COMMUNITY FACILITATOR Mount Ayliff, South Africa
COMPANY DESCRIPTION
About Positive Women’s Network

Positive Women’s Network is a Non-Profit Organisation providing community services and programmes to positively empower marginalised women and other people living with HIV in South Africa. Since inception, and every year since, our work positively impacts the lives of over 35,000 women infected and affected by HIV in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, the Eastern Cape, and KZN. We provide access to clinics and treatment, outreach programmes & workshops, support groups, income generation projects and condom distribution as well as advocating for HIV, gender and human rights. PWN aims to create an environment in which people living with HIV and AIDS are given opportunities to thrive and remain health – free from stigmatisation and discrimination because of their HIV status.

JOB DESCRIPTION
OVERVIEW OF THE POSITION

The role of the community facilitator is to develop a local network of Support group leaders and consultation advocates that support HIV/AIDS within the communities they serve. Key aspects of the Community Facilitator role include advocacy, stakeholder relationships, education and awareness-raising, creating PWN support groups to build capacity building and support, collection and management of local community data and information management, project management and logistics as well as reporting.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy
Build meaningful partnerships in order to facilitate better access and utilization of HIV and TB related service delivery.
Secure seats on district and local AIDS Councils in order to influence policy;
Participate in key meetings of district decision-making bodies (Office of the Mayor, District AIDS Councils (DACs), DAC Secretariats (Government, Business, Labour, Civil Society) and House of Traditional Leaders;
Ensure that essential package activities are adopted and reflected in key district plans, documents, activities and budgets;
Ensure PWN is represented at local AIDS Councils;

Stakeholder Relationships
Submit partner contact list to PWN office.
Meet with district AIDS Councils coordinators and focal points to introduce PWN and PWN district representatives;
Meet with local AIDS Councils coordinators and focal points to introduce PWN and PWN local representatives; identify relevant PWN partners;
Build partnerships with other stakeholders (CBOs, NGOs, churches, schools etc.);

Education and Awareness Raising
Facilitate awareness and door-to-door campaigns on health and social calendar days.
Facilitate and co-ordinate community dialogues and relevant educational and awareness raising events in the province for better access and utilization of TB and HIV related services;
Liaise with PWN partners (e.g. DOH, DSD, DBE etc.) for partnership and participation in community dialogues;
Attend community dialogues from partner organisations;
Facilitate training of trainers to address gender-specific aspects to mitigate the impact of HIV and TB prevention, treatment and care;
Build awareness and capacity of high impact influencers and structures;
Facilitate effective linkages between stakeholders and services;

PWN Support Groups
Advocate for women to access female condoms and train them on how to use female condoms and male condoms.
Establish and facilitate support groups with a minimum of 50 members per district;
Train support group members on Treatment Literacy, Positive Living, Positive Prevention, SRHR, TB, PMTCT, Gender-Based Violence and safer sex etc.
Provide counselling to the newly diagnosed;
Organise advocacy activities e.g. court attendance, reporting cases to SAPS etc;

Information Management
Maintain electronic and physical resource materials.
Maintain a database of stakeholders to facilitate communication and information sharing;

Project Management and Logistics
Assist with support group activities and logistics – drafting programs, letters of invitation, provide attendance registers, t-shirt registers etc.;
Facilitate transport and venue logistics.
Reporting
Submit monthly reports.
Collect monthly activity statistics from PWN Support Group Leaders;
Ensure that meeting reports, training, community dialogue, door-to-door campaign reports are submitted timeously to PWN Co-ordinator;
Submit weekly reports;
Submit monthly timesheets;
QUALIFICATIONS
PROFILE OF THE IDEAL CANDIDATE

Experience working in communities
Ability to develop and maintain close and effective relationships with partnering organisations at local, national, and international levels.
Proven effectiveness working in a team-based environment, but also capable of working independently.
Demonstrated ability to multi-task and thrive in fast-paced, high-pressure situations.
Has good communication, organisational, technical, and writing skills
Has excellent interpersonal, oral/written communication and organisational skills
Goal-oriented (i.e. someone who does not give up easily and will continuously seek new ways to achieve a desired outcome)
Passionate about HIV/AIDS and empowering women to live positively with HIV.
Proficiency in other South African languages is an advantage
Comfortable managing upwards and across a diverse team
Is detail oriented: believes that the “little things” often can make the difference
Someone who enjoys and thrives in the uncertainty and ever-changing nature of an entrepreneurial environment.
Extremely driven and flexible with working hours, (i.e. not frightened with working long hours and weekends if that is what is required to get a job done).
A dynamic achiever (a self-starter) that can seize a vision and transform it into reality with minimal guidance.
An exceptional team player, who will do whatever is necessary to ensure the success of the project.
A learner—someone who frequently asks for and gives feedback.
Is a great relationship builder and has a great telephone manner.
Someone able to prioritise and work independently with minimal supervision.
Capable of multi-tasking, prioritising, and managing time efficiently.
Ability to operate under solid pressure and meet tight deadlines.
Computer literate
Has the ability to learn and apply new skills and knowledge.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
REPORTING LINES

The Community Facilitator roles report to the Outreach Co-ordinator

LOCATION

The Community facilitators will be based in the following Locations:

Gauteng (2) – Sedibeng; Ekhuruleni
Mpumalanga (1) - Gert Sibande
Eastern Cape (2) - Joe Gqabi and Alfred Nzo
KZN (3) – Ugu and Uthungulu Sisonke
Western Cape (1) – West Coast
North West (1) – NMM and Bonjanala

APPLICATION TIMELINE AND PROCESS