The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:  Project Officer HIV Prevention

Organisation: Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC)

Duty Station:  Rwenzori Region, Uganda

Reports to: Regional Team Lead

About US:

The Uganda Episcopal Conference (UEC), the legal body of Catholic Bishops of Uganda with funding from Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing the Comprehensive HIV Epidemic Control project through FBO/PNFP health facilities in the seven CDC supported regions within Uganda. The project supports PNFP facilities in Masaka-Wakiso, Kampala, Mubende, Soroti, Hoima, West Nile and Rwenzori regions. Internally the project is known and shortened as FLASH- Faith Led Action to Sustain HIV Epidemic Control. The five year project (Oct 2020- Sept 2025) is in its 4th year of implementation.

Job Summary:   The Project Officer HIV Prevention will provide technical support to health facilities in the region to deliver high quality HIV testing services, optimize index testing, HIV self-testing, recency testing, offer HIV prevention services to key and priority populations, and implement PrEP, GBV/VAC intervention services. The holder will work with religious leaders to complement efforts of health facilities in risk communication, retention and linkage to care.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

HIV Counseling and Testing services (HTS) related roles and responsibilities

• Support facilities to offer targeted HTS services to realize increased HIV+ yield in pursuit of the 1st 95 in all the PNFP facilities in the targeted
• Work to Intensify PITC at high yielding points with messages that promote HTS while emphasizing the WHO
• Devise new strategies for increasing partner and other family members testing in all the PNFP accredited facilities in the
• Support facilities to intensify ART clients’ linkage through the Facility-community linkage framework, inter and intra-facility referrals to achieve the 2nd
• Support facilities to offer targeted HTS services to outreach sites to priority and key populations at places such as landing sites, trading
• Offer technical guidance on the mapping of all hotspots and safe spaces for KPs and PPs and ensure effective service delivery to these targeted
• Build capacity of supported facilities in the delivery of PITC and Comprehensive HTS in line with WHO and MOH
• Conduct regular capacity building sessions in the supported facilities to ensure quality and timely implementation of recommended HTS strategies such as eligibility screening at all service delivery points, Partner Notification Services (PNS) and HIV self – testing, Recency testing among others.
• Enhance the capacity of and support PNFP facilities to offer Assisted Partner Notification
• Play a key role in Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement in HTS of supported facilities including data quality checks (DQA)
• Provide Technical assistance to facilities in delivery of Adolescent and children friendly HIV testing services
• Prepare monthly progress reports on the performance of HTS indicators for supported sites
• Regularly participate in HTS data review meetings at Program, region, district and facility levels
• Regularly plan for and conduct joint facility level HIS and HTS data quality audits to verify and validate HTS and PNS reports
• Contribute/participate in the development of the monthly, quarterly or annual, departmental work plans and budgets and regularly refer to these plans in the implementation of program activities
• Identify, document and share key lessons to aid cross
• Writing periodic reports (quantitative and qualitative) on HTS services
• Community-Facility linkages and referrals related roles and responsibilities
• Provide onsite training for VHTs, linkage facilitators and lay counselors in community HIV/AIDS care for all supported PNFP facilities in the region focusing on the Country targets goals of 95-95-95.
• Liaise with district officials (DCDO, PSWO, DACs, DOVCC and SOVCC) to strengthen and harmonize implementation of community HIV programs.
• Strengthen partnerships with community based organizations and civil service organizations and other structures in the community to enhance bi-directional linkages between supported facilities and the communities.
• Support the implementation of differentiated services delivery models (DSDM) in PNFP supported facilities to ensure continuum of response while integrating community activities in other program areas
• Monitor and offer guidance on the performance of community outreaches, satellites and sub- contracted CBO/CSO programs in faith based Health Care Facilities
• Represent the program at various fora as the occasion demands such as Regional and district level meetings and lobbying campaigns.
• Gender Services related roles and responsibilities
• Build the capacity of health workers in supported PNFP facilities on gender equality, equity and gender main streaming
• Oversee gender activities implementation in all the supported
• Support facilities to create awareness amongst communities on gender based violence, violence against children and advocate for access and support facilities to care for GBV survivors

Adherence support related roles and responsibilities

• Periodically review and develop tailor made adherence messages for supported PNFP
• Offer technical assistance on Viral Load monitoring and intensified adherence counseling
• Offer continuous technical assistance in adherence counseling and psychosocial support to clients
• Assist faith based health care facilities in setting up adherence program strategies across various age

Key population and Priority population related roles and responsibilities

• Establish and strengthen key priority and priority populations care programs in PNFP facilities that serve such populations in the region.
• Guide health workers in clinics with KPs on KP and PP program implementation, recording in KP/PP register and reporting
• Identify KP CSOs within the region, establish linkages and bi-directional referrals with PNFP facilities for KP related services.
• Organize and conduct trainings for health workers and peers in stigma reduction and clinical competency related to KPs using the MOH

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The applicant must hold a Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Diploma in Nursing, Clinical
• A certificate in HIV Counseling from a recognized University
• Five years of experience of working with a recognized institution dedicated to HIV/AIDS work
• Evidence of active implementation of HIV/HTS activities in the past three years
• Adequate knowledge of the current HIV prevention services
• Mentoring and coaching skills to lower cadres

How to Apply:

All eligible and interested candidates should apply and attach their signed CVs, copies of certificates, degrees, and testimonials. Suitable candidates residing in highlighted regions are encouraged to apply. Applications indicating duty station and job applied for should be directed to the address below. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Secretary General,

Uganda Catholic Secretariat,

Plot 672, Hanlon Road, Nsambya Hill,

P.O. Box 2886 Kampala. Uganda

Deadline: 24^th November 2023

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Related Jobs