The PrEP Systems Navigator will help to identify motivators for PrEP use and potential barriers to continued consistent PrEP use and engagement in PrEP care. The Navigator will meet with a participant only after they are enrolled in the study and then at each subsequent PrEP visit.  They will also help to coordinate and conduct field-based tracing (in the Lilongwe area) to help re-engage participants who fall out of PrEP care. The Navigator is expected to document all participant interactions and to maintain confidentiality and shall therefore receive training in confidentiality and discretion in any tracing attempts. The Navigator will receive additional training in some counseling techniques and periodic refresher training as well as regular evaluations.

 Main Duties and Responsibilities

Participant/Client engagement

• Meet with Participants after enrollment into the study (and randomization to intervention arm) during “PrEP visits”.
• Arrange for contacts between PrEP visits which are tailored based on participant needs, with the goal of maintaining regular contact and facilitate PrEP engagement, as informed by the elicited barriers to persistent PrEP use.
• Conduct participant tracing visits after missed PrEP visits as required.

 Participant Meetings and Tracing

• Helping clients navigate the clinic for services.
• Engage with participants during PrEP visits to help identify motivators for PrEP use, discuss potential barriers to continued consistent use, and work with the participant to formulate plans to overcome identified barriers (i.e., offering reminders for appointments, assistance identifying champions to help support and encourage PrEP use, or adherence strategies to improve use of PrEP as prescribed).
• Tracing Intervention arm participants who miss a scheduled PrEP visit.
• Attempt phone and text messages, with home tracing if no response or return to care.

 Data Management and Reporting

• Documenting and entering data following PrEP visits on project tablets
• Documenting and entering data following tracing visits
• Pulling key data points as required from STI clinic log
• Written reflection following participant PrEP visit (including motivators for, barriers to and strategies to sustain PrEP use identified during PrEP visit,)

Participate in trainings that include, but are not limited to, the following topics and modalities:

Basic knowledge of STIs, HIV, and PrEP; PrEP modalities, including potential benefits and expected challenges; motivational interviewing; psychosocial counselling; techniques for active listening and rapport building; and HPTN 112 Study procedures building.

Participate in training regarding personal safety, discrete tactics for follow-up tracing, and confidentiality.

Ethical conduct of clinical research.

A Systems Navigation Manual, the content of which will include a series of didactics as well as role playing and direct observation.

Periodic refresher trainings and regular evaluations.

Qualifications and experience

• Candidates should have at least Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE); those with a Diploma in areas that include STI, HIV and PrEP management will have an added advantage.
• Prior experience conducting HIV testing and counseling.
• At least 3 years of work experience will give applicants an added advantage.