KENPHIA II Home Based Testing Service (HBTS) Counsellor at The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)

Overall Job Function

Reporting to their respective Field Team Leads, the HBTS Counsellor will be responsible for conducting home-based testing services in selected households. They will also be responsible for obtaining informed consent, assent and parental/guardian permission from participants before taking part in the survey. Since the survey activities will be implemented in a phased approach across the country, the HBTS Counsellor will also be required to relocate to the respective assigned regions within the country.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Attend the full survey training to understand the purpose and intent of the survey, as well as the plan for implementation.
• Study and understand all instructions included in the KENPHIA II Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Coordinate with the Field Team Lead on how to carry out the survey and to report daily work done.
• Under the guidance of the Field team lead, visit identified Enumeration Areas (EA) and locate selected households according to KENPHIA II sample design.
• Obtain consent, assent and/or parental/guardian permission from all eligible members of the selected households using KENPHIA II approved forms programmed in a tablet.
• Conduct household and individual interviews by administering KENPHIA II approved questionnaires programmed in a tablet.
• Provide pre- and post-test counselling for HIV, Hepatitis B and Syphilis results to household survey participants. Provide referral and follow up on linkage to prevention, care and treatment and social services to all eligible survey participants.
• Ensure that all assigned interviews and HBTS reports are completed, and that collected data are complete, accurate and consistent.
• Validate and re-validate all information, responses and answers collected through the survey.
• Assure confidentiality of all information provided by survey participants.
• Update the Field Team Lead on completed and partially completed interviews and home-based testing services on a daily basis.
• Schedule and inform Field Team Lead of return visits for any incomplete interview/testing services.
• Be responsible for safety of all fieldwork materials and supplies under his/her custody.
• Accompany the Field Team Lead for community entry meetings.
• Report any protocol deviation to the Field Team Lead or regional linkage to care officers.
• Prepare and hand over summary of all referrals to the respective Regional LTC supervisors as well as support coordination for LTC at facilities.
• Report field incidents and adverse events to the Field Team Lead or Regional linkage to care officers.
• Participate in the survey quality management/quality assurance HBTS activities.
• Participating in survey meetings (virtual or in-person).
• Uphold the principle of ethics throughout the survey.
• Respond to questions or feedback from the survey implementation and data teams.
• To carry out other survey related duties and responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

Minimum and Preferred Qualifications

• NASCOP HIV Testing Services (HTS) Certificate
• Diploma in Social Science or training in any health-related field
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.

Experience

• At least 2 years’ experience in HTS in a Kenyan health facility.
• Experience in Home-based testing and counseling
• Experience in field data collection and/or surveys will be an added advantage

Competencies

• Comfortable using electronic gadgets such as smart phones and tablets
• Ability to write clear and concise summaries of reports for internal and external audiences.
• Must be fully available for the duration of survey period.
• Must have a good disciplinary record

Attributes: 

• Friendly and patient.
• Able to maintain high levels of confidentiality.
• Should have strong interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness). 
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively and independently with minimal supervision.
• Detail orientated and highly organized as well as ability to multi-task and have problem-solving skills.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
• Ability to work under pressure with minimum supervision.
• Good personal work relation with other survey team members, Flexible and proactive.
• Proactive in handling challenging situations