Project Summary
The Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ) under the Controlling HIV Epidemic Program (CHEP) project will be implementing the HIV program to reach sustainable control of the HIV epidemic through the lens of the Zambia national HIV targets and the America first vision.
The program goal is to support the Ministry of Health to reach sustainable control of the HIV epidemic, MNCH services and GHS activities across three provinces namely, Copperbelt, central and Northwestern by implementing a person-centered HIV prevention, care and treatment program aligned with the Ministry of Health Vision.
The CHEP project will work in collaboration with Ministry of Health teams at provincial, district and facility level and other stakeholders on:
- Increasing coverage of comprehensive and client-centered HIV testing, prevention, diagnosis, care, and treatment services in communities and health facilities to reach and maintain the 95-95 targets.
- Increasing utilization of community and facility-based quality, person-centered, integrated vertical transmission prevention (VTP), and other MNCH HIV services.
- Increasing capacities of Ministry of Health to gradually transition Direct Service Delivery (DSD) of quality integrated health services and sustain services beyond project activity implementation.
Job summary
Reports to Clinical Care Director. The Provincial Team Lead Mentor will oversee the delivery of quality HIV/TB treatment and prevention services to contribute to the attainment of sustainable control of the HIV epidemic in the province. The incumbent will ensure the implementation of evidence-based interventions such as HIV testing services, patient-centered care to achieve and sustain 95% retention, viral load coverage, and suppression. The provincial medical officer will supervise the teams responsible for providing quality HIV/TB prevention, VTP, pediatric and adolescent care and treatment and ensure project implementation in the province. He/she will collaborate directly with the provincial health office and other key stakeholders in the province to ensure smooth project implementation.
Main duties
- Oversees the development of annual workplans and monitor the implementation of HIV and TB prevention, care and treatment program in close collaboration with the project technical lead and the provincial health office.
- Responsible for creating a realistic project budget, tracking expenditures and approving all project expenses in line with relevant regulations.
- Supports capacity building, resulting in high-quality client-centered pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) services for pregnant and breastfeeding, delivery, TB/HIV continuum of care, VTP, pediatrics and adolescent’s care in all MOH facilities and surrounding communities.
- Conducts regular assessments of HIV/TB Prevention and treatment needs and gaps and developing action plans to address them.
- Coordinates logistics related to availability of both human and material resources
- Supports data review to identify gaps in the HIV/TB prevention and care cascade and lead to the implementation of quality improvement interventions.
- Supports the province to ensure >95% of ART patients are screened for TB, initiated preventive or treatment as appropriate.
- Supports province to ensure >95% of people living with HIV are virally suppressed and have documentation in the patient records.
- Promotes operational research and innovation to improve access and quality of care for people living with HIV.
- Fosters good working relationships and teamwork with staff in all departments.
- Responsible for the standards of clinical care provided by clinical staff.
- Ensures that continuous staff development takes place, required for the task, focused on improved staff motivation and retention.
- Provides oversight to ensure accountable and transparent resource management.
- Responsible for constantly identifying areas for cost savings and efficiencies so that the project can have the greatest health impact possible within its given budget.
- Works with audit departments to ensure compliance with organizational and donor regulations and guidelines.
- Develops and submits all program reports and requirements within stipulated time frames.
Qualifications
- Degree in Medicine, with a master’s degree in health-related field (MMed, MPH, Epidemiology etc)
- 7 or more years of demonstrated experience with HIV/TB program implementation.
- Demonstrated understanding of the principles of HIV healthcare.
- Demonstrated experience in health systems programming and/or health systems research.
- Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in regional and national programs and technical staff in the areas of HIV/TB/PMTCT.
- Detailed working knowledge of technical guidelines, best practices, and innovations in HIV/TB/VTP program approaches
- Proven team leadership skills and team player.
- Proven ability to work collaboratively with colleagues in project implementation; excellent interpersonal skills.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Good computer skills, including competence in MS Office and internet/e-mail.
- Willingness to travel extensively in the supported districts.
Suitably qualified candidates are invited to apply. However, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Priority will be given to candidates who reside in the towns where the position is vacant.