NGO JOBS

Organization: Clinton Health Access Initiative
Country: Swaziland
Closing date: 29 Oct 2013

Overview:In Swaziland, the country with the highest HIV prevalence in the world, a consortium of multi-disciplinary stakeholders, led by the Government of Swaziland, is managing an initiative called, MaxART – Maximizing ART for Better Health and Zero New HIV Infections. MaxART includes a unique package of interventions aimed at ensuring that all individuals who need it have access to high quality HIV testing, treatment, and lifelong care.

Scaling up HIV testing and treatment access and uptake sets the stage for Swaziland to put into practice the exciting new evidence that treatment not only benefits the individual living with HIV, it can also serve as a means of prevention by reducing the risk of new HIV infections. Enabling people living with HIV to access treatment immediately after they are diagnosed with HIV may prove to be game-changing in the HIV response, but it is first essential to investigate the currently unanswered questions around what it will take to implement earlier treatment and how acceptable it will be. To do so, Swaziland is going to embark on a 3-year Treatment as Prevention (TasP) Implementation Study, working towards the country’s overarching goal of ending new HIV infections. One of the critical components to the success of this intervention is a robust communication strategy. Establishing and delivering the right messages for each target group (the community, people living with HIV, health workers, and policy makers) will be essential for success.

Currently, the MaxART team is completing a pre-study assessment in Swaziland to better understand the current knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions of clients, community members, and health workers related to HIV Treatment and HIV Treatment for Prevention, which will form the basis for very important next steps around messaging and communications. The MaxART consortium is now looking for a Communications Associate to join them to lead the effort of defining a robust communication and messaging strategy for implementation of earlier HIV treatment in Swaziland.

Responsibilities:The Communications Associate will report to the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) Country Director and will be responsible for liaising and collaborating with multiple stakeholders, including all major project partners:

• Develop a communication and messaging strategy and implementation plan for the “Immediate Access to Treatment for All” Implementation Study• Develop communication and messaging strategies in line with and informed by the needs of the communities and the pre-testing and testing process• Draft the initial IEC materials, job aids, and tools required for the study and further roll-out• Develop a media and publication communication plan for the duration of the study and implement some of the relevant strategies including briefings with press and media to kick-off the initial messaging campaign and to create more awareness around appropriate messages about immediate access to HIV treatment• Build relationships with multiple stakeholders, including press and media, Government bodies, partner organizations and support in-country partners of the MaxART program, including the MOH, with technical assistance around additional and related communication needs linked to the HIV response in the countryQualifications:• Bachelors degree in relevant field including communications, public relations, linguistics, journalism, or a related field• 3- 5 years of experience in comprehensive communications position• Strategic, proactive, enthusiastic, and detail-oriented with excellent planning, organization, and prioritization skills• Proven skills in developing simple messages for complex issues to specific audiences• Demonstrated strong writing skills in a variety of styles for varied audiences• Thorough knowledge of the procedures involved in the planning and production of publications and electronic materials (print, audio-visual, and online)• Adept with computer applications including Microsoft Office, (MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook) and facility with Adobe In Design and Photoshop is desirableAdvantages:• Language skills in Siswati or similar language• Experience working in the Southern African region• Experience in the health sectorPlease apply here https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/3793/associate%2c-communications/job

How to apply:

Please apply here https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/3793/associate%2c-communications/job

Organization: Clinton Health Access Initiative
Country: Swaziland
Closing date: 30 Sep 2013

The National Clinical Laboratory Services (NCLS) of the Ministry of Health (MOH) has been rolling out point-of-care (POC) diagnostics to rural clinics, public health units, (PHUs) and voluntary counseling and testing units (VCTs) in support of the decentralization of health services by the MOH. With the introduction of POC CD4 technologies, there are now a total of 8 different types of POC tests being conducted in mini laboratories in rural clinics, as well as in specific entry points in hospitals and health centres. As with all new technologies, there is a need to ensure health facilities have the support they require to continue strengthening the quality of the laboratory testing they are providing, and to trouble-shoot potential challenges they may encounter with the introduction of new tests.

The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), in collaboration with the University Research Co. LLC (URC), is seeking to hire a highly motivated individual as a Mentor for facilities that have rolled out POC laboratory testing. In collaboration with the MOH’s NCLS Quality Team, the individual will provide routine mentorship, oversight, and support to laboratories in rural clinics, public health units, (PHUs) and voluntary counseling and testing (VCTs) settings that conduct POC testing throughout Swaziland. This Mentor will be seconded to the MOH’s NCLS and managed by the Chief Technologist. He or she will spend 60-80% of his/her time in facilities throughout the country.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide on-site training and mentorship on a regular basis to all POC testing operators in facilities, including phlebotomists and nurses, to ensure continuous improvement in the quality of POC testing being offered• Develop and implement mentorship and supervision plans for the nearly 40 facilities offering POC testing in Hhohho, Lubombo, and Manzini regions• Assess the tools required to strengthen POC testing in facilities and manage their development, e.g. job aids, standard operation procedures, and data management tools• Work closely with phlebotomists and nurses conducting POC testing to improve data management and recordkeeping for stock management and quality assurance• Continually assess training needs of POC operators and coordinate with NCLS Quality Manager to plan required trainings including quality assurance, data management, and supply chain• Coordinate and oversee external quality assurance program for all POC testing sites and provide feedback to facilities on their performance to enable continuous improvement• Provide regular mentorship updates and reports to NCLS Chief Technologist and NCLS Quality Manager and all key stakeholders supporting the NCLS in laboratory services.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor degree in a relevant field• Diploma in medical technology or comparable experience• 2-3 years experience in supervisory, mentoring, teaching, or training position with strong diplomacy and interpersonal skills• Ability to build strong professional relationships with a range of stakeholders in a challenging, multi-cultural environment• Strong communication skills, including the ability to deliver compelling presentations• Detail-oriented with excellent organization and problem-solving skills• Ability to multitask, and to work independently with a commitment to excellence• High proficiency in applications including Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

Advantages

• Experience living and/or working in developing countries• Competency in Siswati/Zulu

How to apply:

Please apply directly here: https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/3304/laboratory-mentor%3a--point-of-...