Job Description

Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organisation; currently implementing more than 180 programs, reaching more than 40 million people across 35 African countries; and a staff complement of over 2,000. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten countries in Africa – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America.

Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘ Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘ To catalyze and drive community-led and people-centred health systems while addressing social determinants of health’ We believe that the power to transform Africa's health lies within its communities, and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but that communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for the delivery of quality and affordable health care.

Qualified locals of Turkana County are highly encouraged to apply !!!

Scope of work:

The HTS Counsellor is responsible for providing HIV Testing Services to patients and clients seeking services in their respective health facilities using provider-initiated testing and counselling, voluntary counselling and testing, targeted family and partner testing/Partner notification services and other novel HTS approaches. They will be responsible for working closely with other service providers to ensure that the quality of HTS services is sustained as defined by the MOH service quality standards. They will receive direct supervision from HTS supervisor.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

A) Provide HIV Testing Services at allocated service delivery points

• Mobilize clients for testing at the respective facility service delivery point i.e. OPD, IPD, special clinics and / or community outreach sites through health talks and Behavior Change Communication (BCC) information dissemination to clients.
• Provide appropriate pre, post and appropriate risk reduction counselling to all clients receiving HTS services on the basis of clients need.
• Provide confidential HTS through the Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling (PITC), Voluntary Counseling and Testing (VCT) and targeted family testing approaches.as per the National 2015 HTS and 2016 ART Guidelines.
• Provide appropriate referral to all clients with a high focus on 100% linkage of HIV positive clients to care and treatment.
• Capture relevant client’s data on the Locator Information Form as well as the MOH 100
• Support and escort HIV positive clients to the CCC for enrollment into care, make follow-ups and report on referral and linkage outcomes on of both HIV negative or unlinked clients respectively.
• Be accountable for Rapid HIV Test kits in his or her custody.
• Promote preventive interventions through health talks, skills building demonstrations, distribution of Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials and other commodities like condoms and demonstration on correct use.

B) Adherence to quality HTS services provision

• Actively participate in all HTS data review meetings at the facility level.
• Participate in the quarterly counsellor’s support supervision meetings / sessions
• Familiarize and adhere to the recommendations of both the National HTS and ART guidelines up to and including proper waste disposal procedures.
• Enroll and participate in the bi - annual Proficiency Testing Program.
• Participate in other HTS QA activities e.g. Counsellors self - assessment, Direct observed sessions, Quality Management Assessments, (CQI, SIMS), client satisfaction surveys, DBS validation interviews, etc.

C) HTS reporting.

• Daily proper recording of the services in HTS Lab Register and other attendant reporting tools e.g. the Linkage Registers including RTK consumption reporting.
• Prepare timely daily, weekly and monthly HTS and RTK’s data summaries and reports through the facility in-charge and HTS Supervisor.
• Prepare summary of index / family testing and report using provided templates.
• Prepare and provide monthly summary of linkage report through the facility in-charge /HTS supervisor.

D) Specific roles of the HTs provider supporting confirmation and index contact testing at the ccc.

• Conduct all confirmatory tests of all identified positives as per the approved National Algorithm.
• Ensure 100% linkage of all confirmed HIV positive clients.
• Ensure that the index client contact listing, client Locator information forms as well as the Client Referral forms of all positive clients referred to the CCC for confirmation are well filled.
• Work closely with the HTS Supervisor to refer clients presenting inconclusive results (as per the Algorithm) to the CCC Laboratory for DNA – PCR / antigen tests.
• Work closely with the HTS Coordinator to maintain accurate records i.e. the Client locator information forms and Client Referral form of all clients referred to and / or attended to at the CCC of all clients.
• Provide patient key information on the importance of starting ART immediately as well as benefits of family testing and disclosure.
• Negotiate and explore with the client, opportunities for family, partners / contacts testing.
• Work closely with the HTS Coordinator to follow up and document all linkage outcomes in the Master Facility Linkage Register.
• Professionally hand over confirmed clients to the Adherence Counsellors/ CCC team for enrollment into care and treatment services.
• Line list index clients whose contacts have not been tested and liaise with the clinical teams at the CCC to mobilize index clients to bring their contacts for testing.
• Plan and conduct home based index testing when the CCC is not operational
• Work closely with the Records team at the CCC to document accurate test results of contacts of index clients in the blue card after successful index contacts testing.
• Follow up on outcomes and progress of newly enrolled clients for a period of three (3) months to enhance adherence and improve patient experience.

Qualifications

EDUCATION

• Must have a diploma in any health-related course or social sciences.
• Certificate in HTS accredited by NASCOP

EXPERIENCE

• At least one year of relevant experience in HTS.
• Must have been trained in the current HTS Algorithm (3 – Tier Test)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Conducted and Passed Proficiency Tests Skills
• Demonstrated ability to work within a team environment
• Excellent written, listening and oral communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize tasks and work well under pressure
• Excellent use of android application and computer literacy, particularly in the use of MS Office
• Proficiency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili
• Ability to conceptualize and understand program needs

Work Environment

• Work environment is in ARID and Semi-ARID Area.

Hours of Work

• The job holder may be required to work outside normal working hours due to the nature of the work in general

Additional Information

Qualified locals of Turkana County are highly encouraged to apply !!!

Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. The closing date will be April 08 2026.

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.