Lead ART Advisor at Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL)

Health Systems Consult Limited (HSCL) is a public health and development consulting firm established by a team with extensive experience in international development and public health programming. We provide technical assistance for health system reforms towards access to cost-effective and quality health care across Nigeria and the continent of Africa. With a network of over 50 global partners and consultants, we develop programmes and provide sustainable solutions for a broad spectrum of health and development challenges.

HSCL is registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (2009), the Tanzanian Registry of Companies (2014), the Office of Administration and registration in Sierra Leone (2015) and the Office of the Registration of Companies in Zambia (2016). HSCL has established offices in Nigeria, Tanzania and Sierra Leone and has also done work in several African countries including Cameroun, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Mauritius, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, and Zanzibar. In Nigeria, HSCL with it’s headquarters in Abuja, has offices in Abia, Akwa-Ibom, Borno, FCT, Kaduna, Kebbi, Lagos, Niger, Sokoto and Zamfara states.

Project Background
In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), PEPFAR/USAID investments have led to the achievement of significant progress in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara. However, the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed that epidemic control targets are yet to be achieved. Further, this progress is threatened by development challenges: limited financial resources, insufficient use of data for decision making, weak coordination mechanism across all levels of government and insecurity. The Accelerating Control of HIV Epidemic (ACE) project provides USAID with the opportunity to support the GoN, civil society groups, and private sector actors in the cluster 3 focus states to close gaps in reaching control targets, address critical challenges in implementing their HIV response and accelerate progress towards sustainable epidemic control.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Lead ART Advisor

Location: Abuja
Division / Department: Programs
Reporting: Deputy Chief of Party / Technical Director
Type: Full time / Non-exempt

Project Background
In collaboration with the Government of Nigeria (GoN), PEPFAR/USAID investments have led to the achievement of significant progress in the fight against the HIV epidemic in Kebbi, Sokoto, and Zamfara.

However, the 2018 Nigeria HIV/AIDS Indicator and Impact Survey (NAIIS) showed that epidemic control targets are yet to be achieved. Further, this progress is threatened by development challenges: limited financial resources, insufficient use of data for decision making, weak coordination mechanism across all levels of government and insecurity.

The Accelerating Control of HIV Epidemic (ACE) project provides USAID with the opportunity to support the GoN, civil society groups, and private sector actors in the cluster 3 focus states to close gaps in reaching control targets, address critical challenges in implementing their HIV response and accelerate progress towards sustainable epidemic control.

Job Summary
The job holder will work to maintain a high level of expertise and innovation in the delivery of pediatrics and adult antiretroviral therapy (ART); and TB prevention and treatment.

• This is necessary to accelerate progress toward the attainment of PEPFAR Nigeria program goals.
• This includes the provision of technical support for implementation of comprehensive TB/HIV care and treatment services to achieve epidemic control in Kebbi, Sokoto and Zamfara States by reaching the UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 goals.
• S/he will also contribute to the strengthening of working relationships with other stakeholders and building of systems for TB/HIV treatment program sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development of evidence-based strategies in line with national guidelines and donor priority for the attainment of UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals, including the implementation of national “test and start” strategy to improve linkage. S/He will provide technical support to ensure uninterrupted ART services for PLHIV, differentiated models of care and treatment, medication adherence support and scheduled monitoring in order to retain them on treatment and ensure treatment success.
• Oversee effective integration of TB/HIV activities to prevent TB and address TB disease among PLHIV
• Identify program-wide capacity building needs as this relates to the Clinical Services Directorate and support capacity building activities
• Provide technical guidance for the delivery of antiretroviral therapy in line with national guidelines and international best practices
• Ensure that training materials, SOPs and tools for ART service delivery are up-to-date and available at SDP
• Work with the Deputy Chief of Party/Technical Director, other team members and relevant units/directorates to support identification of priority areas for evaluation in order to improve program implementation outcomes
• Work closely with other team members to prepare program reports and support documentation of best practices as well as enhance knowledge sharing
• Interface, in conjunction with other members of the HSCL Team, between the HSCL Program Office, relevant government agencies and other stakeholders
• Contribute to the development of program work plans
• Promote stakeholder engagement by working with various levels of government, their relevant bodies/agencies, US Government agencies in Nigeria and other partners.
• Perform any other duties assigned to you by your supervisor.

Education and/or Work Experience Requirements

• A Medical Degree (MBBS) is mandatory, a Postgraduate Medical fellowship in a Clinical Specialty (Internal Medicine, Family Medicine or Pediatrics) or a Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH), with a minimum of 10 years’ cognate experience, especially in HIV clinical/program management.
• Experience in TB, MNCH, RH, malaria and COVID 19 programs is essential.

Desired competencies:

• 10 or more years of progressively and more responsible supervisory work experience that involved direct leadership of professional and support staff, oversight and evaluation of staff performance and deliverables.
• Excellent technical knowledge of TB/HIV disease control and state-of-the-art strategies and their practical application to comprehensive ART services including FP; RH; CALHIV/AIDS, COVID19, and other related areas.
• Experience in developing and implementing comprehensive TB/HIV projects and with demonstrated track record of achieving results.
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with host state government personnel, stakeholders, other implementing partners.
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English.
• Ability to work independently and manage a high-volume workflow.
• Relevant computer software skills, including at a minimum, MS Word, and Excel.
• Proficiency in Hausa will be an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
5th September 2022.