REGIONAL PROGRAM OFFICER, NETWORK COORDINATION

Our Institute is a leading provider of treatment, care and support for people living with HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and other infectious diseases with headquarters in Abuja and Regional offices in Benin, Jos, Kano and the Federal Capital Territory. We require competent and result-oriented candidates to fill the position above.

SUMMARY/OVERVIEW

The Regional Programme Officer (RPO) - Network Coordination works alongside other clinical & community services providers to coordinate all care and support service initiatives. S/he will be responsible for assisting facility based network coordinators with developing, streamlining and strengthening linkage and feedback mechanisms between the various referral units within the facility and catchment communities. S/he will provide technical assistance to sites to ensure that all adult and pediatric clients' and "OVC" family unit needs are provided access to community based (wrap around) care & services. The RPO Network Coordination will work closely with the Clinical Associates at assigned sites as well as other Regional Focal Persons to ensure timely trouble shooting of bottlenecks and effective comprehensive program implementation. S/he will work closely with the mobile operations unit, Faith Based Organizations (FBO) Community Based Organizations (CBO) and NGO coordinators to implement functional referral/linkage systems at hubs and satellite spokes for prospective & existing clients. To ensure the highest standard of access to care, treatment & support services for all patients in care, the RPO Network Coordination will actively initiate personal relationships with the above managers to establish a feedback process for all referrals. It is anticipated that the Network Coordinators will spend his/her time at assigned facilities participating in clinic flow and patient access to care activities, community network creation, advocacy, community resource identification and service evaluation activities.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Education/Experience:

MBSc Social Welfare or any of the social science courses; Basic General Nursing and/or Midwifery Certificate, BSC Nursing and/or Any other post graduate Certificate in Nursing. An MPH will be an added advantage.He/she should also have at least 5yrs working experience and should have participated in both clinical and community activities. Familiarity with the Nigerian health system and social networks is required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Computer literate.
• Able to communicate with a wide range of personalities is necessary.
• Able to clearly explain available health services and their location.
• Must have community outreach,resource identification and mobilization talents.
• Clear understanding of the health system structure and HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria environment of the country.
• Able toempower clients to be at optimal health.
  

RESPONSIBILITY: Provide technical assistance for sites to:

• Assess existing internal and external linkages and implement concrete strategies for strengthening them.
• Work with the Social Worker to conduct community and resource mapping to identify additional health, nutritional and social resources.
• Expand current community network directory for site's given catchment area
• Create linkage points with other groups, e.g. Community PLWHA Support groups, TB/DOTS programs and primary health centers etc.
  
• Maintain close communication and coordination between HIV/TB DOTS referrals for other health needs and documentation.
• Establish a data base of contact information of service providers for clinic use. 
• Ensure all pediatric clients, their siblings and other Orphans & Vulnerable Children (OVC) are assessed for C&S needs and promptly linked to community service providers for wrap around care. 
• Act as liaison for community resources for patients. 
• Supervise and oversee the day to day organization of the community based teams and networks within the hub and catchment areas. 
• Draw up weekly/monthly activity plan for the community based team in collaboration with the Home Based Care (HBC) Coordinator. 
• Initiate active/functional linkage for 2-way client referrals for wrap around services. 
• Work with the clinic team to identify patient care strategies that optimizes service delivery in a time efficient manner. 
• Initiate and coordinate regular (monthly) meetings with network of existing and prospective NGOs, CBOs, FBOs to encourage feedback on services and referral issues. 
• Ensure timely client level documentation and program level reporting of all referral. 
• Develop an action plan for the site-based team and provide feedback to IHVN & hospital teams to inform strategic planning decision. 
• Participate in clinic team meetings as well as outreach activities and support group activities. 
• Mobilize community and support groups, by working with the religious, opinion and community leaders, volunteers, in order to gain support for community activities & linkages. 
• Work with Home Based Care Coordinator in organizing monthly meetings with the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and community based team. 
• Identify training needs for all Care and Support, NGO, CBO staff and communicate staff training needs to facility team leaders as well as IHVN team. 
• Help teams target counseling activities for patients/family members within the community and follow-up activities on various topics. 
• Establish a workable referral network system and ensuring smooth linkages within the facility, between facilities, clinic, and community networks for seamless patient referrals. 
• Ensure timely & effective defaulter tracking, documentation and appropriate referrals of patients. 
• Conducting periodic appraisal of staff performance and staffing need. 
• Provide technical assistance for efficient community service provision. 
• Participate in other activities as assigned by Regional Manager and central technical leads.