Linkage and Case Management Officer (LCM)

Background:

COCODA Tanzania is a non-governmental organization established in 2000. COCODA’s establishment as its name suggests, resulted from intensifying concern among community members in Tanzania over the surging number of orphans, mainly resulting from the increased number of people infected by HIV and dying from AIDS, the majority being adults leaving behind young children without parents. This trend had a negative impact on social and economic development. Hence, COCODA Tanzania envisioned offering an effective response to the situation by providing education to the local communities on HIV/AIDS, supporting orphans and most vulnerable children, providing vocational skills to youth, and establishing small-scale income-generating groups for a 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. FHI360 is the prime recipient of this funding in Tanzania.

COCODA is subcontracted by FHI360 to implement the EpiC project in Njombe and Mtwara regions. In the 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), and in the Mtwara region, the project will be implemented in all 9 councils (Mtwara MC, Mtwara DC, Masasi TC, Masasi DC, Nanyumbu DC, Nanyamba TC, Tandahimba DC, Newala DC, and Newala TC) 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.

Position Description:

The Linkage and Case Management Officer (LCM) is responsible for identifying, enrolling, and supporting individuals living with HIV in care and treatment. The LCM provides comprehensive case management, including adherence support, counseling, and community outreach. The LCM will collaborate with healthcare providers and facility partners to optimize services and improve patient outcomes. The Linkage and Case Management Officer will liaise with the Community Engagement Technical Officer and Biomedical Officers to implement the HIV prevention program targeting populations at risk in the region. The LCM will work with a team to reach, serve, and maintain Key and Vulnerable populations, monitor case linkages during pre and post-counseling, and ensure HIV-positive diagnosed KVP individuals are linked to care and treatment centers. The LCM will also oversee community ART initiation, retention, and ensure clients who miss appointments are brought back into care.

The LCM will be responsible for establishing and maintaining navigation processes according to Care and Treatment standards and ensuring a client-centered approach is observed during service provision to KVP-positive clients. The LCM will link KVP HIV-positive clients to economic strengthening activities and manage gender-related issues. Additionally, He/she will supervise and build the capacity of Peer Navigators through progress review meetings and coordinate the case management team with health facilities and the community for a continuum of care.

The Linkage and Case Management Officer will monitor Gender-based/Intimate Partner Violence cases, including the status of referrals and linkages. The LCM will play a crucial role in ensuring the well-being and support of individuals living with HIV and strive to improve patient outcomes through comprehensive care management and community outreach.

Job Details:

• Proficient in managing and executing Enhanced Linkage case management to meet the target of 95% enrollment in care and treatment services.
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• Implement and oversee effective tracking and retention strategies to achieve adherence rates among clients on ART.
• Provide technical support to Peer Navigators to reduce quarterly net loss by 95% and document best practices.
• Work with peer navigators, healthcare workers, and facility partners to ensure 100% biometric registration coverage among all clients receiving care and treatment.
• Collaborate with facility partners to achieve a 95% linkage to care rate for newly diagnosed clients in both community and facility settings.
• Work closely with and support healthcare providers in delivering ART adherence counseling and enhanced counseling for PLHIV with high viral loads.
• Mentor and support peer navigators and community-based health care workers in linking PLHIV diagnosed in the community to care and ensuring proper documentation.
• Provide intensive adherence support to patients with Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) to improve treatment outcomes.
• Assist healthcare providers and Peer Navigators in early identification of missed appointments.
• Conduct close follow-up on tracked missing clients who have promised to return to care.
• Promote the use of national follow-up tools and ensure their proper documentation.
• Facilitate regular meetings with Peer Navigators, healthcare workers, and other IPs to share challenges and develop improvement strategies.
• Responsible for identifying, enrolling, and supporting clients in Community ART, optimizing adherence for clients in Community ART.
• Daily follow-up on case management by the team, from each service delivery point in close relationship with the Biomedical Field Officer.
• Reconcile and compile data into the regional tracking register and the regional partner listing and outcome register, and maintain it weekly.
• Conduct site visits for at least 70% of the time.
• Work with the Data Manager/M&E Officer to report tracking and partner listing and outcome data to the MER team in the region using referrals from stubs.
• Prepare weekly and monthly reports related to tracking services and partner notification and success stories, as needed.
• Participate in meetings at the CSO level and related CHMT meetings.
• Document best practices for linkage for KVP.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the line manager.

Requirements: Education, Work Experience, and Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine, Nursing, or related field with at least three years of relevant experience.
• Must have experience in HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs.
• Proven track record in case management experience.
• Strong report writing, planning, and presentation skills.
• Experience working with health management teams is advantageous.
• Prior experience in working with literate and non-literate audiences; experience in participatory methods.
• Experience in the KVP program is an added advantage.
• Experience in supervising a field team.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in English and Kiswahili.

How to Apply:

Candidates are required to mention the ‘Position Title’ in the subject line of the e-mail. All applicants MUST attach a cover letter and their updated Curriculum Vitae with certified copies of academic certificates as supporting documents to their applications. All applications should be submitted no later than 4:00 PM on 25th August 2024 by email, to: hr@cocoda.or.tz. 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 for all qualified candidates.