SUMMARY: CID-LINK
PSI Lesotho through support from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is implementing a five year Scaling up Targeted-Community Based HIV Testing Services and Linkage to Treatment in Lesotho (CID-LINK) award. This project contributes directly to Lesotho’s National Multi-Sectoral HIV Prevention Strategy, by reducing the impact of HIV and AIDS in Lesotho through the use of evidenced based sexual and biomedical prevention programs. CID-LINK uses innovative strategies to provide confidential community based HIV Testing Services (HTS) and Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services in Lesotho targeting 5 Lowland Districts. PSI Lesotho currently implements SRH and HTS services under the Determined, Resilient, Empowered, AIDS-free, Mentored Safe (DREAMS) program targeting adolescent girls and women aged 15 to 24 years and men aged 20 to 49 years who are their sexual partners.
PSI seeks IPC and HIVST Agents under the DREAMS program.
IPC and HIVST Agents will promote the adoption of the healthy behaviors, including HIV testing, consistent condom uses and referrals to respective referral points among key audiences through tailored interactive interpersonal communication (IPC) activities. The Agent will be responsible for HIVST kits distribution among the target communities and also be responsible for improving linkages between demand creation and service/product delivery activities to improve access to and uptake of promoted services and products. This position reports directly to the Snr SRH and HTS Officer.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Create demand for SRH and HTS services by planning and conducting mobilization activities using appropriate information with key audiences, keeping with monthly goals and quality standards.
• In collaboration with the Senior SRH and HTS Officer, develop monthly implementation plans that indicate expected targets and villages/ communities for intervention.
• Distribute HIVST Information Education and Communication (IEC) material
• Distribute HIVST kits to the target populations according to guidelines
• Support strategies to track and report on referrals from HIVST points to testing stations for confirmatory testing and to the facilities for accession of treatment.
• Assist in organizing community groups to ensure easier access to HIVST information and test kits amongst the target audiences.
• Complete and submit accurate weekly and monthly reports using paper- based and/ or electronic reporting templates.
• Participate in regular training workshops and monitoring activities to continually improve the quality and delivery of HIVST demand creation and linkages activities.
• Contribute actively to HIVST distribution approaches and activities based upon experience in the field.
• Collaborate with external stakeholders, such as chiefs, community councils, Community Based Organizations (CBOs), and Facility Based Organizations(FBOs), and develop positive working relationships to support the smooth execution of IPC and linkages activities.
• Carry out the pre-test, rapid testing for HIV anti-body and post-test counselling and follow up.
• Follow up (telephonically if the clients had provided consent) on clients who have not completed referral and also ensures client accompaniment (through client’s consent) to the referral points
• Compiles daily, weekly and monthly reports on referrals and linkages outlining achievements, gaps identified and suggested mitigation
• Participate in EQC on monthly basis and PPT biannually for purposes of QA.
• Perform other tasks, as needed, and assigned.
EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS AND WORK EXPERIENCE:
• COSC qualification with experience of a year in HIV testing services.
• Experience in IPC, lay counseling, facilitation, or peer education will be an added advantage.
KEY COMPETENCIES:
• Experience working with a range of different audiences, including some or all of the following: Adolescents, men and women.
• Comfortable working in all PSI/Lesotho topical areas, including promotion of male and female condoms, HIV testing services, medical male circumcision.
• Have no reservations working with key vulnerable populations such as sex workers.
• Excellent oral communication skills, with fluency in both English and Sesotho.
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS as a public health issue.
• Computer literate, Microsoft Office suite and Google Mail.
• Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours, as required.
• Willingness to travel via public transport and camp throughout the districts to perform activities, as required.
HOW TO APPLY:
Interested candidates should hand deliver a cover letter, resume/curricula vitae (CV), list of 3-5 professional references (with contact information, supervisory references preferred), certified passport or ID copy and certified copies of all academic degrees/ certificates to the Senior Human Resources Manager, PSI Lesotho, 138 Moshoeshoe Road, Industrial Area, Maseru, P.O Box 15863.
While all application submissions will be reviewed and considered, only the most qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews.
The application submission deadline is 12:00 p.m. local time on Friday, 30th April, 2021.
Please note that late applications will not be considered.