SUPPORT GROUP LEADER Richards Bay, 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 Support Group Leader is to enable groups of Women in their communities to obtain emotional support, education and training which will facilitate the growth of all group members living and affected by HIV and AIDS or at risk of becoming HIV positive. Support Group leaders model an attitude of support, caring, concern, and respect for all.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Advocacy
Participate in key meetings of district decision-making bodies (local and ward level AIDS Councils);
Build meaningful partnerships in order to facilitate better access and utilization of HIV and TB related service delivery (CBOs, NGOs, churches, police, schools etc).

Stakeholder Relationships
Meet with ward-level AIDS Councils coordinators and focal points to introduce PWN and PWN district representatives;
Submit partner contact list to PWN office.

Education and Awareness Raising
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 awareness and door-to-door campaigns on health and social calendar days.

PWN Support Groups
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, GBV, safer sex,
Provide counselling to the newly diagnosed;
Organise advocacy activities e.g. court attendance, reporting cases to SAPS etc.;
Advocate for women to access female condoms and train them on how to use female condoms and male condoms


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

Project Management and Logistics
Participate in monthly planning and feedback sessions with PWN Community Facilitators;
Submit requests to PWN Community Facilitators for support group activites (resources, budgets, materials, travel, venue etc.);
Facilitate transport, venue logistics.

Reporting
Submit monthly activity statistics from PWN Support Group activities;
Submit monthly attendance registers, t-shirts registers and receipts to PWN Community Facilitators.
Ensure that meeting reports, training, community dialogue, door-to-door campaign reports are submitted timeously to PWN Community Facilitator;
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.
Has good knowledge of HIV/AIDS
Can work effectively in establishing partnership with communities and community leaders
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
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
OCATION

The Community facilitators will be based in the following Locations:

Gauteng (6) – Sedibeng; Ekhuruleni
Mpumalanga (7) - Gert Sibande
Eastern Cape (11) - Joe Gqabi and Alfred Nzo
KZN (15) – Ugu; Uthungulu and Sisonke
Western Cape (3) – West Coast
North West (6) – NMM and Bonjanala

APPLICATION TIMELINE AND PROCESS