Linkage & Retention Officers x 3: Karoi Hospital (1), Overspill Clinic (1) United Bulawayo Hospital (1)
Ngo & Social Services Jobs
- AIDS HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION
- Expires 16 Jan 2026
- Bulawayo
- Full Time
Job Description
Background
AHF is an international humanitarian organization operating in Zimbabwe, partnering with Ministry of Health and Child Care as well as local Authorities to create Centers of Excellence in HIV management in health facilities. AHF is looking for highly a qualified Linkage and Retention Officers to fill in the above-mentioned positions that have arisen within the organization’s supported facilities.
Position Summary
The Linkage and Retention Officer will be assigned to work at an AHF supported heath facility under the guidance and technical supervision of the sister in charge and doctor in charge at the respective facility.
Duties and Responsibilities
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 >90% of newly tested positives are linked to care while >90% of all clients both new and old are retained into care
Adherence and Psychosocial Support
• Provide adherence counseling and basic psychosocial support to clients living with HIV.
• Identify and address barriers to retention such as stigma, disclosure challenges, transport issues, or side effects.
• 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
HIV Testing Services
• Facilitates education on condom use including condom demonstration
• Provides pre and post HIV confidential counselling and testing, to all patients willing to have the HIV test
• Ensures that HIV IEC materials are available on testing sites
Stigma Reduction and Client Rights
• Promote client-centered care, confidentiality, and human rights-based approaches.
• Support stigma reduction activities within communities and facilities.
• Advocate for differentiated service delivery (DSD) models suitable for clients’ needs
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 facilities
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
• Participates in routine performance assessment reviews that are conducted quarterly, which focus on performance indicators.
Compliance and Quality Assurance
• Adhere to national HIV treatment guidelines and organizational policies.
• Maintain confidentiality and ethical standards at all times.
• Participate in trainings, review meetings, and program evaluations.
Qualifications 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.
• 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.
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;
How to Apply
Interested candidates should send their applications to: HR.Zimbabwe@ahf.org with a subject line Linkage and Retention Officer. Indicate the facility that you applying for. The closing date is 16 January 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
