Project Assistant / Provincial Officer of PSS Mental Health Full-Time

Abt is hiring a Project Assistant / Provincial Officer of PSS Mental Health based in Tete.

Organization Overview

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

Job Summary

A Project Assistant (PA) supports one or more Technical Specialists and/or the Project Director in carrying out technical project work.  Typical duties at this highest PA level include writing project reports, drafting annual work plans and budget proposals, preparing and analyzing statistics, translating important/lengthy documents where content knowledge is required, conducting community relations activities, developing training materials, and assisting with training presentations. A PA at the LCN-09 level provides information gathering, research, and related services that are highly complex in nature. A PA at this level is able to work independently.

Background

Efficiencies for Clinical HIV Outcomes (ECHO) is a USD 209 million project to support the Government of Mozambique’s achievement of HIV/AIDS epidemic control and establishing a sustainable governmental response by 2023 in provinces where USAID is the primary clinical partner. The objectives of the project include strengthening the essential public health services for HIV epidemic control at national, provincial, and district level to ensure long-term sustainability of the HIV response, reaching and maintaining 95% treatment coverage and viral suppression in designated geographic regions, ensuring that Mozambique is utilizing the latest evidence for rapid escalation and maintenance of effective HIV interventions, and providing the Government of Mozambique with data, measured findings and recommendations necessary to make key service delivery decisions.

This position is an HIV/AIDS clinician designated as Provincial Officer of Psychosocial Support (PSS) Mental Health.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Conduct regular visits to Health Units to support implementation of PSS activities and provide technical assistance on site and programmatic guidance as required;
• Ensure the correct implementation of the PSS National Guideline in the Provincial Health Units;
• Establish and maintain regular coordination with the Provincial Health Directorate (Direcção Provincial de Saúde – DPS);
• Participate in Provincial meetings, representing ECHO in the PSS area;
• Provide technical support to Health Units, DPS, District Services of Health, Gender, Children, and Social Action (Serviços Distritais de Saúde, Género, Criança e Acção Social – SDSGCAS) to develop and implement strategies for patient reintegration, reducing absences and dropouts and improving patient adherence and retention;
• Supporting the US to establish an effective link between the US and the Community through reference and counter-reference;
• Support staff of integrated teams and Health Units to routinely report on the progress of PSS activities;
• Participate in the identification, selection, monitoring and training of staff in the PSS area in the Province;
• Technically support the psychologists of the selected US’s to implement the Mental Health Initiative – CETAlike and monitor the entire implementation of the initiative in the Province;
• Compile statistical data and prepare reports on the implementation of PSS and Mental Health-CETAlike in the Province. This includes periodic reports and proposals for initiatives, annual/semi-annual progress reports and work plans;
• Participate in the planning, organization and coordination of PSS and Mental Health-CETAlike activities, in close collaboration with the Program Manager and the Community Director liaisons and PSS.

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree in psychology, social services or related areas;
• At least 4 years of experience in the area of psychosocial support for HIV positive patients;
• Solid knowledge of Ministry of Health (Ministério da Saúde – MISAU) guidelines, protocols and strategies for PSS, HIV counselling and testing;
• Proven sensitivity to cultural insights needed to complete tasks appropriately;
• Previous experience working with NGOs in similar programs;
• Good organizational skills and ability to write and interpret reports;
• Ready to travel regularly to all districts of the designated province;
• Fluency in Portuguese, knowledge of English is an advantage.

Minimum Qualifications

• ( 4+ ) years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience.