EpiC Lesotho Professional Nurse

FHI 360 is a non-profit human development organization dedicated to advancing equity, health and wellbeing through data-driven, locally led solutions — so that humanity thrives. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology; creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of Professional Nurse for the EpiC project in Lesotho. The position will be based in Maseru, Lesotho.

EpiC Lesotho Project Description:

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a five-year global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). EpiC is dedicated to achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control. EpiC provides strategic technical assistance (TA) and direct service delivery (DSD) to break through barriers to 95-95-95 and promote self-reliant management of national HIV programs by improving HIV case-finding, prevention, and treatment programming. The EpiC program in Lesotho will continue to build upon the successes of the LINKAGES and EpiC program achievements in Lesotho to expand HIV case finding in the community, optimize treatment initiation and support treatment continuity and accelerate scale up of PreP among Key Populations (KP) with new strategies including large numbers of priority populations (PP) associated in and around KP communities and gathering spaces. The program will continue to strengthen the capacity of local KP partners to deliver services to Key Populations (men who have sex with men, female sex workers, transgender people, people who inject drugs and inmates) in two districts, Maseru and Leribe in Lesotho, and expand priority population services.

Job Description:

Reporting to the Senior Technical Advisor, the Professional Nurse is responsible for providing clinical, technical guidance and oversight to the local implementing partner nurses for effective service provision of HIV prevention, care and treatment interventions in Maseru and Leribe districts, in line with the global, regional and local guidelines and protocols. The incumbent will work as technical personnel for enhancing methods, standards, protocols and guidelines for KP programs country-wide, and will support coordination of government and civil society organizations that are implementing KP programs in two districts. The Professional nurse will further enhance capacities and competencies for enhancing the technical quality of KP programs in these two districts, and will contribute to monitoring, evaluation and learning within the KP programming. With specific focus on supporting the HIV prevention, care and treatment, and other clinical services which include STI screening diagnosis and management interventions, TB screening and management and cervical cancer screening services for key population program activities under the project. The incumbent will be responsible for:

• Provision of technical guidance, coordination and oversight for provision of HIV prevention, HIV testing, and care and support services, STI, TB, FP and cervical cancer at the program sites;
• Support technical and operational implementation efforts, including providing supportive supervisory visits and mentoring CSO’s clinical staff to ensure successful completion of clinical activities;
• Help to refine approaches for expanding KP access to HIV clinical care and treatment services, including STI, TB/HIV, cervical cancer and SRH services, and for reducing the dual stigma and discrimination associated with HIV among this population;
• Management of complex clinical response relationships with a diverse group of collaborators including MoH, PEPFAR, community-based organizations, faith-based organizations/churches, health clinic facilities, and the private sector;
• Updating the guidelines, protocols and procedures following the national guidelines;
• Strengthening of referrals and linkages to care and DREAMS activities for Key populations; across the whole continuum of care, from HIV testing to enrolment and retention in HIV care;
• Support adherence and retention for Key populations enrolled in care in Maseru and Leribe districts;
• Coordination of implementing partners in tracking ART, PrEP and other clinical services;
• Identify clinical services gaps and propose solutions to sustain QA for testing, quality of services, and comprehensive case management and ensure smooth implementation;
• Timely troubleshooting and resolution of program-related challenges and bottlenecks to ensure effective implementation of planned activities and achievement of program results and targets;
• Technical capacity building and supervision of the local implementing partners nurses;
• Support trainings, supervision and mentoring of the relevant government entities and civil society organizations at national, district and community levels to enhance capacities for enhancing the technical quality of KP programs;
• Represent EpiC in different TWG meetings (STI, HIV and AIDS, eMTCT, Paediatric HIV, TB/HIV and CHBC within the Ministry of Health)
• Support coordination of HIV prevention, care and support interventions for KP at national, districts and community levels to ensure effective contribution to the national goals on epidemic control;
• Contribute to the national work planning, effective operational project plans, reporting and monitoring and evaluation of HIV prevention, care and support activities for KP, working in liaison with the relevant departments within the Ministry of Health;
• Work with other team members and partners to collaborate and create effective operational project plans tailored to meet multiple projects clinical services needs including CBOs, FBOs and other implementing partners;
• Identify clinical services gaps and propose solutions to sustain QA for testing, quality of services, and comprehensive case management and ensure smooth implementation,

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in public health, social sciences or other relevant field required. A clinical credential such as nurse, nurse practitioner or physician’s assistant, degree, and/or experience working in clinical settings is required.
• Registered with any professional body of Lesotho Government
• At least 5 years of work experience in HIV and TB programs.
• Strong knowledge of clinical issues related to the management of HIV, SRH, TB and other related conditions among KP.
• Ability to communicate complex technical and programmatic initiatives and interventions both verbally and in writing.
• Ability to take initiative and able to work with limited supervision in a dynamic multi-cultural environment.
• Ability to be proactive, strategic, and analytical when solving problems.
• Ability to uphold the organizational values and align with its mission.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience implementing clinical and community-based HIV and AIDS prevention, care and support programs.
• Experience of working in USG/USAID -funded programs.
• Experience in providing training, mentorship and coaching to external partners.
• Experience in providing technical support to HIV/AIDS-related programs to external partners.
• Strong and demonstrated experience in HIV prevention, care and support programs in Lesotho and in the region.
• Strong understanding of the global, regional and local HIV prevention, care and support protocols and guidelines.
• Experience in writing technical and programmatic reports for internal and external distribution.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Proven ability to work effectively and independently as a member of a dynamic team in a fast-paced environment.
• Added competency experience in the use of Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Internet skills.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, and to travel domestically, and on short notice when necessary.
• Experience working in HIV prevention, care and support programs for key populations will be an added advantage.
• Experience overseeing and coordinating with international field offices preferred.

The position will ideally be based in Maseru, Lesotho and work out of the FHI 360 office. Preference is for Lesotho nationals.

Suitably qualified candidates openly living with HIV and/or who are representative of the key populations affected by HIV are also actively encouraged to apply.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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