Ministry of Health
Request for Applications
Department: Project Implementing Unit of Ministry of Health
Project: Southern Africa Tuberculosis Health System Strengthening Project
Background
The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Southern Africa TB and Health Systems Support (SATBHSS) regional project under the World Bank support. The aim of the project is to improve coverage and quality of key TB control and occupational lung disease services in targeted geographic areas of the participating countries and strengthen regional capacity to manage the burden of TB and occupational diseases. The interventions of the project are implemented through three overarching components; (i) Innovative Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of TB; (ii) Regional Capacity for Disease Surveillance, Diagnostics, and Management of TB and Occupational Lung Diseases; and (iii)Regional Learning and Innovation, and Project Management. In Lesotho, the project is implemented in ten (10) districts.
Under the project funds are available for strengthening community TB care using Centre of Excellence (COE) model in Berea, Maseru and Leribe districts. The general objective of this model is to improve TB control through active TB screening, diagnosis and treatment support by community based TB programs; The specific objectives are: to improve country TB case notification rate and treatment outcomes, increase the number of TB cases identified through active screening among Key populations and risk groups in targeted, under-served high burden communities, to improve early diagnosis and treatment of TB, TB/HIV and MDR-TB and to improve linkage to TB services for all detected cases and loss-to-follow-up and to improve awareness on TB, infection control and Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) in CoE target groups;
The CoE shall target mainly high-risk individuals at community level including: (i) miners, ex miners, their families, and communities; (ii) people leaving with HIV (PLHIV); and (iii) TB contacts with focus on children 0-14 years; in communities located in hard-to-reach areas of underserved and high burden TB districts.
In achieving the above-mentioned objectives, four key interventions were identified. They include the following: Innovative active TB screening, sputum referrals and linkage to care, patient treatment /follow-up/support and contact tracing and TB awareness and infection control. In implementing these interventions in the three (3) districts.
Position 4: Communication Expert COE x 3 (Leribe Maseru Berea)
Responsible to: Manager National Leprosy and TB Programme
Job Summary
Under the supervision of Manager National Leprosy and TB Programme, the communication expert will be responsible for developing a community engagement plan (budget and activities) for the COE activities in consultation with the District Health Management. In consultation with relevant stakeholders the expert will lead the design and development of messages and IEC material that will increase uptake of COE activities at the community level. Working jointly with Village Health Workers from health facilities, the officer will undertake demand creation activities for TB services in line with the community engagement plan. Develop outreach schedule in consultation with the Mobile X-ray team, District Health Management Team and Facilities and community leaders. Hold public gatherings to increase TB awareness in line with the objectives of the COE interventions.
Duties and Responsibilities.
- Develops a community engagement plan articulating budget and activities for community mobilization in the district.
- Manages the creation and production and distribution of print and TB education and promotion materials in the community.
- Develops outreach schedule in consultation with District Health Management Team, Facilities, mobile X-ray team and community leaders).
- Coordinates community engagement and mobilization activities with all the role players (DHMT, Facilities , Community structures)
- Follows up logistics related to the all mobilization activities with relevant departments and line ministries.
- Conducts community focus group discussions, public gatherings, health education and promotion presentations to the public
- Organizes community radio/TV slots, all publicity activities about TB and the COE, organizational meetings, workshops, and seminars as may be required.
- Organizes media brief on all TB activities including COE
- Prepares periodic reports on all community mobilization activities implemented under the COEs.
- Ensures timely submission of reports to DHMT including follow up on all actions from the reports.
- Documents and shares best practices of the community mobilization activities with all relevant stakeholders.
- Participates in annual budgeting of the community mobilization activities for the COE
- Builds and maintain relationships with journalists and key external role-players
Qualification
- Degree in in communications, journalism, public relations, or a related field
Work experience
- At least four (4) years of community experience
- Excellent inter-personal skills and communication skills
Key skills required
- Public Speaking and writing skills
- excellent interpersonal and communication skills
- be innovative, organized, and self-motivated
- Be a team player at work
- Computer literacy
- Must have customer care orientation
Language requirements
Excellent knowledge of written and oral English and Sesotho
Reporting
The BCC Expert will report directly to District Health Manager
Duration
The BCC Expert will be engaged on a twelve (12) months contract renewable based on performance and availability of funds.
Duty Station
The BCC Expert will be placed in any of the three districts implementing the COE activities
Remuneration
Successful candidate will be offered market related remuneration.
Application Instructions
Interested and suitably qualified candidates should forward their applications indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter together with detailed curriculum vitae indicating work experience and certified certificates and Identity document. Day time telephone contacts, names and telephone contacts of 3 referees should be included in the CV.
Applications to reach the undersigned not later than 1st November, 2021 1200hour to:
Procurement Specialist, Procurement Unit Ground Floor, Ministry of Health, Corner constitution & Linare Roads, Kingdom of Lesotho, Telephone: (+266) 5988 7382.
Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks from submission deadline. If you do not receive a call and email from us consider application not successful