World Vision Tanzania (WVT) is currently recruiting for the position of Senior Project Officer, HIV Response. This position will play the technical lead role in the PEPFAR FBO initiative project that WVT is currently implementing in the two regions of Songwe and Mbeya.
The Senior Project Officer (SPO) will lead capacity building of local Faith-Based Organizations (FBOs) to raise HIV awareness and reduce HIV stigma as well provide technical leadership to the FBOs to create awareness and shift social norms to prevent sexual violence and HIV risk in Very Young Adolescents (VYA). The SPO will be responsible for providing leadership and management support, coordination, and technical expertise to the implementation of high quality and integrated HIV prevention, testing and treatment services for children, adolescents, adults and pregnant and breastfeeding women across the communities and health facilities. S/he will provide technical oversight and capacity building to FBOs and health care workers in supported sites to assure delivery of quality, relevant and quantifiable services while integrating these services in clinical and community settings. S/he will work with the M&E team to standardize quality by taking lead in continuous quality improvement, tracking key performance indicators and strategies to determine progress and innovations across supported sites and communities to increase quality of HIV care and treatment interventions.
This position will play in key role in establishing and maintaining good working relationships with the district health leadership, faith leader representatives, and health facilities administrators. S/he will lead and participate in training, coaching and mentorship of HCWs at supported sites; selected FBOs members, and communities of faiths in the two regions. This position will also play a role in the supervision of activities related to the prevention of sexual violence in the very young adolescents, particularly those at-risk for HIV.
(please define in output format – 1-10 things of what you expect to see as a result of this position)
Support selected FBOs to strengthen and/or create linkages between the community and the health system to facilitate bi-directional referral systems strengthening and improving HIV testing, treatment, care and support for PLHIV.
In collaboration with FBO partners and Ministry of Health, the incumbent will support to build the capacity of FBOs and MOH staff to ensure availability of quality HIV treatment services in a timely manner and flexible schedules to meet the needs of patients, especially men and young boys in the project areas.
Build capacity and or refresh FBOs and technical advisory group member’s knowledge on HIV basic care package, current HIV epidemic, evidence-based interventions, best practices as it related to Tanzania and the targeted regions, M&E and expected project outcomes along the HIV continuum of care indicators.
Participate in training, coaching and mentorship of HCWs and FBOs at supported sites and communities
Ensure availability and proper usage of programmatic tools and standards of care in all supported sites and communities for HIV services;
Organize and the implementation of monitor community-based activities including demand creation for ANC/PMTCT and Postnatal services, community ART dispensation when feasible, and Index case Testing;
Provide capacity building and technical support on performance improvement to the technical project components including HTS (HIV Testing Services), PMTCT (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission), Treatment Adherence Support, GBV (Gender based Violence), and supply chain management in both lab and pharmaceutical commodities;
Assist in monitoring and evaluation and ensuring quality assurance of HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment services amongst children, adolescents, adults and pregnant and breastfeeding women;
Liaise with district and cluster health officials, community leaders & other stakeholders in coordinating the implementation of HIV services in each supported site;
Working with FBO partners and other community stakeholders will create an enabling environment to both prevent and report on GBV cases as they occur, as well promote access to services for victims of GBV
Build capacity of selected FBOs to empower children and young adolescents as advocates for their health, legal, education and social protection issues.
In liaison with the clinical and the community partners, to support the rollout of GBV clinical services and linkage of GBV survivors to psychosocial and forensic services;
Ensure timely preparation of work plans, budget requests and technical project performance reports and participate in the weekly and monthly project performance review meetings;
Conduct routine performance review at program level with the aim of identifying performance gaps and best practices for the supported communities and health facilities
Submit timely activity reports to project manager;
Any other duties as assigned.
Must be a committed Christian, able to stand above denominational diversities.
Perform other duties as required
The following may be acquired through a combination of formal or self-education, prior experience or on-the-job training:
Minimum Qualification required:
Masters level degree required for this position with at least 5-8 years of experience in HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment services among children, adolescents, adults and pregnant and breastfeeding women
A Master's Degree in public health or related field is a distinct advantage
S/he must have undergone training in global HIV management including in-depth understanding of national HIV guidelines
Training in advanced HIV treatment course is an added advantage
Fluency in Swahili and English are key requirements
Preferred: Advanced degree or Doctorate in Medicine or Public Health
Required competencies, skills and experience
Experience in establishing and sustaining working relationships with the MOH at regional and district and facility level;
Significant and up to date knowledge of the current testing strategies, ART, PMTCT, HTS guidelines, standards, tools and best practices;
Experience in HIV prevention, testing, care and treatment services amongst children, adolescents, adults and pregnant and breastfeeding women with demonstrable results and expertise in initiating HIV care and treatment services in a public, faith-based or private health facility;
Knowledge of differentiated HIV model of care is a key requirement;
At least three years of management experience at district, regional or facility level;
Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating training, mentorship and capacity building of HCWs in prevention, care and treatment areas;
Knowledge of PEPFAR Program and MOH reporting requirements including familiarity with the data collection and reporting tools used by MOH;
Proficiency in computer basic skills- MS Office; Internet; Basic data analysis skills;
Self- managed, self-driven, results-oriented individual with excellent communication, interpersonal, report writing, and analytical skills;
Dedicated team player with the ability and experience to work in a multidisciplinary team.
Demonstrated understanding of and respect for diverse churches and Christian organizations
Travel: 20 % of Domestic/international travel is required.
On call: 10%