Overview

Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) is an indigenous NGO established under nongovernmental organization act No 24 of 2002 in 2011. THPS works in partnership with the Ministries of Health Community Development Gender Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC) and Regional Administration and Local Governments (PORALG) with a goal of ensuring accessible high-quality health care services to Tanzanians; through strengthening of health systems for quality health services including comprehensive HIV/AIDS Prevention, Care, Support and Treatment .

THPS is currently seeking highly experienced, committed and motivated Tanzanians to fill in the following positions for AFYA KWANZA HIV Care and Treatment Program in the Pwani region.  

POSITION TITLE: Adherence & Psychosocial Support (APSC) Field Officer

REPORTS TO: Regional Manager Pwani

LOCATION: Pwani Regional Office (with frequent field travel)       

OVERALL JOB FUNCTION:

Establish and facilitate the implementation of adherence, psychosocial support and community linkages program (APSC) including to establish/strengthen facility - community partnership/linkage mechanism, build the capacity of R/CHMT to establish/strengthen and implement APSC program, build capacity of health care providers in enhancing adherence and retention to HIV care and treatment, establish/strengthen internal referral system between various service units within the health facilities and conduct supportive supervision and mentorship on APSC services in Pwani region. The job entails extensive travel up to 80% within all districts of the Pwani region.

The incumbent will be a member of the Adult and Paediatric care and treatment, team and will provide day-to-day oversight of the following areas:

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

The incumbent will be a member of the Adherence and Psychosocial support and Community linkages and will provide day-to-day oversight of the following areas:

Psychosocial support groups in PMTCT and CTC

• Manage and roll out psychosocial support groups for HIV positive mothers enrolled in the PMTCT care at THPS supported health facilities.
• Take leadership in coordinating psychosocial activities for paediatrics and adolescents living with HIV.
• Facilitate close linkages, networks and referral mechanisms between the facility-based PSGs and various community-based support services including the PLHIV support groups
• Work closely with the PMTCT team at the regional level to ensure high-quality services
• Coordinate and link PSG members to other community support services:

Peer Education in both PMTCT and CTC

• Assist in conducting selection, training and supportive supervision of Peer educators
• Mentor peer educators and health care providers on how to provide health education in groups and one on one counselling.
• Support the implementation of peer education programs in PMTCT and Care and Treatment settings by ensuring PEs trace defaulters, mobilize ANC/PNC HIV infected women to join support groups and assist in conducting PSG meetings, providing testimonials and linking positive mothers into care and treatment services.
• Follow up tracking of miss appointments and LTF clients and ensure all strategies to retain clients are implemented in Pwani supported sites.
• Work with both DACC and CHAC to develop inventory for community-based support services within the Pwani region and Strengthen community mobilization activities and linkages with community-based organizations
• Work with District councils and the NGO responsible for the PE program to ensure establishment, registration, and support is provided to the PE support groups

Clinical adherence support

• Work with APSC TA to provide technical assistance to HCWs on care and treatment sites to implement protocols on adherence support for clients on antiretroviral care and treatment
• Assist in the assessment of APSC specific standards of care (SOC) at the THPS supported health facilities.
• Conduct supportive supervision and CMEs on clinical adherence support to HCWs as per THPS site support guidelines
• Distribute to facilities the relevant job aids and materials related to adherence counseling and assessment
• Maintain the relationship with RHMT and CHMT and Faith-based organizations responsible for APSC services in the region.
• Take part in the integration of other programs, PMTCT, Pediatric, PHDP, cervical cancer screening, and TB/HIV units within APSC in the region through training and implementation.
• To prepare a monthly summary report and provide periodic progress reports and provide input for the preparation of the quarterly reports.
• Performs other related duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

• Diploma /Advanced Diploma / Degree in Nursing /Medicine / Social work
• Certificate in National ART training and/or PMTCT care spectrum counseling
• Work experience in HIV and AIDS care and treatment/PMTCT settings
• Work experience/training in the National VCT/PITC counseling is an added advantage
• Work experience with community-based PLHIV groups or PLHIV post-test groups is an added advantage
• Familiarity with district-level health care systems in Tanzania is highly desired
• Strong supervisory and management skills
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills
• Good verbal and written communication skills

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send their application cover letter one-page maximum and CV four pages maximum to (hr.thps@gmail.com) by October 19^th 2019 with a subject line for example: APSC Field Officer Pwani Region. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates when submitting online.  

THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women and people living with HIV/AIDS are encouraged to apply.