Main purpose of the job:To provide psycho-social support and counseling to research participants and community members (such as grieving parents)To assist with facilitating community engagement activities and eventsLocation:Wits VIDA, Nurses Residence, Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto (main base) - JohannesburgKey performance areas:CounsellingProvide counseling to research participants and community members requiring support (for example, in the case of grieving parents who have just lost their child). This includes liaising with the field and MITS teams to act quickly and efficiently to provide support where need is identifiedProvision of initial or fist-stage counseling, containment, and then assessing progressCautious management and provision or disclosure of sensitive medical informationRegular assessment of the psychological state of participants and ability to identify those who require further engagement. Referral and linkage of these participants to relevant health or community support servicesAssisting bereaved participants who may also be experiencing other social challenges such as domestic or gender-based violence, substance abuse, and other trauma. This may include referral to local authorities or specialized services. (Note that this role serves in support primarily of research cluster participants and families of or children involved in unit research, and is designed as a basic support function, not a primary care function)Death Notification and participant enrolmentTo collect death notifications from all wards, mortuary, and different study sitesScreen patient files and identify potential participants for MITS samplingEnroll participants by educating them about the study and obtain informed consent according to SOPsComplete relevant study documentation, questionnaires, and checklistsCommunity engagementAssist with facilitating community engagement activities and events: Through effective sustainable community and stakeholder relationships, build and maintain a link between the community and the organization to ensure the flow of important information (for example, about maternal and child health issues that affect community members). Such information may inform formative research or projects that may have meaningful community-level impact. Such relationships may be built through meetings and active presence at important community eventsProvide ad hoc feedback on community issues/concerns and propose or facilitate resolution where applicable, reasonable and relevantAssist in facilitating community engagement workshops and trainings and conduct informal interviews with community members and leaders as requiredWrite and present reports on community engagement activities as requiredRegularly review information and issues and recommend interventionsEnsure all services are delivered in accordance with all relevant standards, policies, and Standard Operating Procedures. Write and review SOPs for the workstream and drive complianceBuild and maintain relationships with a network of community stakeholders such as councilors, social workers, Community Policing Forum members, Non-Profit Organisations, Faith-Based Organisations, Community-Based Organisations, and other relevant stakeholders to support research interests and community membersSupport facilitation of stakeholder meetings and engagements or problem-solving as requiredIn conjunction with the various Community Advisory Boards help to organise and conduct community outreach events to create awareness and educate the communityAssist with resolving community conflicts, rumors, and misunderstandings around research studies and programsSupport the community engagement team with educational and advocacy material/content and activitiesAdministrationMaintain a log of all participants approached for consenting and counseling, as well as outcomes of the consenting/counseling processFile and capture the consent forms as per the study protocolQC consent forms and other relevant files ensure that ICF and source documents are completed and signed correctlyComplete telephone logs of all calls made to participantsReimbursements of participants, as per reimbursement SOPIdentify and report on participants in need of burial assistanceSchedule and complete the VACustomer ServiceCommunicate with donor representatives around compliance issues as and when requiredTrain Admin Staff on all financial requirements i.e. Recons, compliance with donor rulesEnsure all customer interaction (both internal and external customers) is of the highest professional level, e.g. respond to emails/queries within two daysBuild and maintain authentic relationships with all stakeholders ensuring that all interactions are professionalEffectively manage work processes in order to maintain high levels of productivityEffective self-managementTake ownership and accountability for tasks & activities and demonstrate effective self-managementActively and consistently maintaining high standards of professionalism in all aspects of personal presentation and deliveryApply knowledge of the organizational systems, structures, policies, and procedures to achieve resultsDemonstrate problem-solving ability and effectively manage work process to maintain high levels of productivityAbility to work under pressure and meet necessary deadlinesProvision of appropriate resolution for challenges and deadlines not metSupport and drive the organization’s core valuesMaintain a positive attitude and respond openly to feedbackTake ownership of driving your own career developmentRequired minimum education and training:Relevant accredited Social Work or Counselling qualificationsBackground in Psychology/Social WorkRequired minimum work experience:2 years experience working with people who are grief-stricken and dealing with psycho-social challengesExperience in HIV counseling advantageousDesirable additional education, work experience, and personal abilities:Willingness to work extended hoursWillingness to travelDeadline drivenMust be able to work with little supervisionComputer literacy, including working with Microsoft Excel requiredDemands of the job:Overtime/weekend work is required from time to timeAbility to develop relationships and instill trust quickly and effectivelyMust be able to effectively counsel research participants, community members, and staff through varying traumaAbility to handle multiple potentially emotionally demanding work commitmentsCommunications and relationships:Excellent communication skills (both written and oral) and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholdersMust be fluent in at least 2-3 local languages (IsiZulu essential)TO APPLY:Only if you do meet the minimum job requirements and experience as mentioned above, you may submit a detailed updated CV.Please Apply Online.Please take note that the applicants who do not adhere to the above criteria will not be considered for the respective position.The closing date for all applications: 27 May 2024.Note AJ Personnel is fully POPI compliant.Note WHC, in accordance with their Employment Equity goals and plan, will give preference to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.Please note:AJ PERSONNEL is only responsible for the advertising of the advertisement on behalf of their client Wits Health Consortium.Wits Health Consortium will only respond to shortlisted candidates. Candidates who have not been contacted within two weeks of the closing date can consider their applications to be unsuccessful.AJ Personnel does not have any salary or other information regarding the position.