About the position
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
Main purpose of the job:
- To contribute to the improvement in psychosocial health and adherence to ART of people living with HIV by mentoring counsellors and providing counselling services within the specified geographical area
Location:
- Ekurhuleni South - Cluster 12
Key performance areas:
- Provide counselling services to Patients within supported facilities, with a focus on Patients requiring more in-depth counselling or social support
- 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
- Train, mentor and support clinics to implement psychosocial support groups for people living with HIV
- Train, mentor and support clinics to implement mental health screening for people living with HIV, in accordance with programme implementation strategies
- Train, mentor and support clinics to implement GBV screening for people living with HIV, in accordance with programme implementation strategies
- Identify gaps in counselling and adherence guideline implementation at the facility level and develop plans to address these
- Identify training needs of internal and external Stakeholders
- Refer identified needs to the relevant training department and provide support during training as required
- Support the implementation of in-service training and mentoring to address identified gaps
- Participate in on-going mentorship programmes initiated by other Wits RHI Stakeholders
- Provide mentoring to Counsellors to support completion of HIV testing POEs
- Provide support to Counsellors regarding counselling guidelines, wellness programmes and support groups as and when required
- Support the development and implementation of QI projects in collaboration with DoH to address identified gaps
- Support the mentoring of DoH staff and Stakeholders on QI methodologies
- Submit accurate and timeous data on activities undertaken
- Compile reports of the relevant programme activities conducted
- Regularly review facility and sub-district data to identify gaps in programme implementation
- Support the analysis of reports and data to identify gaps in the programme area
- Support regular SIMS audits and develop plans to address identified gaps
- 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 on-going training and development activities such as forums, conferences, policy setting workshops etc
Required minimum education and training:
- Professional qualification - Degree in Social Science / Psychology, Advanced Counselling Certificate or equivalent
- HIV Management Certificate (basic)
- Competent in MS Office
Required minimum work experience:
- Minimum of 3 years’ experience working within or supporting the Public Health Sector with 2 years’ experience working in HIV Counselling or HIV Support group facilitation
- Experience in therapeutic counselling and group facilitation
Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities:
- Good interpersonal skills and ability to navigate complicated situations, excellent levels of written and verbal communication, second SA language preferred appropriate for area
- Training and mentoring experience would be advantageous
- Ability to facilitate presentations and training.
- Knowledge of the area in which project is being held would be advantageous
- Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills
Communications and relationships:
- Maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders (including internal staff at operational level)
Demands of the job:
- Able to work in a highly pressurized and challenging environment
- Travel may be required within the district
- Overtime and weekend work may be required from time to time
TO APPLY:
- Only if you meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV with Qualifications attached 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: 04 August 2026
- Note: No CV will be accepted after the closing date
Please note:
- 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
Desired Skills:
- Social Science
- Psychology
- Computer Literate
- Presentation Experience
- Communication Skills
- Interpersonal Skills
- Ekurhuleni
