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Key Responsibilities:

As health services are decentralized to the provincial level (including TB, HIV, Covid 19 services), the grant aims to strengthen the Provincial Health Authorities (PHA), under the leadership of National disease programs for smooth and uninterrupted service delivery, mobilizing human resources for health and effective program implementation.

The role of Provincial Support Officer (PSO) is to coordinate with a respective PHA operations for implementation of TB HIV STI C19 programs under Global Fund supported project. Each PSO will be employed by WV PNG and seconded to the TB and HIV/AIDS & STIs Program but based in selected a Global Fund prioritized high-burden province. He/She has a key role in ensuring respective PHAs take ownership, build internal leadership and management for TB and HIV programs in the HIV and TB prioritized high-burden provinces. He/She will work under the direct supervision of Provincial Support Coordinators and regional medical officers for TB and HIV, based in NDOH. PSOs will support PHA teams with implementing partners and other civil society organisations, to ensure timely monitoring and reporting of grant deliverables from PHA level.
MAJOR ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES

Support PHA capacity building, ownership, management and leadership for HIV & TB programs 

The PSO will strengthen the capacity of the PHA to effectively manage the TB and HIV programs by;

• Supporting PHA engagement and effective communication with Global Fund Sub-Recipients to develop Detailed Implementation Plans for funded activities. They will ensure timely implementation of scheduled activities/interventions and take lead in addressing any bottlenecks at the provincial level
• Support PHAs in the planning, financing,  implementing and monitoring of  TB and HIV control through the development of provincial TB/HIV strategic Plans and their financing, implementation and monitoring supported by NTP/NAP and its technical partners
• Provide guidance and build PHA capacity for supervision and review of TB/HIV program along with the SR and local CBOs/FBOs/CSOs
• Provide onsite supervision with PHA team and build capacity of PHAs on technical aspects, supervision and program management including engagement of CBOs, trainings, strengthening of M&E, TB/HIV coordination etc.
• Support provincial TB/HIV Coordinators to  coordinate and organize regular TB/HIV coordination meetings at provincial level, with involvement and active participation of all stakeholders
• Coordinate technical assistance to the PHA in TB/HIV where necessary to ensure appropriate systems are in place for the PHA to receive and effectively manage and acquit donor funds
• Advocate for PHAs to create and fund critical HR positions for the TB and HIV programs using domestic resources and lobby for the absorption of important existing donor-funded staff
• Work closely with the PHAs to ensure optimum involvement and engagement of communities (CSOs, FBOs and CBOs) in the TB and HIV response
• Support PHA TB teams to establish multi sectoral accountability / partnerships for TB control
• Support PHA TB teams to establish TB CBOs in respective provinces /centers
• Lead and facilitate PHA level monitoring exercises by NDOH, PR, Local Fund agent and PHA team.

Strengthen delivery of high-quality TB and HIV services

The PSCs will support PHAs to implement quality of prevention, care and treatment services for both TB and HIV by;

• They will assist PHAs in conducting training, coaching and on-site mentoring to clinicians on management of both DS-TB and MDR-TB, integrated TB/HIV care; PPTCT, HIV testing and counseling and both adult and pediatric ART
• In collaboration with the NT and National HIV programs, they will review / assess existing services (BMUs) and compile a list of BMUs for commissioning or decommissioning
• They will support PHAs to strengthen management and monitoring of adverse drug reactions utilizing aDSM protocols and tools particularly for MDR-TB patients on SLT
• Liaise with provincial TB/HIV teams and support the implementation of an integrated one stop service for TB and HIV by ensuring services, facilities, resources, training and other support is available for provision of integrated TB/HIV care which includes testing all TB patients for HIV and ensuring that those co-infected are initiated on ART as well as intensify TB case finding among PLHIV accessing ART and ensure that those without TB are initiated on appropriate TB preventive therapy.
• Support PHA laboratory team to ensure optimum usage of the GeneXpert machines for diagnosis and care for HIV, TB and COVID-19 and coordinate with the PHA to improve specimen transportation
• Support PHA to improve and have robust TB and HIV stock management (supply, distribution, storage) for TB and HIV Commodities  so that all facilities providing TB and HIV services have adequate stocks of drugs and commodities plus order and receive their supplies on time
• Support PHA TB teams to plan, map, roll out and monitor community TB activities  including TB case finding, diagnosis, treatment management

Ensure and improve timely availability and use of high-quality TB and HIV program data to improve service delivery and monitor program performance

The PSO will be held responsible for improving the timely availability and use of high-quality program data for the TB and HIV programs which will be achieved by following activities which she/ he will carry out in consultation with respective PHA TB and HIV teams and PSC.

• Support capacity building of PHA TB/HIV Coordinators and also assist them to conduct regular on-site mentoring and support to ensure recording and reporting for both TB and HIV programs is done simultaneously by all health facilities providing the services in the province using the appropriate tools
• Facilitate complete and timely reporting by all BMUs, HCT and ART sites
• Support capacity building for PHA TB and HIV teams for regular data quality assessment visits to validate TB and HIV reports submitted to the PHAs and NDoH as well as support PHA teams to conduct these visits.
• Support roll-out and training of healthcare workers on the revised TB and HIV program recording and reporting tools
• Conduct regular data-driven support supervisory visits with the PHA, PR/SRs, NDoH, PSM and CPHL
• Support timely availability of program data and reporting for the Progress Update Disbursement report PUDR. Participate on-site PUDR data verification and validation by the LFA
• Support PHA capacity building for planning, conducting of quarterly provincial data review and planning meetings and use of provincial TB/HIV data for TB and HIV response and help PHA teams to conduct such meetings.
• Develop SOPs/ guidelines as needed at PHA level in consultation with PHA TB and HIV teams and in collaboration with NDOH teams and PSCs.
• Support the roll out of electronic TB module
• Develop and maintain good working relationships with the project partners.
• Ensure integration of work with other WV, SRs, PHA and NDoH team members

EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION/SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE & EXPERIENCE

• Graduate in Health Sciences/ Nursing/ public health
• Work experience in public health for at least 5 years of which at least 2 years in TB HIV programs at central and provincial level
• Experience as Health Extension Officers will be an advantage
• Experience in project management – Essential
• Training in disease outbreak investigation and/or experience in working for the PNG COVID-19 response at National/ PHA level will be an advantage
• Ability to work effectively with a broad range of government and donor personnel even in complex politically sensitive environments
• Good computer skills (MS Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Outlook)
• Good English communication skills and experience in writing reports and advisories for PHAs
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills with the ability to work closely within teams with good leadership and management skills in coordinating project teams and working with consultants in disease surveillance, surveys, M&E activities and operational research.
• Strong presentation, facilitation, critical thinking and coordination skills

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local Applicants Only