Brief introduction

The Tuberculosis Local Organizations Network (LON) is the USAID funded project designed to fight and end TB effectively and efficiently by partnering directly with local entities within TB priority countries of which Ethiopia is one, to provide accessible services, resulting in increased diagnosis and treatment success rates.

The TB LON Urban project awarded to REACH Ethiopia is a Fixed Amount Agreement implemented by REACH Ethiopia.  The project will focus on finding and referring the missing TB cases in 3 urban administrative settings (Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa and Harari) by using urban community TB approach to increase its contribution of case notification from 3.4% to 20% and ensure improved case notification by finding missed TB cases. The project will also aim to strengthen the organizational capacity of local organizations and TB survivors’ associations and enabling environment for urban TB programming. The primary beneficiaries of the project will be key populations living in urban areas of the three cities. The project will be implemented in collaboration with the Regional Health Bureau (Harari), city administrations (Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa), sub-city health departments (Addis Ababa), family health team, the urban health extension professionals, public health facilities, health development armies (HDAs), community associations, Idir, Civil Society Organizations such as former TB patients associations and Network of PLHIV.

Purpose of the position (general)

Under the leadership of the Sub city Coordinator/Regional Coordinator, TB Outreach Officer (TOO) is responsible for the successful implementation and delivery of the program’s activities at woreda, kebele and community levels that the project achieves its intended goal. He/she coordinates the implementation of the project at the above-mentioned levels.                                                                                                                        

S/he will lead the overall day to day management of the project at woreda level and lower structures. The TOO will be the activity's key liaison with Sub city/Regional  Coordinator, government counterparts, other non-government organizations and local associations at woreda level and lower structures. S/he will manage and supervise the work of volunteers of CSOs and ensure that all program assistance is given in a technically sound and appropriate manner. S/he will be expected to have regular and transparent communication with the Sub city/Regional Coordinator and other sections.

 He/she will identify technically sound, cost-effective, and practical approaches to enhance urban TB control that are consistent with woreda Health sector and donor policies and priorities. The TOO works closely with Sub city/Regional Coordinator and government health structures. She/he provides day-to-day supervision to volunteers. He/she enhances and anchors the in-depth knowledge of specific technical areas and ensures the quality of work of the TB LON project at woreda level and lower structures.

Answerability and Position in the organization

The TOO reports to the Sub city Coordinator in Addis Ababa;  and to Regional Coordinator in case of Dire Dawa and Hareri. The TOO represents the project and organization on technical issues and fully mandated to handle TB LON related issues with the woreda’s relevant Gov E offices.

Major and overall Duties and Responsibilities:

The role of TOO is to:

• Implement, develop and monitor the widening participation of the community for TB prevention and control at community level;
• Implement the TB LON project activities, ensuring that targets and milestones are achieved at woreda/sub-city level;
• Support development/integration of LON Plan by S/City/woredas, identifying vulnerable community/settings for maximal screening and yield;
• Plan, co-ordinate and deliver a structured sequence of widening participatory activities to raise community’s aspirations for the project;
• Act as a point of contact for the project that connects the woreda and sub-city;
• Represent LON project and widening participation at woreda level forums;
• Coordinate effective implementation of Urban TB LON Project in close collaboration with the Sub City Coordinator and lower government health structures and community systems;
• Be in charge of planning of the project activities at woreda level in collaboration with the coordination team;
• Coordinate and supervise volunteers who are important human resources for a house to house visits and in case finding activities;
• Maintain communications vertically, horizontally and laterally and timely delivery of reports to Sub city/Regional Coordinator;
• Take a lead in community awareness creation on TB and coordinate advocacy at community level;
• Establish and ensure smooth communication between the project and stakeholders at community level;
• Set priorities and propose operational initiatives to better address the needs of the target population;
• Ensure quality and effectiveness of all aspects of the LON project

Workplace:   Addis Ababa (20 positions); Dire Dawa (2 positions);  Hareri (2 positions) 

Contract term:  Full time Position, fixed term as per the project period

Number of positions:  24  

Qualifications and Requirement

• Bachelor of Science in public health/Nursing/Health Officer, minimum of 6-year relevant work experience in TB control of which 2 years is community-based TB prevention and control;
• Proven experience in health program management at least at woreda level;
• Previous experience of coordinating, implementing community-based TB care is a plus;
• Proven stakeholders management skills and proven track record in people, partners and project management at woreda/community level;
• Proven experience of working with Urban Health Extension Program,/Woreda Health Office/ family health team;
• Good verbal and written communication skills in English and Amharic;
• Experience in capacity building at community level;
• Knowledge of TB project implementation at community level; 
• In depth knowledge of urban TB implementation;
• Excellent time-management skills;