentors, SAPCs, and State Mentor Teams about the program events, goals, and expectations;
• Liaising with NCMP facilitators, consultants, expert team, and other stakeholders towards implementation activities;
• Maintaining and monitoring NCMP plans, and schedules and providing appropriate feedback to ensure that programme framework and timelines are adhered to;
• Organizing, attending, and documenting NCMP meetings;
• Documenting and following up on important actions and decisions from meetings;
• Support capacity building sessions for the program including via virtual platforms and use of project ECHO low bandwidth video conferencing;
• Support performance management of NCMP based on the agreed performance framework;
• Collation, timely submission of National Clinical Mentors’ reporting requirements and flagging of issues for management attention and decision-making;
• Support planning and implementation of monitoring visits;
• Report on training and technical assistance activities, as well as compile and ensure follow up on recommendations for strengthening the program; and
• Perform other related duties as may be assigned.

Person Description

• Bachelor of Science in a Health-related field is required
• Postgraduate qualification / Masters level training in Public Health or related field would be an advantage
• At least 5 years experience in HIV program management
• At least 5 years experience working with government entities at the national and sub-national level
• Experience working with multi-disciplinary teams.
• The ability to prepare technical reports in MS Word and other formats is required.