Technical Advisor, PMTCT / Pediatrics at Pathfinder International

Pathfinder International is driven by the conviction that all people, regardless of where they live, have the right to decide whether and when to have children, to exist free from fear and stigma, and to lead the lives they choose. Since 1957, we have partnered with local governments, communities, and health systems in developing countries to remove barriers to critical sexual and reproductive health services. Together, we expand access to contraception, promote healthy pregnancies, save women’s lives, and stop the spread of new HIV infections, wherever the need is most urgent. Our work ensures millions of women, men, and young people are able to choose their own paths forward.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Technical Advisor, PMTCT / Pediatrics

Requisition Number: TECHN002075
Location: Lagos
Employment Type: Full-time

Job Purpose

• The Job holder will be responsible for providing technical coordination and support to all HIV-related prevention, care and treatment activities for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women including viral load scale up as well as viral suppression strategies, treatment optimization and monitoring/management of treatment failure.
• This role is also responsible for rolling out differentiated service delivery models, PMTCT and pediatric care SOPs as per the national and international standards, monitoring and documenting best practices and participating relevant technical working group meetings..

Job Responsibilities / Essential Duties
Provide technical support to ensure quality pediatric HIV care:

• Working jointly with the HTS team, support PITC and index client testing to reach all children
• Ensure timely linkage of all positive children to ART
• Ensure ART infected children are retained on ART
• Ensure all eligible children have updated viral load as per national guidelines
• Ensure viral suppression among children on ART
• Support quality implementation of pediatric DSD models including family model clinic (FMC), mother-baby pair (MBP) clinic and pediatric specific clinics
• Conduct ongoing mapping on ARV optimization need and support facility teams to transition children to efficacious regimen (LPV/r and DTG)
• Support transition of children to adolescent care
• Provide technical support to prevent MTCT of HIV
• Ensure increased ANC uptake through demand creation and partner involvement.
• Support facilities to test and Identify HIV positive mothers and put them all on lifelong ART

Provide technical strategy on routine and timely viral load testing for PMTCT mothers as well as viral suppression:

• Ensure mothers and the infants are retained in care
• Coordinate strategies for early infant diagnosis, infant prophylaxis and prompt ART for positive infants
• Capacity build facility teams to conduct and report on HEI and maternal cohort analysis

Provide technical support towards cross-cutting issues:

• Train healthcare providers on quality pediatric and PMTCT care
• Participate in National and State TWG/stakeholder meetings
• Conduct supportive supervision to supported sites
• Provide timely updates for the quarterly program performance review and share mitigation for underperforming areas
• Monthly reporting, feedback and data use on key pediatric indicators and PMTCT indicators
• Participate in development of strategic tools (SOPs, TORs, package of care) to guide pediatric and PMTCT programming

Required Qualifications

• Medical Degree (MBBS)
• Master of Public Health (MPH); Master of Sciences Epidemiology (MSc) or equivalent is an added advantage.
• Strong experience in providing mentorship and technical assistance
• Self-motivated and demonstrated success in building effective programs in resource-limited settings

Experience:

• At least five years of proven experience in design, implementation and coordination of HIV and TB-project in resource limited settings
• Extensive clinical experience in care of HIV infected adults and children in resource limited settings
• Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
• Excellent oral and report writing and presentation skills. Proven ability to write high quality scientific/management documents
• Excellent collaboration and partnering skills in a team environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as part of a team
• Other Essential Requirements for all positions:

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse:

• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within Pathfinder International and among beneficiaries served by Pathfinder International
• Pathfinder is committed to safeguarding and protecting the people we serve as well as our staff. We have zero tolerance for any behavior that inflicts harm on children, young people, adults, as well as our staff and partners, including sexual abuse, harassment, bullying, and exploitation. Everyone we hire must abide by our safeguarding and related policies, including reporting suspected or known policy violations.

Competencies/Attributes:
Minimally Required Job-Specific Competencies:

• Leadership: Mastery of skills as a leader in health and health service delivery strengthening in developing countries and proven ability in developing strategic plans.
• Program and Project Planning and Management: Deep skills in program and project management and planning to fulfill performance objectives, including the timely implementation and reporting of donor-funded program activities.
• Operations and Financial Management: Deep knowledge of operations and financial management in developing countries.
• Change Leadership: Ability to demonstrate a high degree of flexibility in managing change across a broad group of stakeholders in an inclusive manner.
• Presentation Skills: Proven ability to make presentations on results and products to small and large groups.
• Community Relations: Mastery of skills in facilitating work relationships between partners, government officials, and communities.

Minimally Required Organizational Competencies:

• Software Applications: Advanced knowledge of MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Outlook.
• Self-Management and Teamwork: Ability to work independently or as a member of the team, ability to be detailed-oriented, and ability to manage stress effectively in a fast-pace environment.
• Matrix Management: Ability to thrive in a matrix organization.
• Languages: Proven writing and speaking skills using local languages and English language.
• Communication and Influencing Skills: Proven ability to influence others through diplomacy and proven oral and written communication skills.
• Passion for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Commitment to family planning, reproductive health services, gender, maternal, child health services, and eradication of harmful traditional practices.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Application Deadline 8th February, 2024.