HIV Counselor

Job Description

Organization Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.

The International Rescue Committee, hereinafter referred to as “the IRC”, is a non-profit, humanitarian agency that provides relief, rehabilitation, protection, resettlement services, and advocacy for refugees, displaced persons and victims of oppression and violent conflict. The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by the rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA). Since then, in partnership with various donors, the IRC in Uganda has expanded to meet the needs of the conflict-affected regions of Karamoja, Acholi, West Nile region, and in Southwestern Uganda as well as amongst urban refugees in Kampala.

The IRC is currently implementing its health and nutrition program in West Nile and Acholi focusing on providing primary health care services to refugees in their settlements.

Job Overview

Under the supervision of the health facility in-charge, the HIV counselor shall provide quality counseling of clients, patient follow-up in coordination with the community health workers.

Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. The enrolled midwife shall be responsible for providing health education talks to women and their partners in the reproductive health facility and in the community. He/She will provide HIV/AIDS services including but not limited to counseling, eMTCT, EID and HAART services.

Roles and Responsibilities

•Utilize Community Health data management tools and systems to record information about HIV clients accessing services, in line with the principle of confidentiality and utilize aggregate information to improve service delivery.

•Develop strategies for retention of psychosocial groups and evaluate performance of individual psychosocial groups.

•Conduct counseling of individual clients and encouraging forms of psychosocial support.

•Conduct awareness raising activities.

•Maintain a positive relationship with community health workers, VHT’s and other community-based groups to ensure they are involved in the activities of the community health and they play an active role in the referral pathway.

•Maintain a collaborative relationship with all organizations working in the context to facilitate referrals and joint activities, while upholding IRC’s standard in Health programming.

•Conduct regular follow-ups, compile daily & weekly reports, and attend weekly case review meetings.

•Provide information and linkage to elimination of mother to child transmission of HIV services.

•Participate in conducting community health activities related to HIV/TB.

•Adhere to the professional code of conduct and ethics.

•Participate in any other activity as directed by supervisor.

Qualifications

•Must have at least a certificate in nursing or midwifery certificate or its equivalent

•Must be registered with the Nurses and Midwives council

•Must have a valid practicing license

•Relevant work experience of at least two years in a similar position will be an added advantage.

•Be able to work in a stressful setting and adapt quickly to changing environments

•Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.