Regional Linkage to Care Officers at The Center for International Health, Education and Biosecurity (CIHEB)

OVERALL JOB FUNCTION

The Regional Home-based Testing Counselling (HBTC) and Linkage to Care Officers will be responsible for supervising KENPHIA II Home-based Testing and Counselling activities in his/her assigned regions and support the linkage to care processes as per the KENPHIA II Protocol. He/she will also ensure that KENPHIA II HBTC activities are implemented as per the KENPHIA II protocol and in line with the national guidelines.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Monitor and supervise KENPHIA II HBTC and linkage to care activities in his/her assigned region.
• Provide guidance on HBTC procedures and ensure that testing and counselling activities adhere to the national guidelines.
• Identify, document and escalate appropriately any survey non-conforming events in regard to testing and counselling and implement recommended corrective action as per KENPHIA II incident reporting guidance.
• Identify health facilities and other social services providers for referral in the region and ensure referral of participants that require care, treatment and support for social services.
• Ensure that survey HBTC Counsellors maintain confidentiality of study participants and adhere to principles of Good Clinical Practice (GCP) and ethics of human subjects’ research.
• Maintain constant communication with the county health departments and Ministry of Health officers and other implementing partners in the survey regions for ease of referral for all participants that need linkage to care, treatment and other social services system.
• Work closely with the Facility Linkage Focal Persons to ensure a seamless process in the linkage of all participants
• Compile survey HBTC and linkage activities on a weekly, month basis or as guided and review with the National LTC lead. 
• Coordinate with the Regional Survey Coordinators and team leads to supervise and support the HBTC officers to ensure quality HBTC and Linkage to Care services as well as conduct de-briefing sessions for the counsellors.
• Attend survey team weekly meetings and provide updates on HBTC and Linkage to Care activities.
• Track the requisite linkage to care indicators throughout the survey
• Carry out other duties and responsibilities as assigned by the KENPHIA II National LTC Lead. 

Requirements

Minimum Requirements

•  Degree in any health-related field.
•  HBTC NASCOP certification and updated proficiency testing.
•  Strong supervisory and management experience.
•  5 years’ experience of which 3 years are in supervisory position at sub-county, county or HIV program level of home-based HTS provision and working knowledge of HIV program implementation.
• Experience in conducting home-based testing and counselling services and HIV health surveys will be an added advantage.
• Logistics experience including coordination and tracking of testing supplies.
• Experience in using mobile-based data collection tools like Tablets.
• Strong organizational, problem solving, people and stakeholder management skills,
• Proficiency in results-based framework and approach
• Good communication skills and fluency in spoken and written English, Kiswahili and relevant local languages as per the location of fieldwork.
• Proficiency in relevant computer applications: MS Word, Excel, Internet, Email, etc.

Other Requirements

•  Ability to meet tight deadlines and to successfully manage multiple assignments concurrently.
•  Ability to function independently or with minimal supervision.
•  Ability to travel and work non-standard working hours in any part of the country as per survey requirements.