Counseling and Testing Technical Advisor

The Counseling and Testing Technical Advisor will have primary responsibilities for overseeing the design, coordination, and support for implementation of community-based HIV counseling and testing services for at-risk populations in the Eastern Caribbean, as IntraHealth staff seconded to a Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance (CHAA)-led Project – Increasing Access to HIV/AIDS Services through Evidence-based Programming.

S/he will work as a member of the CHAA team working on the Eastern Caribbean Community Action Project (EC-CAP) initiatives with other staff members, Ministries of Health, and other key stakeholders especially at the community level (NGOs, Community Based Organizations, Faith Based Organizations) on developing/updating counseling and testing guidelines and protocols for inclusion of community participation.  This effort includes supporting the implementation of referral pathways and bi-directional referral systems between the National program and the community-based initiatives.

S/he will work in close collaboration with CHAA in-country programs to make sure Animators (peer to peer outreach workers) supported by CHAA are trained and have the requisite technical support to provide basic, but quality, counseling and referral services to their clients.  S/he will maintain a strong and collaborative relationship with key partners and stakeholders to strengthen community-based HIV counseling and testing services and referrals to care, treatment, and support services at the community and health facility levels.

The Counseling and Testing Technical Advisor will travel frequently within the Eastern Caribbean and will live in a country to be determined.  International travel might also be required from time to time as needed.  For the Project, the Counseling and Testing Technical Advisor will be supervised by the Caribbean HIV/AIDS Alliance program Technical Director, and as a seconded staff to CHAA s/he will receive Technical Assistance and support and report to the Technical and Operations Manager at IntraHealth.

Essential functions include:

• providing overall leadership and sound advice for the Community Based Counseling and Testing (CBCT) activities;
• ensuring quality design and implementation, achievement of results, and collaborates with other technical units to ensure effective teamwork;
• maintaining strong and collaborative relationships with all key stakeholders of project including community animators, USAID, MOHs, National AIDS Programs (NAP), regional institutions, and other partners to support program implementation;
• maintaining regular contact with the management team (COP and Technical Director) to provide updates on CBCT activities and to discuss strategy, challenges, and communicate activity progress through both formal and informal meetings and required quarterly and annual CBCT progress reports;
• building the capacity (including training) of counterparts and establishes strong linkages and referral systems for people living with HIV/AIDS;
• leading the process of developing/reviewing and adapting HIV/AIDS counseling and testing training curricula and materials to meet appropriate international standards, regional protocols, and local realities;
• working with MOHs and NAPs to design and put in place a strong supervision system for counseling and testing (CT) sites;
• strengthening/initiating quality assurance (QA) for both HIV testing and counseling for facility-based, mobile, and community based rapid counseling and testing (RCT) services working with the MOH and NAP;
• ensuring that the work of EC-CAP as it relates to counseling and testing is adequately documented to facilitate the sharing of best practices and program development is in line with agreed objectives;
• working with the M&E point person to develop/adapt tools for CBCT roll out;
• monitoring CBCT activities to ensure timely implementation;
• ensuring that QA mechanisms are in place and functional;
• leading development of annual CBCT work plans, and ensures integration of other activities in larger project work plan;
• overseeing all CBCT and related activities to ensure objectives are achieved and targets are met;
• participating in project management meetings as well as technical meetings; and,
• performing other responsibilities as requested.

The requirements for the Counseling and Testing Technical Advisor position include:

• an advanced degree in public health, medicine, or nursing (MPH, MD, RN or Ph.D.);
• minimum of 6 years technical experience implementing HIV Counseling and Testing programs;
• demonstrated ability to successfully partner with host country governments, NGOs, community based organizations, and community members;
• demonstrated ability to design and implement CT programs that address vulnerable and highly stigmatized groups who engage in risky behavior to acquire HIV;
• experience developing linkages and referrals for people living with HIV;
• minimum 5 years experience developing/revising CT policies and guidelines;
• knowledge of U.S. government funded projects;
• experience in palliative care is a plus;
• knowledge of the Caribbean is a plus;
• ability to work in a team is a requirement; and
• fluency in English required.