PMTCT &Pediatric Field Officer at THPS (5 positions)

PMTCT &Pediatric Field Officer at THPS. Tanzania Health Promotion Support (THPS) is an indigenous NGO established under nongovernmental organization act No 24 of 2002 in 2011. THPS works in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MOH), Ministry of Community Development Gender Elderly and Special Groups; Regional Administration and Local Governments (PORALG), Ministry of Health in Zanzibar and Ministry of Home Affairs (MoHA) with a goal of ensuring accessible high-quality health care and social welfare services to all Tanzanians; through strengthening of health and community systems.

THPS therefore is seeking competent, experienced, dynamic and qualified candidates to fill the positions listed below:

Job Title: PMTCT & Pediatric Field Officer (5 positions)

Direct Reports to: District Manager

Location:Tanga (4)and Kigoma (1)

Purpose and Scope of Job:

• The Prevention from Mother to Child Transmission Field Officer (PMTCT& Ped-FO) will serve as THPS focal point for activities related to PMTCT and pediatric program in the allocated Districts in the Region. This will include capacity building of health facility staff, establishment and monitoring of support groups for the pregnant/postpartum women, HIV positive women and their families, coordination of care and treatment within facilities providing PMTCT services including standalone PMTCT sites, ensuring drugs and supplies for PMTCT services are available, support strategies to foster adherence and retention among pregnant and lactating women enrolled in all supported sites. Development of linkages to other services including psychosocial support groups the laboratory services as well as community support services. This position is part of a multidisciplinary, cohesive team and requires excellent communication skills and extensive travel.

Principal duties and responsibilities:

• Work closely with the District Managers and Regional teams to jointly implement the PMTCT and pediatric work plan.
• Jointly with CHMT members conduct focused supportive supervision to the sites to oversee program implementation (travel up to 80 % of the time in the field) i.e. Visit every site to strengthen the program at the site through identifying gaps and collaborating with the THPS staffs and district and facility team to find solutions.
• Provide direct, onsite support to nurses and clinical officers working at RCH units in THPS supported districts to establish and strengthen services and provide ongoing mentoring and support to implement the current National PMTCT and pediatric guideline
• Coordinates and monitors early infant diagnosis (EID) services for all identified HIV exposed infants and ensures results timely communicated.
• Ensures HIV viral load monitoring among HIV pregnant women in the PMTCT program and pediatric recipient of care.
• Develop linkages between various HIV programs and community-based organizations within the region.
• Work with health facility staff and HIV positive pregnant/postpartum women to support the establishment and monitor the Psychosocial Support Groups(PSGs)for PMTCT at the facilities.
• Ensure M&E & IEC materials and job aids are available at every PMTCT site.
• Reviews and maintains a resource binder (resource mapping) of current PMTCT information for Health care worker education purposes and referral resources.
• Help facility staff own the data through improving preparation and make use of PMTCT monthly summary reports. Assist in data collection from the health facility if needed Reporting to specified levels.
• Establish and maintain a strong relationship with health facility staff delivering PMTCT services in districts.
• Working closely with CHMT ensure timely ordering, stocking and supply of PMTCT and Family planning supplies to PMTCT sites.
• Prepare and timely submit site visit reports, ensuring observed issues which need immediate intervention are communicated immediately upon return from the field.
• Conduct supportive supervision, mentorship and on the job training to all HTC & PMTCT staff in partner organizations and health facilities including identification capacity gaps and address them.
• Ensure the optimal standard of counselling is achieved by ensuring the use of national guidelines and protocols. Ensure proper documentation of activities using appropriate national HTS, PMTCT/EID data collection tools for accurate record keeping and timely reporting.
• Provide technical assistance to health facility staff on comprehensive management of pediatric including management of opportunistic infection and Advanced HIV disease (AHD).
• Work closely health facility staff to conduct HTS to children born by women living with HIV receiving care in care and treatment clinic (CTC).
• Review partners’ reports and develop quarterly reports and submit to regional office for further proceedings.
• Work with RHMT/CHMT and Hospital Management Teams(HMT) to design and implement innovative strategies for improving the quality of HTC, PMTCT and EID services
• Assist in the development of community linkages and support groups for HIV positive mothers and their families to ensure a network of quality care.
• Work closely with THPS M&E team to ensure monthly reporting of HTS, PMTCT and EID indicators.
• Write regular program reports as required by THPS regional office.
• Travel to the sites to oversee program implementation (expected to travel to the field up to 75% of the time)
• Collaborate with other THPS staff and other stakeholders to develop strategies for strengthening referrals and linkages to Care and treatment clinics and ensure the continuum of care for clients.
• Facilitate establishment/strengthening adequate outreaches or mobile HTC service whenever needed.
• In collaboration with Pharmacy and laboratory teams facilitate monitoring and supportive supervision on logistics management.
• Support Health Care Providers (HCPs), Peer Educators (PE) and other relevant actors in the region to implement protocols on adherence support for pregnant and lactating women on PMTCT Program
• Take part in design, training and distribution of relevant job aides and materials related to PMTCT, HTC.
• Work as Mlezi in the HFs S/He will be assigned to.
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the supervisor

Qualifications, experience & skills required

• Degree in Medicine, or Nursing or equivalent from recognized Universities.
• Training on HIV care and treatment, PMTCT, HIV/AIDS counseling and community-based PLHIV groups.
• At least three years working experience in HIV and AIDS care and treatment program including HIV care and treatment, PMTCT and HIV/AIDS counseling.
• Experience in working with community-based PLHIV groups or PLHIV post-test groups.
• Familiarity with health systems in Tanzania is highly desired.
• Ability to work independently with strong problem-solving skills.
• Computer literacy in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are required
• Excellent oral communication and writing skills, interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a team setting
• Willingness and preparedness to travel domestically for at least 75% of the time

How to apply:

Interested applicants should send their application cover letter one page maximum and CV four pages maximum to recruitment@thps.or.tz by August 16, 2023 with a subject line of ‘Position’

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Please do not attach any certificates at this stage.

THPS is an equal opportunity employer; women, people living with HIV/AIDS and people living with disability are encouraged to apply