AIDS Prevention Initiative in Nigeria, Ltd./Gte. (APIN) is a non-governmental organization registered with the Nigerian Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC). APIN has built a strong partnership with the Nigerian Government, which is memorialized through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the National Planning Commission. APIN is a leading Nigerian organization in the provision of prevention, care and treatment services to patients with HIV/AIDS and other diseases of public health significance. Its operating experience in Nigeria dates back to 2000, when the Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) initiated HIV/AIDS research and prevention initiatives in Nigeria, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. In 2004, the HSPH project started implementing HIV/AIDS prevention, care and treatment programs with support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). These activities culminated in the establishment of APIN as an independent NGO in 2007, with the aim of building local capacity and sustainability of HIV/AIDS and other diseases programming in Nigeria.
Presently, APIN operates as a direct implementing partner to CDC having just completed a 3-year transition from Harvard in line with the US Government’s goal of transitioning programs to local indigenous organizations. In the four years since its operations as an implementing partner of the CDC, APIN has managed a cumulative budget of more than $50m, a reflection of the growing confidence of the USG that APIN has built enough systems to operate as an independent implementing partner of US funds. In addition to the US funded activities, APIN is currently soliciting for other funding opportunities to diversify its funding base in the wider public health arena as part of its response to current health challenges and its overall sustainability plan.
Apart from its contribution to evidence-based HIV prevention in the country, APIN is also one of the pioneers in the provision of comprehensive HIV/AIDS care in Nigeria. It currently supports the Federal Government of Nigeria to provide ARV care and treatment directly as a USG implementing partner tomore than 74,000 patients in 33 treatment clinics and 75 primary healthcare centers in nine (9) states. These clinics are equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories with capabilities for diagnosis and monitoring of HIV including CD4, viral load, DNA PCR and drug resistance monitoring (DRM). Similar giant strides have been made in prevention, systems strengthening, as well as in human and infrastructure capacity development efforts.
It has a widespread network of service providers, communities, researchers and persons living with HIV and AIDS support groups in nine (9) states in Nigeria. APIN has a. purposive, exemplary and result-oriented leadership, committed and hardworking human resources and a broad-based support of collaborators in Nigeria and the United States. It essentially inherited the same dedicated team that has worked on the Harvard program in the last 6 -10 years.Project Overview
The Public Health Information Surveillance Solutions and Systems (PHIS3) is a CDC-funded project designed to strengthen HIV service delivery systems and other public health interventions in Nigeria.
Through continuous quality improvement, monitoring, evaluation, and surveillance, PHIS3 aims to advance health informatics and laboratory quality management in the country.
As part of its activities, PHIS3 is supporting the Government of Nigeria through the FMOH (NASCP), and working with key stakeholders, (NACA, NCDC, NMOD, Lagos State MOH, and SACA, to implement the Nigeria State-level ART Impact Survey (AIS) in Lagos State.
This population-based household survey will assess progress towards achieving the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets and measure HIV prevalence, informing strategies to enhance public health outcomes.
We are seeking qualified and dedicated individuals to join our team as Field Workers for the implementation of this survey in Lagos State.
Duties and Responsibilities
Oversees and supervises the day-to-day activities of the field team.
Conducts equipment checks prior to field visits.
Manages and documents anticipated and unanticipated difficulties.
Prepare daily work schedules and interview locations.
Responsible for coordinating the team’s daily activities on the field.
Make sure that the team is working in the right location (s) and that the respondents’ selection is appropriate.
Go through the collected data on the tablets of team members (to ensure no errors in collected data)
Provides continued evaluation of testing and counselling services in the field.
Ensures that proper consenting procedures and documentation are followed.
Ensures the testing algorithm is adhered to, and quality control (QC) is performed prior to testing participant specimen.
Ensure that the confidentiality of the client/respondent is being protected.
Ensure documentation of procedures as required is occurring according to the protocol.
See to it that all adverse events are properly documented and reported to the central supervisors in a timely manner.
In partnership with the Household tracker/Community mobilizer, leads the team to the designated HH for the day’s work
Ensures well-being and safety of team members
Ensures completion of assigned workload
Ensures maintenance of data quality
Maintains good accountability and transparency of all items entrusted to him/her for the fieldwork
Ensures quality assurance of laboratory work and equipment
Ensures data collection, collation and transmission takes place in a timely fashion on all field days
Reviews collected data on tablets of team members (to ensure no errors in collected data)
Resolves all issues pertaining to field team’s activities and operations
Provides activities update/report daily to the survey field coordinator
Education and Experience Requirements
University Degree in a medical-related field or social sciences, with a Master’s in Public Health (MPH) or equivalent.
Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in HIV/AIDS programs.
In-depth understanding of HIV/AIDS surveys in resource-constrained settings.
Prior experience in HIV/AIDS surveys such as NAIIS or AIS is required.
Residency in Lagos State is preferred.
Background in field epidemiology is an added advantage.
Proven experience in leadership roles related to the design, implementation, management, and monitoring of HIV surveys.
Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:
Knowledge of and practical experience in HIV community-based research and ethical requirements
Must be proficient in the use of Microsoft Office package applications and CSpro.
Excellent (fluent) English written and verbal communication skills and strong interpersonal skills. Knowledge of a Nigerian language will be an added advantage.
Leadership skills with ability to direct, delegate, motivate and inspire other team members.
Ability to work with minimal supervision.
Effective liaison, networking, and collaboration skills
Demonstration of planning and organizing interpersonal skills (active listening, empathy, social awareness, emotional awareness) with cultural sensitivity