Job Summary
HIV Counseling and Testing
The Senior HTS counsellor will serve as the primary EGPAF technical point-of-contact for HIV Counseling and Testing (CT) activities in their district. The position is intended to coordinate HTS activities with emphasis at district level improved quality of life of the HIV infected and affected people. The Senior HTS counsellor will serve as the primary EGPAF technical point-of-contact for HIV Testing Services activities in the district. She/he will supervise facility-based lay counselors and provide ongoing training and quality assurance in collaboration with EGPAF Senior professional counsellors and Adolescent Services Officers, and EGPAF pediatric/District technical Advisor, PMTCT advisor and Retention advisor.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Improve access to TB/HIV comprehensive care, treatment and psychosocial support for people living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
· Communicate regularly with lay and professional counselors regarding implementation of dHTS activities.
- Facilitate mobilization/ community sensitization for differentiated HTS approaches (HIVST, safe and ethical Index and Partner notification services including Social Network Strategy (SNS)) at district level.
· Support scale up and strengthening of innovative approaches for differentiated HIV testing including targeted PITC, Index testing and partner notification, HIV Self Testing, POC EID, SNS and Recency Testing
- Ensure counselors are providing quality HTS and recency at specific sites and documenting activities appropriately.
· Ensure accurate monitoring (data collection and capturing) and evaluation (data use) activities regarding HTS for each site.
- Capacitate and mentor EGPAF and GOL supported lay and Professional counselors at each site to provide safe and ethical index testing that includes IPV screening, documentation of adverse events, provision of first line support (LIVES)and making referrals where necessary.
· Capacitate poorly performing counselors to improve their knowledge, skills, and/or performance
· Conduct training, mentoring and coaching of facility staff on HTS as to assist facilities to implement revised MOH strategies such as the three test, recency, Mental health screening and status neutral.
· Monthly site Monitoring visits and district level performance against targets on HTS and ensuring remedial actions are implemented for under-performing sites
· Ensure that all sites participate in EQA for HTS and recency.
· Liaise with the District Logistic Officer for the supply of commodities and the distribution of HIV test kits to all testing sites in the district.
- Improve HTS delivery, patient linkage to treatment, tracking and Patient ART initiation at district level working in collaboration with community workers.
· Assist other district HTS lead team members with various HTS campaigns.
· Perform any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor(s).
Qualifications
- Degree in Psychology or Behavioral Sciences and/or certified Professional Counselor
- Certification as HIV Counselor and Tester with minimum experience of 5-8 years working in HTS supervisory position
- Experience working with HIV non-governmental organization (NGO) is added advantage
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
· Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, and treatment in Lesotho
· Computer literacy, including proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel
· Good interpersonal communication skills and ability to manage a team
· Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and Sesotho
· Ability to work independently
· Ability to manage lay staff
· Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as part of a team