JOB PURPOSE
HIV/AIDS is often associated with a range of psychosocial sequelae that must be addressed throughout all stages of the infection. Psychological support is therefore critical for helping individuals, couples, and families affected by HIV to cope with their emotions and psychosocial needs. (Chan and Chung).
The Psychosocial Support Programme Officer will work collaboratively with stakeholders in the public health system, non-governmental and civil society to facilitate training, supervision and mentorship. In addition, the Programme Officer will coordinate programmes for the treatment, care and support of key and vulnerable populations.
The officer will play a lead role in coordinating the national response through the selection of experts to develop recommendations for national standards and guidelines for the provision of psychosocial care, designing evidence-based behavioural interventions, training and supervising the psychosocial component of the national response.
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
- Key deliverables are produced within agreed time frames to the required standards
- Confidentiality of information obtained on the job is preserved
- Procurement of goods, services or works are done in accordance with current guidelines established by the GoJ and the relevant funding agencies
KEY OUTPUTS
- Coordinate the review and revision of guiding documents (eg. protocols, manuals and job aides) as necessary for the four psychosocial groups to standardize and optimize service delivery to PLHIV.
- Coordinate trainings to develop skills for the psychosocial team, inclusive of psychologists, case managers, social workers and adherence counsellors within the national HIV response to support improved well-being among key population groups, adopting HIV prevention behaviors, coping with HIV disease, treatment adherence and retention in care.
- Coordinate training in motivational interviewing to health care workers and monitor utilization of MI principles
- Coordinate psychosocial training to agencies involved in implementing the HIV prevention and treatment response including non-governmental and civil society organizations
- Facilitate regular supervision meetings for different categories of psychosocial staff
- Procure food vouchers for PLHIV
- Management of food vouchers for PLHIV, including the procurement and dispatch to the four regional health authorities
- Collate monthly reports from the four categories of the psychosocial team
- Individual Workplan prepared and submitted as agreed
KEY RESPONSIBILITY AREAS
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop behaviour change strategies for prevention and treatment that appropriately address the dynamics of the epidemic in Jamaica
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to develop HIV preventive interventions and interdisciplinary HIV prevention resources and communication mechanisms to rapidly translate research findings to community and public policy arenas
- Coordinate the development of national standards for the provision of psychosocial care
- Coordinate the development of guidelines for the role of psychologists, social workers, case managers and adherence counsellors employed to the National HIV response
- Coordinate the development of guidelines for integrating psychosocial care into other chronic disease clinics
- Coordinate the development, review and revise as necessary, the psychosocial modules for online delivery to healthcare workers
- Coordinate the development M&E framework for all components of Psychosocial programme
- Monitor implementation of relevant guidelines agreed on by MOHW convened experts
- Prepare procurement documents for all psychosocial activities
- Prepare documents related to psychosocial consultancies, including development of the terms of reference and procurement documents;
- Management of psychosocial consultancies, including coordination of provision of review and timely feedback on deliverables
- Participate in treatment site and corrective actions audits (conduction of audit and compilation of audit report), at treatment sites and non-governmental organizations across the island providing care for PLHIV, STIs and TB
- Review and collate psychosocial reports from the four cadres (social workers, adherence counsellors, case managers and psychologists) of the sub-national team, for national and international reports as per required timelines
- Preparation of psychosocial section for the monthly and annual TCS reports; with rostered responsibility to review and submit monthly TCS report
- Serve as the focal point representative from the national treatment care and support team to a Regional Health Authority as assigned by the Director, Treatment Care & Support.
REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Excellent computer skills, including PowerPoint, Excel, Microsoft word
- Organizing and conducting online meetings and presentations
- The ability to work in confidential environment
- Good interpersonal skills
- Good analytical and problem solving skills
- Leadership and team building skills
- Ability to multi-task and prioritize outputs
REPORTING RELATIONSHIP
The Officer will report directly to the Director, Treatment Care & Support, HIV/STI/TB Unit, Ministry of Health & Wellness, who has the overall responsibility for ensuring the quality and timeliness of the output of this office.
MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences
- Masters’ in Public Health would be an advantage
- Have at least 5 years field experience in HIV
- Experience working in health care settings
SPECIAL CONDITIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE JOB
- Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information
- May be required to work beyond normal working hours in order to meet deadlines
- Willingness and ability to travel overnight island wide and internationally
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Interested persons should submit their application along with resume no later than
January 20, 2023 via email to jobapplications.moh@gmail.com
Applications must be addressed to:
Director, Human Resource Management & Development
Ministry of Health & Wellness
10a Chelsea Avenue, Kingston 5
We thank all candidates for responding, however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.