The Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention Project

Deadline: 10 May 2010

The Zimbabwe AIDS Prevention Project, based out of the Department of Community Medicine at the University of Zimbabwe has funding to expand a Sex Worker programme aimed at improving reduce HIV acquisition among sex workers thereby reducing HIV transmission to their clients. Sex workers are included in the main population currently being targeted through the National Behavior Change Strategy. Targeting sex workers is in line with the recommendations of the Zimbabwe National HIV Strategic Plan. We are looking for the following positions to start working with the team immediately. The positions will be based in Harare and Bulawayo with a lot of extensive travel to rural communities along the Harare- Nyamapanda highway, Chirundu, Manicaland, Beitbridge and Victoria Falls. The positions are funded by UNFPA and are expected to last one year with possibility of extension.

1. Drivers

The successful candidates will have previous experience working as a driver for a project that required rural driving experience.  Drivers should ensure that their vehicles are in proper working condition and should report any faults to the office administrator or project coordinator when in the field.  Drivers will be responsible for the safe passage/travel of the project team.

Reporting to the project coordinator the following will be the driver’s core duties:

1.    Driving the project vehicle for the project team on a full time basis.  This will include travelling from Harare to the field on a regular basis.
2.    Transporting programme specimens to and from the clinic sites to the lab
3.    Driving the project team around the communities during programme preparation.
4.    Taking note of any faults that may develop on the vehicle and bringing them to the attention of the office administrator and project coordinator as soon as possible.
5.    Ensuring that the vehicle has the necessary accessory tools as should be equipped, e.g. jack, wheel spanner and spare wheel.
6.    Maintaining the project vehicles including oil and water checks, tyre checks, service checks, and any other duties that may be assigned by the office administrator from time to time to ensure a smooth project flow.

Qualifications:
A clean class four driver’s license; a mature person, who is well organized; ability to work independently but within a team framework; fluent in English , Shona and Ndebele (for the Bulawayo position).Experience working in a reproductive research environment and working with vulnerable populations (sex workers) is an added advantage.

2. Nurse Counselors – 1 Harare, 2 Bulawayo

The nurse counselor is responsible for examining and evaluating clinical signs and symptoms of programme clients. The nurse counselor is also responsible for participating in all aspects of client mobilization, as well as ensuring smooth clinic flow.

Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the Clinician’s duties will include:

• Ensuring proper screening, enrollment and follow-up of programme clients,
• Performing physical examinations on all programme clients as required,
• Providing treatment and care for STIS and other reproductive health concerns
• Performing specimen collection on programme clients as required,
• Maintaining proper documentation on all programme clients,
• Participating in programme-related training sessions and meetings including running training sessions.
• Counseling: pre and post-test HIV counseling, including HIV risk reduction.
• Counseling about STIs, safer sex practices, Family Planning, including demonstration and education about condom use.
• Appropriate supportive counseling, referral and follow-up.
• Any other duties as needed by the Project.

Qualifications:

• Degree/Diploma in nursing
• Experienced clinician
• Experience and knowledge of STI treatment and management
• Counseling diploma and experience in HIV/AIDS counseling
• Certified by HPC to perform rapid HIV testing
• Training experience an advantage
• Experience working with vulnerable populations (sex workers) an added advantage
• Fluency in English, Shona (and Ndebele for Bulawayo position)

3. Outreach Workers: Bulawayo and Harare

Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the outreach workers and intern’s main duties will include:
Communication with communities:  The post holder will be responsible for ensuring good communication with rural programme communities.  This will involve working closely with the communities, district and provincial officials to introduce the programme and keeping them well informed about the programme’s progress.

Assist in coordinating the programme intervention: The outreach worker will assist the Programme Coordinator in working with the communities to identify, recruit and train suitable Sex worker as peer educators.  The outreach worker will also be directly working with groups of peer educators from various communities. Dissemination of programme related information.

The applicant must have demonstrable experience and interest in community outreach work, ability to do community mobilization, create rapport with personnel from collaborating or associate institutions and work independently but within a team framework. The applicant must have 5 “O” Levels, a counseling qualification and at least a professional Diploma in a relevant field, preferably teaching, social sciences or nursing. They should be mature, well organized and be fluent in English, Shona (and Ndebele for Bulawayo position). Experience working with vulnerable populations (sex workers), training experience; clean class four driver’s license and experience working in a reproductive research environment is an added advantage.

4. Interns

The interns will be working with the Outreach Worker in the rural communities to recruit peer educators, dissemination of information on the programme and assist in peer educators training. The applicant must have the ability to work in rural communities, community mobilization and ability to work with people from various backgrounds. Ability to work with vulnerable populations (Sex workers) is desirable. Applicants should be studying towards a relevant qualification in this field.

Applicants wishing to be considered for these positions should submit full curriculum vitae with a cover letter stating clearly which position you’d like to be considered for, copies of certificates and the names/contact information for three referees by: The Programme Coordinator (The Sex Worker Programme), 21 Rowland Square, Milton Park, Harare. Or by email to: admin.rds@gmail.com

Positions to start around mid May. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.