Field Officer - Turkana at Elizabeth Glaser

Based in Turkana county, the Field Officer will be responsible for working with the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Health support the adoption and implementation of the HIV Responsive Schools Model. The model strengthens the linkage between schools and health facilities to support learners living with HIV in treatment adherence. The PO-RC will also facilitate coordination of stakeholders in the implementation of the model in the county

Responsibilities

• Responsible for engagement with the MoE, TSC and MoH at county and sub-county levels to  adopt the HIV Responsive Schools model
• To provide technical assistance to schools in implementing the HIV Responsive School Models, where the schools create enabling environment for treatment adherence among learners living with HIV.
• Strengthen the bidirectional referrals between the schools and health facilities through the express cards.
• Work closely with Timiza90 and any other implementing agency supporting adolescent programing to ensure integration and seamless adolescent programing that is synergistic
• Responsible for development and implementation of activity work plans for their supported sub counties including reporting and accounting for the same
• Responsible for retention in care and treatment services within the community among youth out of school.
• 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, assessments and grading and certification is done for schools using the HIV Responsive Schools tools.
• Work to 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

Qualifications

• A Diploma in in Social Sciences, Social Work, Education or Public Health. A degree will be an added advantage.
• Experience in working with the Ministry of health and Ministry of Education in implementing schools health, HIV and Life Skills programs.
• Familiarity with the policies and programming guidelines for Adolescent and Young Persons in Kenya
• Training in adherence, life skills and psycho-social support services from a recognized institution
• Experience in engaging multiple stakeholders in Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive and HIV programming and policy.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to organize and prioritize competing activities
• Ability to work effectively in a team oriented environment
• Possess adequate facilitation, mentoring and counselling skills.
• Proficient Computer skills (Ms Word, Ms Excel, Ms Power Point).
• 3 years’ experience in a role which reflects the above requirements

Competencies

The Foundation expects all employees to possess the fundamental competencies of interpersonal skills, communication, accountability, continual learning, and driving results. The ideal candidate will either be proficient or advanced in the following set of competencies, specific to this position’s level of Individual Contributor:

• Team Building – Team building is a person’s ability to inspire and foster team commitment, spirit, pride, and trust. He/she also facilitates cooperation and motivates team members to accomplish group goals.
• Customer Service – Customer service is a person’s ability to anticipate and meet the needs of internal and external customers while delivering high-quality products and services and being committed to continuous improvement.
• Decisiveness – Decisiveness is a person’s ability to make well-informed, effective, and timely decisions, even when data is limited or solutions produce unpleasant consequences. He/she will also perceive the impact and implications of decisions.