The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to our mission of saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries. We work at the invitation of governments to support them and the private sector to create and sustain high-quality health systems.

CHAI was founded in 2002 in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, with the goal of dramatically reducing the price of life-saving drugs and increasing access to these medicines in the countries with the highest burden of the disease. Over the following two decades, CHAI has expanded its focus. Today, along with HIV, we work in conjunction with our partners to prevent and treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, malaria, tuberculosis, and hepatitis. Our work has also expanded into cancer, diabetes, hypertension, and other non-communicable diseases, and we work to accelerate the rollout of lifesaving vaccines, reduce maternal and child mortality, combat chronic malnutrition, and increase access to assistive technology. We are investing in horizontal approaches to strengthen health systems through programs in human resources for health, digital health, and health financing. With each new and innovative program, our strategy is grounded in maximizing sustainable impact at scale, ensuring that governments lead the solutions, that programs are designed to scale nationally, and learnings are shared globally.  

At CHAI, our people are our greatest asset, and none of this work would be possible without their talent, time, dedication and passion for our mission and values. We are a highly diverse team of enthusiastic individuals across 40 countries with a broad range of skill sets and life experiences. CHAI is deeply grounded in the countries we work in, with the majority of our staff based in program countries. Learn more about our exciting work: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and is committed to providing an environment of fairness, and mutual respect where all applicants have access to equal employment opportunities. CHAI values diversity and inclusion and recognizes that our mission is best advanced by the leadership and contributions of people with diverse experience, backgrounds, and culture.

Program Overview

Despite expanded access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and the rollout of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) ‘test-and-treat’ strategy, the proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD) remains unchanged at approximately 30%. This poses a significant mortality risk, particularly from TB and cryptococcal meningitis.  WHO recommends reflex testing for cryptococcal antigen (CrAg) and urinary Mycobacterium tuberculosis lipoarabinomannan antigen (TB-LAM) in patients with CD4 counts ≤200 cells/µL, highlighting the critical role of accurate diagnostics.  Proficiency testing (PT) is essential for ensuring the quality of these tests, particularly at the point of care.  Building on its IQA experience and work with VISITECT CD4, CHAI will leverage its expertise to strengthen diagnostic services in Zimbabwe by implementing a robust and integrated PT program. This program will focus on rapid HIV testing, including AHD POC tests such as VISITECT CD4, TB-LAM, and CrAg, ultimately improving healthcare outcomes.  Recognizing local capacity limitations in completing the PT quality assurance cycle, CHAI will also focus on building human resource capacity for PT logistics (panel preparation, distribution, results return, feedback, and corrective actions), and providing training in PT data management and analysis for ongoing performance monitoring.

Position Overview

CHAI is looking for an Analyst, HIV Access Programs (from here on “Analyst”) to support the government of Zimbabwe with the expansion of an integrated rapid testing and point-of-care (POC) continuous quality improvement (CQI) program, encompassing proficiency testing for HIV and TB testing and treatment services. The Analyst will be a key member of CHAI Zimbabwe’s Team and is expected to provide analytical support, program planning and implementation rigor to CHAI Zimbabwe’s engagement with the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) in the scale-up of access to HIV and TB related screening and treatment services including cervical cancer. They will help design the monitoring and evaluation strategy, training materials, as well as manage frequent field visits to select sites, train providers, supervise them, and collect data. This will require day-to-day operational management of the project in program districts.

The position requires a highly motivated individual with outstanding analytical grounding and strong problem-solving abilities. The Analyst is required to work with government officials and partners, and must have excellent relationship building, communication and negotiation skills and a high degree of self-confidence. She/he must be able to function independently and have a strong commitment to excellence with a keen eye for detail. She/he should also exhibit several important personal qualities: resourcefulness, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, strong professional ethic, and highest level of integrity.

Travel for this position can be expected at 50-70% of the time within Zimbabwe.

• Collaborate with CHAI country and global teams, and key partners, to adapt and/or develop strategic implementation plans to strengthen the rapid testing and point-of-care (POC) continuous quality improvement (CQI) program, including proficiency testing, for HIV and TB in Zimbabwe.
• Provide technical assistance on all aspects of PT program implementation, including development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) and implementation materials aligned with ISO 17043:2023, integration of the PT data management system into existing national data systems, PT panel production, testing procedures, data analysis, and reporting.
• Coordinate the development and implementation of a comprehensive, phased Proficiency Testing scheme, including pilot testing, expansion, and national scale-up
• Monitor program implementation activities, including but not limited to, field work, working with field staff to review programmatic activities, track implementation, and monitor and review outputs.
• Build and maintain trust-based relationships with key government partners (at the national, provincial and district level), local partners, and other relevant stakeholders to expand access to quality prevention services.
• Provide high quality data analysis, synthesize various sources of data into comprehensive and streamlined output highlighting key recommendations.
• Work on a costed national scale-up plans for HIV and TB related programs to help government raise funds and ensure good transition of the program after the project
• Map the national HIV and TB related screening and treatment landscape and key national priorities
• Identify evidence and data-based system strengthening opportunities
• Provide technical support in the development and implementation of national program activities, including logical technology selection decisions, algorithms, policy guidelines, strategic and operational planning for program implementation.
• Assist in the design of evaluation protocols and implementation of a select number of operational pilots to develop evidence on the impact and cost-effectiveness of new technologies in HIV and TB related screening and treatment; and support strategic deployment and rapid uptake in the country
• Develop work plans and budget projections for the respective area of work and execute plans within approved budgets
• Assist in the developing effective and sustainable training programs, quality assurance programs and data management systems to support accelerated roll-out of new HIV and TB related screening and treatment initiatives.
• Assist in developing strategies for long-term sustainability of the PT program, including integration into existing national programs (RTCQI, national certification program), incorporation into routine support and supervision activities, and securing sustainable funding.
• Assist in developing technical guidelines, formats, checklists, and other requisite monitoring tools in collaboration with MOHCC and other key partners
• Work with other CHAI Zimbabwe teams and MOHCC departments to maximize on internal experience and expertise in the design, roll out and monitoring of programs.
• Prepare regular progress reports, technical reports, and presentations on the PT program. Communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Support any other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Economics, Mathematics, Business, or a related quantitative discipline.
• Experience in medical laboratory or public health programs, with a preference for experience in quality management systems and proficiency testing.
• Minimum 2 years’ work experience in consulting, research or related
• Strong analytical (quantitative and qualitative) and communication skills (written and verbal)
• High level of technical proficiency with MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, and MS Word
• Able to adapt to fast-paced and changing environments, both internally and externally
• Ability to travel at short notice and on a regular basis
• Experience in composing high-quality briefs, proposals, technical reports, guidelines, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) is desirable
• Experience in conceiving, planning, and executing programs or projects with verifiable results and little external support
• Willingness to travel frequently to program sites within Zimbabwe

Advantages

• Master's degree or higher in a relevant field.
• In-depth knowledge of ISO 17043:2023 standards.
• Demonstrated experience in developing and implementing PT programs, preferably in resource-limited settings.
• Experience in conducting academic or medical research
• Experience in training and capacity building.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and coordination skills.
• Ability to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including government officials, clinicians, and development partners.

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