Jobs at Georgetown Global Health Nigeria (GGHN)

Job Overview

• HIV Care and Support Officer will play a vital role in ensuring people living with HIV have access to the care and support they need to live healthy lives.
• S/he will provide technical assistance in the implementation of Care and Support services in GGHN-supported sites under the supervision of the Care and Support Specialist.
• S/he will collaborate with healthcare workers, community partners, and CSOs to ensure enrollment and provision of requisite services to all HIV sub-populations, facilitating progress towards achieving the 98:98:98 epidemic control goal.

Responsibilities

• The Care and Support officer will provide Technical Assistance (hands-on mentorship) to adherence counselors, Nurses, case Managers & other Health Care Workers in all facilities in their designated cluster on care and support services.
• Monitors and coordinates the daily patient care activities, including patient assessment/evaluation, adherence counselling strategies, care plan development process, appointment tracking, and ensuring effective service delivery.
• The job holder will work with the team to identify social determinants of health that may impact adherence (homelessness, substance abuse, mental health issues, acute medical problems, lack of or inadequate health care benefits, etc.) and assist team with prioritizing those needs.
• Provide technical and programmatic support primarily in the areas of HIV prevention and care services, and community-based HIV Care and Support for project beneficiaries and their caregivers in project communities.
• Assist in strengthening the capacity of Case Managers and CMT in HIV response in line with operational strategies for achieving project aims, results and performance expectations. Implement clear performance metrics and feedback mechanisms, focusing on client engagement outcomes.
• Will be responsible for implementing strategies designed to strengthen the linkages between the community-based care activities and the health facilities providing HIV care and treatment towards ensuring a continuum of care.
• Support the implementation of evidence-based interventions aimed at addressing HIV risk behaviors, HIV transmission, and gender-based violence with a focus on adolescent girls and young female caregivers.
• Provide ongoing training on client-centered care, effective communication, and empathy-based counselling to improve client support and overall program quality.
• S/he is to provide technical guidance to ACE2 partner CSOs in the Implementation of technical program activities for community-based HIV Care and Support.
• S/he will collaborate closely with the ACE2 team to roll out and implement an integrated and holistic facility and community-based response to HIV / AIDs towards scaling up access to HIV prevention and care services, including Differentiated Services Delivery models for ART and PrEP.
• Provide technical input for the development of strategies, design, and implementation of HIV Prevention / Care & Support activities; ensure activities improve access to HIV prevention and care services amongst project beneficiaries.
• Coordinates services with other patient care units as required; maintains communication with allied services and maintains community liaison as appropriate.
• Direct CSOs towards overall technical quality - including adherence to technical standards, best practices, and donor guidelines for all HIV Prevention Care & Support activities of the project.
• Support strategies towards ensuring that project activities are built on strong behavior change principles and build the capacity of CSOs and relevant GON staff in effective implementation and monitoring.
• Oversees and provides direct nursing evaluation and/or other related care and consultation to patients as required.
• Ensures proper care in the use and maintenance of equipment and supplies; promotes continuous improvement of workplace safety and environmental practices.

Requirements and Qualifications

• A Bachelor's Degree in Nursing, Public Health, Social Sciences or related filed is an added advantage.
• Registered Nurse or Community Health Extension Worker with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience working on development health issues including HIV, with at least 3 years’ experience in implementing HIV Prevention, Care, and Support programs.
• Experience in supporting HIV Testing and Counselling programs in health facilities, mobile units, and community outreaches
• Good knowledge of the Government of Nigeria HIV Care and Treatment guidelines and experience working with the Ministry of Health, communities, CSO and other relevant entities

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with government and civil society partners and communities
• Viable knowledge transfer techniques to diverse audiences through workshops, training, and meetings using participatory methods and adult learning principles
• Knowledge and understanding of HAT services structure, workflow, and operating procedures
• Ability to conduct patient evaluation and triage procedures
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion and make reasoned judgements in a timely fashion

Skills:

• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required.
• Proficient use of Microsoft office for documenting and reporting
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to effectively work with a wide range of individuals and constituencies in a diverse community
• Advanced nursing skills
• Fluency in English and local language.

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Job Overview

• This role offers a dynamic opportunity to be at the forefront of HIV case-finding efforts.
• You will be a strategic leader, overseeing the implementation of innovative testing strategies and ensuring efficient linkage to care for all positive individuals. By collaborating with healthcare facilities, community partners, and government agencies, you will play a crucial role in achieving the program goals of:

Increasing Testing Efficiency:

• You will spearhead initiatives like index testing, optimized PITC, and HIV self-testing to reach high-risk populations and expand access to high-quality HIV testing services.

Improved Linkage to Care:

• Through data analysis and root cause analysis, you will identify and address barriers to linkage, ensuring newly diagnosed individuals receive prompt ART initiation.

Enhanced Quality and Sustainability:

• You will be responsible for maintaining quality assurance standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement, while also contributing to the development of sustainable models for HTS and linkage programs.

Work Interactions and Conditions:

• This job requires data review and analysis with high expectations for timeliness and accuracy

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the facility HTS Focal Persons, Counsellor Testers, CBO and community leaders to develop and implement targeted case-finding interventions, focusing on high-risk populations.
• Serve as resource person for the first 95, providing leadership and technical guidance for facility and community-based HTS and prevention services.
• Ensures quality HTS implementation and achievement of results and collaborates with other technical units to ensure effective teamwork
• Analyze data on testing coverage, positivity rates, and linkage outcomes to identify trends, gaps and high-risk populations and prioritize interventions for improving case finding and linkage to care.
• Provide technical supports in establishing protocols for HTS, Index testing, PrEP, HIV self-testing, and other prevention services including blood and injection safety that are consistent with national guidelines
• Builds capacity of facility personnel to better implement their role in the technical planning, management and evaluation of clinical issues related to HIV prevention program
• Work with CBOs to develop and implement community mobilization strategies to increase awareness and access to HIV testing services among priority populations.
• Work with state M&E point persons and logistics to ensure proper HTS tools role out, quality documentation, and availability of HIV testing commodities to prevent stockouts.
• S/he will work closely with the laboratory focal person in the implementation of routine HTS quality assurance, proficiency testing, and competency testing to ensure the reliability of HIV test results at all service points.
• Ensure complete linkage to the health facilities and retesting of all identified HIV positive individuals before initiating ART. Conduct root cause analysis to identify and address barriers to linkage and develop strategies for prompt linkage to ART.
• Identify and scale up efficient case-finding strategies and best practices across high yielding modalities to optimize case HIV diagnosis among sub-population.
• Conduct regular bottleneck analysis for index testing across designated facilities, and implement action plans to address identified gaps.
• Conduct regular quality assurance checks for HTS services, including pre-test counselling, informed consent procedures, and post-test counselling, and implement strategies for continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement a monitoring and evaluation plan to track progress towards achieving case finding targets and identify areas for improvement.
• Implement innovative approaches like self-testing or peer outreach to optimize case finding among sub-populations
• Maintain client confidentiality and develop strategies to reduce stigma associated with HIV testing and linkage.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of sustainable models for HTS and linkage programs.
• Work with facilities to strengthen systems that will facilitate tracing of defaulters in conjunction with community health workers and enhance linkage into care of patients

Deliverables:

• Increase Testing Efficiency through scale-up of index testing, social network testing and use of RST
• Reach the underserved population (children, adolescents, men)
• Improve Linkage of newly identified PLHIV
• Follow up with the state cluster HTS focal persons/CTs to ensure Testing at all points of services and Proper documentation in all tools including referral register and EMR
• Retesting of all positives before enrolment into treatment
• Monthly reporting of retesting outputs
• Build capacity of HCW on all areas of HTS and prevention services
• Monthly tracking of cascade of index testing.
• Quarterly review of HIVST kit distribution
• Implementation of recency at all activated points.
• Ensure quality improvement processes
• Daily review of HTS register to ensure that clients are tracked for ART initiation
• Participate in the data analysis of facility targets, indicators, cascade, etc.

Mode of Evaluation

• Monthly activity program report
• Site activity report
• Training report
• Concept paper for innovation on prevention services
• Performance objectives

Requirements and Qualifications
Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Nursing, Public Health, Health Sciences or related health, Medical or Social Sciences; Possession of a Master’s in Public Health is an added advantage.

Experience:

• 3+ years of experience in HIV and TB screening, counseling, testing, and linkage
• Specialized knowledge: knowledgeable in HIV/AIDS, TB, and STI or National HTS guidelines
• Experience as a community health facilitator or other HIV and TB program implementation (notably linkage to care and retention of clients in care) is desirable

Skills:

• Proficient in Excel, and word processing. Strong written and oral communication skills

Abilities:

• Strategic and analytical thinking skills, Problem-solving, multi-tasking, and prioritizing
• Interpersonal/Individual Competencies: the ability to build and maintain relations with multiple stakeholders, strong work ethic, decisiveness, and personal integrity

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Job Overview

• This dynamic role positions you as a key player in expanding access to quality HIV testing services and driving successful linkage to care.
• You will lead and support implementation teams across your assigned state and cluster, ensuring program activities align with national and PEPFAR guidelines.
• The role is ideal for a highly motivated individual with a passion for public health and a commitment to increasing access to HIV testing and prevention services.
• It requires data review and analysis with high expectations for timeliness and Accuracy

Here’s What This Role Entails
Trategic Oversight and Technical Expertise:

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to facility and community partners on implementing high-yield case finding strategies like optimized PITC, index testing, and social network testing.
• Lead and coordinate evidence-based HTS surge activities at the community and facilities, ensuring HIV testing is provided to priority populations according to the national HIV testing protocols and guidelines.
• Contribute to the development and review of annual work plans and budgets, and offer technical guidance to implementation teams on all aspects of case finding programming.

Quality Assurance and Improvement:

• Monitor services delivered and ensure adherence to national standards for HTS services. You will also conduct regular site visits and assessments to identify areas for improvement.
• Collaborate with state laboratory focal persons to strengthen proficiency testing and other diagnostic quality assurance.

Capacity Building:

• Empower implementation teams through capacity building workshops and technical assistance to achieve high-yield testing strategies with effective referrals and linkages to care.
• Coordinate training for providers on HTS, Index Testing/Partner Notification Services (PNS), HIV Self-testing (HIVST), Intimate Partner Violence (IPV), adherence counseling, and behavioral change.

Collaboration and Integration:

• Work closely with stakeholders including state and LGA health officials, community partners, and program teams to foster collaboration and facilitate integration of effective case finding interventions into existing service delivery platforms in facility and community settings.
• Establish and strengthen referral linkages between community and facility-based HTS, GBV, and PrEP services.
• Coordinate mapping of community and facility services including Spoke PMTCT sites, and contribute to development of referral directories.

Data-driven Decision Making:

• Analyze program data and reports to track progress towards achieving program objectives and identify areas for improvement.
• Coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of case finding programs, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality results that contribute to achieving the national target of the 98:98:98 cascade.
• Participate in the development of M&E prevention tools relating to HIV testing at facilities and communities.
• Ensure that monthly program activity reports are produced and submitted timely for data triangulation with the M&E unit on the project.

Supportive Supervision and Mentorship:

• Conduct regular site visits to assess service quality, monitor availability of commodities, and provide ongoing support and guidance to HTS Officers, facility HTS focal persons, and Counselor Testers at facility and community settings.

Reporting and Communication:

• Prepare reports, data analyses, and presentations for various stakeholders, including state and national forums.
• Perform any other duties assigned by the team lead.

Requirements and Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent in Public Health, Health Sciences or related Health, Medical or Social Sciences; Master’s in Public health preferred
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in design and implementation of HIV testing services for community and health facilities under PEPFAR/USAID supported programs
• Specialized knowledge: Certificate in HTS algorithm, PITC, VTC, etc.; Knowledgeable in facility and community-based HTS including index testing, HIV self-testing, and recency testing including driving SURGE level access to HTS services
• Skills: Proficient in excel, word processing. Strong written and oral communications skills, ability to interpret epidemiological and public health data
• Interpersonal/Individual Competencies: the ability to build and maintain relations with multiple stakeholders, strong work ethic, decisiveness, and personal integrity.

Mode of evaluation:

• Monthly activity program report
• Site activity report
• Training report
• Concept paper for innovation on prevention services
• Performance objectives