Job Description

Community Health Worker – TB The Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea

• Commencement: July 2026

• Location: Port Moresby, PNG at the Port Moresby General Hospital

• Duration: Up to 6 months

• Open to PNG Citizens

About the Program

The PNG Australia Transition to Health (PATH) is a six and a half -year (July 2020-December 2026) health sector program funded by the Australian Government under the Papua New Guinea – Australia Partnership for Development. PATH supports the Government of PNG (GoPNG) to strengthen essential health service delivery in alignment with the National Health Plan 2021–2030. PATH is guided by the National Department of Health (NDoH), Provincial Health Authorities (PHAs) and the Bougainville Department of Health (BDoH), who together are responsible for the delivery of health services across PNG.

PATH’s most significant areas of service delivery support are tuberculosis, routine immunization and sexual and reproductive health. PATH is designed to simultaneously use its service delivery projects as an opportunity to build the capacity of PHAs and identify and address Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) issues in the sector.

PATH’s end of investment outcomes (EOIOs) are:

1. PHA’s more able to lead provincial health reform and manage effective, efficient, equitable and quality essential health services in selected provinces.
2. DFAT funded health services are demonstrating efficient and effective models of service delivery, influencing Provincial Health Authority (PHA) performance; and building sustainability by transitioning to PHA management in selected provinces.

PATH is a locally led, adaptive, and politically informed program that seeks to maintain flexibility to respond to changing and local circumstances over the life of the program.

Papua New Guinea (PNG) has the 7th highest rate of new TB cases in the world (432/100,000), which rises to 1,117/100000 population in the National Capital District. PNG is a WHO high-burden country for TB, TB-HIV, and drug-resistant TB. Port Moresby General Hospital (PMGH) serves as an entry point for the diagnosis and treatment initiation in the NCD and surrounding region.

Available evidence shows that pregnant and post-partum women are at higher risk of developing TB than the general population and that these women are considered a priority for TB screening by the PNG National Department of Health and by the World Health Organization (WHO) . Each year at PMGH, there are 14000 deliveries and 40-60 women are diagnosed with TB in the obstetrics ward, with an estimated detection gap of 25-50%.

The Child-Maternal TB/HIV Program (CMTHP), implemented by the Paediatric Society of Papua New Guinea (PSPNG), is working to integrate TB services into maternal and child health care at PMGH. The program provides family-centred care to pregnant and post-partum mothers. TB screening is offered at antenatal care (ANC) clinics, labor ward, and post-natal word. Screening includes patient education, symptom surveys, and—when indicated—diagnostic tests such as chest X-ray (CXR) and sputum examination, in line with national and international guidelines.

About the Opportunity

The Community Health Worker (CHW) will be based at PMGH and help coordinate activities between the adult and child TB clinics. As such, the CHW will report to and work closely with the Child TB-HIV Program Manager at PMGH Integrate family-centred TB detection and linkage to care for pregnant and post-partum women and their newborns and children at PMGH.

Key responsibilities

• Provide routine O&G care at either the Labor and Delivery Unit and/or Antenatal clinic and/or paediatric unit. This may include:

• Routine antenatal care with supervision

• Assistance in Labor and delivery with supervision

• Integrate TB care. This may include:

• Collect sputum specimens for TB testing (Xpert)

• Facilitate and Ensure chest radiography (CXR) takes place

• Inserting nasogastric tubes to collect gastric aspirates for TB testing in newborns and children

• Performing Fine Needle Aspiration Biopsy’s under supervision and eventually without supervision

• Providing routine TB care as directed by PMGH TB services

• Ensure proper TB registers (contact tracing, presumptive TB, preventive therapy) are filled out and completed.

• CHW is expected to provide weekly updates in writing on number of women screened and number of entries uploaded into M&E report as directed by PSPNG

• Coordinate referrals and care of patients with other ANC clinics in the NCD and other TB centres in other provinces

• Provide education, social and emotional support on TB/HIV, and other health-related issues as guided by team leader.

• Conduct home assessments/outreach for infection control and contact investigation under supervision

• Maintained strong and productive relationships with communities and community leaders, and with health and government stakeholders.

• Perform HIV testing at the direction of the PSPNG CMTHP.

Key relationships

Accountability and working relationships

• The CHW will be based at Port Moresby General Hospital and adhere to all rules and regulations.

• The CHW reports PMGH O&G Nursing Unit Manager.

About You

For applications to be considered, a response to the key selection criteria below must be provided

• At least 2 years’ experience as a Community Health Worker preferably in the field of TB-HIV and ability to offer HIV test & counselling is a bonus but not a requirement to apply.

• Qualifications as a registered and licenced Community Health Worker (CHW) with the medical board of Papua New Guinea.

• Demonstrated experience in maternity care, TB and HIV policies and protocols desirable, though not required.

• Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to lead and work as part of a team.

• Strong and demonstrated ability to lead effective community engagement.

• UnderstandingofPNGNationalTBGuidelinesis desirable.

• Must be committed and dedicated to health service provision and patient care.

• Basiccomputerliteracy(MicrosoftWord,Excel, email).

• ExperienceinTBcasefinding,contacttracing,and patientfollow-upthroughphonecallandinperson.

• Abilitytomaintainaccuratepatientrecordsand program data.

• Skillsinhealtheducation,counselling,and community mobilization.

• Willingnesstotraveltoruralandremote communities

How to Apply

• Please ensure to address the Key Selection Criteria (About You) in your cover letter, and submit your application online, along with your CV as a single document.

• Applications must be submitted personally by individuals only. Applications submitted by a company or organisation will not be accepted.

• The successful applicant will be engaged through an employment agreement determined by Abt.

We welcome and thank all applications; however only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

Closing Date: Tuesday 30 June 2026 (Mid-day, local time) #LI-AUSBRIT

Abt Global is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to upholding high standards of Child Protection, Anti-bribery and Fraud Protection.

We encourage applications from experienced and capable women, and people with disabilities.

<For more information on the role and how to apply, please click on ‘Apply Now’>

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About Us

Abt Global is a mission-driven, global leader with a proven track record in complex program implementation in the international development sector. We offer bold solutions and technical excellence in Health, Economic Growth, Governance, Research & Evaluation, Environment & Energy, Gender Equality & Social Inclusion. Working with our many partners, we have driven measurable social impact for more than 55 years, to achieve our mission of improving the quality of life and economic well-being of people worldwide. We operate in remote and challenging environments and employ more than 3,700 staff in over 50 countries. For more information about us and what we do, visit our website at www.abtglobal.com

Equity

Abt Global values individuality and celebrates difference with a strong commitment to diversity, equality, racial equity, gender, and disability inclusion. We strongly encourage people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to apply for this position. We offer flexible work arrangements and a culturally safe environment for staff members from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds.

Safeguarding

We are deeply committed to safeguarding, to protect and prevent harm and abuse to individuals we work for and who work for us. Our recruitment and selection procedures reflect our commitment to protecting children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation. We will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, child abuse, sexual abuse or exploitation in any form, and expect everyone to be treated with respect and dignity.