State Referral Linkage Assistant, USAID / Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic at Project Hope

Project Description

• People to People Health Foundation, Nigeria, Project HOPE is recruiting for a State Referral Linkage Assistants (Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara,) who will be a part of Project HOPE’s team in the implementation of the USAID-funded Accelerating Control of the HIV Epidemic in Nigeria (ACE). 
• In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), PEPFAR/USAID investments have led to the achievement of significant progress in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara States. However, the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed that epidemic control targets are yet to be achieved.
• The ACE project provides USAID and its partners with the opportunity to support the GoN, civil society groups, and private sector actors in these focus states to close gaps in reaching epidemic control targets, address critical challenges in implementing their HIV response and accelerate progress towards sustainable epidemic control.
• Project HOPE is working in consortium with Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL - Prime Partner) and Management Sciences for Health (MSH) for service delivery on the ACE project.

Code of Conduct

• It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment.  Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

State Referral Linkage Assistant

• The State Referral Linkage Assistant (RLA) will be responsible for ensuring the strengthening of community facility linkages and bi-directional referrals to support the ACE project’s HIV care, treatment, and support services across the focal States.
• The State Referral Linkage Assistant will lead and coordinate the community based HTS referral and linkage services at State/LGA level by working closely with CBOs, health facilities and community resource persons.
• S/He will support the coordination of referral coordination meetings and other community engagement platforms to ensure effective HIV Testing Services (HTS) and linkage to care for PLHIVs and orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) beneficiaries. 
• In collaboration with the M&E and quality assurance teams of the project, s/he will be engaged in improving data quality and quality improvement interventions related to HTS, referrals and linkages.
• The Referral Linkage Assistant is expected to work with other project staff to strengthen targeted HTS and improve linkages to care, treatment and support services

Specific Responsibilities 

• Actively participate in the capacity building efforts of the project to state level community structures on HIV service referrals and linkages.
• Provide technical assistance and oversight for implementation of HIV testing and linkage Services to CBOs and other relevant community resource persons. 
• Work with other project staff to develop standard operational procedures, job aids, reference materials for community based targeted HIV testing (conventional and HIVST), referral and linkage services.
• Support the adaptation of training materials for local partners on community targeted HIV testing, referral, and linkage services. 
• Develop/Adapt community level awareness creation materials for targeted HIV testing services.  
• Assist to adapt or develop different screening tools for identifying key and priority populations for HIV testing. 
• Provide assistance to standardize and re-package community to facility bi-directional referral system and tools to ensure closed-loop referral service.
• Participate in the review and evaluation of existing HIV testing and ART service delivery policies including related service platforms and associated policies.
• Work closely with the state committees established to oversee the testing, referral, and linkage to care support services 
• Provide overall guidance and support to CBOs regarding community HIV testing services (conventional and HIVST), referral and linkage to HIV care and treatment Services.
• Develop strategies for delivery of community based targeted HIV testing through conventional and HIVST (both assisted and unassisted) and linkage services.
• Undertake program supervision, monitoring and evaluation on community based targeted HIV testing and linkage services.
• Work with State Community Services Advisor to provide capacity building support for local partners through providing TOT on HTS and Linkage services and supporting them to provide basic trainings for service providers. 
• Prepare and submit regular program work plans and reports on community based HTS and linkage services.
• Work with other Project HOPE staff to strengthen the implementation of integrated HTS and linkage services.
• Provide assistance for the integrated implementation of other community-based HIV services.
• Monitor all the relevant Community HTS including quality control activities.
• Collaboration with other relevant stakeholders to ensure successful implementation and monitoring of the 95-95-95 cascade
• Prepare monthly and quarterly reports to submit to State Community Services Advisor
• Together with other technical teams, work to strengthen the facility and community collaboration.
• Participate in support supervision of HTS and other community-based services.
• Perform any other duty assigned by the Supervisor.

Additional Respinsibilities:

• In addition to the responsibilities referenced above, candidates can expect to be living and working in austere conditions.
• Lifting moderately heavy objects from the ground, carrying a backpack for extended periods of time, and walking or hiking in remote locations may be necessary to perform these functions. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum of Bachelor’s Degree in Health or relevant Social Sciences 
• Specialized knowledge: Training in HIV counselling, Adherence Counselling, Couple Counselling and Community HIV testing, and counselling required. Up to date with latest developments in HIV prevention, care, and treatment programming in Nigeria
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in providing and managing HIV testing, counselling, and referral services.
• Ability to prioritize work according to importance and deadline while meeting conflicting work demands.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in a team and support others in their work.

Other Essential Requirements:
Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within Project HOPE and among beneficiaries served by Project HOPE 

Compliance & Ethics 

• Promote and encourage a culture of compliance and ethics throughout Project HOPE. 
• As applicable to the position, maintain a clear understanding of Project HOPE' and donor compliance and ethics standards and adhere to those standards. 
• Conduct work with the highest level of integrity 

Competency 

• Strong writing and presentation skills 
• Proven capabilities in leadership 
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills 
• Ability to read, writes, analyze and interpret, technical and non-technical in the English language 
• Ability to effectively present information and respond appropriately to questions from senior managers in the field and HQ, counterparts, senior government and rebel leaders and other related regional players.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 
• Project HOPE employees work in the global health field and may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”. 
• Travel for extended periods by air and other modes of transportation. 
• Must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment and must be able to communicate in verbal and written form. 
• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.