Community Peer Educator / Driver

Deadline: November 15, 2020
Posted: November 9, 2020 (10:58am)

The South East Regional Health Authority, a statutory body under the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with responsibility for the management and delivery of Public Health Services within the parishes of Kingston & St Andrew, St Catherine, and St Thomas invites applications from suitably qualified individuals to fill the position of Community Peer Educator / Driver (HSC/HS 5).

Scope of work / Background

Jamaica has an estimated prevalence of 1.6% among the general population. Based on modeled estimates and case based surveillance data, it is estimated that 29,000 persons are currently living with HIV in Jamaica. Approximately 84% of the estimated number is aware of their status. This is followed by a large gap in the continuum of care with 43% of those diagnosed on ARVs and 55% of those on treatment being virally suppressed.

PLACE is a methodology used to identify sites within high STI/HIV transmission areas (HTA’s) where people meet new sexual partners. PLACE seeks to reduce incidences of STI/HIV transmission among those that socialize at these sites and the interventions are targeted at visitors and staff of identified sites. The PLACE objectives are to change and reinforce behaviour to:

Increase consistent condoms use
Increase use of VCT services
Increase use of STD services
Reduce sex during symptomatic STD period
Increase condom-carrying habit

The Community Peer Educator – PLACE will work closely with the assigned Parish Coordinator – PLACE to implement interventions in the parish in identified clusters. Functions will include:

Visit sites and assist in the process of :

- Determining venue eligibility

- Screening eligible sites for reported willingness

- Mapping eligible sites

Job Purpose

The Community Peer Educator / Driver will work closely with the assigned outreach team(s) to implement interventions in the relevant Region of employment (SERHA –Kingston & St. Andrew, St Thomas and St. Catherine); to reach and reduce the transmission of new HIV and other STI’s among general and key population members. He/she will also support the Peer Navigators when handling the treatment care and support navigation programme. The Community Peer Educator / Driver is required to complete a 40 hour week. The officer will be required to work on any given day of the week on any 8 hour shift. The officer will sometimes be asked to work on public holidays and late nights when necessary.

The Community Peer Educator / Driver along with the outreach team will be expected to attend special key events and socials to encourage safer SRH behaviour and promote provider initiated testing & counselling (PITC). He/she will identify, establish and maintain condom outlets.

Qualification and Experience

Minimum four (4) CXC subjects or equivalent educational qualification (as determined on assessment such as school leaving certificate, vocational training)

Basic training in counselling techniques
One year experience working with vulnerable groups
Experience working with excel, Microsoft office and word
Must have a minimum of two (2) years’ experience in behaviour communication change or public health programmes for marginalized populations or comparable experiences
Training in family planning and sexual reproductive health
Must have basic knowledge on HIV/AIDS and STI’s
Must have a minimum of 3 years driving and operating cars and buses
Must possess an open general drivers licence
Other driving requirements as determined by the Regional Health Authority policy and procedures

Specific outputs

Weekly site visits to provide Sexual Reproductive Health information
Conduct training specified at designated sites
Identify and sensitize site influential in basic SRH information
Conducts weekly monitoring of key pop sites within assigned clusters and ensures stocks of condoms and IEC materials are replenished
Establish, monitor and maintain condom outlets as part of outreach team activities.
Identify, recruit and assist in the training of key population peer links in SRH, as directed by supervisor.
Attend special party events at assigned sites to promote and offer provider initiated testing and counselling (PITC)
Work closely with key populations (MSM, TG, FSW, Youth& Males)
Conduct all other interventions as per work plan
Complete and provide daily site visit forms and monthly report on work being done
MSM, TG & FSW: Reach, Test activities and referral for testing – target per group to be determined by supervisor
Work on weekends, at nights and public holidays

Driving responsibilities

Drive and operate the mobile clinic to designated sites throughout the region
Ensure vehicle is stocked and prepared daily for outreach activities
Transport team members home after duties performed after 10p.m.
Ensure the maintenance and servicing of vehicles are up to date
Retrofitted equipment maintained to standard
Monthly report on unit submitted to assigned supervisor
Provide technical oversight of mobile testing units
Maintenance and management of fleet
Ensure that vehicle documents are up to date
Follow procurement guidelines for the maintenance of vehicles

Deliverables

Deliverables/ Performance Standards- Outreach: (Targets as determined by supervisor)

Reach and test activities
Establish and maintain condom outlets
Reach and test activities with FSW monthly
Test a minimum number of clients per month as determined by supervisor
Complete site visit form daily
Complete and submit a monthly itinerary at the end of each month to assigned supervisor
Collaborate with outreach team, in training activities for peer links
Successfully Link persons to treatment sites monthly
Conduct follow up sessions with clients per monthly
Attend at least one (1) meeting per month with the care team for progress report.
Prepare and submit bi-weekly reports to immediate supervisor

Deliverables/ Performance Standards- Driver

Prepare and submit a weekly navigation schedule.
Submit monthly report on updates and condition of the mobile units
Transport staff home after 10p.m.
Drive and operate the mobile clinic to designated sites within the region.
Ensure that the vehicles are in good operating standard at all times

Reporting relationship

The Outreach Officer will be supervised by the assigned Targeted Intervention Officer
Reports directly to the Parish Medical Officer of Health
Indirectly reports to the Regional BCC Coordinator
Collaborates with the HIV/STI/Tb Coordinator
Liaise with the Regional Technical Director and Ministry of Health Prevention officers as necessary

Key competencies

Must be confidential, open-minded, flexible, dependable and non- judgmental
Excellent networking skill
Excellent listening and communication skills
Good Counselling techniques
Ability to work well with others and maintain a professional decorum at all times
Goal oriented
Good report writing skills
Good presentation skills
Strong leadership qualities
Passionate about providing service to vulnerable groups
Basic Knowledge of HIV/STI’s, behaviour change and sexual reproductive health
Ability to develop, plan and implement short term goals
Excellent work ethics
Ability to coordinate and implement projects and events
Ability to develop, plan and implement short- term goals
Ability to work well under pressure and handle large workloads
Must be able to work on weekends, public holidays and at nights when necessary
Must be empathetic
Ability to drive and operate buses and large vehicles
Must be able to demonstrate the ability to operate and have general working knowledge about the operations and maintenance of motor vehicles
Must be 25 years or older

Special conditions associated with the job

Exposure to highly confidential and sensitive information
May be required to work beyond normal working hours in order to meet deadlines.

Note

Incumbents will be expected to work irregular hours, including nights and will need to interact with and engage patrons at socializing PLACE sites.

Applications should be emailed to employment@serha.gov.jm or faxed to (876) 926-4019 no later than November 15^th, 2020

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Contact

Director
Human Resource Management & Industrial Relations
South East Regional Health Authority
The Towers, 2 nd Floor
25 Dominica Drive
Kingston 5

Email: employment@serha.gov.jm

South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA)

Jamaica

Base Salary: Undisclosed