Job Description
The TO – Social Support and Linkages will work on a three-person HIV program team (cluster) to ensure the successful HIV Testing Services uptake and retention in health services for a set geographic area of the USAID–funded Afya Jijini project. Afya Jijini’s ultimate aim is to improve access and uptake of quality health services in Nairobi for the most pressing health issues, including among the most vulnerable and at risk. Building on the success of USAID’S APHIA plus Nairobi County work, the Afya Jijini Project will strengthen Nairobi County–level institutional and management capacity to deliver quality health care services. The project seeks specifically to increase access and use of HIV; family planning (FP), reproductive health (RH); maternal, neonatal and child health (MNCH); water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), and nutrition services. Based in Nairobi with frequent travel to informal settlements and health facilities in the country, s/he will work with the UHAI Team which also includes a Team Lead and M&E Officer to develop innovative and evidence driven approaches to boost uptake of and retention within services among target populations. Working in a defined geographical area, the Specialist Social Support and Linkages will work with health facilities, their catchment communities, CBO’s and other stakeholders to ensure clients access quality health services and follow up with their referrals and retain in care. The Specialist will also help plan and implement capacity strengthening approaches at the local level including trainings and mentorship models to strengthen the overall continuum of Care.
RESPONSIBILITIES
In collaboration with the UHAI Team, lead the HTS services, social support and linkages strategies in target project areas.
Working with colleagues, analyze and assess the community, socio-cultural and policy environment for factors that hinder uptake and retention in health services (including referral follow – up) among target populations in Nairobi County.
Develop referral strategies and systems that engages both individuals and health facilities, local NGOs and other stakeholder to ensure a strong continuum of care.
Plan and lead trainings and other capacity strengthening activities for project staff, partners, health facilities, communities and sub county/County government. Focus on improving the quality of referral systems and follow up on project sites.
Prepare relevant tools and guidelines for the project in support of social support and linkages for clients.
Conduct frequent site visits to project health facilities and catchment communities to provide mentoring, support and supervision.
Complete written report, presentation, analyses and strategy reports in support of the project.
Integrate project social support approaches into project’s wider health systems strengthening strategic objective and ensure integration with other project technical areas.
Work closely with the projects Monitoring and Evaluation Team to establish systems for measuring the outcomes of social support activity interventions for routine project monitoring and special evaluations
Oversee HIV counselling and testing services at the project supported sites, including linkage to care of identified HIV positive clients
Support and strengthen appointment management system including defaulter tracing in project supported sites
Support and facilitate psychosocial support groups in the project supported facilities
Participate in project routine UHAI meetings regularly
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor’s degree in the social behavioral sciences (community development, Sociology, Anthropology, Psychological, Health Education, nursing, medicine or Public Health required. Advance Degree a plus.
5+ years of progressively responsible work experience in developing, managing and measuring health community engagement-driven programs within Kenya.
Experience with social mobilization and referral strategies in informal settlements and behavior change communication strategy development.
Demonstrated skills in designing community engagement and referral approaches that result in improved uptake of services and retention in services for one or more of the following technical areas: HIV prevention, care and treatment; MNCH;FP/RH;WASH and Nutrition.
Knowledge and skills in creating partnerships and strengthening referral systems that bridge health facilities and local communities for effective collaboration.
Experience in designing and implementing innovative strategies to successfully refer and follow up with one or more of the following priority populations: adolescent girls, sex workers, MSM, OVC, or people who inject drugs.
Comfortable working with local communities and working with at risk populations.
Experience working on U.S. government (including PEPFAR) or other large donor-funded projects required. Knowledge of PEPFAR, USG and GoK indicators for M&E for Key Population areas.
Proficient with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint).
Fluent in English, Kiswahili and one or more local languages.
