It was an evening of glitz, glamour, and merriment when the Board of Directors, management, staff, family members, friends, and beneficiaries of the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) gathered in Abuja to celebrate two decades of excellence in public health implementation, capacity building, and research.
During the dinner, there were inspiring speeches, staff testimonials, award presentations to long-serving staff, games, and dancing. At the event, IHVN Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Patrick Dakum recounted the Institute’s progress from its establishment in 2004 till date.
“Over the years, we have provided HIV medications to more than 600,000 individuals, supported orphans and vulnerable children across the country, and restored hope for many living with HIV, including children. Some children who were born with HIV when we were established and at the point of death are now getting ready to be married.”
He said that IHVN has expanded its services to non-communicable diseases and has grown to host two centers, the Center for Public Health Implementation and the International Research Center of Excellence (IRCE).
IRCE Executive Director, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku stressed the importance of research and small beginnings and urged young researchers to keep dreaming.
IHVN Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director, Dr Charles Olalekan Mensah also took guests down memory lane to trace the Institute’s achievements.
IHVN is a leading non-governmental organization established in 2004 to address the HIV/AIDS crisis in Nigeria by developing infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support for people living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. The Institute has expanded its services to other infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria, and non-infectious diseases, including cancers. As a local organization, the Institute is structured to collaboratively develop and maintain linkages within and outside the country that support the Government of Nigeria’s health sector strategic plans.
(4th and 3rd Right) IHVN Chairman Board of Directors, Alh. Dr. Umaru Mutallab, IHVN Vice Chairman Board of Directors, Sir Steve Omojafor, Board Directors and Management of IHVN cut the 20th anniversary cake at a dinner to celebrate the Institute’s progress in two decades.A cross-section of guests at the IHVN 20th Anniversary dinner in Abuja
To ensure the provision of quality tuberculosis services in Lagos State, the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has organized a program review meeting for medical directors of health facilities implementing the USAID Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network (TB LON 3) project in Lagos State.
About 30 medical directors and representatives from the Lagos State Ministry of Health attended the meeting which featured plenary discussions on challenges and strategies to improve out-patient screening optimization, childhood tuberculosis, drug-resistant tuberculosis, tuberculosis prevention therapy, treatment completion by patients, human resources for health and electronic medical record integration.
USAID TB LON 3 Lagos State Team Lead, Dr. Babajide Kadri welcomed participants to the meeting and enjoined all to work towards ensuring quality of care in their different facilities.
“The meeting is part of quality improvement initiative under the TB LON 3 project in Lagos state. It is also aimed at updating the medical directors on the TB implementation status in their facilities as well as getting feedback from them on the program. Key expectations from participants include, better ownership of TB program by the facility management, improvement in the quality of services provided to the patients, improvement in project performance indicator and resolution of the programmatic and operational challenges affecting project implementation”, he said.
Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Olusegun Ogboye stressed the need for patients to be involved in developing a joint treatment plan for tuberculosis.
“We should adapt the program to the needs of the people, explain to them the next steps, and let them know when to start medication. This will make them committed to adherence to the medications.” He reiterated his commitment to supporting health facilities in the state to ensure efficient delivery of health services.
Participants interact on strategies to improve tuberculosis care during the meetingSome participants pose for a group photograph at the program review meeting
The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, and cancer through prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, care, and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at the national, state, and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to provide quality health services, capacity building, and research in West Africa and beyond.
To further drive quality and engender global best practices in HIV and TB care and treatment, IHVN is seeking qualified candidates for the following position:
Position
Program Officer-OVC
Scheduled Work Time
Monday – Friday (Flexibility, willing to travel and work weekends)
Reports to
Regional Manager /Program Manager-OVC
Location
Katsina
Opening Date: 1st November, 2024
Closing Date: 14th November, 2024
Description and objectives:
The Program Officer OVC under the supervision of the Regional Manager and Program Manager, he/she will be responsible for facilitating direct field level implementation of OVC interventions, including identification and enrolment of OVC beneficiaries and their caregivers, identification of OVC eligible for preventive interventions, management of clinical schedules and mobilization and referral of beneficiaries for services. He/She will direct the support of OVC and households to achieve healthy, schooled, stable and safe goals. Education, psychosocial support, child protection, legal support, nutrition, economic security services within the case plan achievement benchmarks.
Job Duties and Responsibilities:
Be responsible for supporting the program manager in the management and coordination of the OVC program in the state.
Provide technical assistance and training as appropriate to CBOs to ensure that high standards of programming are provided.
Carry out mentoring & supportive visits to CBOs at least monthly to ensure that CBO documentation, reporting to LGAs, NOMIS, DQA implementation is up to date.
Ensure all mentoring visits to CBOs are duly documented in the CBOs visitor’s book and document gaps identified, actions to be taken to address these gaps and time frame for addressing gaps.
Routinely carry out independent quarterly DQA to validate OVC data and ensure that they own their data.
Attend community gender meetings, parenting sessions and AGYW meetings to guide implementation.
Support CBOs establish adolescent and young person’s SG in block grant schools, kid’s clubs and adolescent clubs.
Support CBOs establish functional Village Savings and Loan Association Groups for all caregivers and collate SG data using SAVIX.
Assess, review, and recommend for approval of all block grant projects prior to implementation by the CBO.
Participate in quarterly CBO/health facility case conference for unsuppressed CALHIV
Support CBOs identify government supported welfare packages in the state and facilitate linkage for OVC and their caregivers.
Organize quarterly regional OVC review meetings to include state, LGA OVC desk officers Support CBOs establish standardized kids and adolescent clubs using the learning from PSS training and empower older OVC to lead club meetings.
Support CBOs to have functional Child Protection committees that are linked to the state child protection network.
Support CBOs establish functional IYCF support groups in the community.
Review and recommend for approval concept notes for HES prior to implementation by CBOs with caregivers.
Routinely attend HES caregiver’s meetings to engage and review implementation with HES beneficiaries.
Ensure that CBOs step down and document ALL training to staff and volunteers.
Ensure that CBOs have and document routine monthly interaction with ALL volunteers
Support CBOs synthesize and document innovative quality improvement efforts and success stories.
Ensure that CBOs always have adequate supply of OVC DCTs.
Prepare and submit monthly OVC state report of activities
And any other duties assigned by the State regional manager/ Program Manager
Minimum Qualifications:
Must possess a BSc degree in public health, Nursing or Social sciences or related fields, preferably master’s in public health, Epidemiology or relevant field is an added advantage.
At least 2-5 years of direct involvement in community development work, technical support, management and administrative leadership in similar activities
Experience working with governments, LGAs and community structures is desirable
Must have atleast 3years of experience with social development, health child protection, household, social protection, education, health and nutrition and HIV/AIDS care and support.
Experience in the prevention of HIV/AIDS with a focus on highly vulnerable children.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively with local government, community and public health facilities, private sector entities, and local community structures
Commitment to the wellbeing of children and safeguarding and child protection matters
Experience engaging with government departments (e.g., Ministry of Health, regional health bureau, local health institutions) and partner organizations
Experience with CDC/USAID funded PEPFAR OVC and or HIV/AIDS programs is an added advantage.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
Ability to coordinate multiple assignments and deliver quality work on time
Skills in determining priorities
Stakeholder collaboration skills and ability to appropriately represent the organization by engaging with stakeholders.
Ability to always represent the project in a professional manner
Strong interpersonal skills and positive professional attitude
Excellent written and communication skills in English language
Skills in MS Windows and MS Office packages (Excel, Word, PowerPoint), Web Conferencing Applications, information management systems
Safeguarding (PSEAH):
As an organization, IHVN takes the issue of Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) seriously, because safeguarding the people we interface with in all our programmatic work is of the utmost importance to us.
IHVN only recruits’ representatives who are suited and abides to the strict responsibility of SEAH.
By applying to this role, you are agreeing to IHVN carrying out a background check on you with respect to SEAH records and you also confirm that not before or after being hired will you breach the IHVN policy on SEAH.
Equal employment opportunity statement:
IHVN is an equal employment employer. We do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or any other status or characteristic protected under applicable laws.
Mode of Application:
Application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft Word format should be forwarded to the Assistant Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected]This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
This advert closes 14 days from the date of this publication, and only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
