JOB ADVERSEMENT

A-    BACKGROUND

Cameroon has among the highest burden of HIV in West and Central Africa (2.7% among average risk reproductive age adults – DHS 2018). High HIV prevalence is associated with high-risk sexual behaviors such as inconsistent use of condoms and lubricants and a high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Stigma and discrimination have further marginalized key populations limiting their access to life-saving services such as anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and reducing the country’s ability to control the HIV epidemic

The national response is led by the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC), which coordinates implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2021-2023. This policy aims to reduce HIV and STI-related morbidity and mortality and alleviate its socioeconomic impact on the development of Cameroon. Among strategic approaches, the plan stresses improved access to prevention, care and treatment for key populations.

The USAID-funded Community HIV/AIDS Investments for Longer and healthier Lives (CHILL) has the following objectives: (1) HIV testing for Key and Priority populations (KPs & PP); (2) ART uptake for KPs and PPs by ensuring that those who test positive are actively linked to treatment as soon as possible; and (3) improving retention in treatment through improved linkages between facility and community-based services, and reinforced community-based support for adherence and client follow-up.
Care and Health Program (CHP) will be the CHILL prime and will lead the program in partnership with fifteen local community-based organizations (CBO). The consortium is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH), NACC and other stakeholders to build the capacity of the national, regional and community response.
These efforts will expand service coverage in five focus regions and generate data for evidence-based programming through the implementation of evidence-based prevention, care and treatment services to key and priority populations in Cameroon.

In the context of this project, CHP is recruiting a Care and Treatment Technical Advisor with the following criteria:

CONTRACT PERIOD: 2 months , beginning from 1st of August 2023

PROJECT PERIOD: 5 years

PLACE: Yaoundé

CONTRACT TYPE: CDD

TRIAL PERIOD: 1 Month Renewable after evaluation.

B. POSITION LOCATION
The Care and Treatment Technical Advisor will be a member of the CHILL team based in Yaoundé. The Incumbent will report to Deputy Chief of Party Program.

C. BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Technical assistance (70%)
The Care and Treatment Technical Advisor provides technical assistance to Care and treatment unit in partnership with local community-based organizations (CBOs) and public sector facilities to develop, implement, and improve client-friendly care and treatment services for key populations. He/she acts as a resource in all matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including, but not limited to: HIV testing and counseling, referral and linkage to and from community- and facility-based services, antiretroviral treatment, adherence counseling, client tracking, case management, peer navigation, retention in care, clinical care including treatment of opportunistic infections, sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), HIV diagnostics, psychosocial care and support, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and care and support for victims of gender-based violence.
The Care and Treatment Technical Advisor (CTTA):
•    Ensures the quality of guidance and support to CBO and government partners in the implementation of comprehensive care and treatment for HIV
•    Follows up with Care and Treatment specialist to ensure that two-way referral mechanisms between community-based programs and clinical facilities are functional and that clients are effectively linked to, and retained in care
•    Ensures that support is provided to CBO and partners at facility level to provide appropriate diagnostic and clinical services to ensure that clients adhere to their treatment, assess viral load, and are virally suppressed
•    Provides support to the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programs in the development and or review of standard operating procedures (SOPs), client flow algorithms, and job aides to ensure that stakeholders have clarity on how clients navigate through the services network, clear roles and responsibilities, and tools needed to ensure linkage and retention
•    Supports the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programs to organize regular coordination meetings between implementing partners and partner health facilities
•    Liaises with all relevant team members to ensure integration and coordination of care and treatment activities with other program areas (i.e. prevention, enrollment, tracking, etc.)
•    Supports the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programsin the conduct of training for healthcare providers and CBO staff


Program management, quality improvement, and coordination (30%)
•    Under the supervision of the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programs, the CTTA oversees and coordinates HIV care and treatment activities in all sites with the help of Care and treatment specialist.
•    S/he helps partners develop strategies to achieve program-related goals, providing direction and capacity building, reaching agreement on follow-up actions, and following through to ensure they are effectively carried out.
•    S/he ensures that all implementing partners HIV care and treatment activities are evidence-based, best practice or theory-driven, and incorporate the latest evidence-based guidance.
•    S/he, under the lead of the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programs, assists implementing partners to comply with all relevant Cameroon, WHO, USAID and PEPFAR regulations and procedures. Supervises Care and Treatment specialist to monitor the implementation of care and treatment programs; communicates findings and recommendations for strengthening care and treatment activities.
•    Assists with development of the annual work plan, the HIV care and treatment component of quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
•    Supports CHILL team to assess progress against standards, identify gaps in performance, solve problems, test solutions, and scale them accordingly
D. DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
•    Education: Physician (Medical Doctor); Master’s Degree or strong knowledge of public health preferred
Experience: A minimum of 5 years’ experience implementing HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in Cameroon. Experience working with key populations preferred. Experience should demonstrate ability to manage mid-level coordination and relationships with community-based organizations, public sector entities, and bilateral and multilateral donors.
•    Language proficiency: Written and oral fluency in French language is required. Additional fluency in written and oral English is preferred.
•    Knowledge:  Understanding of rules and regulations related to USAID project funding, sub-contracting and reporting requirements desired and knowledge of Cameroon’s health system.
•    Skills and abilities:  Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team. S/he must have strong time-management skills in order to prioritize and manage numerous activities concurrently.

E. POSITION ELEMENTS
1.    Supervision received: The Care and Treatment Technical Advisor works under the general supervision of the the Deputy Chief of Paty in charge of Programs. The latter and the incumbent will review roles and responsibilities together, set goals, objectives, expectations and results to be achieved. The incumbent will be expected to seek advice and assistance as required.

2.    Exercise of judgment:  Good judgment is required to analyze, interpret, and adapt prior experience, particularly as guidelines are updated and new activities developed. Within a range determined by the incumbent and superiors, the incumbent exercises independent judgment in planning and follow-up of actions and assignments. The incumbent works with some level of independence.

3.    Nature, level, and purpose of contacts: The incumbent will be expected to dialogue with a wide variety of CBO Care and Treatment representatives.


D. PREPARATION OF THE APPLICATION FILE

If you are interested in pursuing any of this opportunities, please submit a resume A CV, a cover letter including contacts of at least 03 references, a copy of the certificates/diplomas and ID card will be submitted by the 27th of July 2023 in our offices located behind the « center regional office of taxation at Omnisport » or send by email to chp@carehealthprogram.org

 NB:
    Female candidates are encouraged;
    Only selected candidates will be called.


The Executive Director