Community Liaison Officer - (Fixed Term Contract - Wits RHI)

SUMMARY:
Background:

• The Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (Wits RHI) is a renowned African-led research institute that seeks solutions to Africa’s health challenges
• It is located within the University of the Witwatersrand and addresses some of the greatest public health concerns affecting our region, including HIV and its related problems, sexual and reproductive health, and vaccinology

POSITION INFO:
Main purpose of the job:

• To work in collaboration with the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) - [A National Research Infrastructure of Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) Nodes] initiative at Wits RHI to support major improvements in health, social and economic wellbeing in impoverished, yet rapidly evolving populations
• To link SAPRIN research with the target community by creating awareness of the research through community engagement, interaction with Community Advisory Groups, events, organised meetings, study presentations etc. and to contribute to the strategies of recruitment and retention for SAPRIN

• 7 Esselen Street, Hillbrow, Wits RHI Research Centre Clinical Research Site (CRS)

• Co-ordinate community engagement activities for SAPRIN
• Ensure that the study has relevant health promotion materials (IEC) on site
• Plan, organise, attend and facilitate meetings with the SAPRIN and Wits RHI Community Advisory Board (CAB) and individuals
• Monitor the on-going activities of the SAPRIN CAB including the planning of meetings and training of the CAB
• Network with relevant stakeholders
• Build and maintain relationships with different stakeholders to enable the exchange of information including providing monthly reports to clinic operations managers on output and challenges
• Train SAPRIN fieldworkers on SAPRIN SOPs when needed
• Organise events
• Seek opportunities to engage with Hillbrow community and stakeholders
• Attend any SAPRIN and community related calls
• Lead SAPRIN Community engagement meetings, distribute minutes and file them
• Compile daily, weekly and monthly Wits RHI and SAPRIN reports as needed
• Maintain study documentation according to monitoring requirements
• Prepare meeting agendas, take minutes and circulate minutes timeously
• Compile reports to the SAPRIN and Research Centre Teams, management and donors as and when required
• Work in collaboration with Wits RHI in conducting the South African Population Research Infrastructure Network (SAPRIN) survey of Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) nodes that will provide data and research infrastructure to support health, social and economic development in Hillbrow
• To collect data accurately using a survey questionnaire on Survey Solutions (SS) databases, which are installed in a tablet device
• Resolve data queries of rejected interviews by Quality Control (QC)
• Compile daily reports (Analyse information recorded when necessary)
• Mentor the Field Workers on community engagement activities
• Provide technical support to the teams where possible
• Mentoring of the team members to provide information to clients on other services available in the clinic or community
• Ensure that the team maintain participant confidentiality at all times
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrate effective self-management
• Follow through to ensure that quality and productivity standards of own work are consistently and accurately maintained
• Maintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedback
• Take ownership for driving own career development by participating in ongoing training and development activities such as forums, conferences, policy setting workshops etc.
• Perform additional duties per study Delegation of Authority Logs

• Degree/ Diploma in Community Development, Public Relations or Similar
• Experience as a CLO would be advantageous
• Valid Driver’s Licence
• Fluent in English and other African

• Minimum 2-year experience in clinical research/ community health development and programmes

• Certification in Good Clinical Practice (GCP)
• Experience in HIV and sexual reproductive health and/or a research environment
• Experience in the voluntary sector
• Good communication skills (verbal and written) and able to network with various stakeholders
• Able to work independently and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team
• Be tactful, respectful and maintain confidentiality
• Be sensitive to diversity and open to change

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV plus a cover letter (one pager)
• Please Apply Online and complete your registration via our website to enable and protect you as a candidate, and to accept the new POPIA terms and conditions
• This will then create your permanent profile with which you can apply for all jobs as advertised by AJ PERSONNEL
• However, you may remove your profile from AJ PERSONNEL when you are no longer in the job market
• Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position
• Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates
• Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful
• Closing date: 30 April 2026
• Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date

• WHC, in accordance with its Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto
• AJ Personnel is only responsible for advertising and the response handling on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium
• AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position