Medical Officers (HIV/AIDS - ART Project) 2 Positions: Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS) Jobs

MEDS is a Local Partner involved in running a multi-year, multi-million dollar HIV Care program (under AIDSRelief - Kenya Project) that supports scale-up of high quality, antiretroviral therapy (ART) to 40,000 Kenyans in the first four years of the project.

It is expected to grow significantly over the coming years. The Project Medical Officer will be based in Kisumu or Mombasa. However s/he will dedicate 50% of time at the health facilities to ensure quality programme implementation and progress toward strengthening quality of HIV care services.

S/he will work as part of a team with several other organizations that comprise the AIDSRelief Consortium, including medical technical advisors, nurse technical advisors, programme and finance managers, pharmaceutical supply chain managers, and strategic information staff. This person will play a key role in helping ensure the


successful achievement of team activities leading to high quality of care provided to persons living with AIDS.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

Capacity-building
  • Provide technical assistance and mentorship to partner organizations in key areas of ART (adult and pediatric) and opportunistic infection and TB diagnosis and management.
  • Monitor and regularly review partner treatment facilities (LPTFs)ís adherence to national guidelines regarding the treatment regime offered to clients including prophylactic drugs and ARVs.
  • Participate in strategic thinking and implementation of approaches used by AIDSRelief-Kenya for quality implementation of HIV care and treatment services.
  • Participate in the planning and facilitation of technical workshops for capacity building in HIV/AIDS and ART.
  • Monitor and report on the implementation of HIV clinical services at LPTFs.
  • Participate in project evaluations and assessments.
  • Perform continuous training needs assessments.
  • Support initiation of quality improvement strategies at partner health facilities geared to improving quality of HIV care provision.
  • Initiate and document models of care that can be replicated elsewhere.
  • Research, stay up-to-date and disseminate HIV/AIDS methodologies and best practices.
  • Provide clinical HIV services to a cohort of patients at an AIDSRelief partner facility on a monthly basis.
Representation and Networking
  • Represent the agency in HIV/AIDS forums.
  • Collaborate with in-country stakeholders, including Ministry of Health, PARTOs, NLTP, and NASCOP.
  • Participate on the AIDSRelief Clinical Core Team and Therapeutic Drug Committee.
Specific Qualifications:
  • University Degree in Clinical medicine and MPH
  • Have solid working knowledge and practical experience in the following areas: ARV therapy, pediatric ART, OI management, PMTCT, and TB
  • TOT facilitation certificate from NASCOP
  • Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through formal and informal training.
  • Experience in on-site clinical mentorship strongly valued
  • Three years experience implementing HIV/AIDS projects, preferably in an NGO setting
  • Experience in working closely at provincial and national level with the GOK in HIV programming
  • Experience in implementing US Government-funded projects
  • Willingness to travel under difficult circumstances
  • Demonstrated ability to work in a team
  • Demonstrated ability to communicate in English (written and oral)
  • Excellent computer skills (Microsoft office programs).
Key working relationships:

Internal:
  • Other sections of the project and MEDS other departments
  • Provide support to other Units as required and deemed appropriate.
External:
  • AIDSRelief Consortium Members (Catholic Medical Mission Board, Institute for Human Virology, Futures)
  • National faith-based umbrella organizations (MEDS, KEC, CHAK and University of Nairobi)
  • Local partner treatment facilities
  • Stakeholders in the HIV/AIDS sector (PARTO, PMO, NASCOP, etc)
  • Maintain a networking relationship with other organizations working in the HIV/AIDS sector.
If you feel that you are up to the challenge, posses the necessary qualifications, a team player and have good organizational, communication and leadership skills, please send your CV and application letter indicating why you are the most suitable candidate for the offer to the address below.

Applications should be sent by post or email to:

Managing Director
Mission for Essential Drugs & Supplies (MEDS)
P O Box 78040
Viwandani 00507
Nairobi

Or email: sahibu @ africaonline.co.ke

Closing date for receiving applications is 16th April, 2010

Any form of canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.