Job Description

Job Title:  

HIV/TB Clinical Consultant

Work Location:

Kono, Sierra Leone

Requisition Number

 4359

Department:

Clinical

Report to:

HIV/TB Program Manager

Line Management

Yes

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The HIV/TB clinical consultant will be working in PIH supported facilities to guide clinical management of patients with HIV and/or TB (Including MDR TB) and ensure that quality of care and international treatment guidelines are followed and respected. This position will provide clinical support, mentorship and supervision to the clinical staff at the PIH-supported  health facilities in the country, with special attention to Koidu Government hospital and Wellbody Clinic in Kono dictrict. This position will also provide support to patient follow-up on ambulatory care and community based program, providing adequate support to reduce loss-to-follow-up and improvement of the quality of care and accompaniment that the CHW are doing to HIV and TB patients in the community. This position will work with the clinical team to revise National and International treatment guidelines based on emerging evidence in the field of HIV and TB and adapt them to be implemented and followed in PIH supported facilities.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Clinical work

• Perform clinical daily teaching, mentorship, and capacity building of clinicians at Koidu Government hospital and the other PIH supported facilities in Kono in partnership in HIV and TB management. Besides, provide direct patient care and support to improve clinical outcomes of patients with MoH staff and other clinical teams. 
• Ensure that clinical systems, protocols, and procedures in HIV and TB are established, fully implemented and assessed for effectiveness in Kono PIH supported health facilities (Including KGH and WBC). Ensure that PIH supported facilities’ protocols are consistent with international standards, guidelines and recommendations for the management of HIV and TB.
• Collaborate with the Lab, Pharmacy and Operations teams to ensure infrastructure, equipment, medications and other supplies meet HIV and TB clinical needs, avoid stock-outs, and support strengthened care at the PIH supported facilities in Kono district with the HIV and TB Program Manager.
• Provide follow-up to patients on ambulatory care with the community program for HIV, TB and MDR TB patients in Kono district in collaboration with the National TB and HIV program.

PIH-SL Role modelling 

• Lead by example, embodying the values of PIH, including: doing whatever it takes to provide the highest level of service to our patients; treating every member of our organization and community with equal respect and dignity; fostering a sense of generosity and teamwork; and working patiently, yet persistently, to accompany our government partners to achieve our shared goals.

Research

• Work closely with the Research, SHIS team and the rest of the clinical team to collect, analyze and interpret  data from the HIV and TB programs; as well as lead and coordinate the different research projects and grant projects that are linked with the HIV and TB programs in Kono district under the supervision of the HIV and TB Program Manager.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

Qualifications
 

• MD or equivalent medical training and board certification with specific expertise in HIV and TB program clinical management. 
• At least three years of experience managing HIV and TB patients (including if possible MDR TB).
• At least two years of clinical experience in a low-resource health care setting. 
• Experience in training, mentoring and leading strong and diverse teams with an Academic perspective to develop a Curriculum in training experts on HIV and TB clinical management. 
• Prior experience in linking clinical departments with abroad academic partners.
• Ability to be flexible and effective in the face of unexpected challenges. 
• Exemplary interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written, required to effectively engage with senior leadership, partners, and clinicians on sensitive political and confidential issues.
• Evidence of providing culturally sensitive and competent quality care in an extremely stressful environment. 
• Proven ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate political astuteness, and tact. 
• Commitment to social justice in health care issues. 
• Sense of humor, tolerance to frustration and flexible disposition very helpful.
• Ability to live in Sierra Leone for duration of contract. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Partners In Health Sierra Leone is dedicated to preventing unwanted behaviour in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, financial misconduct, and ensuring the welfare of those we serve. We expect all staff, consultants, contractors, vendors, and volunteers to uphold these values as outlined in our code of conduct.

The successful candidate will receive appropriate training and must adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding policies. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks, which may include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

As a participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, we request information from previous employers about any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Additionally, Partners In Health Sierra Leone will share records of such misconduct with other agencies upon staff departure, ensuring transparency and accountability. By applying, candidates acknowledge and agree to these recruitment procedures

Social Justice

We are a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all.

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply through our website: www.pih.org/employment. In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Wednesday, December 18th 2024.