HIV Testing Services (Hts) Counsellor x3 at SHDEPHA+ in Dar es salaam region
HIV Testing Services (Hts) Counsellor x3 Job Description
HIV Testing Services (Hts) Counsellor needed.
ORGANISATION BACKGROUND
SHDEPHA+ is a National Non-Governmental Organization, registered on 21 November 1994 with registration number SO 8216, and have received a new compliance registration number 00NGO/R1/00384 under the NGO act 2002.
The organization aim to mobilize resources to help people living with HIV/AIDS and to fight the spread of the Disease. Although originally focusing on people living with HIV/AIDS, over the years SHDEPHA+ has expanded beyond HIV/AIDS and related issues to other development interventions and now covers both infected and affected by HIV/AIDS with over 10 branches countrywide.
SHDEPHA+ Head office is based in Kahama Municipal-Shinyanga Region with operations office across 9 Regions in Tanzania mainland the organization has been working with both National and International Donors, Local and Central Government and other stakeholders toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Organization works with the Key and vulnerable Groups including Women, Children, Youth, People with special needs; and it gives special attention to the underserved and Marginalized populations such as People Living with HIV(PLHV).
SHDEPHA+ VISION: A democratic Community that is free of Poverty, Hunger, and Diseases and enjoys a good quality of education, standards of living, and social well being.
SHDEPHA+ MISSION: SHDEPHA+ is committed to reducing income and non-income poverty, hunger, human suffering, diseases, and the impact and spread of HIV/AIDS by empowering marginalized and vulnerable people, most at-risk populations, and communities in general to achieve Community-based and sustainable human development.
GOAL: Using SHDEPHA+ core values and mission to work toward the Millennium Development Goals to improve the lives of marginalized and vulnerable groups, most at risk populations, and communities in general.
VACANCY DETAILS
BACKGROUND
SHDEPHA+ is implementing a PEPFAR-funded project funded by the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR) of the Department of Defense (DoD) through HJFMRI Tanzania, as part of the HIV Prevention Care and Support Program in the Southern Highlands (SHL).
This program focuses on collaborating with the Ministry of Health (MOH), PO-Regional Authorities and Local Government, and MCDGWSG to provide comprehensive community-based HIV prevention, care, treatment, and support services across the Southern Highland regions, including Mbeya, Songwe, Ruvuma, Rukwa, and Katavi.
The partnership with HJFMRI is aligned with the goal of reaching UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets: ensuring 95% of people living with HIV know their status, 95% of diagnosed individuals are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 95% of those on ART achieve viral suppression.
For FY25, SHDEPHA+ will implement this HIV/AIDS Care and Support Program in Mbeya, with a focus on three key areas: HIV/AIDS prevention, community-based HIV services (CBHS), and HIV testing and counselling services (HTS).
To meet these goals, SHDEPHA+ provides services that address gender-based violence (GBV), community HIV testing (HTS), pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), especially for adolescents and youth aged 15-24.
The program also focuses on key and vulnerable populations (KVP) at higher risk for HIV. In addition to prevention and testing, SHDEPHA+ engages in tracing clients who have missed appointments (MISSAPs) and those experiencing interruptions in treatment (IIT) to ensure continued care and contribute towards achieving the 95-95-95 targets.
Job type: Full-time
HIV TESTING SERVICES (HTS) COUNSELLOR (3 POSITION)
Location: Mbarali /Mbeya
Report to: Prevention & HTS Focal Person – HIV Prevention, Care and Support Program
Contract: 1 Year (renewable based on the performance and funds availability)
JOB OBJECTIVE:
The primary objective of the HIV Testing Services (HTS) Counsellor is to provide high-quality, client-centered counseling and testing services to individuals at risk of or affected by HIV.
The HTS Counsellor will be responsible for delivering pre-test, post test, and ongoing psychosocial support to ensure informed decision-making, promote behavior change, and encourage linkage to HIV care and treatment services for those testing positive.
Additionally, the HTS Counsellor will contribute to the achievement of UNAIDS’ 95-95-95 targets by ensuring accurate and confidential testing, effective communication of results, and timely referral to appropriate services, while maintaining a stigma-free and supportive environment.
Roles and Responsibilities
Provide client-centered pre-test, post-test, and follow-up counseling to individuals seeking HIV testing.
Conduct HIV testing in accordance with national guidelines, ensuring accurate and timely delivery of test results.
Offer comprehensive information on HIV prevention, risk reduction, and the importance of regular testing and care.
Ensure that individuals testing positive for HIV are linked to appropriate care, treatment, and support services, including antiretroviral therapy (ART). v. Facilitate referrals to community-based support services, ensuring follow-up for clients who test positive.
Coordinate with healthcare providers and case managers to ensure a seamless transition from testing to treatment and care.
Maintain strict confidentiality of all client information, ensuring adherence to ethical standards and privacy regulations.
Accurately document all testing sessions, counseling services, and client outcomes in accordance with organizational and national reporting requirements. ix. Report data on HIV testing services to the M&E team for monitoring program outcomes and improving service delivery
Provide ongoing emotional and psychosocial support to individuals diagnosed with HIV, helping them cope with the diagnosis and reduce stigma
Address issues of mental health, gender-based violence (GBV), and other challenges that may affect the client’s ability to seek or adhere to treatment. xii. Educate clients on HIV transmission, prevention methods (including Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis – PrEP), and the importance of early diagnosis.
Promote safer sexual practices, condom use, and other risk reduction strategies. xiv. Conduct awareness and outreach activities within the community to encourage testing, particularly for key and vulnerable populations (KVP)
Ensure adherence to national and international guidelines on HIV testing and counseling, ensuring the delivery of high-quality services.
Participate in training and capacity-building activities to stay updated on best practices and emerging trends in HIV testing and counseling.
Engage with local communities to raise awareness of HIV testing services and reduce stigma around testing and treatment.
Work closely with community health workers, peer educators, and outreach teams to expand the reach of HIV testing services, particularly to underserved populations.
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
Diploma in clinical Medicine, Nursing, or other health-related field.
Must have a valid practicing license (A certificate for HIV testing is an added advantage).
At least three (3) years of experience in working in community HIV Programs and experience in working with Key and vulnerable groups will be an advantage to this position.
Ability to maintain confidentiality in all aspects
Ability to work both individually and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate fluently in both English and Kiswahili.
Candidates from preferred locations will be an added advantage.
Method of Application
This is Full-time Job, If you meet the criteria given above and interested in the vacancies, please send an application letter and CV combined in as one document indicating your present/recent employer and position, daytime telephone contact, names and addresses of three referees.
In addition, it is mandatory to fill in the form provided in the link below: https://forms.gle/QBJbt9NBrtetx1Pf6 DEADLINE To be considered, your application must be received by 17.00 HOURS on Monday 15th October 2024 the subject line of your job application email should mention the job position that you are applying as it appears in this advertisement. Failure to do that your application may not easily be retrieved.
All correspondences and applications should be emailed to: recruitments@shdepha.org Disclaimers
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- SHDEPHA+ is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices based on Age, Race, Color, Religion, Sex, National origin, Political affiliation, Marital status, Disability, Membership in an employee Organization, or other non-merit factors.
- SHDEPHA+ is committed to the principles of safeguarding in workplace and will not tolerate any form of abuse, wherever it occurs or whoever is responsible”
- Any Applicant attempting to communicating to SHDEPHA+ Management or Staff through phone calls, SMS, text emails and other means will automatically be disqualified from this opportunity. All communications should be channeled to the provided official correspondence email above
- No application fee will be required to apply for this position. 5. SHDEPHA+ regrets that only short-listed candidates will be contacted
For more information about the organization, please visit https://shdepha.org/
