HTC Counselor

The Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria (GF) is providing grants to Pakistan since 2011 for prevention of HIV. The current grant is being implemented by United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and Nai Zindagi Trust (NZT) as Principal Recipients (PR). The PRs are responsible to implement various objectives of the overall Grant.

The overall goal is to reduce the number of new HIV infections and increase uptake of HIV preventive and treatment services with a high impact HIV response to improve the health and quality of life of people living with and affected by HIV in Pakistan. The objective of Global Fund HIV grant is to increase the prevention services for PWID and other key populations.

NZT is implementing HIV prevention services for PWID and spouses of HIV+ PWID through 45 CoPC + sites and ART Adherence Units across Pakistan providing coverage to 62 districts.

Nai Zindagi has a zero-tolerance policy towards Sexual Exploitation, Abuse, and Harassment (SEAH). All employees, partners, and representatives are expected to uphold the highest standards of ethical conduct. Recruitment is subject to thorough background and reference checks, and any form of misconduct may lead to disqualification, termination, and legal action. By applying, candidates commit to adhering to the organizations PSEAH policies.

Qualification/ Experience Required

• Masters degree preferably in Psychology/ Social Sciences or other relevant field.

• At least 3 to 5 Year of experience in relevant field.

• Ability to write high level technical documents/reports.

• Must be proficient in the use of computer especially MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English.

• Experience of working with marginalized communities preferably with PWIDs is an added advantage.
• Candidate should have a positive attitude and empathy towards PWIDs.
• Candidate should have good communication skills to interact with and get support from community.
• Candidate should have a positive attitude for learning.

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES

• In consultation with the Site Administrator, plan and establish HTC (HIV Testing and Counseling) services for PWIDs and their partners
• Conduct pre and post test counseling with clients on regular basis.
• Facilitate family contacts after client consent where possible and appropriate (as per HTC and family counseling SOPs).
• Conduct follow up sessions after client has reintegrated with family, and maintain follow up record (SOPs to be followed).
• Referral for further testing.
• Referral for medical services when needed.
• Referral for HIV prevention services.
• Referral for HIV & AIDS care and support services.
• Maintain all record/information related to clients, their test results in strict confidentiality
• Attend day plan meetings with staff members and highlight issues of clients raised in their morning meeting
• Participate and discuss issues pertaining to HTC, prevention, care & support services
• Maintain a daily diary and submit report of daily activities to site manager by the end of the day.
• Maintain HTC files, monitoring and figure charts (as per SOPs).

• Maintain a list of referral linkages.

• Coordinate with Field Supervisor for tracking of clients for HTC services.

• Coordinate with Social Mobilizer for ART referral services of reactive clients.

• Motivation, counselling and psychological assessment of HIV+ clients for ART link-up and AAU referrals.

• Special counseling sessions with AAU RD clients on relapse prevention, ART adherence and overdose prevention.

• Counseling of HIV+ clients on treatment for ART adherence.

• Motivation and counselling of non-adherent HIV+ clients for re-initiation of ART.

• Any other tasks /support assigned by line Manager/Supervisor.