Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) is an indigenous NGO established under nongovernmental organization act No 24 of 2002 in 2011. THPS works in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Community Development Gender Elderly and Special Groups; Regional Administration and Local Governments (PORALG), Ministry of Health in Zanzibar and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) with a goal of ensuring accessible high-quality health care and social welfare services to all Tanzanians; through strengthening of health and community systems.

THPS therefore is seeking competent, experienced, dynamic and qualified candidates to fill the positions listed below:

Job Title: Adherence, Psychosocial Support & Retention Field Officer (APSR FO) – (3 Positions)

Reports to: District Manager 

Location: Tanga 

Purpose and Scope of Job: 

S/He will be a lead of all activities related to adherence and retention of PLHIV to ART and psychosocial support, including establishment/strengthening facility-community partnership/linkage mechanism in the assigned districts/cluster. S/he will receive technical assistance and guidance from the APSR Technical Advisor (APSR TA) and will be responsible for providing technical guidance and support to Health Care Providers (HCPs), clinical trackers, Peer Educators (PEs) and other community volunteers in enhancing adherence and treatment continuity of PLHIV on treatment. Establish/strengthen an internal referral system between various service units within the Health Facilities (HFs) and conduct supportive supervision and mentorship on APSR services in Tanga Region. The job entails extensive travel up to 80% within all districts of the Region. The incumbent will be a member of the Adult and Paediatric care and treatment, team and will provide day-to-day oversight of the following areas:

Principal duties and responsibilities: 

Peer Education in HIV Care and Treatment Clinics (CTC) settings

• Facilitate selection of PEs and APSR training for TOTs, HCWs and PEs in the Tanga region.
• Establish/strengthen facility-community partnership/linkage in the Tanga region.
• Conduct supportive supervision (SS), mentorship, CMEs and OJT on APSR services.
• Support the implementation of peer education programs in Care and Treatment settings by ensuring PE’s trace defaulters; provide testimonials, link positive clients into care and treatment services and all other PE responsibilities.
• Work with both DACC and CHAC to develop inventory for community-based support services (CBHS) within Tanga Region and strengthen community mobilization activities and linkages with community-based organizations
• Work with CHAC to establish, register and support PLHIV support groups in the Tanga region.
• Work closely with the CHMT and HMTs to design and establish site-specific psychosocial activities to improve retention (continuity of treatment) to adolescents and young adults, Clinical adherence support

• Provide technical assistance to HCWs on care and treatment sites to implement protocols on adherence support for clients on antiretroviral care and treatment.
• Ensure effective use of National and program appointment and tracking systems (appointment and tracking registers, PE 3 forms, 3 boxes approach, e- LCM wateja Marafiki)

• Assist in the assessment of APSR-specific standards of care (SOC) in assigned districts.
• Conduct SS and CMEs on clinical adherence support to HCPs as per guidelines. Maintain the relationship with RHMT and CHMT, CSO and Faith-based organizations responsible for APSR services in the Tanga region.
• Take part in the integration of other programs (Pediatric, PHDP, TB/HIV units within APSR) in the region through training and implementation.
• Provide technical support to HCPs, PEs, clinical trackers and other relevant actors in assigned districts to implement facility-based HIV and person-centred initiatives for recipients of care on treatment.
• Develop and facilitate innovative strategies to reduce treatment interruptions.
• Design retention interventions targeting different subpopulations on treatment continuity.
• Take leadership in the design, training and distribution of relevant job aides and materials related to adherence counselling and treatment continuity in assigned districts.
• Collaborate with Community IP, HCPs, PEs, LCs and sub-granted NGOs to conduct SS and mentorship in order to improve the quality of services.
• Ensure the formation of active Adolescent and youth groups/clubs and other initiatives to improve adolescents’ adherence, retention and viral suppression across facilities and promote HIV knowledge and psychosocial support to this age group.
• Strengthen multi-sectorial collaboration with CHACs and other partners including linkages with community-based organizations.
• Provide technical support and best approaches on how to improve reminders, referrals and follow-up of clients in the facility to prevent clients from missing appointments and tracing clients with treatment interruptions.
• To prepare daily, weekly, and monthly summary reports and provide periodic progress reports and provide input for the preparation of the quarterly reports.
• Any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Qualifications, Experience & Skills required:

• Degree in BA sociology or nursing or related discipline with extensive field experience.
• Minimum 5 years of work experience in the HIV field with a donor-funded organization, including demonstrated experience and knowledge working with facility-based HIV prevention programs. Must have experience with PEPFAR-funded HIV programs, preferably with CDC.
• Familiarity with district-level healthcare systems in Tanzania is highly desired.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with fluency in English required
• Strong computer skills (MS Excel, Access, Word, and PowerPoint at a minimum; Ability to provide high-quality technical support to HCPs, clinical trackers and volunteer
• Ability to lead and work with diverse teams.
• Flexibility to work after normal working hours and on weekends with significant travel.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and strong problem-solving skills.

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send their application cover letter one-page maximum and CV four pages maximum to recruitment@thps.or.tz by August 16, 2023 with a subject line of ‘Position’ example Medically Assisted Therapy Program Officer. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates at this stage.  

THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women, people living with HIV/AIDS, and people living with disability are encouraged to apply.