Technical Officer (Key Populations)

Job Description

Internal/External Vacancy Announcement 

Jhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with The Johns Hopkins University. For 40 years and in over 155  countries, Jhpiego Corporation has been providing technical support to the Ministries of Health in partner countries across the globe  for the past 40 years in a variety of technical areas including cervical cancer treatment and prevention, community health, HIV and  AIDS, maternal and newborn health, health workforce capacity development (both Pre-service and in-service), family planning, malaria,  and IPC/WASH. 

The Global Reach II project is a five-year global HRSA-funded project, which started in October 2021. It employs an iterative approach  based on a country’s needs, informed by clients and beneficiaries, targeting high-priority populations and low-coverage and poor performing areas to achieve HIV epidemic control. In Sierra Leone, Global Reach II works with the government and builds local capacity to identify and implement proven solutions where they exist and develop innovative solutions to overcome persistent barriers  that affect HIV services. Global Reach II will develop the capacity of the interdisciplinary health workforce to provide quality, client centred care, ensuring that individuals will be informed and empowered to access services, receive high-quality care, adhere to  treatment, and remain in care, ultimately contributing to the achievement of HIV epidemic control in Sierra Leone. 

The following vacant position is available for immediate filling: 

Position: Technical Officer (Key Populations) (1 position) 

Job Location: Freetown 

Reports to: KP Advisor 

Position Overview: 

The Senior (Sr.) Technical Officer Key Populations in collaboration with the Technical Advisors (TAs), will provide strategic  oversight and technical support in the implementation and expansion of integrated quality HIV prevention, Care Treatment and  support services specifically to the Key populations with linkage broadly to the general population program in supported KP  drop-in-Centers, community and health One (l) Sr Technical Officer position will be KP focused and seconded partly at the National  AIDS Control Program (NACP). 

The positions will provide strategic support, oversight and technical assistance to the implementation of comprehensive KP Focused  DIC and facility-based HIV prevention, Care treatment and support services including PrEP, HTS (including index testing), HIV ST,  Care and Treatment and linkage to care. They will also provide strategic support to DICs and health facilities to conduct specific  mobile and outreach services and services targeting populations (e.g., MSM, FSW, PWID, TG and Persons in custodial centers). S/he  will work closely with the technical officers to directly support health facility staff and volunteers at site and DIC level and contribute  to the improvement of access and quality of HIV services including the optimization of KP prevention, HTS, referrals/linkages with  HIV/AIDS care and treatment, other services and the implementation of QI approaches. S/he will provide mentorship and support  DIC volunteers in the provision of HIV counseling and testing services including adherence counseling, TB screening and prevention,  HIVST, PrEP, other health screening and referrals and QI]QA activities. 

The position will work with Technical Officers and Advisors to identify capacity and skills gaps and implement targeted off site and  on-the-job trainings for the provision of comprehensive and high-quality HIV, and KP-friendly services. S/he will, in collaboration  with the health facility and DIC staff, provide oversight and mentorship to the project Technical Officers alongside the volunteers at  the health facility and DIC that are supporting demand creation for services, linkages to care, partner tracing, loss to follow up and  peer support. S/he will also collaborate with other organizations and the communities to support HIV services across the continuum  of care. 

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Supports drop-in center volunteers in the coordination, supervision and provision of combination and comprehensive  HIV services including HIV IEC,STI Screening and management, IEC on consistent and correct condom and Lubricant  use, screening for Hepatitis B and C and referral, Screening for Tuberculosis and management, screening for mental health

and management/referral, screening for Pregnancy and referral, HIV testing and Services (HTS), HIVST, PrEP, PEP and  Harm reduction services (NSP,OST and overdose management) and other health services at health facilities. • Mentors and trains DIC and health facility volunteers and works on combination prevention interventions for key  populations 

• Ensures all clinical procedures at DIC and outreaches follow national guidelines and protocols developed by the NACP and  meet PEPFAR minimum requirements. 
• Provides on-going coaching, mentoring and hands-on supervision to health facility staff and volunteers • Develops patient flow, protocols and supports site level standard operating procedures for comprehensive  HIV services 
• Ensures linkages of newly diagnosed clients to care and treatment at the DIC and collaborate with health  facility staff and volunteers, 
• Supports drop-in center staff to conduct weekly data review meetings and determines pivots or adjustments  to implementation, in collaboration with the SI officers and M&E assistants, 
• Provides technical assistance and participate in supportive supervision of clinical staff to ensure quality  health care delivery 
• Trains counselors and volunteers in HIV, HIVST, PrEP, PEP, community and adherence counseling, patient  advocacy, case management and partners tracing 
• Contributes to monthly, quarterly and annual reports with progress as per donor requirements. 
• Participates in various learning activities 
• Performs other tasks as required by the project 

Qualifications and Requirements: 

• A Medical Degree (MBChB) or similar degree with 5 to 7 years relevant experience with at least 3 years of progressive  experience working in Key populations programs in Sierra Leone  
• Minimum of 5 years experience in care and treatment for HIV/AIDS especially with an HIV program • Possession of an MPH or postgraduate degree in a related field is an added advantage 
• Proven experience in project development, planning, and facilitating technical training 
• Familiarity with Sierra Leone’s public sector health system and NGOs and CBOs is highly desirable. • A Nurse or midwife with an MPH or 5-7 years of post-nursing experience may be considered 

Knowledge, Skills and Experiences: 

Knowledge, Skills & Attributes: 

• Knowledge of health and development programs in developing countries in general and Sierra Leone specifically • Clinical management and training experience and ability to understand the full range of issues around the combination  prevention interventions for Key populations  
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding Key  Populations, recipients of care 
• Ability to work well with others and to develop and maintain compatibility among Jhpiego program staff, KP-DIC team, KP-CSOs, and government and other partners Staff 
• Ability to represent Jhpiego to donors, government officials, and the NGO community in Sierra Leone • Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision 
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication, including presentation and training skills • Proven ability to supervise staff 
• Well-developed computer skills 
• Ability to travel nationally up to 50% of the time. 

⃰Members of Key populations are strongly advised to apply 

Qualified persons are required to send their Curriculum Vitae (CV) and application letter to: sl-recruitment@jhpiego.org Kindly state in the subject area the position and location you are applying for. CVs without proper labeling will not be considered. 

Deadline for the submission of applications: 13th December 2023. Please note that given the likely high volume of applications, only  shortlisted candidates will be contacted.