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Job Title:   Community Engagement Officer (4 Job Placements)

Organisation: Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)

Duty Station:  Lango Sub-region, Uganda

About US:

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is an indigenous medical organization that was established in 1991 as a limited liability not-for-profit Joint-venture between the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Defense and Makerere University Medical School (now Makerere College of Health Sciences).

About USAID Project:

USAID’s Local Partner Health Services – Kigezi & Lango is a five-year Activity implemented by Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC). The activity is aimed at supporting the continuation of technical assistance for the implementation of a district-based, integrated package of quality HIV/AIDS and TB services to the beneficiary population in the Nine districts in Lango sub-region including Lira, Oyam, Kole, Apac, Kwania, Alebtong, Otuke, Amolatar and Dokolo. The main goal of the activity is to increase the availability, accessibility and utilization of quality, integrated HIV and TB services.

Job Summary:  The Community Engagement Officer will provide technical and program oversight in the areas of strengthening community engagement and mobilization in the integrated health project activities including identifying and working with community resources persons, community leaders, CBOs, CSOs, PLHIV and other community groups. In collaboration with community resource persons and community leaders, she/he will spearhead the formation and functionality of community peer groups that will contribute to increased demand, uptake and utilization of the integrated health services in the districts of support. She/he will provide technical guidance in the development and implementation of activities that facilitate linkages and referrals linkage between and within communities and health facilities

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Facilitate data collection from community intervention activities and health facilities and its submission to JCRC country office.
• Mentor and coach community leaders/peer facilitates and other community resource people in the implementation of their advocacy role in the available health services at health facilities.
• Prepare timely and submit weekly, monthly and quarterly reports on the activity implementation progress
• Organize and facilitate periodic reviews meetings of community HIV/AIDS, MNCH/SRH/FP, Malaria and Nutrition activities at the health center level, as well as linkages to care, with the involvement of VHTs, community representatives, health center staff and members of the DHMT.
• Review and provide feedback to the community structure including peer facilitators/leader and health facility teams; and support the development of the performance improvement plans
• Provide technical leadership for the development of district work plans and supervisory support for the development and implementation of community action plans for the project
• Support the identification and build capacity of the peer group facilitators to establish and manage the community peer groups.
• Contribute to identification and documentation of promising practices and success stories that will contribute to the body of knowledge in the area of provision of integrated health services at the community level and strengthening community engagement.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the community cadres and ensuring that the project assets are properly secured and kept in good working condition.
• Manage project finances and other resources related to implementation of activities in the assigned district in line with the project’s finance guidelines.
• Provide oversight on the implementation of community activities including leadership engagement and supporting formation and functionality of community peer or psychosocial groups. These include but are not limited to MNCH peer classes, Family Life Schools, Family Support Groups, Ariel club groups, youth and adolescent groups.
• Work closely with District Health Educators and Community Development Office to strengthen community-based structures that will create demand for HIV/AIDS care, treatment, Nutrition, SMC, MNCH, Malaria and PMTCT and TB/HIV services; and also act as a major platform for referrals and linkages to enhance access to these services.
• Support implementation of the project’s core activities and strengthen community linkages to increase access, and retention of available integrated health services (HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, nutrition, family planning, and maternal, neonatal and child health care) in collaboration with the DHT, local leaders and existing community groups or CSOs.
• Strengthen the performance management and capacity building mechanism for community resource persons and peer group structure that the project engages to implement the integrated project.
• Support the development of data collection systems and tools for the peer and community group activities.
• Work closely with the other District Based Team members in the implementation of the district led activities.
• Any other duties as assigned by supervisor

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal candidate must possess a Bachelor’s Degree or higher qualification in any of the following disciplines; Public Health, Health Management, Development Studies, Community Development, SWASA or other relevant field.
• Previous experience in using any of the various aspects of the behaviour change and communication (BCC) model would be desirable.
• At least three years of working experience in community health, preferably with USAID funded projects, community health service delivery and experience at community level health systems in Uganda.
• Excellent written and verbal communication or interpersonal skills is a must.
• Good analytical skills and ability to support a cross section of frontline health workers
• Riding skills with a valid riding license is a strong added advantage
• Advocacy and Public Relations skills

How to Apply:

All applications must be addressed to: Manager Human Resource & Development at Joint Clinical Research Centre, Plot 101 Lubowa Campus off Entebbe Road, P.O Box 10005, Kampala-Uganda and send to jobs@jcrc.org.ug  Strictly two documents combined in one PDF are required (Application letter and CV not exceeding 6 pages).

Note: JCRC is an equal opportunity employer. Any attempts of influencing the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification.

Deadline: 1^st September 2023 at 05:00Pm

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