Linkage and Retention Officer: AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION (Mt Darwin)
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
- Expires 14 Aug 2026
- Mount Darwin
- Full Time
Job Description
About
AHF is an international humanitarian organization operating in Zimbabwe, collaborating with the Ministry of Health & Child Care to create Centres of Excellence (COEs) in health. The Organization is seeking a Linkage and Retention Officer to be based at selected Government Clinics at Mt Darwin District Hospital. The successful candidates will be expected to augment daily clinical services , coordinate AHF program data management and retention activities related to HTS and ART services, including routine data collection, compilation, analysis, and dissemination through the MoHCC Management Information System onsite. The successful candidate will also be expected to work closely with the clinic teams to manage new and existing clients, identify, follow up on, and support clients who miss clinic appointments and those who disengage from care, among other responsibilities.
The AHF-supported Linkage and Retention Officer will work under the direct supervision of the OI Clinic MoHCC Manager in Charge at the Facility where they will be based, and also under the AHF-supported Site/Cluster Supervisor. Overall, they will also have line Managers, who are based at the Country Head Office.
Duties and Responsibilities
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Clinical: Provide quality care for HIV-positive clients on Anti-retroviral (ARV) Treatment
• Perform rapid HIV testing on all clients (adults, adolescents and children) that have consented to testing/re-testing, and interpret the results to the clients.
• Perform DBS on infants and counsel care-givers
• Counsel HIV-positive clients and link them to ART initiation
• Carry out necessary baseline tests and initiate new clients on ART
• Provide routine follow-up and monitoring of clients (including scheduling interpreting Viral Load and CD4 tests) and provide adherence support clients the results
• Implement DSD programs and ensure seamless patient experience
• Establishment and maintenance of SRH clinics and ensure all eligible women have undergone cervical screening
• Actively participate in quality improvement to ensure Clinical and preventions benchmark targets are achieved
Client Retention & Linkage
• Track and follow up clients who miss appointments, default treatment, or are at risk of loss to follow-up.
• Conduct phone calls, SMS reminders, and community/home visits in line with confidentiality guidelines.
• Maintain updated client appointment and tracking records.
• Support Back to Care clients who have disengaged from care back into services
• Ensure all linkage and retention operations in different clinics under their jurisdiction are effectively coordinated
• Ensure the requisite resources are available to facilitate implementation of linkage and retention activities
• Ensure linkage and retention activities are planned with clear performance targets
• Ensure that all newly tested positives are linked to care while >90% of all clients both new and old are retained into care
• Refer clients to peer support groups, social services, or mental health services where necessary.
• Participate in ensuring continued Youth friendly service provision working in partnership with the CATS and all Staff
Community and Facility Co-ordination
• Work closely with health facilities, community health workers, expert clients, and peer educators to support linkage and retention strategies.
• Participate in community outreach activities targeting key and priority populations.
• Strengthen linkages between community-based and facility-based HIV services
• Co-ordinate linkage and retention in assigned health facilitie(s)
• Facilitate education on condom use including condom demonstration
• Ensure that HIV IEC materials are available on testing sites
Data Management and Reporting
• Accurately document follow-up outcomes, defaulter tracing, and retention indicators.
• Update registers, electronic databases, and M&E tools as required.
• Prepare weekly and monthly retention and linkage reports for supervisors.
• Collect weekly, monthly & quarterly HIV Testing Services and ART Statistics from the respective site, including the composition of the AHF-specific Reports; Enter all weekly, monthly, and quarterly data into the AHF web portal;
• Actively participates in preparing weekly, monthly, and quarterly program data reports and ensures timely submission of requested data to MoHCC and AHF structures, as well as assists in the production of information submitted to the MoHCC DHIS2;
• Support data quality improvement initiatives
Other
• Any other duties that may be assigned by the supervisor
Education and Experience
• Must possess a Diploma or its equivalent in either of the following disciplines Psychology, Nursing, Counseling, Social work, administration, public health.
• The preferred candidates will be those who also possess a Certificate or its equivalent in either of the following disciplines M&E, Statistics, Data Analysis or Information Technology.
• Have rapid HIV Testing certificate
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with clients in public health institutions, community services or medical setting.
• Must have experience working with people living with HIV, and /or other chronic illness, substance users, and persons with mental diagnoses.
• Previous exposure and experience working with healthcare delivery systems such as eHR, ePMS, ePOC, DHIS 2 is a significant advantage; Flexible, proactive, and able to organize work independently as well as work in a team.
• Should have strong interpersonal and communication skills both verbal and written.
• Ability to function under dynamic circumstances and proficiency in computer skills e.g. MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
Communication Skills
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures and government regulations
• Ability to read and interpret documents such as safety rules, operating and maintenance instructions, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to write routine reports.
• Ability to speak effectively before groups of people.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Should be in possession of valid educational certificates,
• A valid driver’s license class 3 or 4 is an added advantage
Other Skills and Abilities
• Sensitive to patient population and issues surrounding HIV/AIDS;
• Ability to prioritize tasks in a rapidly changing environment;
• Good command of administrative knowledge and practices.
• Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including influencing, negotiation and coaching.
• Experience of solving complex issues through analysis, definition of a clear way forward.
• Dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.
Qualifications and Experience
• Must be a Registered General Nurse Counsellor with at least a Diploma qualification. Added qualifications in any of the following disciplines: Counselling, administration, or public health will be an added advantage
• The preferred candidates will be those who also possess a Certificate or its equivalent in either of the following disciplines M&E, Statistics, Data Analysis, or Information Technology.
• Have a rapid HIV Testing certificate.
• A minimum of 2 years’ experience working with clients in public health institutions, community services, or medical settings.
• Previous exposure and experience working with healthcare delivery systems such as eHR, ePMS, ePOC, DHIS 2 is a significant advantage; Flexible, proactive, and able to organize work independently as well as work in a team.
• Should have strong interpersonal and communication skills, both verbal and written.
• Ability to function under dynamic circumstances and proficiency in computer skills e.g., MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
Computer Skills: Added advantages include proficiency in MS Word, Excel, Outlook & PowerPoint.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations
• Should be in possession of valid educational certificates,
• Biker, Class 3 or 4 driver’s licence- an added advantage.
Other Skills and Abilities
• Sensitive to patient population and issues surrounding HIV/AIDS;
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their applications and recent updated CVs to: HR.Zimbabwe@ahf.org with the subject line Linkage and Retention Officer , Mt Darwin. The closing date is the 14th of August 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
