Vacancies at I Choose Life – Africa (ICL)

Ref CDC-RFA-GH22-2209

Job Summary: Reporting to the Principal Investigator, The Laboratory Lead will provide technical support in building the capacity of the county leadership and Health Management Team towards ownership and utilization of high quality and sustainable treatment services. This position shall also facilitate a seamless link between service delivery interventions and county capacity for systems development, including leadership and governance, Human Resources for health, planning, budgeting, and finance.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership, oversight, and support related to laboratory services and networking for the program.
• Coordinate the design, planning, and implementation of the laboratory component of HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including ART, in collaboration with program, facility, and county laboratory staff
• In liaison with County and Sub-County Medical Laboratory Technologist, provide technical assistance in capacity building to program laboratory technical officers and facility laboratory personnel in lab service delivery, commodity management, QA/QI, lab equipment maintenance to facilitate the provision of quality integrated HIV services
• Strengthen and expand laboratory networking between facilities, sub-counties, and counties in collaboration with program technical officers and County Health Management Teams (CHMTs).
• Carry out all the lab-related quality control functions/ activities in collaboration with the county team, including quality control inspections schedules and the collection of quality control records, and ensure the availability of high-quality documentation.
• Develop quality control and quality assurance systems in collaboration with existing personnel and procedures and ensure related documentation, training, and monitoring
• Develop guidelines, tools, and recommendations related to the implementation, monitoring, and quality assurance of laboratory services for TB, HIV care, and treatment of opportunistic infections (OI).
• Work in close collaboration with the project management team and CHMT to strengthen laboratory systems and services to offer improved access to laboratory diagnosis and monitoring to support quality integrated health services.
• Work in close collaboration with the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead to strengthen Laboratory Health Management Information Systems for commodity reporting at facility, sub-county, and county levels.
• Contribute to the tracking of progress, analysis of data, and preparation of project reports for internal monitoring and donor reporting.
• Develop lessons learned from activities related to laboratory services and management for HIV/AIDS care and treatment and apply these lessons to improve the program
• Represent the project team at technical/stakeholder forums with the donor, other implementing partners, and county and national governments on laboratory-related matters
• Provide mentorship/ coaching on improving manual and electronic laboratory management information systems functionality to enhance linkage of laboratory data to patient care data systems.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualification

• Master’s degree in laboratory sciences, biological science, or related degree
• Bachelor’s degree in biological or laboratory sciences within a clinical or diagnostic discipline or specialty
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in designing, implementing, managing, and leading donor-funded HIV laboratory strengthening service delivery programs, mainly health facility-based services, including quality assurance systems, laboratory analysis, and interpretation and reporting techniques based on best practices and quality management practices
• Certification/license to practice as a medical laboratory scientist is required.

Required Skills & Experience

• Knowledge of advanced laboratory procedures, diagnosis, and management related to HIV/AIDS care and treatment is required.
• Proven experience in project development, planning, and facilitating technical training
• A demonstrated track record of providing mentorship and supervision for strengthening laboratory services and training in quality improvement approaches.
• Good knowledge of commodity management and reporting and Laboratory Information Management System (LMIS) functionality
• Familiarity and experience working with MOH structures and personnel and good knowledge of laboratory-related health systems strengthening are highly desired.
• Familiarity with CDC and PEPFAR programs is an advantage.
• Excellent analytical, communication, presentation, and report writing skills
• Knowledge with strengthening laboratories to achieve international quality standards is required.
• A demonstrated ability to work with multiple partners on collaborative projects
• Knowledge of Kenyan public health sector and clinical settings, including governmental and non-governmental contexts
• Excellent working knowledge of laboratory equipment and techniques for the following: HIV testing (rapid and confirmatory testing), HIV viral load, CD4, HIV DNA qualitative test, HIV viral resistance, TB, and other opportunistic infection
• Well-developed computer skills.

Child Safeguarding: In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ICL strives to keep children safe in all its undertakings. The successful applicant will be required to read, understand, and commit to following ICL Child Safeguarding Policy and guidelines. The individual will sign the policies to indicate an understanding of and commitment to follow the policy requirements.

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Job Purpose: ICL seeks a Business Official for an anticipated CDC-funded PEPFAR opportunity in Kenya. The Activity is expected to be a five-year contract to advance Sustainable Implementation of Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Treatment Programs in Faith-based and Private Sites in Nairobi, the Coast, and Western Regions.

This position is contingent upon an award from the CDC.

Job Summary: Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Business Official will provide leadership in the comprehensive financial management of the project and support the project compliance functions according to CDC regulations and policies. S/he will provide leadership and technical guidance for compliance with Generally Accepted Accounting Procedures (GAAP), GAS (Government Auditing Standards), and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS) to provide relevant fiscal information to the project executive management team. The candidate will work closely with Finance leaders based at various regional offices and the project head office.

Job responsibilities

• Oversee project operations, including human resources, logistics, procurement, and accounting/finance.
• Develop financial risk management and control strategies and review and approve financial planning and control recommendations.
• Provide leadership and oversight for financial reporting for annual budget planning, audit reviews, and assessments processes.
• Prepare financial guidance to financial staff in field offices through memos, updates to policies, and procedure manuals.
• Develop and implement effective and efficient business processes and procedures.
• Develop and manage internal financial audits
• Develop formal reporting system to communicate results of audit activities to management
• Liaise with the donor program finance and management team
• Lead the creation of regular financial tracking reports to monitor project spending against the approved budget
• Lead the preparation of project budgets
• Monitor time spent by project staff and advise the technical leads if time is not being charged and spent according to the approved project budget
• Responsible for the development of policies, systems, special financial studies, etc.
• Advise project staff on USG/CDC requirements and provide training on financial management, record-keeping, operational systems, and policies as needed
• Accountable for procurement procedures ensuring all required supporting documentation and approvals within agreed-upon thresholds
• Provide strategic leadership to financial staff in a regional or HQ office
• Engage in the more critical and confidential aspects of financial analysis
• Provide recommendations and consults with management on financial performance and enterprise risk management
• Develop and implement process improvement plans to ensure the project financial controls and operational procedures
• Keep abreast with the latest trends in financial accounting and mentors’ staff
• Develop the capacity of team performance and drive for excellence

Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance Administration or similar field
• Minimum 8 years of professional experience providing accounting and financial management services
• Experience completing a variety of financial tasks by establishing priorities and working in a fast-paced office environment, under pressure, and against numerous deadlines
• Impeccable business ethics, including the protection of confidential information
• Comprehensive knowledge of concepts, practices, and procedures with accounting, financial controls, and financial information systems
• Significant experience with automated financial reporting, government accounting practices, and Cost Accounting Standards (CAS)
• Full knowledge and experience with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) practices and reporting guidelines
• Must have excellent organizational, supervisory, leadership, and managerial skills
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, and Outlook)
• Strong English is written, oral, and presentation skills

Child Safeguarding: In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ICL strives to keep children safe in all its undertakings. The successful applicant will be required to read, understand, and commit to abide by ICL Child Safeguarding Policy and guidelines. The individual will sign the policies to indicate an understanding of and commitment to follow the policy requirements.

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Job Summary: Reporting to the Principal Investigator, The HIV Care and Treatment Lead will provide overall technical leadership and support in the design, planning, and implementation of all aspects of HIV care and treatment component of the program, including PMTCT and TB, as well as integration of the same with Reproductive Health (RH)/Family Planning (FP). This will include the development of relevant technical strategies and innovations. The incumbent will ensure that technical assistance leads to high-quality services, increased coverage and uptake of HIV care and treatment, PMTCT, TB/HIV services, adherence support, and retention for all populations, including key and priority populations.

Job Responsibilities:

• Provide support to assist in developing evaluation questions, methods, and tools related to critical gaps in HIV linkage, care, and treatment.
• Provide technical oversight, strategic direction, and definition of project activities related to HIV linkage, treatment, care, and support.
• Guide coordination with PEPFAR/ CDC and implementing partners to identify and define their key gaps, facilitate implementation of evaluations in partner-supported sites and support the uptake of learning.
• Work closely with the National HIV/AIDS Program to facilitate the dissemination of evaluation findings and incorporation in national policies.
• Ensure all program evaluations incorporate the state-of-the-art approaches for strengthening HIV linkages, care, and treatment, especially the transition to TLD and differentiated care.
• Provide insight in translating scientific evidence to improve practice and quality in service delivery for people living with HIV (PLHIV).
• Coordinate advocacy, demand generation, and policy support across the project, as required
• Keep abreast of current scientific literature to propose innovative, locally relevant approaches to address HIV sub-national.
• Represent ICL in relevant technical advisory/working groups and professional forums.
• Work with health care providers, local authorities, community members, and project team members to identify service delivery issues that impede access to care and uptake of services.
• Identify training needs for healthcare providers and assist in designing and implementing measures to address those needs.
• Work closely with the program teams to set project priorities and directions and respond to requests for support from local counterparts.
• Document and maintain an inventory of successful tools and approaches to ensure PLHIV are engaged in their care to remain on ART.
• Collaboratively develop the project work plan with project staff, CDC, the government of Kenya, and other stakeholders, to ensure timely implementation and compliance to the requirements and regulations of the award.

Minimum qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Public Health or Advanced Degree in Health Science: Medical Doctor in Public Health, or related field, highly preferred
• Minimum of twelve (12) years of professional experience, with five (5) years of experience in designing and implementing large-scale US government-funded HIV prevention and support projects for key and priority populations in a similar context
• Strong technical and programmatic knowledge and experience in HIV testing and linkage to care, HIV treatment, TB, clinical laboratory support, routine viral load testing, HIV clinical monitoring systems, and health system strengthening
• Experience in capacity development of health workers on HTS (i.e., HIV Self – testing, index, PrEP and SRH, and DREAMS)
• Proven capabilities in capacity building and experience in working effectively with the county and national government authorities
• Ability to work effectively in partnership with various audiences and organizations, in particular, the Ministry of Health and clinical partners
• Previous experience and understanding of the local health system and HIV challenges and opportunities, and solid relationships at relevant government agencies
• Track record of strong leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills.
• Knowledge and skills
• In-depth knowledge of the Kenyan public health sector and clinical settings, including governmental and non-governmental settings
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills and ability to work well with others, including developing and maintaining compatibility among program staff, health care workers, county and sub-county officials, consultants, sub-awardees, program beneficiaries, other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated management and team-building skills, including relevant experience in direct supervision of professional staff
• Articulate and communicate in a clear, professional manner with clients and staff.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication, including presentation and training skills
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political, ethical issues surrounding HIV infections
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision and well-developed computer skills.

Child Safeguarding: In line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), ICL strives to keep children safe in all its undertakings. The successful applicant will be required to read, understand, and commit to abide by ICL Child Safeguarding Policy and guidelines. The individual will sign the policies to indicate an understanding of and commitment to follow the policy requirements.