SUMMARY:
A Peer Navigator: Demand Creation AGYW Ambassadors x 2 vacancy is available at our Client Wits Health Consortium's Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI) in Parktown, Johannesburg - Gauteng.
POSITION INFO:
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. This is done through pioneering, multi-disciplinary research; responsive technical support and innovation in health services; and evidence-based policy development and advocacy with national, regional and global stakeholders.
Main purpose of the job
- To engage with young people in the community including adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) and Adolescent Boys and Young Men (ABYM) most at risk of HIV infection
- To facilitate and demonstrate available linkages to sexual reproductive health-related services (including HIV prevention services) and other prevention technologies soon to be available at fixed public health clinics and WRHI roving mobile units within the implementation areas
- To inform and educate AGYW and ABYM in the community about alternative HIV prevention options and their availability or near availability including PrEP, Dapivirine intravaginal ring (DPV), Long-acting Cabotegravir (CAB LA) injection and Dual Prevention Pill (DPP); as well technology resources available, or becoming available
- To inform the community of the project and assist with community buy-in and support
Location
- 8 Blackwood Avenue, Parktown
Key performance areas
- Assisting with facilitation of dialogues and stakeholder engagements on new HIV prevention technologies arriving in the community, as well as the new service points available with the project entry
- Implementing educational and social programs geared towards education of Sexual and Reproductive Health. (i.e. HIV & AIDS, STI, Condom Usage, Family Planning, ARVs, Pap smear, Nutrition)
- Motivating young people to undertake regular HIV testing
- Educating young people about existing or forthcoming HIV prevention technologies
- Creating community awareness and demand for HIV prevention technologies
- Demonstrate how to use technological interventions (App, website, WhatsApp risk assessment tool, etc.)
- Facilitate awareness and prevention conversations with young people at service points
- Provide health talks on HIV and other Sexual Reproductive Health Issues (including HIV prevention technologies)
- Participating in mobile clinic project activities and other related campaigns and events
- Work with colleagues to enhance project goals and outputs
- Identify the needs of young people and come up with strategies to address them
- Supply and distribute IEC materials on a continuous basis to young people
- Build and maintain relationships with different stakeholders to enable the exchange of information to communities, head office, points of service, and mobile clinic services
- Work closely with the demand creation team to create demand (through different platforms – community dialogues and events, radio shows, outreach programs, etc. in different settings, promote health awareness talks and distribution of various IEC materials to communities to raise the profile of HIV prevention technologies as part of comprehensive SRH services
- Encourage and stimulate full participation by young people to utilize the SRH services; with special attention to those who are usually forgotten, marginalized, and overlooked (e.g. disabled)
- Work closely with the mobile unit team to identify hot spots where a large number of young people are located and not able to access health care services (or where young people congregate)
- Identify and motivate potential leaders/ organizers/ NGO’s, / FBOs, /Businesses, area clinics within designated areas/districts on HIV self-testing and the WRHI mobile units that can be partnered with to refer/link AGYW & ABYM to services
- Actively participate in a PrEP Ambassador group that is established with the purpose of continued and meaningful youth engagement
- Be willing to travel to attend and actively partake in the PrEP Ambassador meetings and workshops
- Apply youth engagement and mobilization techniques in the clinic and community environment as a PrEP Ambassador
- Assist the data collection clerks (in particular those on mobile units) where possible to complete accurate information on those referred for comprehensive SRH services, screened, offered, and initiated on PrEP or other HIV prevention options
- Submit paper collection sheets to data capturers at stipulated anchor clinics in the area/district
- Report on daily activities done to update the monthly stats on the number of people educated and assist with compiling monthly reports
- Reports on blockages that may arise from the continuum – from identifying AGYW & ABYM at highest risk, demand creation, referral through to initiation
- Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrates 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 of driving your own career by participating in ongoing training and development activities
Required minimum education and training
- Grade 12 (as a result of the needs of this project)
Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities
- Good communication skills
- Must be able to speak more than one language, and preferably an African language (spoken in South Africa)
- The ability to work independently and as part of a team. Adaptable, approachable, empathetic, outgoing and willing to take initiative
Required minimum work experience
- Must have worked as a volunteer or employee in a community-based organization or similar for at least 6 months and have knowledge of Sexual Health Education and HIV
TO APPLY
- Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV - Please Apply Online
- Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.
- The closing date for all applications is 10 March 2021.
- 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.
- In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.
Please note that AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.
AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.
NB! This job is now closed. You can apply for other jobs by uploading your CV.
