Wits RHI Vacancies

1. Community Liaison Officer
2. Communications Officer
3. Lay Counsellor

Community Liaison Officer

Main purpose of the job:

To link the research of the organisation with the target community by creating
awareness of the research through Community Advisory Groups and via road
shows, events, organised meetings, present studies etc. and to contribute to the
strategies of recruitment and retention for various research studies.

Location:

No: 7 Esellen Street, Research Centre. On the 3rd,4th, and 5th Floor

Closing date: 01 February 2023

Submit detailed CV to: vacancy25@wrhi.ac.za.

Advert reference number: SU 01_2024

In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable
applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent
amendments thereto.

Key performance areas
Supervise and Co-ordinate activities of the community health workers.
Amend retention SOP and GPP plan.
Plan, organise, attend, and facilitate meetings with the Community Advisory Board (CAB) and individuals –
Calendar 3 Meetings a month.
Monitor the on-going activities of the Community Advisory Group (CAB) including the planning of meetings and
training of the CAB.
Train community health workers on Retention SOP when needed.
Organise events.
Attend CWG calls regularly as well as any related community calls.
Lead retention meeting distribute minutes and file them. Compile a list of home visits, conduct home visits and
chart note the outcomes (as applicable).
Compile and circulate Weekly Plan.
Compile daily, weekly, and monthly reports as needed.
Perform duties per study Delegation of Authority Logs.
Maintain study documentation according to monitoring requirements.
Prepare meeting agendas and circulate minutes timeously.
Compile reports to the Research Team, management, and donors as and when required.
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 ongoing training and development
activities such as forums, conferences, policy setting workshops etc.
Comply with Good Clinical Practice (GCP), Protocol requirements and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
Verify accuracy of data in source documentation and accuracy of transcription from source data to Case
Report Forms (CRF) as needed.
Ensure errors on source documents e.g., CRF’s are corrected, initialled, and dated.
Support the timely transmission/data faxing of relevant Case Report Forms following QC activity (as needed).
Ensure completion of corrective action of internal and external QC reports and monitoring reviews.
Assist with staff training (and retraining) where error trends are identified.

Required minimum education and training
A degree/diploma in Community Development, Public Relations or similar (Other degrees/diplomas will be considered)
Valid driver’s license.
Fluent in English and other African languages, specifically IsiZulu.

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities
Certification in good clinical practice (GCP).
Experience in HIV and sexual reproductive health and/or a research environment.
Experience in the voluntary sector.
Good communication skills (verbal and written) and able to network with various stakeholders.
Skill with Microsoft Office particularly Excel, Word and PowerPoint as well as Outlook is a must.
Able to work independently and work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
Be tactful, respectful and maintain confidentiality.
Be sensitive to diversity and open to change.

Required minimum work experience.
Minimum 2-year experience in clinical research/ community health development and Programmes.

Should you be interested in applying for this vacancy, please send an email to vacancy25@wrhi.ac.za. The
subject heading of the email must read SU 01_2024 and the job title of position applying for. Please include
the following documentation:

• A cover letter (maximum one page) that clearly states which vacancy you are applying for
• A detailed CV

Communications Officer

Main purpose of the job:

The Communication Officer will implement and deliver communications
content across several Wits RHI projects, support the Communications team to
drive impact across all the Institute’s channels, write impactful content-driven
communications, and be responsible for the day-to-day management of
internal and external communication platforms

Location: 7 Esselen Str, Hillbrow, Johannesburg.

Closing date: 01 February 2024
Submit detailed CV to: Vacancy5@wrhi.ac.za

Advert reference number: UM 02-2024

In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants
from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.

Key performance areas
Gather information, research, copywrite or review, edit, and proofread external and internal communication
material including website content, advertisements, posters, brochures, newsletters, internal communiques, and
video scripts, etc, and obtain approval for the dissemination of communication material.
Liaising with internal clients, team members and other appropriate departments and with external service
providers.
Assist with developing, implementing, and coordinating communications activities in support of the Institute’s
initiatives, programmes, and events.
Compile daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, and annual communications reports.
Develop and implement a proactive media outreach strategy.
Assist with copywriting media releases, holding statements, media responses and media articles.
Assist with arranging filming at organisation’s facilities by the media, as well as by external entities other than the
media, including compiling all required documentation.
Build relationships with the media by responding timeously to media queries.
Obtain input from internal stakeholders to ensure information is relevant, accurate and up to date.
Maintain existing social media platforms and research, develop, and implement other appropriate social media
platforms that would benefit the organisation from a communication perspective.
Assist with developing a social media policy, standard operating procedures, toolkit, and practical guidelines
as and when required.
Proactively plan, implement, and monitor social media campaigns, and liaise with internal stakeholders to
compile and upload material for such campaigns.
Capitalise on ad hoc, externally driven social media opportunities that could benefit the organisation.
Rewrite scientific information into accessible and scientifically accurate content for internal and external
communications.
Build relationships with various researchers within the Institute and liaise with them to ensure accuracy in all
content.
Participate in writing training sessions for the Institute on science and health communication matters.
Compile training material as required.

Collaborate with team members, IT and external service providers to further develop and enhance Wits RHI’s
websites, explore creative ideas for increasing traffic to these websites and facilitate search engine optimisation.
Work on content development and updating of information on all Wits RHI websites including liaison with
stakeholders, copywriting, photo selection, proofreading, obtaining approval, and liaison with IT to upload
material.
Research website trends and changes in browser behaviour as and when required.
Have an understanding of the research outputs and communicate these in relation to content management.
Take ownership and accountability for tasks and demonstrate 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 and attending ongoing training and
development activities such as workshops, forums, conferences etc.

Required minimum education and training.
Degree in Communications, Journalism, or related field.

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities
Advanced writing skills.
Experience within the NGO or Academic Institute.
A creative, dynamic, diligent, and focused individual, with exceptional writing skills and excellent attention to detail.
Demonstrable experience in journalism and/or communications and a passion for science, health and digital communications.

Required minimum work experience.
5-6 years’ experience in communications in academic, science and/or NGO environment.
Minimum 4 years of writing (academic or journalistic)
Digital media experience.

Should you be interested in applying for this vacancy, please send an email to Vacancy5@wrhi.ac.za. The
subject heading of the email must read UM 02-2024 and the job title of position applying for. Please include
the following documentation:

• A cover letter (maximum one page) that clearly states which vacancy you are applying for.
• A detailed CV

Lay Counsellor

Main purpose of the job:

To provide HIV rapid testing services and holistic HIV counselling and
support to clients

Location: Mopani (Limpopo)
Closing date: 30 January 2024
Submit detailed CV to: Vacancy2@wrhi.ac.za
Advert reference
number: CW008– 024

In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable
applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and
subsequent amendments thereto.

Key performance areas
Conduct HIV rapid testing (finger prick)

• Perform HIV rapid tests based on Rapid HIV testing algorithm based on daily district targets
• Ensure related quality control procedures are followed
• Ensure results are documented as required

Provide participant counselling and support

• Provide pre- and post-testing counselling
• Provide HIV information to participants that includes but is not limited to risk reduction,
  ARV’s, adherence, nutrition, hygiene, infant feeding,
• Provide counselling regarding participant disclosure
• Ensure that confidentiality is maintained
• Conduct in depth one on one counselling sessions and group counselling as and when
  required in accordance with counselling guidelines
• Provide adherence and contraceptive counselling if required
• Provide counselling support and referral for clients screening positive for gender-based
  violence
• Conduct health talks for clients

Conduct screening for other issues

• Conduct TB symptom screen on all clients
• Conduct STI symptom screen on all clients
• Conduct screen for Gender based violence

Administration • Complete clinical forms and HTS stationery as per SOPs with < 5% errors in documentation • Compile daily, weekly and monthly reports as requested • Ensure all errors identified are corrected within 24 hours • Assist with research related activities as and when required.

Effective self-management and performance ownership

• 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 ongoing training
  and development activities.

Required minimum education and training

• Grade 12,
• Accredited certificate/training in performing finger pricks and HIV tests according to South
  Africa’s national HIV testing guidelines
• Accredited certificate in basic HIV counselling or equivalent qualification
• Valid code C1 driver`s license, Preferably with PDP

Professional body registration

• Not Applicable

Desirable additional education, work experience and personal abilities

• Ability to write, keep accurate records and develop daily reports.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office packages.
• Fluency in locally spoken language/s.
• Ability to prioritise tasks and work towards deadlines.
• Be a team player.
• Good interpersonal, communication and time management skills.

Willing to assist with driving on a roster if licenced

Required minimum work experience

• 6 months’ experience in Rapid HIV testing including counselling and finger pricking
• Experience working with adolescents and young people, sexual and reproductive health;
  HIV prevention and PrEP programmes would be advantageous.

Demands of the job

• Confidentiality, tact, and discretion should be maintained at all times.
• Ability to work with adolescent and young clients and diversity important.

Communications and relationships

• Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external customers and
  stakeholders.

Should you be interested in applying for this vacancy, please send an email to
vacancy2@wrhi.ac.za. The subject heading of the email must read CW008 – 24 and the job title of
position applying for. Please include the following documentation:

• A cover letter (maximum one page) that clearly states which vacancy you are applying for
• A detailed CV

All the best with your applications