Community Concern of Orphans and Development Association (COCODA) is a non-governmental organization established in 2000. COCODA’s establishment as its name suggests, resulted from intensifying concern among community members in Njombe over the surging number of orphans, mainly as a consequence to swelling amount of people infected by HIV and dying from AIDS, majority being adults leaving behind young children without parents. This trend had a negative impact on social and economic development. Hence COCODA envisioned to offer effective response to the situation through providing education to local community on HIV/ AIDS, supporting orphans and most vulnerable children, providing vocational skills to youth and establishment of small scale income generating groups for community sustainable economy.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which is dedicated to achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control.  It is led by FHI 360 as prime and has a five-year period of performance from April 15, 2019 to April 14, 2024.

EpiC provides strategic technical assistance (TA) and direct service delivery to break through barriers to 95-95-95 and improve HIV case-finding, prevention and linkage to treatment among key and priority populations (PP). In Njombe region the project is implemented by COCODA in 6 councils (Njombe TC, Njombe DC, Makambako TC, Wanging’ombe DC, Ludewa DC and Makete DC) to address critical gaps and bottlenecks in the response to HIV among key and vulnerable populations (KVP) and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The EpiC project works closely with the Government of Tanzania (GoT) at national and sub-national levels to deliver HIV and other services tailored to the needs of these groups.

COCODA invites competent and motivated applicant to apply for the following positions;

Biomedical Technical Officer (BTO) – 4 Positions

Location: Makete DC (1), Ludewa DC (1), Wanging’ombe DC (1), Njombe TC (1)

Reports to: Project Manager

Position Overview:

Biomedical Technical Officer (BTO) will be responsible to coordinate the implementation of EPIC Project biomedical services to the assigned council. He/she will work closely with the Central team, RHMT, and CHMT to ensure the provision of high-quality biomedical services including HIVST, PrEP, HTS, Family planning, Screening, and referral for STIs, Gender-Based Violence, and TB. Also, in coordinating linkages and adherence support for HIV care and treatment to clients in their assigned council.

Roles and Responsibilities: 

Planning: 

• To participate in the Comprehensive Council Health Plans (CCHP) meetings and ensure USAID EPIC activities are included in the respective CCHP.
• Liaise with Community Engagement Officers to map hotspots and develop a directory of all hotspots where beneficiaries are found at the council level.
• Conduct weekly review of the list of index developed by service providers and ensure all the providers conduct index testing services with fidelity (index sexual Partners/contacts elicitation and tracing)

Coordination and Supervision:

• With support from the Project Manager & DMO’s office, he/she will be responsible to liaise with DMOs office to secure Government biomedical providers who will provide biomedical services at the community level respectively.
• Actively participate into the development of monthly operation plans in close collaboration with community engagement officers for targeted and focused HTS outreaches to the mapped hotspot areas and reach KVPs
• Assist in organizing training/orientation to biomedical providers to be engaged in USAID EPIC monthly operation plans and maintain the list of Service Providers working with USAID EPIC project.
• Monitor and coordinate community-facility referral and linkages services for health-related services including care and treatment, Family planning, STI & TB screening and treatment, and GBV services
• Liaise with DACC and the DMO office to obtain commodities, supplies and government M&E Tools for Biomedical services.
• Supervise biomedical providers and ensure monthly planned activities are implemented and all Service Providers are reaching their allotted targets with fidelity.
• Provide technical support and mentorship to the biomedical services providers within the assigned districts in order to ensure they meet standard of performance as per the government guidelines and project SOPs (including IQC/EQC and proficiency test).
• Work closely with the CHMT members in performance monitoring, joint supportive field supervision at the site/council level, and ensure the outcomes of the visits clearly documented and recommendations implemented.
• Jointly work with facility implementing partners at the council level to develop a sound Bi-directional referral network but also quality of services is provided to KVPs.
• Ensure all service providers properly fill all required National and Project M&E tools and timely submission of service reports appropriately, including monthly summary reports to the catchment health facilities.
• Ensure council service providers are reporting their daily performance through WhatsApp groups and other agreed channels for real-time data.
• Develop and timely share daily/weekly updates and monthly reports for all biomedical services

Qualification and experience

• At least 3-5 years’ experience working in KVP-focused, HIV/AIDS Community projects.
• A certified clinician with good experience in HIV/AIDS programs, a sounding knowledge on HIV/AIDS care and treatment.
• Possessing a medical degree will be an added advantage.
• A good team player with demonstrated skills and experience in leading and coaching the team.
• Ability to network and maintain a professional relationship with the LGAs and other stakeholders at the Council level.
• Excellent written, presentation, communication, and organizational skills in both English and Kiswahili
• Good understanding of council level healthcare system
• Flexible to work beyond normal working hours.

HOW TO APPLY

Candidates are required to mention the ‘Position Title’ on the envelope or on the subject line of the e-mail.

All applicants MUST attach cover letter and their updated Curriculum Vitae with certified copies of academic certificates as supporting documents to their applications.

All applications should be submitted not later than 1600 HRS of 25^th September 2020 by email, to: hr@cocoda.or.tz or in a sealed envelope to: Human Resource officer, Community Concerns of Orphans and Development Association (COCODA), P.O BOX 712 – Njombe

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Warning: Please avoid deception agents, COCODA charges no cost for any job position advertised. COCODA enhances equal opportunity to all qualified candidates.