Avis de recrutement : HIV CARE AND TREATMENT SPECIALIST

1.BACKGROUND

Cameroon has among the highest burden of HIV in West and Central Africa (4.3% among average risk reproductive age adults – DHS 2011). 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 2011- 2015. 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.

U.S. Government (USG) commitment for the response is articulated in the 2012 “PEPFAR Blueprint: Creating an AIDS-Free Generation”. Among various USG agencies supporting the response, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) focuses on combating the spread of HIV/AIDS through five key activities: HIV prevention in Most-At-Risk Populations (MARP) or key affected populations; care and support to children affected by AIDS; strengthening the national pharmaceutical management system; technical assistance to programs funded by the Global Fund; and operational research in the area of HIV prevention.

The USAID-funded Continuum of Prevention, Care, and Treatment (CoPCT) for HIV/AIDS with Most-at-risk Populations (CHAMP-Cameroon) is a five-year program with a total estimated cost of $18.8 million. Initiated in April 2014, CHAMP has the following objectives: (1) technical competence of partners in key populations program design and management using the CoPCT increased, (2) enabling environment for key populations HIV/AIDS programming strengthened, and (3) quality assurance/quality improvement, and monitoring and evaluation systems in the CoPCT strengthened. These efforts will expand service coverage in four focus regions and generate data for evidence-based programing. The program will employ a continuum of care approach, linking clients with community-and facility-based interventions. It will also strengthen the policy environment to support client-friendly services and appropriate social protection and advocacy.

CARE USA through CARE-Cameroon serves as the prime for this cooperative agreement in partnership with Johns Hopkins University (JHU) and Global Viral (GV). Together, the consortium is collaborating with the NACC, the Ministry of Health (MOH), community-based organizations (CBOs) and other stakeholders (UNAIDS, the Global Fund, the World Bank) to build the capacity of the national, regional and community response.

2.POSITION LOCATION

The two Care and Treatment Specialist will be members of the CHAMP team and one will be based at the CARE Cameroon office in Douala, the other one in Ngaoundéré. They will report to the Care and Treatment Technical Advisor.

3.BASIC FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

Technical assistance (70%)

The Care and Treatment Specialist (CTS) provides technical assistance 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 CTS:

Provides primarily on-site supervision, guidance and support to CBO and government partners in the implementation of comprehensive care and treatment for HIV
Assists Care and Treatment Technical Advisor (CTTA) with training providers on client-friendly service provision for key populations
Ensures 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
Supports CBO and facility partners 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 CTTA 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 CTTA to organize regular coordination meetings between implementing partners and partner health facilities
Supervises meetings and debriefing with relay counselors (Peer navigators)
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 with CTTA rollout of training for providers and CBO staff

Program management, quality improvement, and coordination (30%)

Under the supervision of the Care and Treatment Technical Advisor (CTTA), the CTS oversees and coordinates HIV care and treatment activities in Yaoundé, Bertoua and Ngaoundéré. S/he helps partners develop strategies to achieve program-related goals, providing direction and capacity strengthening, 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 CTTA, assists implementing partners to comply with all relevant Cameroon, WHO, USAID and PEPFAR regulations and procedures.

The CTS:

Conducts regular site visits to monitor the implementation of care and treatment programs; communicates findings and recommendations for strengthening care and treatment activities to the care and treatment Technical Advisor, as appropriate to the team.
Assists with drafting of the annual work plan, the HIV care and treatment component of quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
Collaborates with the Douala CTS to serve as the care and treatment team co-lead on all relevant quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
Supports partners to assess progress against standards, identify gaps in performance, solve problems, test solutions, and scale them accordingly
Program area: The CTS serves as part of the Care and Treatment team to provide support to programs in Yaoundé, Bertoua and Ngaoundéré (based in Yaoundé) and Bafoussam, Bamenda, Douala (based in Douala).

4.DESIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATION

Education: Physician (Medical Doctor); Master’s Degree or 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.
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.

5.POSITION ELEMENTS

Supervision received: The Care and Treatment Specialist works under the general supervision of the Care and Treatment Technical Advisor. 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.
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.
Nature, level, and purpose of contacts: The incumbent will be expected to dialogue with a wide variety of CBO Care and Treatment representatives.

6.SALARY AND BENEFITS

As per CARE-Cameroon compensation package.