HIV Testing Services Counsellor Job at Amref Kenya

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization, currently implementing more than 120 programs, directly reaching more than 12 million people across 35 African countries. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten countries in Africa and an additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices in Europe and North America. In the spirit of Ubuntu, partnership and networking are key elements of our approach. Amref has a staff complement of over 1,500. 

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To catalyze and drive community-led and people-centered health systems while addressing social determinants of health’. We believe that the power to transform Africa's health lies within its communities, and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but that communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for the delivery of quality and affordable health care. 

Job Title : HIV Testing Services (HTS) Counsellor

Reporting to : HTS Supervisor & Facility In-Charge

Duration: Two (2) months

No. of Vacancies : 1

Location : Lodwar, Turkana

Job Purpose 

The HTS Counsellor is responsible for providing HIV Testing Services to patients and clients seeking services in their respective health facilities using provider-initiated testing and counselling, voluntary counselling and testing, targeted family and partner testing/Partner notification services and other novel HTS approaches. They will be responsible for working closely with other service providers to ensure that the quality of HTS services is sustained as defined by the MOH service quality standards. They will receive direct supervision from HTS supervisor and facility Incharge. 

Responsibilities 

• Create awareness and provide education about the existence of HIV testing services
• Lead in the mobilization of clients for HTS
• Provide pre/post-test HIV counselling ensuring that clients understand risk factors, prevention methods and other relevant issues
• Provide confidential HIV testing to clients, as per national HTS guidelines
• Provide on-going counselling and make relevant referrals for on-going support
• Always ensure quality of HTS services
• Document and maintain accurate HTS records including referrals and report on referral outcomes
• Compile and submit HTS reports on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis to the supervisor
• Timely requests for all the necessary consumables for undertaking HTS activities
• Participate in HTS QA activities like PT, counselling supervision etc.
• Ensure HTS optimization in the facility
• Provide Partner Notification Services
• Perform any other duties as directed by the supervisor

Qualifications and Experience 

• MUST have completed at least a diploma level course in social or health sciences
• Certificate in HTS accredited by NASCOP
• Conducted and Passed Proficiency Tests

Skills 

• Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment
• Excellent written, listening and oral communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and work well under pressure
• Excellent use of android application and computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Office
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili
• Ability to conceptualize and understand program needs

How to Apply 

Interested? Please send your CV with the title ‘HTS Counsellor – USAID Imaarisha Jamii Programme’ to the email address recruitment@amref.org. The closing date will be Tuesday 20 February, 2024 and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. 

Duly note that Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is an equal opportunity employer and has a non-smoking environment policy.