Case Management & Clinical Linkages Specialist

Project HOPE Namibia in Malawi (PHN-MA)

Ana ndi Achinyamata Patsogolo Activity (ANAPA), a PEPFAR-USG funded Project implemented by Project HOPE Namibia in Malawi (PHN-MA), has recently been reevaluated and re-aligned following the US Executive Orders. The project Scope of Work (SOW) will now focus on Life-Saving HIV Service Provision for Orphans and Vulnerable Children (OVC) under Comprehensive HIV service delivery. The SOW covers the following:1) Care and treatment services for people living with HIV (PLHIV) and children living with HIV (CLHIV) that directly impact clinical outcomes; 2) service to address early identification, treatment, linkage/continuity, and viral load suppression for children, pregnant and breastfeeding women and 3) Provide leadership in focused data and systems maintenance activities in support of the lifesaving service provision areas ANAPA project will continue to be implemented in nine high HIV burdened districts in Malawi (Blantyre, Chikwawa, Lilongwe, Machinga, Mangochi, Mulanje, Phalombe, Thyolo and Zomba). Please take note that Project HOPE Namibia will only undertake activities within the scope of the award; and will not extend to activities related to abortion services, family planning, programs centered on gender, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) or transgender surgeries.

It is against this background that PHN-MA, seeks qualified Malawians to fill various positions for the ANAPA Activity as follows:

Case Management & Clinical Linkages Specialist
Reporting to : OVC Technical Lead
Duty Station : National Office (Blantyre).
Number Required : 1
Supervises: OVC Program Officer & dotted lines on Social Welfare Officers (Technically).
Minimum Hours of Work: 40 hours per week.

Job Summary
Reporting to the OVC Technical Lead, the Case Management & Clinical Linkages Specialist will provide strategic leadership and technical expertise in the design and implementation of HIV sensitive child protection case management with focus on life-saving HIV services and humanitarian assistance. Guided by the Child Protection National Framework, the specialist will be providing technical guidance and strengthening integration of health facility and community-based services to improve health and clinical outcomes for C/ALHIV, HIV exposed infants/HIV exposed and uninfected (HEI/HEU) and PLHIV. This position will focus on the HEALTHY Domain and ensure a well-coordinated identification, enrollment, retention, and provision of a continuum of health, Social and HIV services to C/ ALHIV, HEI/HEU and their caregivers in ANAPA project in close collaboration with clinical and other community implementing partners. S/he will be the prime technical support for the national parenting curriculum development.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with MoGCDSW, MoH, NAC, Clinical and HRH partners to implement HIV Sensitive OVC Case Management under ANAPA to ensure the PLHIV and C/ALHIV access care & treatment services that directly impact the health and clinical outcomes.
  • Lead the development and oversee implementation of case management and referral and linkages standard operating procedures, tools, job aids and guidelines.
  • Oversee, plan, and coordinate HIV sensitive case management to ensure delivery of high quality integrated comprehensive services for C/ALHIV and HEI/HEU in the OVC cohort.
  • Provide technical guidance in addressing early case identification, treatment linkage, continuity and treatment adherence, viral load monitoring and attaining viral load suppression including VL suppression HIV positive pregnant and breastfeeding women.
  • Lead longitudinal tracking for mother-baby pairs for early infant diagnostic testing until the final outcome at 24 months.
  • Lead the development of strategies for tracing of C/ALHIV, PLHIV and mother-baby-pairs with interruption in treatment (IT) and return them back to care.
  • Support strengthening of the existing national level coordination and collaboration mechanism for child protection case management system through participation in the relevant Technical Working Groups.
  • Provide strategic advice and technical support to key government ministries and departments, as well as project staff on case management design and implementation.
  • Coordinate capacity building initiatives for project staff, local partners, and government counterparts on HIV sensitive OVC case management, disclosure, mental health, and early childhood stimulation.
  • Develop strategies to strengthen bi-directional facility/community linkages towards improved continuum of care with focus on optimizing health and social services to improve the health outcomes.
  • Oversee multidisciplinary case conferences for HEI/HEU and C/ALHIV with HVL or complex issues in collaboration with clinical partners and other key stakeholders.
  • Support Roving Social Workers to provide technical assistance to facilities under the Government Led HIV Sensitive Case Management (GLHSCM) to be able to identify C/ALHIV with issues which affect treatment adherence and facilitate case conferences.
  • Collaborate with CQl team for supportive supervision, mentorship and coaching visits to Social Welfare Officers, Community Linkage Coordinators, Child Protection Workers and Community Case Workers to ensure delivery of high-quality HIV services and continuous quality improvement.
  • Analyze and monitor trends, opportunities and challenges in the OVC case management system and provide technical support as needed to ensure those who meet all the applicable graduation benchmarks are graduated from the program
  • Generate evidence on the case management system by spearheading the data analysis and documentation of the system, as well as draft policy briefs for the government’s consideration.
  • Liaise with the M&E team in tracking and reporting related targets and development of quarterly and annual progress reports.
  • Any other responsibility assigned by the OVC Technical Lead.

Minimum Qualifications, experience and required skills

  • Master’s degree in Public Health, Nursing, Clinical, Social Work, or any Social Sciences with similar qualifications.
  • At least 5 years’ of clinical experience, working in a large HIV/TB or OVC project and experience with USG funded programs/projects necessary.
  • Proven experience in implementing OVC interventions and programing, HIV Sensitive case management, direct service to OVC households and knowledge of HIV/AIDS service delivery among positive caregivers and children.
  • Proven experience in designing, coordinating, and implementing OVC HIV programs and PEPFAR supported activities
  • Proven ability to influence policy direction and decisions at district and national levels
  • Excellent reporting skills, capturing qualitative outcomes in integrated care and support programs.
  • Knowledge of capacity building initiatives, including mentorship, and coaching of the case management workforce.
  • Proven leadership qualities and maturity, depth and breadth of technical expertise and experience, and strong interpersonal skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to adapt to changing contexts and proactively seek innovative solutions referencing program data
  • Familiarity with the health, social and cultural context of the project area is a plus.
  • Proficiency in English; knowledge of local languages (Chichewa, Chiyao, Chilomwe) is advantageous.
  • Ability to represent the organization at different levels

MODE OF APPLICATION

Interested candidates who meet the above qualifications and experience are requested to submit their Curriculum Vitae with 3 traceable referees, cover letter together with copies of certificates to the email address below not later than 12:00 noon on 2nd May, 2025, and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Note: Please clearly indicate the position title in the email subject and also district of your preference.

Email to: recruitmentmw@projecthope.org