Care and Treatment Associates

A-    BACKGROUND

Cameroon has among the highest burden of HIV in West and Central Africa (2.7% among average risk reproductive age adults – DHS 2018). High HIV prevalence is associated with high-risk sexual behaviours such as inconsistent use of condoms and lubricants and a high rate of sexually transmitted infections (STI). Stigma and discrimination have further marginalized key populations limiting their access to life-saving services such as anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and reducing the country’s ability to control the HIV epidemic

The national response is led by the National AIDS Control Committee (NACC), which coordinates implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategic Plan 2021-2023. This policy aims to reduce HIV and STI-related morbidity and mortality and alleviate its socioeconomic impact on the development of Cameroon. Among strategic approaches, the plan stresses improved access to prevention, care and treatment for key populations.

The USAID-funded Community HIV/AIDS Investments for Longer and healthier Lives (CHILL) has the following objectives: (1) HIV testing for Key and Priority populations (KPs & PP); (2) ART uptake for KPs and PPs by ensuring that those who test positive are actively linked to treatment as soon as possible; and (3) improving retention in treatment through improved linkages between facility and community-based services, and reinforced community-based support for adherence and client follow-up.
Care and Health Program (CHP) will be the CHILL prime and will lead the program in partnership with fifteen local community-based organizations (CBO). The consortium is collaborating with the Ministry of Public Health (MOH), NACC and other stakeholders to build the capacity of the national, regional and community response.
These efforts will expand service coverage in five focus regions and generate data for evidence-based programming through the implementation of evidence-based prevention, care and treatment services to key and priority populations in Cameroon.

In the context of this project, CHP is recruiting a Care and Treatment Associates with the following criteria:

PROJECT PERIOD: 5 years
CONTRACT PERIOD: 11 months, beginning from November 1st 2023
PLACE: Ngaoundéré,
CONTRACT TYPE: FTC

B. JOB SUMMARY
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
The Care and Treatment Associate will be a member of the CHILL team based at the CHILL office in Nagoundéré. The incumbent will report to the Care and Treatment Specialist of Ngaoundéré and will perform the following duties:
Technical assistance (70%)
The Care and Treatment Associate provides technical assistance in partnership with local community-based organizations (CBOs) and public sector facilities will implement and improve client-friendly care and treatment services for key populations. He/she acts as a resource in all matters pertaining to HIV/AIDS care and treatment, including, but not limited to: HIV testing and counseling, referral and linkage to and from community- and facility-based services, antiretroviral treatment, adherence counseling, client tracking, , peer navigation, retention in care, clinical care including treatment of opportunistic infections, sexually-transmitted infections (STIs), HIV diagnostics, psychosocial care and support, pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis, and care and support for victims of gender-based violence.
The Care and Treatment Associate – Ngaoundéré:
•    Provides primarily on-site supervision, guidance and support case manager of CBO in the implementation of comprehensive care and treatment for HIV
•    Assists Care and Treatment specialist (CTS) with training providers on client-friendly service provision for key populations
•    Ensures that two-way referral mechanisms between community-based programs and clinical facilities are functional and that clients are effectively linked to, and retained in care
•    Supports CBO and facility partners to provide appropriate diagnostic and clinical services to ensure that clients adhere to their treatment, assess viral load, and are virally suppressed
•    Provides support to CTS in the development and or review of standard operating procedures (SOPs), client flow algorithms, and job aids to ensure that stakeholders have clarity on how clients navigate through the services network, clear roles and responsibilities, and tools needed to ensure linkage and retention;
•    Provides support to CTS that all is done according SOP and jobs aids.
•    Supports CTS to organize regular coordination meetings between implementing partners and partner health facilities,
•    Provide support and follow up of action plan and recommendations of meeting.
•    Attend meetings and debriefing with relay counselors (Peer navigators)
•    Assist the CTS to Liaise with all relevant team members to ensure integration and coordination of care and treatment activities with other program areas (i.e. prevention, enrollment, tracking, etc.)
•    Supports with CTS rollout of training for providers and CBO staff.
Program management, quality improvement, and coordination (30%)
Under the supervision of the Care and Treatment Specialist (CTS), the CM oversees and coordinates HIV care and treatment activities in each implementation site. S/he helps partners develop strategies to achieve program-related goals, providing direction and capacity strengthening, reaching agreement on follow-up actions, and following through to ensure they are effectively carried out. S/he ensures that all implementing partners HIV care and treatment activities are evidence-based, best practice or theory-driven, and incorporate the latest evidence-based guidance. S/he, under the lead of CTS, assists implementing partners to comply with all relevant Cameroon, WHO, USAID and PEPFAR regulations and procedures.
The Care and Treatment Associate:
•    Conducts regular site visits to monitor the implementation of care and treatment programs; communicates findings and recommendations for strengthening care and treatment activities to the care and treatment Specialist, as appropriate to the team.
•    Assists with drafting of the annual work plan, the HIV care and treatment component of quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.
•    Collaborates with other CM to serve as the care and treatment team co-lead on all relevant quality assurance and improvement initiatives.
•    Supports partners to assess progress against standards, identify gaps in performance, solve problems, test solutions, and scale them accordingly

C. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
EDUCATION
Master’s Degree in public Health/ State Register Nurse or any order equivalent qualification
EXPERIENCE
•    A minimum experience implementing HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs in Cameroon. Experience working with key populations preferred.
•    Experience should demonstrate ability to manage mid-level coordination and relationships with community-based organizations, public sector entities, and bilateral and multilateral donors.
SKILLS
•    Written and oral fluency in French language is required. Additional fluency in written and oral English is preferred.
•    Understanding of rules and regulations related to USAID project funding, sub-contracting and reporting requirements desired.
•    Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively as part of a team. S/he must have strong time-management skills in order to prioritize and manage numerous activities concurrently.

D. APPLICATION

If you are interested in pursuing any of these opportunities, please submit a resume A CV, a cover letter including contacts of at least 03 references, a copy of the certificates/diplomas and ID card will be submitted by the October 24th 2023 in our offices located behind the « center regional office of taxation at Omnisport » or send by email to chp@carehealthprogram.org.

E. OTHER INFORMATION
•    Female candidates are encouraged;
•    Only selected candidates will be called.

The Executive Director