Peer Educator

Anova Health Institute NPC; Johannesburg; On-site; ZAR 50,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A health organization in Johannesburg is seeking a Peer Educator to promote health services among people who use drugs. The role involves recruiting clients, conducting risk assessments, and providing harm reduction information. Candidates should have completed Grade 12 and possess strong communication skills. Knowledge of HIV/AIDS is advantageous. This role supports a critical health initiative aimed at reducing stigma and increasing access to essential services.

Qualifications

• Successful completion of a training course on HIV and sexual health.
• Ability to recruit and manage client interactions effectively.
• Knowledge of harm reduction practices.

Responsibilities

• Recruit clients and conduct risk assessments.
• Provide harm reduction information and packages.
• Attend social debriefings and provide feedback.

Skills

Effective communication with drug users

Confidentiality adherence

Numeracy and literacy

Education

Grade 12

HIV counselling certificate

Job description

Anova is an NGO that empowers people and changes lives. Good health and quality of life motivate us to provide healthcare solutions and support to those who need it most.

Our Jab Smart project was established in late 2017 to address HIV among people who use drugs (PWUD) in the City of Johannesburg (COJ). PWUD are at high risk of HIV, often facing stigma and prejudice, which can deny them access to essential health services. Jab Smart is a peer-led project offering harm reduction services to PWUD, implemented in partnership with the COJ Health District and supported by the Global Fund through NACOSA.

We are seeking knowledgeable Peer Educators familiar with the drug-using scene and popular sites to promote health services among PWUD in COJ. The project relies on peer-to-peer contact to increase client receptivity.

As a Peer Educator, you will meet with PWUD privately, respecting confidentiality, to provide access to services such as needle and syringe programs, HIV testing, TB screening, sexual health treatments, and referrals for Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) where relevant.

Qualifications include successful completion of a short training course on HIV and sexual health, with demonstrated competence.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Peer Mobilization

• Recruit at least 80 clients monthly to introduce the program and services
• Conduct risk assessments for these clients
• Refer clients to Nurses, HTS Linkage Officers, Advocacy Officers, and Social Auxiliary Workers

Field Support

• Provide harm reduction information and packages to at least 80 clients monthly
• Manage your cohort, ensuring they receive services, and report to the coordinator to update records

Mapping

• Identify at least two new sites monthly
• Add all sites to your mapping tool

Debriefing and Counselling Sessions

• Attend social debriefings and provide monthly feedback to the coordinator
• Attend psychosocial counselling and give monthly feedback

Perform any other tasks as agreed with your line manager.

Minimum Qualifications, Experience, and Skills Required

• Grade 12
• Numeracy and literacy skills
• Ability to establish trust and communicate effectively with active drug users
• Strict confidentiality adherence
• Punctuality and reliability
• Knowledge of HIV/AIDS and a recognised HIV counselling certificate is advantageous

In line with our Employment Equity goals, preference will be given to applicants from designated groups as per the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998, including persons with disabilities.

As part of our mandatory vaccination policy, successful applicants will need to provide proof of vaccination prior to employment.

Applicants not contacted within 4 weeks should consider their application unsuccessful. Unsolicited CVs from agencies will not be compensated if their candidate is hired.

For more information about Anova, visit our website.