JOB POSTING: Clinical Mentor/Facility Doctor – SHWARI HEALTH ASSOCIATION, Cameroon (Yaoundé or Bertoua)
POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
Shwari Health Cameroon is a legally registered entity with the mission to deliver high-quality, effective, and innovative solutions, grounded in evidence-based practices, to tackle challenges within the health sector in Cameroon and beyond, with a special emphasis on children and adolescents. To realize this vision, Shwari Health Cameroon employs proven community-based strategies to identify HIV-positive children and adolescents, refer them to healthcare facilities for the initiation of treatment, and provide ongoing support throughout their treatment journey to ensure they remain in care and achieve viral load suppression. Our mission is to establish ourselves as a leading implementation science organization in Cameroon, recognized for our use of evidence-driven strategies to effectively bridge the ‘Know-Do’ gaps in healthcare service delivery. We aim to achieve this by employing advanced methods of evidence generation and synthesis to better understand operational contexts, enabling us to develop strategies that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of implementation efforts. SHWARI Health Association, in collaboration with Georgetown University’s Center for Global Health Practice and Impact (CGHPI) and the Government of Cameroon’s Regional Technical Groups (RTGs), will be executing a project titled SAFECARE-Cameroon, a 5-year initiative funded by CDC/PEPFAR. The goal of SAFECARE-Cameroon is to establish, implement, and maintain comprehensive facility and community-based HIV services for children, adolescents, and adults in PEPFAR-supported regions of Cameroon, while also assisting the government in accelerating its progress towards achieving HIV epidemic control. Consequently, SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) is seeking to fill the following program implementation roles. Applicants must be proficient in French and possess a working knowledge of English. These positions will be located in Yaoundé or Bertoua.
SHAC Office Positions
- Position: Clinical Mentor/Facility Doctor, SAFECARE Project -Cameroon
- Reports to: Regional Program Manager
- Location: Yaoundé, Cameroon
- Number of positions: 9
Position Summary:
The Clinical Mentor/Facility Doctor will collaborate closely with the Regional Program Manager to support HIV care services within the facility through patient care, treatment, and mentorship of all staff engaged in the HIV care continuum. This role is critical in ensuring adherence to National Guidelines and optimizing case finding, linkage, and retention in treatment. The incumbent will be stationed at a cluster of 2 to 4 facilities to provide support, coordination, supervision, mentorship, and oversight of program activities. The Clinical Mentor/Facility Doctor will offer technical support to the ART clinic coordinator and their team to ensure the successful implementation of the SAFECARE project across all facilities within their cluster. The role will involve participation in a range of activities under two primary themes:
Key Responsibilities
A. Delivery of Patient Care and Treatment at the Facility Level
- Fully dedicate themselves to the SAFE CARE Project to fulfill the responsibilities of an HIV care physician at their designated clinic.
- Actively participate in all weekly data review meetings at the facility.
- Assist in the review of all weekly reports and ensure the production of quality-assured data.
- Guarantee that the quality of HIV care provided at their facility for individuals living with HIV/AIDS meets optimal standards and adheres to national ART guidelines.
- Ensure that the assigned targets related to HIV care at the facility are achieved.
- Supervise the activities of psychosocial workers, data clerks, and any other staff under their authority.
- Engage in advanced training programs as necessary, including recognizing and managing antiretroviral drug side effects, identifying and treating opportunistic infections, PMTCT, and TB/HIV co-infection.
- Ensure the timely submission of weekly and monthly reports on HIV care activities at the facility.
- Perform any additional duties as assigned by the facility CTA Coordinator as part of the team.
- Manage multiple tasks and meet established deadlines.
- Adhere to instructions provided in verbal or written formats.
B. Site and Program Management
- Serve as the liaison between SHAC, the Health District team, and the assigned facility regarding services provided by other stakeholders engaged with SHAC, including CBOs and Bikers.
- Collaborate closely with the Site Coordinator, Major, and Data associates to mentor and oversee the daily activities of CBO, APS, and Data staff at assigned sites, while building the capacity of these personnel.
- Lead the implementation of the handshake model with KP, OVC, and other partners working within the facilities.
- Follow up on supervisors’ recommendations to ensure they are implemented and maintain proper documentation.
- Actively engage in all site meetings, particularly daily/weekly/monthly data review and validation meetings with all stakeholders at the facilities.
- Institutionalize Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) through mentorship and participation in QI activities, including QI projects with trained team members.
- Achieve the assigned targets related to HIV care at the facility by implementing all recommended strategies and activities of the SAFECARE project.
- Support case presentations and facilitate site participation in biweekly HIV ECHO sessions.
- Assist with the submission of validated daily/weekly/monthly reports as required.
- Prepare the facilities and participate in PEPFAR Site Improvement Through Monitoring Systems (SIMS) visits as requested.
- Contribute to the development of site-specific technical assistance based on-site visits.
- Ensure that logistics necessary for carrying out various activities are requested in a timely manner and that activity reports are submitted on time. These activities may include support groups, outreach efforts, catch-up initiatives, extended hours, and weekend clinics.
- Manage the disbursement and reconciliation of funds for the planned facility activities mentioned above as needed.
- Engage with the leadership and management of the facility to actively participate in the SAFE CARE project and achieve the expected outcomes.
- Perform any additional duties as assigned by the supervisor.
Qualifications and Experience
- Medical Doctor, Registered Nurse, or Nurse Midwife, with a preference for an HIV Nurse Prescriber (HNP) and HIV-trained medical doctor.
- A Master’s Degree in Public Health is an asset.
- Must be registered with the relevant regulatory bodies.
- At least five (5) years of experience providing HIV care and treatment, including PMTCT care and HIV clinical management.
- A minimum of three (3) years of 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 hands-on experience with health systems in Cameroon.
- Proven experience in working closely with government public health officials and agencies at various levels.
- Demonstrated ability to interact with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds and societal levels in a tactful, diplomatic, and culturally appropriate manner.
- Proven ability to work independently.
- Proficient computer skills, including MS Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook.
- Experience with PEPFAR programs is an advantage.
- Willingness to travel domestically for at least 50% of the time.
- Professional proficiency in spoken and written French, with a working knowledge of English.
- Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships in a multicultural environment, with sensitivity and respect for diversity.
Work Environment
SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) / Context / Required Competencies
Core Values
- Dedication: Contributes proactively towards achieving the organization’s objectives.
- Inclusiveness: Honors and appreciates diverse perspectives and contributions from others.
- Ethical Conduct: Acts in alignment with the Organization’s core values and guiding principles.
- Responsibility: Assumes accountability for personal actions and assigned tasks.
Core Competencies
- Effective Communication: Strives to maintain clear and transparent communication with colleagues and stakeholders.
- Team Collaboration: Works efficiently with others to achieve shared goals and promotes a positive, trust-based work atmosphere.
- Strategic Planning: Approaches goals with a structured and systematic methodology.
- Analytical Thinking & Decision-Making: Evaluates available data, draws well-grounded conclusions, and makes appropriate decisions.
- Proactiveness: Suggests and initiates innovative ideas, activities, and projects.
- Adaptability: Responds effectively and constructively to changing situations.
Managerial Competencies (for positions with managerial duties)
- Leadership: Provides clear direction, fosters trust, and creates an environment conducive to success.
- Strategic Insight: Identifies goals that support the organization’s mission and formulates plans to achieve them.
- Performance Management: Enhances team performance by providing constructive feedback and opportunities for skill development.
Application Submission Guidelines:
- All applications must be submitted electronically via: https://forms.gle/zFso5waZkTf716JG6.
- The email subject line should specify the position being applied for.
- Applications should include three references familiar with the applicant’s professional experience, preferably within the last 3-5 years, along with their contact information, including daytime phone numbers and email addresses.
- Applicants must attach a cover letter detailing their suitability for the position, highlighting key functional areas, qualifications, and relevant experience.
- A 3-page CV/Resume should be included, focusing on key achievements in areas pertinent to the role.
- The stated qualifications and experience related to the job are the minimum criteria that applicants must meet to be eligible for an interview.
- Applicants should provide daytime phone contact details.
- The application deadline is September 10th, 2024, at 5 PM Cameroon Time.
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
SHWARI Health Association Cameroon (SHAC) is an equal opportunity employer and encourages all qualified individuals to apply, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or any other status.
