Technical Officer – HIV Testing Services
JOB DETAIL
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
EpiC is a multi-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). The project provides strategic technical assistance (TA) and direct service delivery to break through barriers to 95-95-95 and promote self-reliant management of national HIV programs by improving HIV case-finding, prevention, treatment programming and viral load (VL) suppression among key populations (KPs). In the Philippines, EpiC is into its fourth year of implementation. It will continue to work in Greater Metro Manila to address critical gaps and bottlenecks in the response to HIV among KPs in the Philippines and strengthen capacity of local, community-based KP organizations, and work closely with the government of the Philippines to deliver HIV services tailored to the needs of KPs. In addition to these aforementioned activities, EpiC Philippines will focus on expanding HIV case-finding in the community, PrEP and treatment initiation, adherence, and retention support for people living with HIV (PLHIV) to reach undectectable equals untransmittable (U=U) status.
JOB SUMMARY:
The Technical Officer for HIV testing services provides technical support and guidance to HIV case finding modalities, including self – testing, index testing, and social and sexual network testing under the EpiC HIV Project. This position also provides technical support and guidance in other cross-cutting HIV holistic services, including Mental Health and TransHealth and supports the development of technical strategies, and designs related activities and interventions.
DUTIES AND KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Provides technical support for program implementation of EpiC Philippines HIV case finding activities, which include monitoring of community-based HIV testing and partner notification services, Enhanced Peer Outreach Approach (EPOA) design and implementation, social network HIV testing, self-testing, and other forms of HIV testing to promote case finding.
- Works closely and coordinates with EpiC program sub team in strengthening capacity and providing ongoing support to assigned, community-based implementing partners (IPs) who provide the above-described HIV testing services for members of key populations, and in ensuring that HIV testing services and mental health and trans health services are implemented according to locally and globally acceptable standards of care.
- Works closely with EpiC Strategic Information subteam to support data analysis and use of data in quality improvement of HIV case finding and other holistic services.
- Liaises as assigned with public- and private-sector hospitals, clinics, and CBOs to ensure quality care for HIV key populations, including transgender women, in accessing testing services and linking them to community-based and/or facility-based services which includes motivational counselling and mental health interventions.
- Assists in identifying additional opportunities for EpiC Philippines involvement in strengthening HIV testing and case finding, and in Mental Health and Transhealth
- Assists in the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and interventions for research projects as appropriate.
- Writes and edits technical reports and documents, assists with publications, web pages, and presentations, conducts searches of supporting published literature related to assigned technical area.
- Monitors and maintains protocols, instruments, data sets, manuals, training materials and reports.
- Coordinates with the EpiC program, strategic information, and finance sub teams to ensure smooth implementation and alignment of program activities across IPs.
- Provides technical support to EpiC Philippines Senior Technical Officer and EpiC Philippines Project Director.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- BS/BA or MS in public health, nursing, social science, or related fields, and 3 – 5 years relevant experience with international development programs and field experience.
- Knowledge of HIV, mental health, public health, international development, and/or social science research with a strong focus on case finding.
- Knowledge of processes for developing and implementing HIV holistic services including Mental Health programs with key population groups in Philippines.
- Understands the HIV-related needs of key population groups, including transgender individuals in the Philippines and have worked to support and implement activities to reduce stigma and discrimination.
- Proven skills in the implementation of HIV case finding programs for men who have sex with men and transgender individuals including KP-adjacent populations in the Philippines.
- Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the political and ethical issues surrounding public health issues among key populations in Philippines.
- Written and verbal communication skills and editing skills in Tagalog and English.
- Experience working with civil society organizations to plan and implement clinical HIV programs.
- Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different organizations and cultures.
- Ability to meet deadlines with strong attention to consistency, detail, and quality.
- Ability to travel within country or region and internationally if needed.
- Knowledge of PEPFAR programming and reporting is an advantage.
The position will be based in Manila, Philippines and work out of the FHI 360 Country office. Preference is for Filipino national candidates.
This job description 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 to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time
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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