Community Nurse Counselor

About the Organization

We’re Population Services International (PSI), the world’s leading non‐profit social marketing organization. We work to make it easier for people in the developing world to lead healthier lives and plan the families they desire by marketing affordable products and services that range from mosquito nets to contraceptives to HIV testing. We are a $560m enterprise based in Washington, DC, operating in the private and public sectors in more than 65 countries.

There are over 9,000 “PSI’ers” around the world. It’s a diverse group of entrepreneurs and professionals with an unusually wide range of backgrounds – from the medical industry to the music business – all with unique skills we bring to the job. PSI/Ethiopia wants reimagine healthcare, put the consumer at the center, and whenever possible, bring quality care to the front door. We achieve health impact in Ethiopia by working with both government and private partners and harvesting technology innovation to bring quality care closer to communities, schools, and homes. We empower consumers by including them in the design of healthcare solutions, offering them more healthcare choices, and helping them to have a voice in influencing national priorities. We work with all market actors in the health system to understand their needs, designing and delivering solutions so that market systems can sustainably serve consumers for the long term, helping to support the Government of Ethiopia in achieving Universal Health Coverage.

Job Summary

The Community Nurse Counselor provides community-based HIV prevention, screening, testing, counseling, and referral services for people at increased risk of HIV. Based at Community Contact Points, the role reaches underserved populations through outreach and provides HIV, STI, and hepatitis screening, testing, and referral services.

The role refers clients to appropriate facilities, follows up on referrals, and supports continued care. All services must protect confidentiality, meet client needs, and follow national guidelines and organizational standards. Services beyond initial screening, counseling, testing, and referral are provided at designated health facilities.

Key Responsibilities

Community Outreach, Demand Creation, and Mobilization

• Map hotspots and plan outreach to identify underserved and high-risk populations.
• Mobilize communities and encourage use of HIV prevention and health services.
• Promote HIV testing, HIV self-testing, condoms, and referral for PrEP, ART, STI care, hepatitis services, family planning, and other needed services.
• Work with peer educators, community leaders, health facilities, and partners to strengthen referrals.

HIV Risk Assessment and Counseling

• Screen clients for HIV risk using approved national tools.
• Provide pre-test information and post-test counseling.
• Counsel clients on reducing risks related to unsafe sex, substance use, and alcohol use.
• Help clients make practical risk-reduction plans.
• Provide condom education, demonstration, promotion, and distribution.

First-Level HIV Screening, Testing, and Referral Services

• Provide community-based HIV screening, testing, counseling, and referral services at hotspots and Contact Points.
• Provide community and home-based HIV testing for eligible at-risk clients.
• Perform rapid HIV tests using the national algorithm and quality standards.
• Promote and distribute HIV self-testing kits to eligible clients.
• Use targeted, risk-based approaches to identify HIV cases.
• Screen for STI symptoms and refer clients for diagnosis and treatment.
• Assess hepatitis risk and refer clients for screening and care.
• Promote regular HIV testing and other preventive services.
• Follow infection prevention and control procedures.
• Protect client privacy and confidentiality.
• Plan the supplies needed for screening, testing, counseling, and referral services.

Referral, Linkage, and Retention Services

• Immediately refer clients with reactive or positive HIV results for confirmatory testing and ART and refer eligible HIV-negative clients for PrEP and other prevention services.
• Refer clients for TB, STI, hepatitis, family planning, and other approved services.
• Complete referral records accurately.
• Follow up clients to confirm they received referred services and help solve access barriers.
• Coordinate with health facilities, Cost-Share Clinics, and partners to improve referral and feedback.
• Confirm ART initiation, PrEP enrollment, or completion of other referrals.
• Provide adherence messages, appointment reminders, and follow-up for clients who miss appointments.
• Keep client contact information updated to support continued care.

Commodity Management

• Forecast commodity needs based on use and service targets.
• Receive, store, count, and manage supplies correctly.
• Distribute approved supplies using FIFO and move stock when needed to prevent shortages and expiry.
• Monitor stock and submit timely supply reports.

Documentation, Reporting, and Quality Improvement

• Record all Contact Point services using approved tools, including CommCare, UDS forms, testing records, and referral registers.
• Keep complete and timely records of outreach, screening, testing, referrals, linkage, and follow-up.
• Submit required reports on time.
• Review of referral and linkage results to improve services.
• Take part in supervision, mentoring, data quality checks, and quality improvement.
• Follow national guidelines, SOPs, organizational policies, safeguarding standards, and infection prevention requirements.

Other Responsibilities

• Work with nearby KP-friendly clinics and health offices on planning, review, and reporting.
• Maintain good working relationships with government offices and public health facilities.
• Support outreach campaigns and special service events.
• Act professionally and protect confidentiality and client rights.
• Perform other related duties assigned by the supervisor.

Required Qualifications

• BSc in Nursing or Public Health Officer training from a recognized institution.
• At least 3–5 years of clinical experience with at-risk populations.
• Experience in a MULU KP Activity DIC is an advantage.
• Experience in NGO-supported HIV or other health programs.
• Experience in private clinics or public KPP clinics.
• Experience with clinical records and reporting systems, including Comcare and DHIS2.
• A valid, current professional nursing license.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Clinical Nursing, Public Health, Psychology
• Counseling, Social Work, Health Sciences, Nursing

How to Apply

Are you intrigued? Apply!

By following our 3 steps application process:

1. Fill out the: >> Application Form. It will only take 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Send your CV and application letter to: recruitment@psiet.org and clearly mark “Community Nurse counselor” in the subject line.
3. Check your email and make sure you receive an automatic response acknowledging receipt of your application that means your application was successful. If you don’t receive the automatic response, check again your subject line and if needed, re-submit your CV and application letter with the correct subject.

PSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages applications from qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or disability.