The AIDS Support Organization (TASO Uganda), was founded to contribute to a process of preventing HIV infection, restoring hope and improving the quality of life of persons, families and communities affected by HIV infection and disease. TASO is implementing various projects funded by the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Fund in partnership with various Implementing Partners to support the Government of Uganda accelerate epidemic control and the attainment of the UNAIDS 95 95 95 goals. TASO requires the services of dedicated, competent, innovative and result-oriented individuals for employment on a contract basis for the posts below;
Job Title (1) REF: TS/HR/PMGT/47: District TB/HIV Project Officer (03)
Classification: Contract, Full-time
Reporting to: PCT PO/ Cluster Team Leader and technically supported by the TB and Capacity Development Advisor
Salary: Commensurate with training and experience
Duty Station: Serere, Amuria and Amudat Districts – Soroti Regional Project Directly Supervises: None

Main Purpose of the Job:
The District TB/HIV Project Officer will provide technical assistance to project and Health facility staff, Facility-Community-Based Linkage Facilitators and District Health Teams (DHT) to ensure effective linkages and referrals for quality accelerated TB epidemic control through evidence-based high impact prevention, care, and treatment and support responses in the Cluster areas. S/he will provide technical support to the district health team (DHT) and district-led programming in the district, initiate, plan, coordinate and evaluate project activities designed to enhance capabilities, governance and functionality of DHTS and District Community Services Department.

Key Outputs
• Support the facilities and DHT to implement activities to improve TB Case Finding, TB patient tracking, treatment adherence in the community and facility settings and achieve set targets.
• Availability and provision of INH Prophylactic Treatment (IPT) to eligible HIV positive adults and Children ensured
• Stronger collaboration between the linkage officer and Facility-Community Linkage Facilitators for TB/HIV prevention and control interventions ensured
• Differentiated service delivery models and community support programs for TB prevention and control implemented
• Family Support Groups, Peer Support Groups, Expert Clients and other community structures assisted to develop action plans which are aligned to the TB prevention strategy and the key result areas of the project focusing on accelerated TB/HIV epidemic control.
• Coordination of TASO Soroti regional Project supported activities at district level, community and facility and ensure Communications between the Project and Districts relayed and enhanced
• Continuous Quality Improvement approaches for TB/HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support services in the Cluster areas supported
• Timely District consolidated reports compiled and presented
• Monthly and quarterly District narrative reports compiled

Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Participate in the development of lessons learned from programs and projects related to TB/HIV and apply these lessons to modify existing program and improve the design of new programs.
2. Work with Community-Facility Linkages Facilitators, VHTs and other community structures to implement and monitor project indicators in the community setting.
3. Work with the local CBOs and Community-Facility Linkage Facilitators to conduct community education/mobilization to generate demand for collaborative TB/HIV services and ensure the uptake of HIV Counselling and Testing, and TB screening and diagnostic services for children, adolescents and adults in a child-friendly manner at community level.
4. Coordinate and monitor the referral system between the community and the Health Facilities.
5. Supervise the peer educators, expert clients and linkage facilitators to conduct HTS, TB/HIV referrals, follow ups and TB/HIV treatment defaulter tracing.
6. Work with the local CBOs to establish new and strengthen existing psychosocial support groups (PSSGS) at community level to promote completion of TB treatment.
7. Prepare comprehensive monthly and quarterly reports of all activities carried out as per the work plan
8. Improve linkage to the care system with a stronger focus on TB/HIV case finding and client indexing.
9. Support in strengthening the multidisciplinary linkage coordination at the facility and Community levels.
10. Support mentoring activities for HCWs in relation to TB/ HIV/AIDS prevention services in the cluster especially those targeting improvements along the cascade of care and treatment and Technical Assistance for the handling of complicated TB cases.
11. Support Continuous Quality Improvement approaches for TB/HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support services in the Cluster areas.
12. Support all facilities to develop QI projects along the HIV continuum of care.
13. Provide technical assistance through mentorship to QI teams at districts and health facilities.
14. Distribute and disseminate QI SOPs, guidelines, journals to all facilities.
15. Conduct routine RCAs and disseminate findingstlo inform Project
16. Provide support in planning related to TB & HIV/AIDS prevention and community linkages services in the Cluster.
17. Coordinate and maintain working relationship with DHTS, District Education and Sports, Community Development Offices and partners in the District.
18. Serve as a liaison between the DHT Education and Community Development and Community Services and the Project Management in the district of operation to monitor the district-led programming and sub-granting process.
19. Facilitate proper coordination within program districts and act as a District based focal point for the overall coordination and management of the program.
20. Participate in coordination committees contributing to accelerating to Epidemic control in the District.
21. Provide regular and periodic feedback on accountability to governance structures namely DHT, District Council, Sub county Council and Health Management Committees especially of High Volume Sites
22. Oversee coordination of Community structures at high Volume Health Facilities in the District.
23. Mapping and identifying non PEPFAR Partners to create synergy and resources leveraging.
24. Establish and strengthen linkages between Family support groups, Demonstration gardens with relevant government agencies such as Wealth Creation, Women Empowerment Projects and Youth Livelihood.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS: District TB/HIV Project Officer
Minimum Academic Qualifications: Bachelors of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB). Postgraduate qualification is an added advantage.

Additional Training
• Evidence of having attended specialized training in TB and HIV/AIDS management
• Training in motorcycle riding is a MUST. A valid driving permit (Class A) MUST be attached.

Required Experience and Exposure
• At least 5 years’ experience in providing technical assistance and mentorship of HCWs in TB & HIV/AIDS prevention and community linkages within MoH structures and systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge and experience in TB and HIV/AIDS management, prevention and community referral and linkages as per the national community referral and linkages framework.
• Good working knowledge of TB and HIV/AIDS prevention programs, strategies, processes and techniques used to plan, develop, implement and evaluate results of HIV/AIDS programs.
• Knowledge of USG programming policies and regulations, MoH and district procedures and practices.
• Good understanding of District Health System Experience implementing quality Improvement initiatives and conducting health facility mentorship will be an added advantage
• Additional experience and understanding of sub Award/ sub grant management will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with the functioning of the decentralized Local Government System of Uganda

Special Knowledge
• Proven technical Knowledge and skills in Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, Nutrition and Family Planning, quality Improvement and Health System Strengthening.
• Proven technical knowledge and skills in HIV Care and Treatment, Family Planning Maternal Child Health Services, QI and understanding of HSS.
• Knowledge of PEPFAR/US Government programming policies and regulations, procedures and practices, which bear on project management in support of cooperative agreements.
• Specialized knowledge and experience in Community Health and stakeholder engagement skills and attributes

Key Skills
• Strong representation, oral and written communication skills. Ability to communicate in the local languages (Ateso and Ngakaramojong) is a MUST
• Excellent interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively with the DHTs and HFs.
• In-depth knowledge and experience in HIV/AIDS and report writing,
• Project planning skills and a good understanding of sub granting systems to local governments.
• Cross cultural sensitivity and ability to interact well with diverse groups of people and multiple teams.
• Good organizational, time management influencing and networking skills.
• Ability to demonstrate flexibility, open mindedness and to speak the local language
• Proven ability to ride a motorcycle is a MUST.
• Computer proficiency in MS Office Applications.
• Willingness to work in rural settings.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including the ability to work effectively in a team.

Other Qualities/Attributes: Integrity, Emotional control, Confidentiality and Openness, Team player, Ability to work under mental and physical stress and Empathy