APIN VACANCIES ANNOUNCEMENT, MONDAY 16, AUGUST 2010

AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria (APIN) is a non-governmental donor-funded organization dedicated to the prevention, treatment, care and support of HIV/AIDS in Nigeria. Since 2001, we have worked closely with key stakeholders, including government agencies, universities, other non-governmental organisations and donors to fight the HIV scourge. APIN’s goal is not just to reduce the rate of growth of HIV epidemic in Nigeria, but also to ultimately reverse its course. Our prevention, treatment, care and support activities span forty-two sites in ten states of the Federation and are coordinated from our offices in Abuja, Lagos and Ibadan.


In furtherance of our current efforts at strengthening our internal capacity, we seek qualified and competent candidates to assume the following positions at our Abuja and Lagos offices: A. MONITORING & EVALUATION OFFICERS (LAGOS & ABUJA)
Reporting to the Program Director, the job holder would have responsibility for developing and implementing systems for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the Program, including obtaining data from the program sites, evaluating performance vis-ˆ-vis set targets, reporting on achievements and progress made and recommending appropriate improvement options.

JOB TASKS
Provide technical assistance to program sites in the collection, analysis, reporting and use of output data for program improvement
Collate monthly reports, provide feedbacks to the sites and maintain a functional database
Disseminate program output data to program officers, donors and the Federal Government on demand
Conduct data quality audit at the program sites to ensure compliance with monitoring and evaluation plans and procedures
Develop appropriate data collection tools and procedures for all reporting needs
Develop and support the implementation of operational research
Monitor the progress of the program towards Country Operating Plan (COP) targets and provide feedback to the program office and sites
Work with program officers, site monitoring and evaluation committees to ensure that program reports and data meet acceptable quality standards and promote their utilization by relevant end users
Coordinate/participate in unit/departmental meetings and trainings, and attend stakeholder meetings and trainings on behalf of the organization.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
An MBBS or B.Pharm and MPH or any other relevant Master’s degree; five (5) years experience in the monitoring and evaluation of health programs, especially HIV/AIDS programs.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Report writing and oral/written communication skills
Working knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation
Basic knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
Basic knowledge of statistics & good knowledge of statistical methods
Working knowledge of current HIV/AIDS guidelines and standards for monitoring and evaluation
Ability to organize and coordinate training programmes
Confidentiality
Analytical thinking
Team orientation

B. QUALITY ASSURANCE OFFICER (LAGOS)
The Officer is expected to assist the Quality Assurance Coordinator in driving quality improvement programs, with a view to achieving best practice performance levels and implementation of evidence based practices in caring for People Living with HIV/AIDS under the APIN program.

JOB TASKS
Work with the QA coordinator to review the quality improvement protocol for the program
Support the implementation of the quality assurance/quality improvement strategy for the program
Carry out quality assessment of clinical care in the sites in collaboration with the coordinator
Disseminate findings accordingly in collaboration with the clinical and SI teams
Provide technical support to program sites in developing and implementing clinical quality improvement activities in all program areas.

Promote sharing of experiences and documentation of quality improvement best practices
MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
An MBBS or MPH; a minimum of five (5) years experience in health care management and/or HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programming, including at least one year experience in healthcare quality improvement, patient safety and outcome reporting.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Report writing and oral/written communication skills
Interpersonal skill
Ability to use own initiative
Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment
Basic knowledge of Statistics
Team orientation
Self-motivation
Pro-activeness
 
C. PROGRAM OFFICER (ABUJA)
Reporting to the Program Director, the Officer will be expected to provide support in all spheres of programming, including program planning, implementation monitoring, evaluation and reporting.

JOB TASKS
Support the process of identifying programming gaps and developing interventions to address the gaps
Render assistance in the development and implementation of projects to respond to emerging issues
Contribute to program design, implementation and review
Support the development of work plans, track the status of implementation and prepare monthly report on program implementation
Review all reports submitted and provide feedback to the program office on a monthly basis
Prepare quarterly status reports on programmatic and fiscal progress of all projects in collaboration with M&E Officers and Program Associate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
An MBBS and/or an advanced degree in Public Health or Management; a minimum of five (5) years experience in health care management and/or HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programming.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Communication skill
Counselling skill o Good knowledge of HIV/AIDS treatment, care, prevention and programming
Basic knowledge of statistics
Team orientation
Painstakingness
Self-motivation
Tactfulness

D. OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR (LAGOS)
Reporting to the Human Resource & Benefits Manager, the job holder will coordinate all office management and other administrative activities, including ensuring smooth day-to-day running of the office. He/She will
also provide a wide range of HR support in the human resource and benefits management function, including the implementation and tracking of HR policies and programs.

JOB TASKS
Coordinate all general administrative and office managerial activities
Set up adequate systems and procedures for ensuring all-round availability of office consumables and monitor same to ensure effectiveness
Coordinate and monitor the provision of utilities, courier, telecommunication and other related services
Manage office facilities and take necessary steps to ensure their all-round functionality
Provide necessary assistance and make meaningful contributions to the planning and implementation of HR improvement and other related projects, including the staff performance management system
Monitor adherence to personnel policies and code of conduct and render report on non-compliance *
Work closely with the HR & B team to monitor and benchmark HR systems and practices in peer organizations and report new practices for possible adoption
Attend to day-to-day personnel issues and liaise with the Human Resource & Benefits Manager to resolve them
Monitor and keep accurate and up-to-date records of staff absences and render report on same
Minimum Qualification and Experience
A good first degree in the Social Sciences, the Humanities or any other relevant degree and membership of the Chartered Institute of Administration, Nigerian Institute of Management, Chartered Institute of
Personnel Management or any other relevant professional body; six (6) years cognate experience in a well structured, best- practice organization.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Ability to prioritize and organize own workload and tasks appropriately
Excellent communication skills (written and oral)
Working knowledge of the various scope of administrative functions
Ability to improve office systems and ways of working
Good oral and written communication skills
Basic knowledge of HR processes and practices
Confidentiality
Integrity
Team orientation

E. TB LABORATORY OFFICER
Under the general direction of the TB/Palliative Care Coordinator, the TB Laboratory officer will provide independent, high-level and diverse support functions on TB laboratory activities for all APIN sites.

JOB TASKS
Provide technical and programmatic support to implement high quality TB/HIV services; and contribute to the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and reporting of TB/HIV services at the program sites
Build capacity and ensure delivery of high quality TB/HIV services at all program sites using internationally recognized best practices
Support ongoing collaboration with partners and other relevant stakeholders on TB laboratory matters and represent the organization in relevant meetings
Provide technical oversight to APIN supported sites on all aspects of TB laboratory activities
Participate in the development, organization, and delivery of TB laboratory training for laboratorians in all APIN laboratories
Carry out physical and technical site assessments in support of developing and improving TB laboratory infrastructure and methods in all APIN laboratories
Make necessary input to the development, documentation, and implementation of TB laboratories
Quality Assurance/Quality Control procedures
Review Standard Operating Procedures for TB laboratory operations from time to time, recommending changes and implementing same as approved.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
A degree in Medicine with a post-graduate specialization in Medical Microbiology or Masters Degree in
Biological Sciences or equivalent (possession of a post-graduate degree in public health is an added advantage); at least 5 (five) years relevant work experience, especially in an international organization.
Required Competencies
Proficiency in microbiological and molecular methods necessary to perform key TB laboratory operations
Expertise in the design, implementation and monitoring of TB/HIV program,
Experience in developing and delivering hands-on laboratory training
Experience in implementing quality control procedures for laboratories
Good report-writing and presentation skills.

F. CLINICAL OFFICER (LAGOS)
Reporting to the Associate Director – Clinical Services, the job holder will be responsible for providing technical support to clinical activities at the program sites to ensure better service delivery.

JOB TASKS
Provide technical and programmatic support as well as implement high quality care and support activities with primary focus on coordination of the APIN sites
Assist in the coordination, implementation of all components related to clinical management of HIV/AIDS and report to the Associate Director – Clinical Services
Assist in ongoing collaborations with the GON/USG and other partners to train, monitor and evaluate
ART, PMTCT, HIV/TB, OVC and other care and support programmes in Nigeria, using international best practices
Work closely with other members of the Clinical team to promote the documentation of best practices and sharing of experiences in ART (Adult, pediatrics, HIV/TB ,OVC and PMTCT services)
Render technical and program planning assistance to APIN sites in the clinical area
Monitor clinical activities at APIN sites and render report on findings, making recommendations as
Appropriate.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION & EXPERIENCE
A degree in the Medical Sciences (MBBS, or MB;Bch degree); any other relevant post-graduate discipline will be added advantage. A minimum of three years work experience in the management of HIV/AIDS
programme or related discipline.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES
Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
Good working knowledge of program monitoring and evaluation
Good working knowledge of current HIV/AIDS guidelines and standards with respect to prevention, treatment, care & support
Good knowledge of management of infectious diseases
Ability to organize and coordinate training programmes
Ability to independently resolve personnel, programmatic and operational problems.

MODE OF APPLICATION
Qualified applicants should write to vacancies@apin.org.ng stating how their skills, knowledge and experience make them suitable, and addressing the person specifications highlighted above for each position. The suitability statement should not exceed a page and must appear on the first page of the CV,which must be saved in Microsoft Word and as applicant’s full name. The subject of the mail should be the job position being applied for. All applications must be received on or before August 24, 2010. Late applications will not be considered and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Computer literacy/skills in usage of personal productivity tools (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet browsing, emailing, etc) is essential for all positions; and candidates must be willing to do a considerable amount of local travel.
APIN offers very competitive terms of employment and is an equal opportunity employer. Women who are qualified for the positions are therefore encouraged to apply. This advertisement is also available on
www.apin.org.ng