Pediatric and Adolescent Technical Advisor at Elizabeth Glaser

Location:                Nairobi, Frequent travels to the Counties

Reports to:             The Pediatric and Adolescent Program Manager at NASCOP (Seconded)

Classification:        Regular Contract

"Sometimes in life there is that moment when it's possible to make a change for the better.

This is one of those moments."

Job Summary

Reporting to the Pediatric and Adolescent Program Manager at NASCOP, the Pediatric and Adolescent TA will champion access to optimal pediatric ART regimen as well as Pediatric/Adolescent quality of services through working with all key stakeholders at National level. The Pediatric and Adolescent TA will support the Pediatric & Adolescent Program Manager at NASCOP to ensure that the outlined annual work plans in Pediatric and adolescents are implemented to aid achievement of 95-95-95, with greater focus on attainment of more than 95% viral suppression among children and adolescents.

Job Responsibilities

Key Responsibilities

Pediatric and Adolescent optimal ART regimen- 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd Line ART

• Support quarterly pediatric and adolescent taskforce/committee of experts meetings at NASCOP that target optimization of regimen among children, adolescents and young persons.
• Provide technical input in concepts, policies and documents including guideline writing workshops.
• Support NASCOP develop and disseminate tools, job aids, SOPs, IEC materials related to optimal Pediatric and Adolescent ART regimen.
• Support the trainings and dissemination of the new guidelines towards optimal regimen for all populations.
• Support NASCOP in creating demand and monitoring consumption of the lopinavir/ritonavir 2-in-1 pellets and 4–in-1 granules (ABC/3TC/LPV/r) when it becomes available.
• Support scale up of DSD models for children and adolescents towards improving outcomes.
• Support quarterly task force meetings at NASCOP to review treatment outcomes for children, adolescents and young adults.
• Work with NASCOP in pharmacovigilance monitoring of the Pediatric/Adolescent ART.
• Ensure the ABC/3TC/LPV/r 4 in-1 gets incorporated in the essential medical list.
• Support NASCOP in stakeholder engagement and coordination in matters concerning Pediatric/Adolescent.
• Support the ulizanascop secretariat in addressing issues raised from facilities in management of children and adolescents with advanced HIV disease.
• Support third line ART quarterly review meetings under care and treatment program Manager at NASCOP.
• Support NASCOP in coordination of the regional TWG meetings to maximize on case discussions and reduce delays in transition to third line of the eligible children, adolescents and young persons.
• Support NASCOP to fast track review of cases submitted for National level review and request for Drug resistance testing as well as keep track of those awaiting third line ART.
• Work with NASCOP and EGPAF strategic information team to develop dashboard and database for all patients on third line ART and track progress in enrolments, viral suppression and retention in care.
• Provide monthly reports to NASCOP and EGPAF Kenya on the treatment outcomes of patients on third line ART.
• Support targeted mentorship visits to sites to support uptake of optimal Pediatric/Adolescent first line, second line and third line ART.
• Participate in the monthly commodity meetings and support forecasting and quantification of the pediatric and adolescent ART regimen.
• Provide regular status updates on uptake of LPV/r 2-in-1 pellets, 4-in-1 granules (when they become available), Darunavir and Etravirine.
• Provide technical support for standardization of tools as well as participating in service quality assessments (SQA) for pediatric and adolescent HIV services at the National, Regional and Facility level.
• Participate in dissemination of knowledge through sharing best practices, innovations and abstract presentations in conferences, seminars and other forums locally and internationally.
• Champion for the EGPAF DNDi sub-award and New Horizon collaborative projects deliverables at National and Regional level.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications, Skills and experience

• Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery with at least 7 years’ experience in HIV Programming. A Master’s Degree in Public Health, Epidemiology, Pediatrics or other relevant field is a must.
• Understanding and experience working with Ministry of Health including NASCOP, NACC, KEMSA and PLHIV networks will be preferred.
• Strong documentation ability through abstracts, manuscripts and report writing.
• Project management skills and experience will be desired.
• Experience in managing donor funded programs including USG will be an added advantage.
• Experience in Pediatric, adolescents and young persons HIV prevention care and treatment services.
• Demonstrated experience in organizing and facilitating meetings, recording proceedings and report/minute writing.
• Significant and up to date knowledge of the current ART, HTS guidelines, Adolescent package of care, PMTCT and advanced HIV disease.
• Knowledge of PEPFAR Program and NASCOP reporting requirements including familiarity with the data collection and reporting tools used by NASCOP.
• Experience in establishing and sustaining working relationships with the Government of Kenya Ministries of Health at County, Implementing partners, Sub-county and facility teams.
• Proficiency in computer basic skills- MS Office; Internet; Basic data analysis skills.
• Self- managed, self-driven, results oriented individual with excellent communication, interpersonal, report writing and analytical skills.
• Dedicated team player with ability and experience to work in a multidisciplinary team.

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 Manager:

• Developing Others – Developing others is a person’s ability to perform and contribute to the organization by providing ongoing feedback and by providing opportunities to learn through formal and informal methods.
• Managing Conflict – Managing conflict is a person’s ability to encourage creative tension and differences of opinions. He/she will anticipate and take steps to prevent counter-productive confrontations while resolving conflicts and disagreements in a constructive manner.
• Managing People – Managing people is a person’s ability to build and manage workforce based on organization goals, budget, considerations, and staff needs. He/she will ensure that employees are appropriately recruited, selected, appraised, and rewarded. He/she will also manage a multi-cultural workforce and a variety of workforce situations.

The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF) provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.