Vacancies in South Africa At AQUITY Innovations (NPC)-Social Worker September 2020

Position: Social Worker ( Pandemic) x 2 for Eastern Cape – OR Tambo District and Mpumalanga – Ehlanzeni
9 months contract

Background

AQUITY Innovations NPC, a Section 21 South African-based registered not-for-profit organization, was established in 2010.  Our mission is to promote access to quality health and social services through innovations and technology. AQUITY’s programmatic focus areas include HIV, TB, health systems strengthening, capacity development Orphans and Vulnerable Children as well as other interventions targeting key populations.

Programme and Vacancy overview:

AQUITY Innovations NPC has been appointed by the National Department of Health to serve as one of the GLOBAL FUND TB Sub-Recipients (SRs) in South Africa. The project activities will be implemented in Mpumalanga (Ehlanzeni district) and Eastern Cape provinces. (OR Tambo and Buffalo City Metro districts). As such we seek to employ the following:

AQUITY seeks to appoint Social Worker (Pandemic) x2 to be based in Eastern Cape – OR Tambo District and Mpumalanga – District

Remuneration: ​ Will be based on the government DPSA rate for similar positions.

Roles & Responsibilities:

The incumbent will be responsible for rendering Mental health and psychosocial support services to patients on  management and prevention of  TB and COVID-19 during the current pandemic.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Ensuring that patients with COVID-19 receive the necessary support
• Conducting psychosocial Assessments of patients, clinical and non-clinical health care workers during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Trauma debriefing (including bereavement counselling)
• Working as a member of the multisectoral case management team at supported facilities/sites
• Facilitating Trainings on COVID-19, TB and psychosocial support
• Providing psycho-social support, including supportive counselling to patients and workers (clinical and non-clinical)
• Organising  daily/weekly briefing and debriefing meetings with updated information on the response and to check on patients and frontline workers’ well-being and attend to those who may have special concerns.
• Assisting in educating patients and their families on COVID-19 and TB prevention and management as well as on infection prevention measures.
• Linking patients to external service providers when necessary (e.g. quarantine sites, Department of Social Development)
• Liaising with community networks and partners
• Conducting advocacy activities required to reduce stigma and discrimination against people with COVID-19/TB.
• Compiling periodic reports
• Performing any administrative duties as requested by the organisation

REQUIREMENTS:

• A 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Social Work
• Registration with the South African Council for Social Service Professionals (SACSSP), and proof of registration with SACSSP.
• A minimum of 3 years’ experience in the public health sector/clinical social work service delivery. Experience of working in the TB/HIV sector will be an added advantage
• Experience in working directly with persons who have chronic health conditions.
• Proven experience in all primary social work methods.
• Experience of working in high-risk communities
• Fluency in English and district local languages (OR Tambo: IsiXhosa. Ehlanzeni: Siswati; Xitsonga)
• Preparedness to work after hours and weekends occasionally.
• Good interpersonal skills.
• Excellent report writing skills
• Computer literacy.
• A Driver’s License a necessity.

APPLY HERE