Lay Counsellors 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 x2 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

• To provide holistic counselling and support to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW), caregivers and adults with regards to testing, disclosure, adherence, treatment and psychosocial support related to HIV.

Location

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

Key performance areas

• Develop and assist with implementation of support groups, wellness programmes.
• Provide support to peer educators and other counsellors (in community organisations or on outreach teams) regarding counselling guidelines, wellness programmes and support groups as and when required.
• Provide HIV and sexual reproductive health information to patients and caregivers that include but are not limited to adherence, ARVs, nutrition, PMTCT, hygiene, infant feeding.
• Provide pre- and post-testing counselling, one-on-one and with groups.
• Provide counselling regarding patient disclosure.
• Provide individualised support for patients newly diagnosed with HIV, including follow up contact through phone calls or SMS.
• Ensure patients newly diagnosed with HIV are linked to ART services and initiated on ART.
• Ensure patients testing negative for HIV are linked to prevention services.
• Assist clients with making appointments for first or follow up visits.
• Follow up to ensure clients attend their scheduled appointments.
• Assist with the identification of clients who require social grants as a result of their personal circumstances.
• Facilitate linkages between facilities and DSD, and support access to social grants and social support services in the community.
• Facilitate linkages for OVC between facilities and the community (NGOs, CBOs etc.).
• Identify community structures to provide ongoing support to patients and facilitate linkages to these as required.
• Strengthen linkages and referrals between clinics, schools and community structures for children and adolescents.
• In collaboration with WBOT teams and outreach team, follow up with patients who have defaulted by missing scheduled visits or non-adherence.
• Participate in health promotion campaigns, including holiday programmes and youth events, these will occasionally occur on the weekend.
• Distribute condoms and IEC material within the facility and community.
• Recruit clients for HIV counselling and testing in the community and at the facility.
• Motivate individuals and groups to bring their partners and children for HIV testing.
• Submit accurate and timeous data on activities undertaken.
• Compile reports of the relevant programme activities conducted (Analyse information recorded when necessary).
• Capture learner/patient information in patient files and/or on the relevant database.
• Assist with research-related activities as and when required.
• 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 development by participating in ongoing training and development activities.

Required minimum education and training

• Grade 12, Accredited certificate in basic counselling and HIV.

Required minimum work experience

• 12 months’ experience in HIV counselling and testing.

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities

• Fluency in more than one African language that is commonly spoken and written in Gauteng (Tswana, Sotho and Zulu).
• Experience with adolescent HIV counselling. Ability to prioritize tasks and work towards deadlines. Be a team player.
• Have good time management skills. Have done previous work in the community and know the area well

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 28 August 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