Social Worker (Key Populations Sensitisation and Clinical Competency Training - 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 Purporse of the job:

• Co-facilitate the five-module Key Populations Sensitisation and Competency Development Training Programme for public sector healthcare workers across seven Johannesburg Health District facilities, alongside the Clinical Mentor (Training Lead)
• Lead the sensitisation content using adult learning approaches, provide psychosocial containment for trainees, support post-training integration of key population-sensitive practice into routine care and contribute to the evaluation of the training

• Johannesburg Health District (Seven Public Sector Facilities)
• Based in Hillbrow, Johannesburg

• Co-facilitate the five-module Key Populations Sensitisation and Competency Development Training Programme with the Clinical Mentor across seven participating facilities
• Lead delivery of sensitisation content on human rights, stigma and discrimination, violence and abuse, sexual orientation and gender identity and communication skills
• Facilitate values clarification exercises that enable healthcare workers to examine personal beliefs and attitudes towards people from key populations
• Apply adult learning methods, including case studies, role plays and reflective discussion, adapted to cadre, group size and facility context
• Deliver content in line with the toolkit curriculum and facilitator guide to ensure standardised delivery across facilities
• Manage group dynamics, including resistance, conflict and personal disclosure, to maintain a safe learning environment
• Plan training schedules with the Clinical Mentor, Study Coordinator and Facility Managers to minimise disruption to service delivery
• Prepare venues, training materials, attendance registers and participant resources, and contribute to the development of standardised PowerPoint presentations, handouts and case studies
• Work with Peer Educators and key population-led organisations to bring lived experience perspectives into training where appropriate and safe
• Provide containment and debriefing where training content raises distress among trainees, and refer trainees to appropriate support services in line with the distress protocol
• Respond appropriately to disclosures of personal experiences of violence, abuse or discrimination that arise during training, in line with social work ethics and confidentiality requirements
• Provide follow-up support to trained healthcare workers on applying sensitisation content in routine care, complementing clinical mentorship by the Clinical Mentor
• Support facilities to strengthen referral pathways between facilities, the Department of Social Development (DSD), key population-led community-based organisations and psychosocial services
• Support Facility Managers to identify gaps in key population-sensitive practice and develop quality improvement plans (QIP's)
• Maintain accurate trainer records, including attendance registers, session logs and records of curriculum adherence, to support fidelity assessment
• Support the Study Coordinator with the administration of pre-test and post-test questionnaires in line with approved study procedures, ensuring that training participation is never conditional on participation in the evaluation
• Maintain confidentiality of trainee and study data in line with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and institutional requirements
• Submit accurate and timeous training data and reports to the Clinical Mentor and Study Coordinator, and attend meetings as required
• Take ownership and accountability for tasks and activities and demonstrate effective self-management
• Obtain and maintain a record of annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points and maintain professional registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP)
• Perform ad hoc duties as requested by line managers

• Degree in Social Work
• Current registration with the SACSSP

• At least 3 years post-registration social work experience, including at least [2] years providing services to key populations (sex workers, men who have sex with men, transgender and gender diverse people and people who use drugs) in HIV or related health programmes
• Demonstrated experience designing or facilitating training for adult learners, preferably healthcare workers
• Intermediate MS Office (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)

• Training of Trainers or Facilitator Certification, for example an Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority (ETDP SETA) facilitator qualification
• Prior facilitation of the National Department of Health Key Populations Sensitisation and Competency Development Toolkit or a comparable key population sensitivity training programme
• Certificate in basic HIV management
• Experience in values clarification and trauma-informed practice
• Human research ethics or Good Clinical Practice (GCP) training
• Proficiency in one or more South African languages commonly spoken in Johannesburg
• Confident facilitation presence, ability to manage resistance and conflict in groups, emotional maturity, empathy, cultural humility, time management and the ability to work independently and as part of a training team
• Willingness to travel regularly between facilities across the Johannesburg Health District

• Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV and a cover letter (maximum one page) 
• 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: 13 November 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