TB/HIV Technical Advisor to Ministry of Health (MOH)

REPORTS TO: NTP Manager (MOH)

LOCATION: Based in Maseru, Lesotho with frequent traveling to the districts (up to 30% of total time)

To provide technical, program, capacity building, and health systems’ strengthening support to strengthen DOTS expansion and TB /HIV integration at national and district level throughout Lesotho. The TB/HIV Technical Advisor will be seconded full time to the Lesotho National Tuberculosis Program (NTP) to support the MOH in its efforts to improve TB treatment outcomes and to reduce the burden of TB and HIV in dually infected/affected persons. The incumbent will provide technical depth, vision and guidance to ensure sustained support to the MOH in Lesotho to strategically lead and coordinate TB and TB/HIV related technical plans, programs and activities in alignment with the National TB and TB/HIV Strategic Plan and the National DOTS Expansion Strategic Plan of Lesotho.

Duties & Responsibilities

With the purpose to improve basic TB and TB/HIV integrated services in Lesotho and in accordance with the ICAP-MOH TB/HIV Operational Plan, the TB/HIV Technical Advisor will spend 85% of his/her time supporting the NTP Manager and work in close collaboration with the HIV/AIDS Program and 15% of his/her time with ICAP. The Technical Advisor will:

• Provide technical support to the MOH to strengthen TB and HIV control through the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the Stop Tuberculosis (TB) Strategy, and specifically the activities aimed at DOTS implementation and expansion included in the National DOTS Expansion Strategic Plan 2008-2012 as well as TB/HIV collaborative activities included in the National TB/HIV Strategic Plan 2008-2012.
• Advise and support the NTP in aspects of coordination and jointly planning and programming with the HIV/AIDS Program in the implementation of the National TB/HIV Strategic Plan.
• Advise and support the NTP and HIV/AIDS program with the planning, implementation, M&E and reporting of GF activities under Round 8.
• Provide direct technical assistance and guidance on TB and TB/HIV to the MOH at national level in order to improve TB/HIV integration and TB treatment outcomes. Such assistance will include:
1. Capacity building of the health sector personnel including the private practitioners on TB and TB/HIV matters, facilitation of community involvement, public-private partnership, support M&E activities, patient/service flow analysis and models for integration.
2. Modification of national norms, policies, guidelines, protocols and procedures for the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of TB and TB/HIV program activities.

• Assist the MOH with the documentation of epidemiological and general information about TB and TB/HIV (global/regional/country TB trends and basic information on TB).
• Provide guidance and support to the inter-departmental collaboration within the MOH(pharmacy, laboratory, etc.)
• Provide guidance and support to the inter-sectoral collaboration between health facilities and Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
• Work closely and in collaboration with other partners to maximize partnership strengths and effectively collaborate to implement program goals.
• Advise the NTP on operational research related to TB control in collaboration with theCDC and other implementing partners.
• Provide support to ICAP on specific technical areas according to identified needs.

Minimum Qualifications & Competencies

• MD with public health education and experience (MPH or equivalent)
• Extensive clinical experience and current literature in care and treatment of TB, HIV, and TB/HIV co-infection. Extensive technical competence in the area of TB control programs, including the implementation and expansion of the STOP TB Strategy
• At least 5 years of experience with capacity building at national level in the region (or similar regions) and training on TB, HIV and TB/HIV collaborative activities
• Experience in interacting with senior policy planners and decision makers, including high-level policy and strategic planning development and implementation
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation and communication skills and team building/working
• Ability to budget and monitor financial expenditures preferred
• Experience in leading change, institutional reform and organizational development desired
• Previous experience of working in/with Ministry of Health is advantageous
• Fluency in English, knowledge of Sesotho preferred
• Highly proficient in relevant computer applications, particularly Excel, PowerPoint and Word
• Must be willing to travel 30% of the time throughout Lesotho

Compensation/Benefits

• Commensurate with qualifications and experience

Application Instructions

Please email your recent CV with a covering letter to: icap-jobs-lesotho@columbia.edu.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Lesotho nationals with the ability to communicate (both verbally and in writing) in English are especially encouraged to apply.

Columbia University is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It does not discriminate against employees or applicants for employment on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, religion, creed, national and ethnic origin, age, citizenship, status as a perceived or actual victim of domestic violence, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, status as a Vietnam era or disabled veteran, or any other legally protected status.