Senior Project Officer - Red Carpet (SPO-RC) at Elizabeth Glaser

Reporting To: Project Manager

The goal of the Red Carpet Program (RCP) is to increase engagement and retention for Adolescents and Young People (AYP) 10-24 years old within HIV prevention, care and treatment services in Kenya. RCP targets newly diagnosed AYP for early linkage, antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) initiation and retention in care and treatment and all the other AYP along the HIV treatment cascade with AYP responsive services. RCP is implemented at facility and community levels through peer designed services aimed at reducing the barriers to the access to and utilization of HIV services by AYP. RCP is anchored on fast-track access to services at health facilities through the VIP express card, which guarantees VIP access to all services entry points of HIV care and treatment to the AYP living with HIV (AYPLHIV). The VIP services ensure that the AYP receive HIV service in an environment that is valued, dignified, respected, non-judgmental, beneficial and timely. In order to achieve the deliverables, the Red carpet program works closely with Ministry of Education and the Teachers Service Commission to ensure the adolescents have the required social-structural support to enable them achieve viral suppression.  

Job Summary

The SPO will work with the designated Deputy Project Director Timiza90 to ensure adequate liaison with the County stakeholders as well as be responsible for two Homabay and Ndhiwa sub-counties of the Red carpet program deliverables. His/her specific roles are listed below:-

• In liaison with the designated Deputy Project Director - Timiza90 Project, the officer will ensure liaison for Red Carpet with the County MOE, TSC and MOH
• To Support and facilitate the County multi-sectoral technical working group for adolescent programing
• Work closely with Timiza90 Project and any other implementing agency supporting adolescent programing to ensure integration and seamless adolescent programing that is synergistic
• Responsible for Red carpet deliverables in two sub counties in Homabay and the liaison focal person for red carpet with the Sub-County MOE, TSC and MOH in these sub counties
• Responsible for development and implementation of activity work plans for their supported sub counties including reporting and accounting for the same
• Responsible for improving access to fast-tracked HIV linkage to care, support initiation of antiretroviral treatment (ART) and retention in care and treatment services at healthcare facilities (HCFs) and within the community.
• Work to increase the capacity of health care workers (HCW) in implementation of the RCP model of care including provision of adolescent friendly and responsive service delivery, optimizing linkages and retention, and enhanced psychosocial support (PSS) for newly identified AYPLHIV while providing responsive ongoing care to those already enrolled to ensure retention and viral load suppression.
• Ensure meaningful engagement of AYPLHIV in the design, implementation and ongoing improvements of HIV prevention, care and treatment interventions working though adolescent advisory groups and Peer educators
• work closely with and establish networking between AYPLHIV representatives (PEs and AAs), teachers, HCWs, youth advocates and ministry of youth and gender.
• Ensure monitoring and evaluation (including a baseline assessment for facilities and schools in their catchment area, develop a consultative work plan to close identified gaps and update it as necessary when milestones are achieved to enable certification of the implementation of RCP,) identify lessons learned document and disseminate findings.
• Ensure all AYPs in care and treatment who are out of school going are linked to a safe space program to ensure zero stigma and discrimination
• Responsible for preparation and submission of monthly reports for all activities planned as per the monthly reporting template

Requirements

• A degree in Social Sciences, social work, education, or public health. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
• Experience working with adolescent learners
• Training in adherence, life skills and psycho-social support services from a recognized institution
• Experience with working with the Ministry of health, Ministry of Education and county administration
• Significant HIV/AIDS knowledge and related experience
• Leadership and counselling skills, Good interpersonal, organizational, communication skills
• Able to work in cross-cultural settings
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize competing activities
• Ability to work effectively in a team oriented environment
• Familiarity with the Kenya Health system, HIV Community programs, facility care and treatment program implementation and documentation as well as Ministry of Education and Teachers service commission.
• Possess adequate facilitation, mentoring and counselling skills.
• Proficient Computer skills (Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Power Point).
• 5 years’ experience in a role which reflects the above requirements