The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) has sensitized Iddo Padda and Gwagwa communities in the Federal Capital Territory on gender-based violence(GBV). The sensitization program involved advocacy to community leaders, a road walk within the community market and health checks.
IHVN Senior Program Officer Prevention, Care and Treatment, Mrs. Derby Collins-Kalu says that the Institute in collaboration with New Hope Agency, a community-based organization, organized the activity in these communities to prevent GBV and rape.
“The program reports we are getting from the community shows a high rate of gender-based violence, especially rape for minors. We work with health facilities to sensitize women during immunization. Rape is the most common in these communities. We presented these findings to the community leaders. The sensitization activity is to tell the people what is happening in their community and stimulate behaviour change in the areas of rape. We also want to educate people about rape and to tell them the services available to someone who has been raped in the health care center.”
Mrs, Collins-Kalu explains that timely presentation of persons who experience rape in health facilities makes the difference.
“This event is part of a broader effort to sensitize the community about the realities of GBV.. IHVN has been educating residents on recognizing signs of rape, understanding the available care pathways, and emphasizing the importance of timely medical intervention. Immediate medical attention is critical to prevent the transmission of HIV, manage potential pregnancies, address sexually transmitted diseases, and mitigate the emotional trauma associated with rape.”
New Hope Agency GBV Program Manager, Ifeoma Okonkwo says that “Our collaboration with IHVN has been instrumental in bringing awareness to the community. Engaging with the public has brought a noticeable increase in community participation and willingness to discuss GBV issues.”
Mrs Okonkwo lamented the culture of silence in the society that makes people hesitant to speak about GBV. .
“Most of the cultures are very abusive, I also believe that if we can sensitize our communities, they will speak out.”
Women who received testing services during the sensitization program expressed appreciation for the activity. 22-year-old housewife, Sekinah Ilasu says, “I am grateful for this initiative to tell women to speak up about Gender Based Violence because a lot of people in our community today are facing violence from their husbands and they are afraid to speak up because it will only make the situation worst.”
Another participant, a petty trader, Zainab Daro, called for participation of men in sensitization programs too. “I wish our husbands were here to hear this so that those who beat their wives can know that it is bad and stop,”
A community member receiving free health checks during the sensitization activity.Women of Iddo Padda Community participating in a road walk through the community market to raise awareness about gender-based violence.
The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN), through funding from The Global Fund (GF), will be implementing the Grant Cycle 7 (GC7) grant, a combined TB &HIV effort pivotal to transforming TB & HIV programs. Under the leadership and coordination of the National AIDS and STDs Control Programme (NASCP), the National TB and Leprosy Control Programme (NTBLCP), and the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), this project will increase the identification of all forms of TB cases in the community and ensure prompt access to high-quality, patient-centered prevention and treatment through a Nationwide coverage of TB Public-Private Mix active TB case finding effort, and Community TB testing. The HIV component of the grant will focus on four states (Ebonyi, Anambra, Kwara, and Gombe) for end-to-end HIV comprehensive services, community PMTCT scale-up in all states, PrEP in the four GF-supported states and in other states where PEPFAR IPs will be operating, and support harm reduction program (specifically needles and syringes) in 12 states. Other focus areas include Health Systems Strengthening/Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) and National level support activities.
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 MANAGER (TECHNICAL) ADULT /PEDIATRIC HIV
Reports to:
Program Manager SI
Employment type
Full time
Location:
Central Office/HQ (Abuja)
Operational Contacts
TB Lead, Program Management Team, Project Director.
Advert Opening Date: 20th May, 2024
Advert Closing Date: 3rd June, 2024
Position Overview
The Program Manager (Technical) Adult /Pediatric HIV) will ensure high-quality Pediatric/Adolescent and Adult HIV Prevention, Care, and Treatment Services in the program.
Description and objectives:
Under the supervision of the Project Director, GF-GC7 Grant, the PM will collaborate closely with Sub-Recipients, NASCP, and other relevant stakeholders to provide technical oversight of the Sub-Recipients’ day-to-day implementation of all HIV prevention, care, and treatment strategies toward achieving the UNAIDS (95-95-95) targets and providing guidance for program implementation according to the National Treatment Guidelines and policies.
Responsibilities:
Coordinate HIV program implementation across the supported states and facilities.
Provide technical assistance to colleagues, HIV sub-recipients, and other stakeholders for effective program implementation across the treatment cascades.
Supervise treatment activities while ensuring that evidence-based, high-impact, cost-effective interventions to improve HIV (across the three 95s) services, including but not limited to HIV/TB prevention services, case finding, contact tracing, innovations in treatment (retention and viral suppression), and NCD integration of HIV services.
Carry out close coordination, collaboration, advocacy, alignment, and integration to improve services.
Provide technical guidance to sub-recipients and healthcare providers to render effective and efficient quality of care to People Living with HIV (PLHIV): adults, adolescents, and children.
Provide technical guidance for effective and efficient HIV prevention and treatment services.
Ensure that routine mentorship is offered to healthcare providers and volunteers to build their capacity to make effective referrals and linkages.
Plan and coordinate activities of state and site staff, Adhoc staff, and volunteers.
Data analysis and interpretation for management decision
Develop and design HIV strategic plans, narrative reports, and proposals.
Collaborate with relevant stakeholders: the Government of Nigeria, the Global Fund, the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and other Implementing Partners.
Ensure representation at high-level technical meetings.
Represent the Project Director and EM in high-level meetings, with the ability to make high-quality presentations in meetings.
Required competencies.
Good communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills with proficiency in computer programming – Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation skills, and video conferencing are required.
Proficiency in data analysis and good inter and intrapersonal communication skills.
Proficiency in program narrative and proposal writing.
Ability to work under pressure to meet organizational targets/goals.
Ability to evaluate data and prepare quality reports, often under pressure and in complex situations.
Being goal-oriented with the ability to plan and organize, make decisions, manage time, and practice critical thinking.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
High impact influencing and persuasive skills, and able to represent the organization to donors and other stakeholders.
Education and Experience:
Master’s level/Postgraduate qualification in Public Health, Epidemiology, with a medical degree.
At least six years of experience working with HIV programs at various levels, planning and managing projects.
Experience in building capacity at individual and organizational levels.
Excellent personal communication skills in written and verbal English,
Fundamental skills in project planning, design, implementation, and monitoring.
Ability to work independently and deliver quality work on time.
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively in a team.
Ability to deliver under pressure without guidance.
Ability to meet deadlines according to laid-down rules.
Stakeholder management skills and ability to appropriately represent the organization by engaging with donors and other stakeholders.
Good experience using Ms. Word, Excel, or PowerPoint applicable software related to the position.
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:
Please submit your application letter and detailed curriculum vitae as one Microsoft Word document with the position applied for and locationwell captured as the subject of the email to the Assistant Director, Human Resources, through this email address: [email protected].
