Woreda Officer – Apply Now

Brief Organizational Introduction and Project Overview:

REACH Ethiopia is a nonprofit organization registered as an Ethiopian Residents Charity, dedicated to community development through innovative projects. Since 2013, it has implemented community-based TB care and integrated health service projects in Sidama, Central Ethiopia, South Ethiopia, Tigray, parts of Oromia and Afar Regions. Currently, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureaus, REACH Ethiopia is implementing various projects including new project called Urban TB LON-II Project.

The Urban TB LON II Project is an ambitious initiative aimed at addressing the high burden in the TB triangle of Ethiopia. Focused on 87 woredas in 10 zones across four regions, the Initiative's primary goals include implementing high yield interventions to identify missed TB cases and break chain of transmission, delivering patient-centered care, and fostering innovative solutions to combat TB. This Initiative is pivotal in enhancing TB detection and treatment, with an overarching aim to reduce TB prevalence and mortality in the TB triangle area.

Job Summary:

The Woreda Officer is responsible for planning, executing, and overseeing the successful implementation and delivery of comprehensive Drug-Susceptible (DS) and Drug-Resistant (DR) TB care activities within the assigned Woreda. Under the leadership of the Zonal TB Coordinator, the DTO will coordinate the planning, implementation, and monitoring of all TB care activities, including Public-Private Mix (PPM), DR-TB Treatment Follow-up Centers (TFCs), Key Affected and Vulnerable Populations (KVP) mapping, and Community TB Care (CTBC). The DTO will ensure the effective delivery of services, adherence to standards, and continuous performance improvement.

Project: Urban TB LON II-SWIF TB Initiative

Reports to: Program Manager

Category: Field level Expert

No of positions: 1

Key Responsibilities

1. Program Coordination & Implementation

• Collaborate closely with Woreda Health Offices to ensure the effective implementation of TB initiative components, including KVP mapping, community-based active TB case finding, and support for Health Facility TB programs.
• Lead and coordinate the implementation of TB screening activities using ultra-portable digital X-ray technology integrated with artificial intelligence (AI) for enhanced detection.
• Ensure that screening equipment is properly set up, maintained, and operated in various community and health facility settings.
• Facilitate community mobilization and sensitization events to raise awareness about TB, the importance of early detection, and the availability of screening services.
• Work with local leaders, community-based organizations, and health extension workers to plan and execute outreach activities that encourage community participation in TB screening.
• Align initiative activities with the Woreda Health Office’s priorities and the Regional Health Bureau’s (RHB) TB strategies.
• Provide technical support to ensure the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of TB program data.
• Develop and manage work plans for the assigned Woreda, ensuring alignment with initiative goals and timelines.
• Provide leadership and technical support to private/public health facility TB focal persons, community TB volunteers, Health Extension Workers (HEWs), and Family Health Teams (FHTs) to ensure the proper operation of TB programs.
• Support the integration and strengthening of TB-related data within the HMIS, ensuring alignment with national TB program guidelines.

2. Technical Support & Capacity Building

• Support the overall coordination and implementation of comprehensive TB (DS and DR-TB) case finding, treatment, contact screening, and TB Preventive Therapy (TPT) in public health facilities.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and motivation to district-level teams, ensuring the use of effective project management techniques.
• Regularly review project plans and performance, adjusting strategies as needed to achieve project milestones.
• Facilitate workshops, training sessions, and on-site coaching for health workers and data clerks focused on data quality and the use of HMIS for TB program management.
• Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making within the TB program by demonstrating the importance of high-quality data for improving patient outcomes.

3. Monitoring & Reporting

• Support the Zonal TB Coordinator in daily operations, ensuring proper coordination and prioritization of activities.
• Prepare and present project status reports, focusing on KVP and CTBC components, at facility and regional levels.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of project operations to the Zonal TB Coordinator, including progress updates and any challenges encountered.
• Train and mentor health workers, TB coordinators, and data clerks on proper data entry, management, and reporting procedures within the HMIS.
• Collect, compile, and analyze monthly and quarterly TB program activity reports from health facilities and community TB care initiatives.
• Provide feedback to health facilities and district teams on reported data, highlighting areas of strength and opportunities for improvement.
• Conduct regular data quality assessments (DQAs) at health facilities and within the community-based TB care programs to identify and rectify any data discrepancies.
• Collaborate with health facility staff and district health teams to implement data quality improvement plans.

4. Stakeholder Engagement & Communication

• Build and maintain effective relationships with a wide range of stakeholders, including local government, NGOs, community leaders, and health facility staff.
• Manage communications related to the project, including media relations and social media, as required.
• Facilitate meetings and events, ensuring clear agendas and effective follow-up on action items.

5. Knowledge Management & Innovation

• Identify opportunities for cross-cutting collaboration with RHB, Woreda, and relevant partners to enhance project outcomes.
• Enhance the knowledge of TB (DS and DR-TB) technical areas among team members and partners through active knowledge sharing.
• Stay informed of developments in TB control and ensure that district teams are up to date with the latest information and best practices.
• Other Tasks as assigned by immediate supervisor

Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree in health science or medicine with a minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in infectious disease control, preferably TB control.
• Master’s in public health (MPH) is a plus.
• Proven experience in health program management, with a focus on TB programming.
• Experience working with Key Affected and Vulnerable Populations, Treatment Follow-up Centers (TFCs), Family Health Teams (FHTs), HEWs, and community volunteers.
• Experience working in pastoralist communities is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated capacity-building skills, including facilitation, presentation, communication, and monitoring of capacity-building interventions.

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English, Amharic, and the local language of the Woreda.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple responsibilities.
• Team player with a demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative environment.

Other:

• Evidence of training certificates in TB, TB/HIV, and DR-TB is essential.
• Ability to adapt to changing needs and adjust tasks as appropriate.
• Having motorcycle driving license is desirable