Peer Navigator (Cases Navigator) X4 – School Based HIV and GBV Prevention Programme vacancies are available at our Client, Wits Health Consortium’s Reproductive Health and HIV Institute (RHI) in Thabo Mafutsunyane x 2 and Lejweleputswa x 2 – Free State.

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

• Main purpose of the job is to strengthen active referrals and linkages between schools, community-based HIV testing points, HIV care and treatment facilities, and psychosocial support services to improve the wellbeing of learners, educators, education officials and community members. Reporting to the Linkage Coordinator, the Case Navigator will play a fundamental role in ensuring that clients are guided through the linkage network to overcome obstacles that may be in the way of receiving the prevention, care, treatment and support they require.        This will be achieved by:
• Engaging with young people in High Yield Entry Points including schools and community hotspots to identify adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) most at risk.
• Facilitating and demonstrating available linkages to Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) related services (including PrEP) at Wits RHI roving mobile units within the implementation areas

Location

• Wits RHI – Free State – Thabo Mafutsunyane X2
• Wits RHI – Free State – Lejweleputswa X2

Key performance areas

• Contribute to mapping of service points and managing community profiles for an effective linkage/referral system.
• Identify community structures such as Ward-Based Outreach Teams (WBOTs) and maintain relationships to facilitate ongoing support to learners/clients and ensure linkages to these as required.
• Maintain networks and linkage with key stakeholders such as USAID implementing partners, health care facilities, Community Based Organisations, Faith Based Organisations, SRH service providers, to ensure successful provision and uptake of services.
• Provide health talks on SRH topics Including PrEP and support clients to self-navigate My PrEP Journey, B-Wise and other relevant mHealth sites.
• Participate in health promotion and community outreach campaigns, including holiday programmes and youth events (these will occasionally occur on the weekend).
• Facilitate awareness and prevention conversations with young people in the schools and communities to motivate regular uptake of HIV testing.
• Participate in mobile clinic project activities and other related campaigns and events.
• Work with colleagues to enhance project goals and outputs.
• 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, and the roving mobile unit services.
• Identify the needs of young people, particularly AGYW, and come up with strategies to address them through active linkages.
• Take initiative to proactively resolve barriers and or support client cases via communication to Linkage Officers and Counsellors.
• Work closely with Principals, teachers, and School Based Support Teams to provide support to individual learners, or small or large groups of learners.
• Administer Rapid Risk Assessments to assist with the identification of learners who require social, educational, mental health and social support services because of their personal circumstances.
• Provide individualised support for clients requiring linkage to comprehensive SRH services including PrEP through face-to-face, phone calls or SMS (this may include escorting in some cases).
• Collaborate on creating action plans for clients identified with needs for immediate and on-going support.
• Organize schedules and manage appointments for clients to ensure they receive services in a timely manner in partnership with USAID treatment, care and OVC partners.
• Manage follow ups and ensure linkage to community resources.
• Work closely with the demand creation team to create demand (through different platforms – community events, radio shows, outreach programmes etc. in different settings, including promoting health awareness talks and distribution of various IEC materials to communities to raise the profile of PrEP as part of comprehensive SRH services.
• Always maintain patient confidentiality.
• Document accurately all phone calls, interventions, appointments, and other system for tracking and tracing linkages and follow ups
• Complete RRAs forms.
• Report on blockages that may arise from the continuum – from identifying AGYW at highest risk, demand creation, referral through to initiation.
• Collect relevant paper-based linkage and tracking data on all referrals/linkages for uptake of comprehensive SRH services including PrEP.
• Submit data to M & E team for capturing of successful linkages.
• 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 for driving own career by participating in ongoing training and development activities.

Required minimum education and training

• Grade 12

Required minimum work experience

• Must have worked as a volunteer in a community-based organization for at least 6 months and have knowledge of SRH education including HIV.

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. 

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 03 September 2020.
• 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