Psychosocial Specialist - Johannesburg at Anova Health Institute

The successful incumbent will be responsible for leading Anova’s psychosocial support and mental health programmes across supported districts. This is achieved through strategic leadership, skills development, stakeholder engagement and research. 

Key duties and responsibilities: 

Integration of mental health into Anova’s existing HIV-focussed programmes

• Develop a mental health strategy for Anova and oversee implementation in line with PEPFAR/NSP requirements.
• Identify, adapt and implement, through district teams, an existing model to ensure support of mental health is integrated into services at primary health care level (includes screening, support and referral)
• Work closely with other HIV Specialists to ensure the mental health is well integrated into other programmes (e.g. case management, Youth Care Clubs etc)
• Work closely with Psychosocial (PSS) TAs in each district to integrate mental health into services (including hiring and training a cadre of staff to provide mental health screening and support at PHCs)
• Design standardised measurement/monitoring tools that are used by districts to report
• Map and strengthen community-based organisations that can support clients with mental health issues. 

Growth of the Anova Psychosocial and Mental Health Portfolios

• Mental Health Promotion and Prevention Project in Northern Cape and Limpopo.
• Oversee and advise on overall project direction and workplan development with the input of other relevant project advisors.
• Support and line manage the Project Manager.
• Attend funder and other relevant stakeholder meetings.
• Oversee funder reporting on project progress and financial matters.
• Contribute to research outputs from the project.
• Identify and apply for other funding opportunities to expand Anova’s mental health portfolio. 

Collaborate with psychosocial and mental health stakeholders

• Lead the reporting and feedback on mental health to USAID and other relevant funders.
• Identify and establish relationships with key DoH and other stakeholders (e.g. CBOs, religious groups. academic groups, traditional leaders, traditional healers) to work with within the mental health space.
• Advocate for policy improvements that will facilitate better integration of mental health into chronic care Champion mental health integration into chronic care service delivery at National, Provincial and district levels by inputting into guidelines, policy and relevant meetings (Attend NDoH and USAID mental health and retention in care committees/TWGs).

Coordinate and strengthen Anova’s Psychosocial Support (PSS) Programmes for improved adherence to ART in supported districts

• Ensure there is a coordinated strategy at Anova of providing psychosocial support to clients at all life stages.
• Facilitate alignment between and monitoring of Anova facility PSS interventions and the psychosocial components of the OVC and DREAMS programmes.
• Work closely with PSS TAs to ensure implementation of the strategy.
• Review and develop monitoring systems to allow upward reporting to funders and downward feedback to implementors.
• Improve the coordination of facility and community psychosocial support through engagement with stakeholders and partners to ensure clients in need receive streamlined, uninterrupted support.
• Input into Anova’s workplans, and report on PSS activities regularly as needed.
• Provide or facilitate skills development and capacity building of Anova’s teams to better support clients to improve retention in care and viral load suppression.
• Facilitate the use of programme data to guide implementation of the PSS programme by PSS TAs.

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Psychology or social work degree with post-graduate degree (MPH or other relevant).
• 8 - 10 years - Previous experience working in HIV programming/public health programmes, preferably at PHC settings.
• Experience working in donor-funded health programmes and with Department of Health.
• Training and teaching experience.
• Proven ability to write technical documents and compose presentations.
• Visible part of relevant networks, technical working groups and committees.
• Research experience advantageous.
• Driver’s license and willingness to use own car.
• Registered with the HPCSA (if relevant).  

Closing Date 18 August 2023