Blog

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 the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, and care and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at national, state and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to be a leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa and beyond.

As a Principal Recipient of the Global Fund Public-Private Mix grant for TB (PPM), IHVN is leading TB service expansion in the private sector in Nigeria, working with hospitals and community-based entities in 21 States, in addition to providing technical support to the National TB and Leprosy Control Program (NTBLCP) on TB diagnostic infrastructure in Nigeria.

To drive quality and engender global best practices in TB care and treatment in the private sector, IHVN is seeking for qualified candidates for the following positions:

Job Position	Program Officer, TB
Job Family	Technical
Unit	Global Fund TB
Job Location	Kano and Lagos

Opening Date: 14/12/2022

Closing Date: 28/12/2022

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Quality of care assessment and ensuring that patients in all IHVN supported facilities receive high-quality comprehensive TB, TB/HIV and MDR TB care and treatment in line with WHO and National Guidelines in PEPFAR and Global Fund sites (TB/HIV, MDR-TB).
• Program facilitation for effectiveness and efficiency, facilitation of communication, collaboration, task sharing and teamwork among clinic staff of all sites.
• Provision of on-site clinical mentoring and technical assistance to clinic staff of all sites.
• Improvement of strong linkages between the PPM facilities and the TB Control program at the State and LGA level.
• To ensure that the facility operates a functional and efficient client flow system.
• To support the project monitoring and evaluation team to ensure that high high-quality project data were collected and analyzed for informed decision making
• To perform quality improvement, program evaluation, monitoring and to render administrative support.
• Participation in meetings and other initiatives as assigned.
• To work with Sub-partner staff, government agencies at all levels, donor representatives, facility/site staff, focal persons and IHVN staff to effectively manage programmatic challenges.
• Act as liaison for community resources for patients, community and network within the hub and spoke model of the PPM implementation structure.

• To report all activities to the central office Senior Program Officer TB/HIV, Technical Advisor HIV/TB/MDR-TB and the Director/Head, Clinical Services Department.

• To adhere and abide by the ethics and code of conduct of the Institute.

• To carry out any other duties/ assignments as directed by the Director Clinical Services department.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Skills and Abilities: 

Good communication (oral and written) and facilitation skills with proficiency in the computer programming – Word processing, spreadsheet, presentation skills are required.

• Proficiency in data analysis, good inter and intrapersonal communication skills.
• 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 ability to plan and organize, make decisions, manage time and practice critical thinking.

Education: A University degree in Medicine. An MPH or additional master’s degree will be an added advantage.

Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 3 – 5 years professional level experience managing public health and health delivery with emphasis on TBHIV, care and treatment. She/he must have experience working with PEPFAR or GF funded care and treatment program. Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation, and management of TB and TB/HIV program and private sector engagement is desirable.

Language Proficiency: English language (high proficiency in verbal and written expression)

Job Knowledge: Familiarity with the broad range of TB and TBHIV issues, understanding of the major issues affecting TBHIV with in-depth knowledge of the implementation of TBHIV programs in Nigeria.

Method of Application

Interested and qualified candidates should send a detailed resume and a one page cover letter as one MS Word document explaining suitability for the position to Manager, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected] Application must explicitly state the position applied for in the subject of the email. Candidates are advised to provide three professional referees with email addresses and phone numbers. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Institute of Human Virology (IHVN) is a leading and reputable non-governmental organization addressing infectious and non-infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis(TB) and cancer through the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, and care and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at national, state and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to be a leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa and beyond.

The International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) was established by Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) to create an enabling environment which facilitates research activities that bridge international and Nigerian researchers. IRCE promotes public, private partnership for quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa.
IRCE has a number of grants and projects running and the INFORM Africa (Role of Data Streams In Informing Infection Dynamics in Africa) project is one of such projects that brings together a multi sectoral and multidisciplinary group of investigators with complementary expertise in data science and other relevant disciplines, to collectively work on using retrospective public health and routine clinical data on SARS-CoV-2 and HIV;  exploring the relationships using national datasets in Nigeria and South Africa.

INFORM Africa is part of a Consortium of projects under the Data Science for Health Discovery and Innovation in Africa (DSI-Africa) Initiative. DSI-Africa Initiative aims to leverage data science technologies to transform biomedical and behavioural research and develop solutions that would lead to improved health for individuals and populations.

The INFORM Africa project will run for 5 years from 2020 – 2025.

Position (Designation):	Program Officer/ Communications Specialist
Reports To:	Research Hub Manager
Job Location:	Abuja, International Research Centre of Excellence, Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN Campus), Abuja, Nigeria

Opening Date:10^th December 2022
Closing Date:  31^st January 2023

Summary/Overview:

We are looking to hire a dedicated communications officer to join our research hub at INFORM Africa. The communications officer will develop and maintain our website, support our internal and external communications strategy, write and disseminate publicity material, respond to inquiries from the public &  media, and coordinate promotional events and activities of the INFORM Africa projects.
To succeed as a communications officer, you should be able to think creatively, and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

A bachelor’s degree with experience as a communications officer or equivalent experience in a similar role is strongly desired. This position will support the Administrative core of INFORM Africa and will involve working closely with the Research Hub Manager.

Job Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with management to develop and implement an effective communication strategy
• Write, edit, and distribute content, including publications, press releases, website content, annual reports, speeches, and other marketing material that communicates the organization’s activities, products and/or services
• Respond to media inquiries, arrange interviews, and act as a spokesperson for the organization (when authorized)
• Establish and maintain effective relationships with journalists and maintain a media database and the project website
• Seek opportunities to enhance the reputation of the brand, and coordinate publicity events as required
• Maintain records of media coverage and collate analytics and metrics
• Proficiency in design and publishing software
• Manage conflict as it arises and escalate to the research hub manager
• Report challenges to the Research Hub Manager, where necessary

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Strong networking and representational skills
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills in English
• Self-motivated with a strong ability to identify and develop relevant areas of work
• Able to communicate complex issues in a concise, accessible, and engaging manner
• Ability to meet deadlines with strong attention to consistency, detail, and quality
• Conversant with the use of Microsoft Office Applications – MS Excel, Word, and PowerPoint

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in communications or sciences
• Minimum of 2 years’ relevant experience in a communications/ science communication role
• Evidence of active social media presence
• Knowledge of desktop publishing software (e.g., InDesign/Photoshop).
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
• Good time management and organizational skills
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, content management systems, and social media platforms
• Previous experience working in a role that was heavy on communication strategies and website maintenance will be preferred.
• Master’s or higher degree in is an added advantage

Method of Application:

Interested and qualified candidates should send a detailed resume and a one-page cover letter as one MS Word document explaining suitability for the position to Deputy Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected] All applications must explicitly state the position applied for in the subject of the email. Candidates are advised to provide three professional referees with email addresses and phone numbers. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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 the provision of prevention, diagnosis, treatment, capacity building, research, and care and support services. IHVN is in partnership with local and international organizations and the different tiers of the government of Nigeria at national, state and local levels. The Institute’s vision is to be a leader in providing quality health services, capacity building and research in West Africa and beyond.

This cross cutting disease surveillance network consist of 3 separates parts which will include 3 surveillance activities; (i) acute febrile illness (AFI) surveillance (ii) Serologic surveillance using viral load (VL) remnant specimens from people living with HIV (PLHIV) (iii)serologic surveillance using stored antenatal care (ANC) stored dried blood spots (DBS). The Acute Febrile illness (AFI) project is a hospital based prospective active surveillance project to be implemented in 6 tertiary facilities in Nigeria across 6 states including FCT. The results of this project will provide data to support more reliable estimates of the burden of disease, and updated evidence-based algorithms for the management of febrile illness; generate valuable surveillance data which will inform programmatic planning for effective prevention and control of infectious diseases.

POSITION	Senior Program Officer, Global health Security (Acute Febrile Illness (AFI) Surveillance project)
SCHEDULED WORK TIME	Monday – Friday (Flexibility, willing to travel and work weekends)
LOCATION	IHVN
REPORTS TO	Project Director SECURE-Nigeria & Principal Investigator SECURE-Nigeria

Opening Date: 8/12/2022

Closing Date: 22/12/2022

Position Overview

The incumbent will serve as the project manager for the cross cutting disease sentinel surveillance project. This position is responsible for the management of SECURE-Nigeria newly established project on crosscutting communicable disease sentinel surveillance network which includes Acute Febrile illness (AFI) sentinel surveillance and serology surveillance. The Project manager will work closely with the NCDC surveillance team and provide leadership and strategic direction for this project, coordination and use of diagnostic test to better identify the cause of fever and epidemic-causing pathogens from remnant viral load and ANC samples. 

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical and operational support, training, as needed to implement sentinel surveillance for AFI and serological surveillance using remnant viral load and ANC samples.
• Support the capacity of NCDC to implement sentinel surveillance for epidemic prone diseases.
• Develop close working relationships with Acute Febrile illness & serologic surveillance investigators and key opinion leaders in the field.
• Support data analysis from ongoing sentinel data
• Play a leadership role in the scientific team as the AFI and serologic surveillance expert, and a key coordination role amongst NCDC and IHVN team.
• Support AFI sentinel surveillance and serologic surveillance across all 6 sentinel sites
• Ensure that activities and diagnostic conducted are of the highest quality, in accordance with global norms for diagnostic tests.
• Manage and Supervise sentinel surveillance project staff
• Managing a team of scientists and project managers each sentinel site to execute against established programme goals
• Report to the stakeholders on progress of individual projects and budgets on a regular basis and present interim reviews for stakeholders review.
• Prepare reports and presentations to the CDC

Minimum Requirements:

Essential

• Advanced Clinical degree (MD, MBBS, BMChB, BPh, DM, RN or equivalent degree) with at least 5 years’ experience in disease surveillance.
• An advanced degree in epidemiology, Public health or related background is needed.
• A thorough understanding of IDSR guideline and relevant infectious disease epidemiology and public health issues.
• Strong scientific background with a track record of published studies.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Strong project management skills;

Desirable

• Proficiency in the use of data analytical software.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.

Method of Application

• Interested and qualified candidates should send a detailed resume and a one page cover letter as one MS Word document explaining suitability for the position to Deputy Director, Human Resources through this email address: [email protected]
• Application must explicitly state the position applied for in the subject of the email. Candidates are advised to provide three professional referees with email addresses and phone numbers. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please do not apply if you do not meet the essential requirement for this position