About HJFMRI Tanzania Program
The Walter Reed Program Tanzania (WRP-T) is a collaborative effort that supports PEPFAR funded HIV prevention and treatment activities in the Southern Highlands and within the Tanzania People’s Defense Forces (TPDF). HJF Medical Research International, Inc. Tanzania (HJFMRI-T) is a local non-profit that has supported these efforts since 2004 for the Walter Reed Army Institute of Research (WRAIR). PEPFAR activities are conducted in close collaboration with the Tanzania Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children; and the President’s Office of the Regional Administration and Local Government (PORALG), through the Regional and Council Health Management Teams.
HJFMRI-T provides care and treatment to people affected by HIV/ AIDS and has been actively involved in HIV and AIDS programming, providing resources, personnel, and services to the Southern Highlands Zone. The program has expanded from supporting the Mbeya Zonal Referral Hospital to becoming a hub for antiretroviral treatment in the zone; to community support through decentralized services, with the overall objective of implementing research, clinical HIV, prevention, care, and treatment services. HJFMRI-T currently operates in four regions in the Southern Highlands zone, which are Mbeya, Rukwa, Katavi, Songwe, and Ruvuma region for Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision (VMMC) intervention. The program also supports TPDF in implementing comprehensive HIV prevention care and treatment programs in 21 sites throughout the country.
Employment opportunity:
HJF Medical Research International, Inc. Tanzania (HJFMRI-T) is seeking qualified candidates to fill the positions listed below.
Job Title: Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Program Officer, TPDF Program
Reports to: Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Technical Advisor, TPDF Program
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Job Summary
Under the supervision of the CQI Advisor, the Program Officer will support the coordination and monitoring of the implementation of CQI activities in WRP-T supported TPDF health facilities in Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar. The Program Officer will play a key role in ensuring program activities are carried out in alignment with the current Tanzania mainland and Zanzibar guidelines. He/she will take on responsibilities in terms of providing regular supportive supervision and remediation plans for gaps identified at health facilities. S/he will assist facility CQI teams and work improvement teams in identifying gaps and utilizing CQI approaches to address them as well as conducting basic M&E activities to monitor CQI indicators. The Program Officer will be based at the WRP-T, TPDF program office in Dar es Salaam with regular travel to program sites across 16 regions and Zanzibar.
Primary Duties and Responsibilities
- Coordinate HIV related Quality Improvement (Ql) activities within the program supported health facilities and R/ CHMTs.
- Work in close collaboration with CQI focal person (Chair
- person, secretaries and facility in charges) coordinators at the Regional Medical Office, and assure consistency of HIV care and treatment services in supported sites as per established national guidelines
- Collaborate with HJFMRI technical leads, other program staff and supported facilities to implement and maintain an effective and coordinated approach to supportive supervision
- Plan and organize the comprehensive quarterly supportive supervision visits
- Support the coordination and implementation of supportive supervision, mentorship and remediation visits in close collaboration with different departments and CQI Advisor
- Effectively collaborate with field based WRP/HJFMRI clinical team and health facilities CQI teams to analyze gaps and challenges identified during supportive supervision visits and subsequently provide technical assistance for remediation/action plans
- Monitor the activities of CQI teams at health facility and outreach partner level and communicate with the teams on a regular basis
- Conduct close monitoring and analysis of selected CQI indicators and communicate with other program departments and health facilities.
- Receive Ql reports from facilities on a monthly basis, analyze the reports and provide feedback to the direct supervisor and the CQI teams.
- Ensure that the electronic reporting tool for selected CQI indicators is filled in a timely manner and provide technical assistance to complete the monthly reports where necessary
- Conduct regular coaching sessions for CQI at facility level, targeting the facility CQI teams
- Facilitate and participate in site visits to assess the progress in CQI implementation at partner level and identify way forward to deal with challenges
- Work with field based clinical teams to provide on-site Ql consultations and coaching to supported sites using information gathered during assessments so that results are used to effect changes in HIV clinical practice.
- Any other duties to support the program as assigned from time to time
Secondary Responsibilities:
- Ensure availability and use of the national and international policies, guidelines, training manuals, recording and reporting tools and information, education and communication materials that relate to the Quality Improvement Program/lnitiative
- Periodically measure and improve the quality of HIV/AIDS and related care be it through supportive supervision and / or other available means
- Be involved in the development of clinical program quality indicators and track them over time, using the results for remediation of gaps and challenges
- Support the facilitation of Ql meetings at regional and district levels, notably for program staff and representatives of medical and outreach partners
- Collaborate with RHMT and CHMT to identify CQI implementation gaps and support the development of evidence based interventions to rectify and maintain quality HIV &AIDS services.
- Communicate best practices and updates to ensure consistency in the program application and to maximize effectiveness in overall program implementation and management • Participate in Ql meetings at local and national level
Required Skills, Knowledge & Experience
- Bachelor degree in medicine or equivalent
- At least 1 year of experience in clinical medicine
- Previous exposure to the planning and implementing HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs is an added advantage
- Demonstrated knowledge in CQI principles and skills used in Tanzania HIV and AIDS clinical and community services provision.
- Prior experience in coordinating and implementing CQI activities in HIV and AIDS project activities is required.
- Clear understanding of Tanzanian health structure and system
- Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication
Applications Instructions
Cover letters and resumes should be sent by mail through post/ EMS/DHL/ or any reliable Courier to Senior Manager, Human Resources, P.O. Box 6396, Mbeya, or sent through e-mail to [email protected]
NOTE: To be considered, applicants must put the TITLE OF THE JOB in the SUBJECT LINE. . Applications that are hand-delivered will not be accepted. The deadline for applying is December 15th, 2021. As detailed in the job description(s) below, those who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered.
HJFMRI is an equal opportunity employer
