Job Title: eMTCT and Child Health Specialist
Organisation: Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP)
Duty Station: Jinja, Uganda
About Organisation:
Makerere University Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) emerged from the Mulago – Mbarara Teaching Hospitals Joint AIDS Program (MJAP) which was established in November 2004 under the then Makerere University Faculty of Medicine. Over the last 20 years, we have broadened our work beyond the support of provision of comprehensive HIV and TB services to include capacity strengthening for health care workers across Uganda and conduct research to inform policies for HIV/TB and other HIV comorbidities in the country.
Job Summary: The eMTCT/Child Health Specialist will lead strategic planning, technical leadership and coordination for elimination of mother-to-child transmission (eMTCT) of HIV and child health (including early infant diagnosis, pediatrics HIV care, and child survival interventions) across the supported region and districts. This position will engage project teams, district local governments and health facility structures to ensure alignment with national guidelines, build and sustain strategic partnerships (including the Ministry of Health, development partners, implementing partners and civil society), and drive capacity building, quality improvement, service delivery scale-up, data-driven monitoring and community linkages.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
- Provide strategic direction for regional eMTCT/Child Health programming in line with national MOH guidelines, donor requirements (e.g., PEPFAR/USG) and project goals.
- Establish and manage relationships with the Ministry of Health, regional/district health authorities, implementing partner networks, civil society, and community organizations to promote eMTCT/Child Health priorities
- Represent the project in technical working groups, review forums, donor/partner coordination meetings, and advocate for eMTCT/Child Health funding, policy and program integration.
- Ensure up-to-date MOH eMTCT/Child Health guidelines, job aids, protocols and SOPs are available and implemented in district health facilities; support standardization of service delivery.
- Lead the design, implementation, monitoring and scale-up of high-impact eMTCT interventions (e.g., HIV testing in ANC, prophylaxis, ART for pregnant/lactating women, EID, linkage to care for exposed infants) and key child health package components (e.g., integrated management of newborn & child health, nutrition, immunization).
- Provide technical mentorship and oversight to district and facility teams on eMTCT cascade, child health care quality, early identification of HIV-exposed infants, retention and outcomes
- Work with community structures (e.g., Village Health Teams – VHTs), mother-baby pairs groups, mentor mother networks, and family support groups to ensure pregnant/lactating mothers, HIV-exposed infants and children are reached, linked and retained in care.
- Strengthen community referral systems and follow-up mechanisms for mothers and infants in the eMTCT cascade and children in child health services.
- Map stakeholders, develop a directory of potential linkages (CSOs, private sector, outreach services) to support scale-up of eMTCT/Child Health services and community engagement.
- Contribute to operational research, including study design, data collection and analysis, and preparation of abstracts, manuscripts, and technical reports for dissemination.
- Represent the organization in relevant technical, coordination, and policy fora at district, regional, and national levels.
- Support resource mobilization efforts by identifying opportunities, contributing to proposal development, and engaging with partners and donors to sustain program impact.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Degree in Medicine and Surgery, Public Health, Nursing, Midwifery or a related discipline. registration/licensure. Master’s degree in Paediatrics is preferred.
- Technical knowledge of national PMTCT/eMTCT guidelines, EID, child health packages, integrated service delivery, quality improvement methodologies and donor compliance frameworks.
- Minimum of 6 years of progressive experience in eMTCT programmes, child health interventions
- Experience working with USG/PEPFAR-funded implementing partners is strongly preferred.
- Proven track record in strategic planning, programme management, capacity building, partnership management, QI mentorship, data use for decision-making and community linkages.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement, communication (written and oral), facilitation and representation skills.
- Ability to travel frequently to districts and facility sites, work in multidisciplinary teams, and adapt to dynamic field settings.
Note: MJAP is dedicated to inclusion and diversity, evaluating all job applicants solely based on merit, regardless of race, gender, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, or disability. As an equal opportunity employer, MJAP does not charge applicants at any stage and is not responsible for losses from fraudulent recruitment activities.
How to Apply:
All qualified candidates are invited to apply online at the link below
Deadline: 4th December 2025
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Level of Education: bachelor degree
Work Hours: 8
Experience in Months: 72