Peer Counselor Support

Hlfppt; India; On-site; INR 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Hlfppt is hiring for a field-oriented community outreach role in India. You will provide counselling on ART adherence, support retention, and coordinate LFU tracking with ART and TI partners.

The position involves mapping hotspots, engaging PWID communities, and facilitating referrals to HIV/AIDS and related health services. The role requires graduation in any discipline and 1–2 years’ experience with vulnerable populations, plus fluency in the local language.

Qualifications

• Graduation in any discipline (preferably social work, psychology, sociology or related social science).
• 1–2 years experience with vulnerable communities (IDU/PLHIV) on health/social projects.
• Fluency in local language of target area desired.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling on ART adherence, treatment literacy, and retention in care.
• Conduct follow-up visits and telephonic counselling for clients at risk of interruption.
• Support formation of treatment buddy systems and community groups.
• Encourage participation in Community ART Refill Groups where applicable.
• Mobilise PWID for HIV services, OST enrolment and related health services.
• Coordinate LFU tracking with ART Centres and TI programs to identify and re-engage clients.
• Conduct home/ hotspot visits for tracing LFU clients and re‑initiation of ART where needed.
• Engage PWID hotspots and map community networks for client tracking.
• Facilitate referrals to ART Centres, ICTCs, mental health and rehabilitation services.
• Provide psychosocial support, screen for mental health issues and refer for specialised care when needed.
• Educate on harm reduction, overdose prevention, safer sex and risk reduction.
• Maintain outreach records, referrals and weekly/monthly progress reports.

Skills

Counselling

Communication

Active listening

Problem solving

Confidentiality

Empathy

Teamwork

Education

Graduation in any discipline

Tools

MS Office

Data entry

Job description

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Treatment adherence and retention support

• Provide individual and group counselling on ART adherence, treatment literacy, importance of regular ART intake, viral load testing, and retention in care.
• Conduct follow-up visits and telephonic counselling for clients at risk of treatment interruption.
• Support formation and functioning of treatment buddy systems and community support groups.
• Encourage participation in Community ART Refill Groups (CARGs) where applicable.
• Mobilise PWID for HIV services, OST enrolment, viral load testing, hepatitis screening, and other health services.

Tracking and Re‑engagement of Lost‑to‑Follow‑Up (LFU) Clients

• Maintain regular coordination with ART Centres, CSCs, OST Centres and TI projects for identification of LFU clients.
• Conduct home visits, hotspot visits, and community outreach for tracing LFU clients.
• Facilitate re‑initiation of ART services for clients who have interrupted treatment.
• Accompany difficult‑to‑reach clients to ART Centres, Viral Load collection sites, OST Centres, or other service delivery points when required.
• Document reasons for treatment interruption and support corrective interventions.

Community Outreach and Hotspot Engagement

• Conduct outreach activities in identified PWID hotspots and congregating areas.
• Map and update information on hotspots, peak timings, and community networks relevant for client tracking.
• Build rapport with PWID communities and act as a bridge between service providers and beneficiaries.

Linkage and Referral Services

• Facilitate referrals and accompanied linkages to ART Centres, OST Centres, ICTCs, CSCs, mental health services and drug de‑addiction and rehabilitation centres
• Strengthen cross‑linkages between Targeted Intervention (TI) projects and ART services.

Psychosocial, Mental Health Support, Harm Reduction and Prevention Services

• Provide basic psychosocial support and motivational counselling, identify signs of depression, anxiety, substance‑use related distress, and social isolation.
• Conduct routine mental health screening using approved tools. Refer clients requiring specialised care to appropriate mental health facilities.
• Promote safer injecting practices and harm reduction strategies.
• Educate clients on overdose prevention, safer sexual behaviour, HIV prevention, STI prevention, and risk reduction.

Documentation and Reporting

• Maintain records of outreach activities, counselling sessions, referrals, and LFU tracking efforts.
• Submit weekly and monthly progress reports to the reporting supervisor.
• Support maintenance and updating of client line lists, tracking registers, referral records, and follow‑up documentation.
• Participate in review meetings and contribute to case discussions.

Community Coordination

• Coordinate with CSCs, ART Centres, TI‑NGOs, OST Centres, PLHIV networks, community champions and outreach workers.
• Conduct support group meetings, community consultations and coordination meetings.
• Assist in identification of vulnerable clients requiring travel support, nutritional support or additional interventions.

Interpersonal skills:

Strong communication, active listening, problem solving and non‑judgemental, empathetic attitude

Essential qualification:

Graduation in any discipline (preferably in social work, psychology, sociology or related social science disciplines)

• At least 1–2 years of prior experience of working closely with vulnerable communities such as IDU/PLHIV on health/social intervention projects.
• Preference will be given to candidates from the community, especially ex‑drug users or IDU‑PLHIV who are stable on treatment.
• Experience in HIV/AIDS, harm reduction, OST, community mobilising and counselling.
• Fluency in the local language of the target area will be desirable.

Other required skills:

• Strong counselling and communication skills.
• Excellent active listening and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to build rapport and maintain client confidentiality.
• Empathetic, non‑judgemental and client‑centred approach.
• Good problem‑solving and decision‑making skills.
• Strong documentation and reporting skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Basic computer proficiency (MS Office and data entry).
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS, TB and public health programmes is desirable.