John Snow Health Zambia, Limited 

USAID Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II) Activity

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Professional Counsellor (x5)

Location: Kabwe, Kapiri Mposhi, Kasama, Chipata, Nakonde, Lusaka

Category: Full-Time position

Reports to: Wellness Centre Coordinator

Background:  

John Snow Health Limited (JSH), a public health organization dedicated to improving the provision of public health services in Zambia and the region, is recruiting for a Professional Counsellor for the USAID-funded Controlling HIV Epidemic for Key and Underserved Populations (CHEKUP II). CHEKUP II aims to address the needs of people living with HIV (PLHIV) and those most at risk of acquiring HIV and contribute to HIV mitigation and epidemic control. The program seeks to improve the health outcomes of key populations in the highest HIV-burden provinces of Zambia.

Position Summary:

The Professional Counsellor will be responsible for the provision of excellent healthcare including counselling, HTS and Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). He/she will work with a number of assigned Wellness Centres to provide quality counselling on HIV services and PrEP to key populations and ensure continuity of care, monitoring of patients and reporting of program data. He/She will work with the management of the Wellness Centres and the linked Health facilities to ensure the provision of all health services in a one-stop-shop approach in each of the Wellness Centers

Responsibilities:

• Providing Pre- and Post-Counselling
• Conducting health education to key populations using PrEP information education and communication (IEC) materials on the importance of PrEP, HIV/AIDS/TB clients
• Plan HTS activities focused at achieving HTS indicators
• Identifying problems and setting priorities with the clients
• Sharing and distribution of IEC materials both at facility and community
• Case Finding through index testing- Devise interventions to find Men
• Counselling of clients
• Risk Assessment and IPV screening
• Assist clients in making informed decisions
• Presenting reports to multidisciplinary team for inputs
• Referral of patients to relevant departments and services such as GBV
• Entering into the daily register each patient counselled or educated
• Ensuring that all HTS registers are updated daily, and all backlog worked on immediately to the current date.
• Communicate the statistics to the line manager
•  Collect, collate, and submit program data on priority indicators for the KP interventions in line with program timelines
•  Ensure availability of SOPs at the Wellness Centers
•  Demonstrates   effective collaboration  and problem-solving skills when working with other stakeholders
•  Adhere to JSH personnel, financial, operations and fraud management policies
•  Participate in any other tasks as requested by supervisor and/or CHEKUP II management

Knowledge, abilities, skills required:

• Problem solving skills
• Counselling skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Supervision skills (guiding, supporting)
• Good interpersonal skill
• Personal management skills
• HTS linkage Viral Load HVST

Qualifications: 

• Grade 12 Certificate
• Diploma in Basic counselling or HIV/AIDS training.
• 3 years experiences
• Trained in HIV Counselling, testing and ART Adherence
• 2 years’ experience in counselling supervision
• A KP individual will be an added advantage

Desirable Qualifications and Experience:

• Degree in Project Management/Public Health/Nursing/communication
• Prior experience working in HIV Management/Control in Wellness Centres for key population
• Five (5) years’ experience
• Health care service delivery background

Supervision and Reporting: 

The Professional Counsellor will work under the guidance and supervision of the Wellness Centre Coordinator.