Adherence Counsellor
- Lodwar, Kenya
- Contract
- Opportunity Type: Current Opening
Company Description
Amref Health Africa was founded in 1957 and has since grown to become the largest African-based international health development organization; currently implementing more than 180 programs, reaching more than 40 million people across 35 African countries; and a staff complement of over 2,000. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref Health Africa has offices in ten countries in Africa – Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Guinea (Conakry), Kenya, Malawi, Senegal, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia. An additional eleven advocacy and fundraising offices are located in Europe and North America.
Amref Health Africa is driven by its vision of ‘Lasting health change in Africa’ and its mission ‘To catalyze and drive community-led and people-centered health systems while addressing social determinants of health’. We believe that the power to transform Africa’s health lies within its communities, and therefore strive to ensure that health systems are not only functional but that communities are empowered to hold these systems accountable for the delivery of quality and affordable health care.
Qualified residents from Turkana County are highly encouraged to apply
Job Description
JOB PURPOSE
The Adherence Counsellor will Provide initial and continuous adherence counselling to Adult,paediatric/Adolescent and PMTCT clients as guided by national guidelines and national/program standard operating procedures in select high volume facilities. He or She will work to support patients who will have defaulted treatment or failed treatment to improve their adherence. Where need be, the adherence officer will be required to support testing of new patients.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Under the direct supervision of the CCC/MCH in Charge, the Adherence Counsellor will work to provide and improve overall client access to comprehensive and current medical treatment and information.
- Provide initial and continuous adherence counselling and support for clients.
- Provide individualized client treatment education and coordinate treatment information related seminars.
- Facilitate communication between other treatment providers and the client.
- Provide medical and psychosocial support for the ART/PMTCT/TB/HIV clients
- Deliver the PWP messages to clients
- Mentor and supervise any support staff or volunteers in the facility and community who participate in adherence messaging to clients
- Work in liaison with mentor mothers to foster adherence in PMTCT clients
- Initiate and maintain Adolescent and Paediatric ART specific adherence sessions
- Follow up clients who have defaulted or failed treatment with a focus on giving appropriate messaging on adherence
- Organize talk sessions for patients on adherence (where applicable)
- Refer difficult cases for review in a counsellor network
Qualifications
Education and Experience
- Diploma in Nursing, clinical Psychology, Counselling or Social work from a recognized institution. A degree in the aforementioned fields is an added advantage
- At least 2 years related experience in adherence counselling and ART community systems
- NASCOP Training in HTS testing is an added advantage.
- Supervisory experience in an MOH set up is preferred
- Knowledge of Current ART guidelines is required
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
- Supervisory Skills
- Basic counselling skills
- Problem solving skills
- Team Work and Team building skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills
- Remarkable communication skills, both oral and written
- Analytical skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Good planning and organizational skills
- Ability to multi-task
- Result Oriented focus; and
- Emotional intelligence
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS
Corporate Policies, Systems, Procedures and Methods
The job will be domiciled in the Ministry of Health in a Health Facility and community Set-Up within Turkana. The holder of the position will be subject to rules and regulations of the Public Service Human Resource Policies and Procedures Manual
Work Environment
- Work environment is in ARID and Semi-ARID Area with frequent travel to the community set up.
Hours of Work
- The job holder may be required to work outside normal working hours due to the nature of the work in general
Additional Information
Qualified residents from Turkana County are highly encouraged to apply
Your application should include a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position and your CV with relevant skills and experience. The closing date will be Tuesday 29th July 2025.
Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.
Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.
