Assistant(e) social(e)

Job Posting Organization:
Family Health International (FHI 360) is a non-profit non-governmental organization dedicated to improving lives sustainably through integrated solutions. Established in 1980, FHI 360 operates in over 60 countries worldwide and across all states and territories of the United States. The organization focuses on various sectors including health, education, nutrition, environment, economy, development, research, and technology, creating a unique combination of capabilities to address development challenges. In Senegal, FHI 360 implements various projects aimed at improving the quality of life for populations and supporting human development, particularly in response to the national strategy for combating diseases.

Job Overview:
The Assistant(e) Social(e) will be a member of the Community team at FHI 360 Senegal and will work closely with both community and clinical teams on the EpiC project. Under the administrative supervision of the Regional Associate Director and functional supervision of the Clinical Advisor, the Assistant(e) Social(e) will support the implementation of program activities and contribute effectively to the provision of HIV services at the health center. This role involves ensuring the effective and efficient implementation of the HIV care cascade from screening to viral load management, including differentiated testing services, early treatment initiation for diagnosed clients, treatment follow-up, and retention in care. The Assistant(e) Social(e) will also supervise community interventions.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Assistant(e) Social(e) will have the following specific responsibilities and tasks: Provide psychological support to clients undergoing screening and those receiving care at the facility; systematically propose index testing to eligible clients and follow up on contact screening while maintaining the index-testing register; conduct pre and post-test counseling for all clients benefiting from HIV screening; clearly explain treatment, side effects, and the natural progression of HIV infection to clients; lead individual therapeutic education sessions for non-adherent clients; coordinate and facilitate support groups and collective therapeutic education sessions; conduct home visits for lost-to-follow-up patients and those with mobility issues to ensure they receive ARV dispensing, viral load sampling, adherence counseling, and psychosocial-support" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">psychosocial support; assist families or individuals by welcoming, listening, informing, advising, and guiding them during appointments, home visits, or via phone to meet their needs; implement a support plan by creating administrative and/or financial files, negotiating with clients, and supporting families or individuals; assist in updating community counselors' plans and micro-planning in collaboration with mapping agents and OCB; support coordination, monitoring, and assistance in implementing monthly action plans for community counselors through weekly meetings with community actors at the site; ensure the implementation of interventions by community counselors in strict adherence to both national program approaches and the EpiC project; conduct at least one to two follow-up sessions per month in the field; assign community counselors lists of patients due for appointments, those eligible for viral load reminders, and follow-up on services received; assign lists of newly diagnosed positive clients and those with high viral loads; provide ongoing technical support to community counselors on differentiated care and resolving challenges encountered in their assigned tasks; monitor the number of cases that have made reservations on the Lerlouwer platform at the site and follow up on the promotion of the platform by community counselors; assist in verifying data entry, quality, and completeness by reviewing and validating session records filled out by community counselors; support performance analysis of community counselors in collaboration with CBO partners; produce weekly reports and a monthly summary report on the support and guidance provided in implementing peer community activities.

Required Qualifications:
The required qualifications and skills for this position include: a state diploma in social work; a minimum of 5 years of demonstrated professional experience; experience in caring for high-risk populations for HIV or vulnerable populations; a good understanding of the health system in Senegal; ability to work in a multisectoral environment; strong organizational and management skills; proficiency in Microsoft software (Excel, Word) and statistical software; experience using DHIS2 and its E-tracker module; proven linguistic skills in French and minimal English, with the ability to communicate in some local languages of Senegal being an asset.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a state diploma in social work, which indicates a formal education and training in social work principles and practices, equipping the candidate with the necessary skills to support individuals and communities effectively.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 5 years of professional experience, particularly in the field of social work or related areas, with a focus on working with vulnerable populations or those at high risk for HIV. This experience is crucial for understanding the complexities of social issues and the healthcare landscape in Senegal.

Languages:
Mandatory languages for this position include proficiency in French, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with clients. A basic understanding of English is also required, while the ability to communicate in local languages of Senegal is considered an asset, enhancing the ability to connect with diverse communities.

Additional Notes:
The position is a fixed-term contract (CDD) with an expected travel requirement of 5-10% for domestic travel. The expected hiring salary range for this role is XOF 9,400,000 - 11,000,000 annually for basic salary. FHI 360 considers various factors when determining an offer amount, including relevant years of experience and education, internal equity, market pay, and budget. This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job and does not prescribe or restrict the exact tasks that may be assigned. FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer, committed to safeguarding against abuse, exploitation, and harassment in its work environments and programs.