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 (4) REF: TS/HR/PMCD 49: Counsellor VMMC/EMTCT/VLS/Adol (01)
Classification: Contract, Full-time
Reporting to: Psychosocial and Community Linkages Officer
Salary: Commensurate with training and experience
Duty Station: TASO Rukungiri CoE
Directly Supervises: None

Main Purpose of the Job:
To provide HIV Counselling to clients, their families and community members, mobilize and support communities to respond to the HIV epidemic, and to provide ART with its related field services to enrolled TASO clients.
Key Outputs
• Comprehensive HIV counselling services provided
• Delivery of ARVs and other prophylactic drugs to TASO clients on ART and fostering adherence.
• Mapping of clients on ART and establishment of CDDPs / CCLAD
• Clients empowered with skills for self-reliance Clients referred to appropriate medical and psychosocial services Home-based counselling and testing provided

Education talks on HIV prevention conducted
• Client support groups established and supported
• OVC households supported in at least four Core Program areas Increased identification of PLHIV ensured and linked to care

Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Participate in development of departmental work plans, Budgets and reports,
2. Provide quality and comprehensive HIV counselling services to clients, family members, key populations, communities and partners.
3. Participate in the process of assessing TASO registered clients for social support
4. Participate in the process of empowering clients with skills for self-reliance and making appropriate succession plans.
5. Refer clients to appropriate medical and psychosocial services.
6. Participate in the mobilization and support of communities to offer HIV education and care.
7. Provide home-based HIV counselling and testing to household members of TASO Clients.
8. Conduct home visits to clients to foster ART and TB adherence and family support.
9. Participate in supporting the Community Health Workers within the center’s (TASO) area of operation
10. Conduct educational and radio talks on HIV prevention and other HIV issues,
11. Establish and support peer support groups for clients.
12. Conduct ARV refills and collect user fees to clients at facility, home and at CDDPs and CCLAD on a regular basis.
13. Follow and track clients at high risk of attrition, adolescents, non-suppression and KP.
14. Provide Intensive Adherence counselling
15. Make PMTCT follow ups at the community and facility.
16. Liaise with Health workers, CHEWs to ensure integrated support to clients.
17. Refer clients for appropriate services.
18. Carry out mapping of Clients on all care programs.
19. Conduct HIV educational talks to youth both in and out of school.
20. Provide technical support to clients SLPs and OVC households.
21. Provide support to activities of Adolescents and young people,
22. Increase demand creation for HIV services among key populations.

PERSON SPECIFICATIONS: Counsellor VMMC/EMTCT/VLS/ACOL
Minimum Academic Qualifications: Bachelor’s Degree in any of the following fields Social Sciences, Education, SWSA, Development Studies, Community and Adult Education, Community Psychology, Guidance and Counselling OR BSc Nursing.

Additional Training
• Comprehensive HIV Counselling from a recognized Institution
• ARV administration
• Training of Trainers
• Child Counselling
• Training in motorcycle riding is a MUST. A valid driving permit (Class A) MUST be attached.

Minimum Experience and Exposure: 1 year in HIV Counselling or Clinical Services
Special Knowledge Required
• Trends and developments in HIV/AIDS counselling
• Rights of PL WHAS

Key Skills Necessary
• Counselling skills
• Ability to communicate medical facts to non-medical people.
• Interpersonal skills
• Communication skills: Ability to speak the local dialect is a MUST.
• Computer skills

Other Qualities/Attributes: Integrity, Empathy, Patience, Confidentiality and Ability to work under mental and physical stress.