Job Title: Program Officer

Organization: Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC)
Location: Acholi
Number of Positions: 02
Reports To: District Based Teams Manager
Supervises: Community & PSS Officer/MEL Officer/Assistant

About the Organization

The Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) is an indigenous medical organization that was established in 1991 as a limited liability, not-for-profit joint venture between the Uganda Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Defense, and Makerere University Medical School (now Makerere University College of Health Sciences). JCRC is located at Plot 101 Lubowa Hill, off Entebbe Road, P.O. Box 10005, Kampala.

Activity Summary

America First Global Health Strategy is implemented by the Joint Clinical Research Centre (JCRC) and funded by the US Department of State. The Activity is aimed at supporting the provision of life-saving HIV/TB activities, malaria prevention and treatment, and maternal and child health across four regions: Lango, Acholi, Kigezi, and Ankole. The Activity delivers this support using district-based, integrated quality packages for critical life-saving health services for HIV/AIDS and TB, malaria, and MCH.

General Position Summary

The Program Officer works under the supervision of the DBT Manager to support the implementation of TB, HIV, and MNCH project activities aligned with the achievement of program milestones within the assigned district. Working closely with District Health Offices, health facility teams, and community stakeholders, the position ensures that activities are delivered in line with approved work plans, national guidelines, and donor requirements, while contributing to the achievement of project and district-level milestones and program targets. The role provides technical assistance and mentorship to health workers, supports data quality and performance monitoring, and helps maintain strong coordination between the project, local government, and communities.

Essential Job Responsibilities

• Serve as team lead for the district-based team in the assigned district, coordinating implementation of TB/HIV and MNCH life-saving activities in line with approved milestone work plans.
• Support integrated service delivery for TB and HIV prevention and treatment, PrEP, life-saving services, and MNCH services, ensuring compliance with national guidelines and donor requirements.
• Coordinate district and facility-level planning meetings and review sessions; support the development and monitoring of district implementation plans.
• Track project implementation against agreed milestones and deliverables; ensure timely collection and verification of evidence required for milestone achievement.
• Prepare milestone completion reports and supporting documentation; identify implementation bottlenecks and propose corrective actions to maintain milestone schedules.
• Provide technical assistance to health facilities on TB/HIV and MNCH program implementation; organize and facilitate skills-building, mentorship, and coaching sessions for healthcare workers.
• Support quality improvement initiatives to improve service uptake and outcomes; strengthen linkage and referral systems between communities and health facilities.
• Use the Audit tool to conduct routine data quality assessments and support continuous improvement of reporting systems.
• Monitor key indicators for TB prevention, case finding and treatment outcomes, HIV testing and treatment, PMTCT, PrEP, MNCH, immunization coverage, and child health services.
• Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual district performance reports; maintain accurate project records and documentation at support sites and districts.
• Maintain strong working relationships with District Health Offices, health facility teams, community leaders, and implementing partners.
• Participate in district coordination meetings and technical working groups; represent the project at district-level health forums and stakeholder meetings.
• Promote local ownership and sustainability of project interventions.
• Coordinate community-based TB/HIV and MCH activities (CAST Plus, ICHD) and support community mobilization and health education campaigns.
• Develop and cost district activity plans; monitor utilization of project resources at district level.
• Ensure compliance with organizational, donor, and government financial procedures; maintain accountability for project assets and supplies.
• Ensure all activities comply with donor regulations, national policies, and organizational procedures.
• Support internal and external audits and project assessments; maintain high standards of program quality and accountability.
• Perform any other duties as assigned or coordinated by the supervisor.

Key Performance Milestones

• Achieve 100% development and timely submission of district implementation milestone plans.
• Achieve 100% of quarterly TB case-finding targets through screening of individuals at mapped hotspots using portable digital X-ray services.
• Achieve a Drug-Susceptible TB (DS-TB) treatment success rate of ≥88%.
• Achieve a successful treatment outcome rate of ≥90% for RR-TB and/or MDR-TB patients in tracked cohorts.
• Ensure at least 80% of eligible PLHIV are initiated on TB Preventive Treatment (TPT).
• Attain an index testing yield of at least 5% each quarter.
• Achieve 100% enrollment of the PrEP targets (oral and other PrEP options) assigned to the district of support.
• Maintain treatment interruption among ART clients below 2% of all patients receiving ART.
• Ensure at least 95% of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) remain active on ART.
• Ensure Viral Load (VL) coverage of at least 95% among eligible clients.
• Achieve viral suppression of at least 95% among ART clients with documented viral load results.
• Achieve viral suppression of at least 85% among children under 15 years with documented viral load results.
• Maintain maternal viral suppression at ≥95%.
• Maintain Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) positivity at 0–2 months at ≤2.5%.
• Ensure at least 80% of eligible HIV-Exposed Infants (HEI) receive EID (DNA-PCR) testing by 2 months of age.
• Ensure more than 95% of maternal and perinatal deaths undergo review.
• Achieve 95% Measles-Rubella Immunization (MRI) campaign coverage.
• Achieve at least 80% pass rate in CHEW Competency Assessments.

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, or a related field.
• Master’s in Public Health is an added advantage.
• At least 3 years of experience working with donor-funded HIV/TB programs.
• Experience working with local government/districts and willingness to work upcountry.
• Excellent command of data analytics and use of data for decision-making.
• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills.
• Ability to develop activity plans and budgets.
• Computer proficiency in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

How to Apply

All applications must be addressed to:

The Head Human Resources
Joint Clinical Research Centre
Plot 101 Lubowa Campus, off Entebbe Road
P.O. Box 10005, Kampala, Uganda
Email: jobs@jcrc.org.ug

Application Deadline: Friday, 23 October 2026 at 5:00 PM.

Strictly two documents combined into one PDF are required: an application letter and a CV not exceeding 6 pages.

Make sure to include the position you are applying for and the region in the subject line.

Note: JCRC is an equal opportunity employer. Any attempts to influence the recruitment process will lead to automatic disqualification.