VACANCY – HIV Counsellor (National Staff)
POSITION TITLE : HIV Counsellor
COUNTRY PROGRAM: Rwanda
RESPONSIBLE TO : HIV Coordinator
STATUS : Full Time
SITE: MAHAMA
COUNTRY PROGRAM MISSION:
ALIGHT works with its partners and constituencies to provide opportunities and expertise to refugees, displaced people and host communities – to better survive conflicts and crises, and to rebuild lives of dignity, health, security and self-sufficiency. ALIGHT presently works in and with partners in seventeen countries globally. ALIGHT has consistently operated in Rwanda since the year 1994 and today has a strong and committed team of over eight hundred personnel who include full-time staff, community mobilizers, and incentive workers, implementing programs in Primary Health Care, Reproductive Health, HIV and Nutrition; also, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, Shelter and general Infrastructure, Livelihoods/Economic strengthening, and Sexual and Gender Based Violence Prevention/ Protection. Our work in Rwanda currently covers all refugee locations and their host Rwandan communities. We are always looking to expand and, jointly with our partners, deliver lasting impact with and for the communities we serve!
PRIMARY PURPOSE:
HIV Counsellor nurse provides clinical care to refugees at the site level, according to all national health protocols. He/she will maintain records of client data for reporting purposes, and will work to maintain and improve the level of healthcare for beneficiaries. This position mainly focuses to provide HIV testing and counseling services to refugees and host community and may work in several different capacities within the nursing continuum, including IPD/OPD care, HIV/AIDs programming (PMTCT…) all according to both ALIGHT and Rwanda Ministry of Health protocols and guidelines
PRIMARY DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
- Counsel and test clients for HIV, and provide them with accurate information about the infection, prevention measures, current treatments, services, options and other resources.
- Ensure those tested positive are linked to ARV services for follow up and initiation on treatment
- Work closely with high-risk persons to develop a reasonable risk reduction
- Educate and mobilize people of concerns on condoms use and prevent Sexual transmitted infections
- Counsel people suffering from HIV, their families and friends, and provide them with accurate information about available treatment and other supports
- Maintain current and accurate client records as directed, collect and report relevant data about services provided, and prepare statistical reports as required;
- Develop and maintain an in-depth awareness of available HIV/AIDS treatment options, local resources and transmission prevention strategies
- Collaborate with Community health sector in HIV/AIDS prevention mobilization, sensitization and campaign
- Participate in training opportunities as required;
- Maintain client confidentiality;
- Interview patients to obtain information that will guide diagnosis including physical examination of the patient while in consultation, order lab exams and record in appropriate tools, prescribe medicines and record in appropriate tools
- Make decision on which patient can be referred to medical doctor and other appropriate services
- Perform any other duties assigned by both Alight direct and indirect supervisors.
Minimum qualifications:
- Recognized university Degree in Psychology, Nursing or related field with full registration and current practicing license with relevant professional body (Rwanda health profession council)
- Successfully completed training required for HIV/AIDS counselor from government or local regulatory
- Current counselling certification or at least 1,000 hours of counselling experience;
- Previous experience with Development or Relief Organization in Complex emergency situations, including refugees, or community outreach
- Strong oral and written skills, Team player
- Highly organized, self-motivated, reliable, excellent inter-personal skills
- Preferably with previous experience in education and/or training
- Excellent organizational skills
- Oral/writing skills in Kinyarwanda and English or French
- Experience working in refugee situation and/or previous experience in Rwanda
KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES :
- Strong clinical skills in a low-resource, fast paced setting, working with vulnerable/displaced persons
- Commitment to personally champion Alight’s program vision and mission and inspire others to do the same.
- Has worked in both an emergency and a development setting.
- Excellent written and verbal communication, including effective presentation and facilitation skills
- Initiative, resourcefulness and innovation.
APPLICATION GUIDELINES :
Interested and qualifying candidates should submit applications to ALIGHT Rwanda Executive Director – to include 1 page Cover Letter, an updated CV (max. 3 pages), copy of diploma, ID and three names (plus titles & contacts) of relevant professional referees, to include most current Employer/ Supervisor ( All in one document ) – to the following link: https://app.jobvite.com/j?cj=o013Afwo&s=Job_In_Rwanda with the position applied for CLEARLY indicated in the subject line. The deadline for submission of applications is November 10 th 2026 at 05:00 PM. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Alight is an Equal Opportunity Employer offering employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, citizenship, physical or mental disability, or protected veteran status. Alight complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
- Location: kigali , RW