Program Officer-OVC | Katsina at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria

Description and objectives:

• The Program Officer OVC under the supervision of the Regional Manager and Program Manager, he/she will be responsible for facilitating direct field level implementation of OVC interventions, including identification and enrolment of OVC beneficiaries and their caregivers, identification of OVC eligible for preventive interventions, management of clinical schedules and mobilization and referral of beneficiaries for services. He/She will direct the support of OVC and households to achieve healthy, schooled, stable and safe goals. Education, psychosocial support, child protection, legal support, nutrition, economic security services within the case plan achievement benchmarks.

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Be responsible for supporting the program manager in the management and coordination of the OVC program in the state.
• Provide technical assistance and training as appropriate to CBOs to ensure that high standards of programming are provided.
• Carry out mentoring & supportive visits to CBOs at least monthly to ensure that CBO documentation, reporting to LGAs, NOMIS, DQA implementation is up to date.
• Ensure all mentoring visits to CBOs are duly documented in the CBOs visitor’s book and document gaps identified, actions to be taken to address these gaps and time frame for addressing gaps.
• Routinely carry out independent quarterly DQA to validate OVC data and ensure that they own their data.
• Attend community gender meetings, parenting sessions and AGYW meetings to guide implementation.
• Support CBOs establish adolescent and young person’s SG in block grant schools, kid’s clubs and adolescent clubs.
• Support CBOs establish functional Village Savings and Loan Association Groups for all caregivers and collate SG data using SAVIX.
• Assess, review, and recommend for approval of all block grant projects prior to implementation by the CBO.
• Participate in quarterly CBO/health facility case conference for unsuppressed CALHIV
• Support CBOs identify government supported welfare packages in the state and facilitate linkage for OVC and their caregivers.
• Organize quarterly regional OVC review meetings to include state, LGA OVC desk officers Support CBOs establish standardized kids and adolescent clubs using the learning from PSS training and empower older OVC to lead club meetings.
• Support CBOs to have functional Child Protection committees that are linked to the state child protection network.
• Support CBOs establish functional IYCF support groups in the community.
• Review and recommend for approval concept notes for HES prior to implementation by CBOs with caregivers.
• Routinely attend HES caregiver’s meetings to engage and review implementation with HES beneficiaries.
• Ensure that CBOs step down and document ALL training to staff and volunteers.
• Ensure that CBOs have and document routine monthly interaction with ALL volunteers
• Support CBOs synthesize and document innovative quality improvement efforts and success stories.
• Ensure that CBOs always have adequate supply of OVC DCTs.
• Prepare and submit monthly OVC state report of activities
• And any other duties assigned by the State regional manager/ Program Manager

Minimum Qualifications:

• Must possess a BSc degree in public health, Nursing or Social sciences or related fields, preferably master’s in public health, Epidemiology or relevant field is an added advantage.
• At least 2-5 years of direct involvement in community development work, technical support, management and administrative leadership in similar activities
• Experience working with governments, LGAs and community structures is desirable
• Must have atleast 3years of experience with social development, health child protection, household, social protection, education, health and nutrition and HIV/AIDS care and support.
• Experience in the prevention of HIV/AIDS with a focus on highly vulnerable children.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with local government, community and public health facilities, private sector entities, and local community structures
• Commitment to the wellbeing of children and safeguarding and child protection matters
• Experience engaging with government departments (e.g., Ministry of Health, regional health bureau, local health institutions) and partner organizations
• Experience with CDC/USAID funded PEPFAR OVC and or HIV/AIDS programs is an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
• Ability to coordinate multiple assignments and deliver quality work on time
• Skills in determining priorities
• Stakeholder collaboration skills and ability to appropriately represent the organization by engaging with stakeholders.
• Ability to always represent the project in a professional manner
• Strong interpersonal skills and positive professional attitude
• Excellent written and communication skills in English language
• Skills in MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems