POSITION SUMMARY:

The HIVST assistant is responsible to manage the day-to-day field implementation of a community-based HIV prevention program targeting key and vulnerable populations (KVP). One of the primary roles will be to coordinate and supervise community-based HIV self-test services for target beneficiaries. S/he will work closely with the field officer and be the primary liaison with healthcare service providers (HCW) from health facilities. S/he will work closely with the peers and form the link between the targeted beneficiaries and the HCW from health facilities

MAJOR ACCOUNTABILITIES  

• Develop a work plan for day-to-day program implementation at the district level including supervision of field activities.
• Ensure community-based testing activities are implemented day-to-day according to the work plan, and facilitate coordination of logistics as needed
• Support HIV testing, pre-, and post-test counselling with beneficiaries, and facilitate referrals for HIV positive clients.
• Design and support the innovation towards achieving the 1st 95 goal through the HIVST services
• Ensure adequate supplies of commodities and tools to outreach volunteers and healthcare workers
• Regularly conduct routine mapping/re-mapping of hot spots and size estimation where targeted populations are found
• Lead in the coordination of community-based HIVST for the target population of interest.
• Collaborate for the successful roll-out and implementation of HIVST for target populations.
• Ensure all daily, weekly, and monthly report are generated and submitted to supervisor
• Work to establish and strengthen effective referral linkage between community outreach services and care and treatment facilities.
• S/he provides HIVST to priority populations according to the national HIV testing protocols and guidelines
• S/he ensures that HIVST quality assurance practices are always performed at all times according to the national requirements.
• Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications, Knowledge, and Skills:

• Required Education:
  • Medically trained personnel with a diploma or higher including: Nurse, MD, clinical officer, assistant medical officer, laboratory

OR  o Non-medical personnel with a Bachelor’s degree or higher in the following fields: Public Health, Sociology, Psychology, Social Work, Gender Studies, or Community Development.

• Required Experience: Minimum two years’ experience working directly with people living with HIV, providing counselling or other prevention and treatment services.
  • Preference given to those who have additional experience working with Key and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) for HIV prevention and care.
• Excellent speaking, reading, and writing skills in English and Kiswahili
• Excellent computer skills, at minimum with Microsoft Office package
• Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding clients’ health status and sensitive information contained in data sources.
• Flexibility to work after normal working hours and weekends at informal gatherings and entertainment centers and travel extensively to remote areas, including islands.
• Ability to interact well with all targeted groups and peer outreach workers by facilitating a non-judgmental, non-discriminatory, and non-stigmatizing environment in the program, to welcome all key and vulnerable population beneficiaries regardless of their background
• Must be a Tanzanian Citizen; preference given to candidates already living in the job location region.
• Ability to ride and possession of valid motorcycle driving licence will be added advantage