Care and Treatment Lead
Location: Windhoek
Reports to: Program Director
Position Overview
The Care and Treatment Lead will oversee the implementation of care, treatment, and clinical services for HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), and other general health services within a donor-funded program. The role focuses on improving health outcomes, expanding access to care, and ensuring quality service delivery in collaboration with public health systems. The Care and Treatment Lead will provide technical leadership in the design, implementation, and monitoring of clinical programs, ensuring alignment with PEPFAR guidelines and national policies. The role involves close co-ordination with Ministry of Health officials, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to ensure sustainable, high-quality care for affected populations.
Key Responsibilities
- Program Leadership & Strategy
- Lead the strategic direction and technical oversight of care and treatment services within the program, focusing on HIV, TB, and related public health interventions.
- Provide expert clinical guidance on the integration of HIV/AIDS and TB care and treatment with broader health systems, aligning with Namibia’s national health priorities.
- Ensure that clinical care and treatment services meet PEPFAR targets and objectives, including viral load suppression, patient retention, and treatment initiation.
- Technical Expertise in HIV and TB Care
- Lead the design, implementation, and scale-up of high-quality, evidence-based clinical interventions for HIV and TB, including ART (Antiretroviral Therapy) initiation, management, and TB treatment.
- Provide technical guidance on the management of HIV/TB co-infection, ensuring that clinical protocols are in place and aligned with the latest global and national guidelines.
- Ensure the incorporation of differentiated service delivery models to improve patient outcomes, including community-based care, and adherence strategies.
- Capacity Building & Clinical Training
- Design and deliver capacity-building initiatives for healthcare providers, including training in HIV and TB care, diagnostic tools, and adherence counselling.
- Support the Ministry of Health and local health authorities in strengthening health workforce capacity to deliver high-quality HIV and TB care.
- Mentor clinical staff at public health facilities, providing ongoing technical support to improve the quality of care and patient outcomes.
- Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E)
- Collaborate with the M&E team to establish systems for tracking program performance against key indicators, particularly PEPFAR program metrics.
- Utilize data to guide decision-making and program adjustments, ensuring a focus on continuous improvement in care and treatment delivery.
- Contribute to the development of annual reports, donor reports, and other program documentation, ensuring that program outcomes and lessons learned are accurately captured.
- Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Foster and maintain relationships with key stakeholders, including PEPFAR, USAID, MoHSS, healthcare providers, civil society organizations, and other partners to enhance care delivery and program impact.
- Represent the organization in national and regional technical working groups, health forums, and donor meetings.
- Collaborate with the Ministry of Health to ensure program activities are aligned with national policies and health priorities, contributing to the sustainability of HIV and TB programs.
- Quality Assurance & Improvement
- Lead efforts to improve the quality of HIV and TB care and treatment services through regular site visits, clinical audits, and supervision of healthcare facilities.
- Ensure the integration of quality improvement (QI) initiatives to address gaps in care and improve clinical outcomes.
- Work with health facility teams to implement innovative approaches to service delivery that improve access, adherence, and patient retention.
- Cross-cutting Public Health Interventions
- Oversee the implementation of cross-cutting public health interventions, including the integration of sexual and reproductive health, maternal and child health, and mental health services into HIV and TB care.
- Ensure that services are patient-centred and address the social determinants of health, such as gender inequality, stigma, and discrimination, in the context of HIV and TB care.
- Resource Management
- Assist in managing the budget for care and treatment activities, ensuring cost-effective use of resources.
- Support resource mobilization efforts by contributing to funding proposals and engaging with donors and partners to secure additional funding for care and treatment services.
Qualifications & Experience
- Medical Degree or equivalent, while a Master’s in Public Health / Global Health is preferred.
- Minimum of 10 years of clinical experience in managing HIV/AIDS and TB care, preferably in a donor-funded setting.
- At least 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role overseeing care and treatment programs.
- Proven experience working with PEPFAR-funded programs and familiarity with PEPFAR indicators and reporting requirements.
- Strong understanding of Namibia’s public health system and the national HIV/TB response.
- Experience in capacity building, mentoring, and training healthcare professionals.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team and collaborate with diverse stakeholders.
Key Competencies
- Proven knowledge of HIV/AIDS and TB care, treatment, and public health interventions.
- Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with high-level stakeholders.
- Proficiency in monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on data-driven decision-making.
- Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a diverse and dynamic environment.