Shwari Health Cameroon is a locally registered organization with a vision to ensure the provision of quality, effective and innovative evidence-based solutions to address health systems challenges within the health sector in Cameroon and beyond with a special focus to children and adolescents. To achieve this, Shwari Health Cameroon uses proven community strategies to identify HIV infected children and adolescents, refer them to health facilities for initiation on treatment, support and accompany them through treatment to ensure they remain in care and achieve viral suppression. Our mission is to be one of the most sought-after implementations science associations in Cameroon that uses evidence-based strategies to effectively cover the ‘Know-Do’ gaps in the provision of health services. We aim to achieve this through the application of modern evidence generation and synthesis methods to understand operational contexts so as to motto strategies that could make the implementation efforts more effective and efficient.
SHWARI Health Association, in partnership with Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Practice and Impact (CGHPI), the Government of the Republic of Cameroon’s Regional Technical Groups (RTGs), will be implementing a project titled SAFECARE-Cameroon, which is a 5-year CDC/PEPFAR-Funded project. SAFECARE-Cameroon’s goal is to develop, implement, and sustain comprehensive facility and community-based HIV services for children, adolescents, and adults in Cameroon in PEPFAR supported regions of the country and support the country to quickly track its progress to achieve HIV epidemic control . As a result, SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) is recruiting for the following program implementation positions. All prospective candidates must be fluent in French and working knowledge of English. These positions will be based in Yaoundé or Bertoua.
SHAC Office Positions
Position: Clinical Mentor / Site Lead, SAFECARE Project -Cameroon
Reports to: Regional Program Manager
Location of work: Yaoundé, Cameroon
Number of positions: 71
Position Overview: The Clinical Mentor will work closely with the ISDI Specialist and ISDI Team Lead to support HIV care and treatment facilities in the provision of comprehensive, quality care to people living with HIV and, in particular, to priority and key population groups. He (She) will be based in facilities with a cluster of 2 to 4 facilities to support, coordinate, supervise and mentor and oversee program activities. He (She) will provide technical assistance to the coordinator of the ART clinic and his team to ensure SAFECARE implementation in all facilities in his/her cluster. He (She) will participate in a variety of activities attached under two main themes:
1) patient care and treatment at facility level through the provision of nursing and medical care as appropriate to ensure optimized care continuum for patients;
2) support site management including implementation, monitoring and oversight of SAFECARE project activities and clinical services offered.
Essential Functions
A. Provision of patient care and treatment at facility level
• Support, as a Nurse, the ART clinic with clinical services offered to clients in need, when necessary, on behalf of SAFECARE Project (hands-on mentorship)
• Assist healthcare workers in their use of health literacy materials with patients, for all HIV clinical area
• Perform any other duties as may be assigned by the facility CTA Coordinator/SHAC supervisor as a team member
A. Clinical mentoring
• Ensure the quality of HIV care (in all program areas) within his/her unit at his/her facility for persons living with HIV/AIDS are optimal and in line with national ART guidelines
• Ensure capacity building of all clinical staffs in various services on HIV Care and treatment particularly, HIV testing and linkage services, PMTCT and Early Infant Diagnosis, HIV Prevention in general and key populations, TB/HIV coinfection, TPT, Care continuity services, Viral load monitoring and other aspects of HIV prevention, care and treatment, etc.
• Organize trainings (including refresher trainings) to address gaps identified in the individual facilities in the cluster
• Mentor health care workers in providing therapeutic education to patients
• Develop a specific mentee plan to capacitate him/her in clinical knowledge, and technical skills to achieve mastery in various aspects of HIV prevention, care and treatment
• Provide regular assessment and constructive feedback, and document the trainee’s clinical progress and performance
• Ensure a proper documentation of clinical services offered in patient files and appropriate registers
B. Site and program management
• Be the link between SHAC, Health District team and the assigned facility on matters related to services provided by other stakeholders with any form of engagement with SHAC including CBOs and Bikers.
• Work closely with site Coordinator, Major and Data associates to Mentor and oversee the day-to-day activities of CBO, APS and Data staff at assigned sites and build the capacity of the said personnel
• Play a leading role in the handshake model with KP, OVC and other partners working with the facilities
• Undertake follow up to ensure supervisors recommendations are carried out and maintain documentation
• Actively Participate in all site meetings held particularly daily/weekly/monthly data review and validation meetings at the facilities with all stakeholders
• Actively participate in all required CDC and SHAC strategic meetings outside the cluster or out of the region as per request to share challenges, action plan and best practices of SAFECARE Project at the facilities
• Institutionalize CQI through mentorship and participating and carrying out QI activities including QI projects with trained Team members
• Ensure assigned targets relating to HIV care at the facility are met, through implementation of all recommended strategies, activities of SAFECARE project.
• Support case presentations and site participation in biweekly HIV ECHO sessions.
• Assist with submitting of validated daily/weekly/monthly reports as required
• Prepare the facilities and participate in PEPFAR Site Improvement Through Monitoring Systems (SIMS) visits as requested
• Participate in the development of site-specific technical assistance based on site visits
• Ensure logistics necessary for undertaking various activities are requested on time and activity reports are submitted timely. These activities may include but not limited to: support groups, outreach activities, catch up activities, extended hours and weekend clinics.
• Undertake disbursement and retirement of funds for the planned facility activities mentioned above as required
• Engage the leadership and the management of the facility she/he is attached to participate in SAFECARE project achievement of expected results
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
• Medical doctor, Registered Nurse, Nurse Mid-wife, preference for HIV Nurse Prescriber (HNP) and HIV trained medical doctor;
• A Master Degree in public health will be an added advantage;
• Registered with necessary regulatory bodies;
• Minimum of five (5) years working experience providing HIV Care and Treatment including PMTCT care, HIV clinical management;
• Minimum of three (3) years working experience in designing and implementing complex and challenging HIV-related care and treatment programs, including clinical mentoring, training, preceptorships and continuous quality improvement;
• Extensive knowledge of and practical experience with health systems in Cameroon;
• Demonstrated experience working closely with government public health officials and agencies at all levels;
• Demonstrated ability to interact with persons from a variety of professional disciplines and from different levels of society in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally-appropriate manner;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently;
• Computer skills including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel and Outlook;
• Experience working with PEPFAR programs will be an added advantage
• The candidate should be prepared to travel domestically for at least 50% of the time.
• Professional fluency in oral and written French and working knowledge in English.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multi-cultural environment with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Work Environment
SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) /Context / Required competencies
Core values
• Commitment: Actively contributes to achieving organizational goals
• Diversity: Respects others and values their diverse perspectives and contributions
• Integrity: Acts in a manner consistent with the Organization’s core values and organizational principles
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for own action and delegated work
Core competencies
• Communication: Actively works to achieve clear and transparent communication with colleagues and with stakeholders of the Organization
• Collaboration : Works effectively with others on common goals and fosters a positive, trust-based working environment
• Planning: Works towards the achievement of goals in a structured and measured manner
• Analysis and decision-making: Analyzes available information, draws well-founded conclusions and takes appropriate decisions
• Initiative-taking: Proposes and initiates new ideas, activities and projects
• Flexibility: Responds positively and effectively to changing circumstances
Managerial competencies (for positions with managerial responsibilities)
• Leadership: Provides a clear sense of direction, builds trust and creates an enabling environment
• Strategic thinking: Identifies goals that advance the organizational agenda and develops plans for achieving them
• Managing performance: Helps to maximize team performance by providing active feedback and skill development opportunities
Instructions for Submitting Applications:
1. All applications should be submitted electronically at: https://forms.gle/zFso5waZkTf716JG6
2. Please mention in the subject line of the email the position for which you are applying.
3. Applications should include 3 references that are familiar with applicant’s work experience preferably in the last 3-5 years. References should include contact information including daytime phone and email address.
4. All applications should include a cover letter that details one’s suitability for the job highlighting key functional areas, expected qualifications and experiences.
5. Candidates should attach a 3-page CV/Resume that highlights one’s key achievements in areas relevant to the job
6. Job related stated qualifications and experience are the basic minimum requirements that each applicant must meet to be considered for interviewing.
7. All applicants should include daytime phone contact information.
8. Deadline for application is September 10th, 2024, 5 PM Cameroon Time.
Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified persons to apply regardless of gender, ethnicity, or any other status variable.
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