Social Auxiliary Worker at Anova Health Institute

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Psychosocial programs and support

• The SAW will be conducting individual assessments and providing therapeutic interventions to the PWUD currently on Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST)
• The SAW will be responsible of social re-integration and family reunifications of PWUD
• The SAW will be responsible to identify and provide assessments and support to women who use or inject drugs reached in the programme
• Screen and identify psychosocial and mental health challenges experienced by clients
• Complete full assessments for each client
• Conduct individual and group counselling working together with the outreach and clinical support team
• Facilitate small group discussion with the Advocacy officer
• Provide input to the program and implement any changes
• Provide appropriate referrals and follow up on referrals from the outreach and management team
• Be reliable, consistent, and respective pf clients' time and vulnerabilities
• Maintain client records at all times stored in a lockable cabinet
• Assist in the drafting of Standard Operating Procedures
• Conduct training and assist in skills development of peers
• Provide assistance with obtaining Identity Documents
• Provide assistance with linkage to shelters
• To follow up on each client, checking adherence to ART, TB treatment or PEP.
• When required, support HTS counsellors with counselling for pre and post HIV testing.
• Support referral for any services the PWUD required.

Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST)

• Educate service beneficiaries, staff, and others on OST
• Prepare service beneficiaries for OST and manage their expectations
• Conduct Screenings for potential OST clients
• Provide ongoing counselling and support utilizing the harm reduction ethos to service beneficiaries who are accessing/reassessing OST
• Conduct OST training as needed
• Verify information given by clients
• Provide assistance with the preparation and dosing of clients
• Build and maintain stakeholder relations as a means of referral pathways for clients
• Compile reports on client trends, needs, challenges and actions
• Perform related office administration duties of the programme.

Personal Development

• Participate in learning and development opportunities (trainings, workshops, information sessions etc.)
• Stay abreast of developments in the fields of HIV/AIDS, STIs and TB
• Willingness to receive debriefing from a social worker regularly

Advocacy Support

• Identify potential advocacy issues and report to the advocacy officer
• Assist with the collection of human rights data by taking statements and reporting violations reported by PWID to the advocacy officer
• Advocate for OST and provide factual information
• Always promote effective and evidence-based drug policy

Monitoring and other organisational engagements

• Obtain regular feedback from clients to establish, the effectiveness of the programme, any missing services, opportunities and inefficiencies
• Provide regular feedback to management while always maintaining confidentiality
• Maintain a project diary so the establishment, barriers, challenges and opportunities can be effectively reported on for operational and
• research purposes
• Attend meetings, briefings, debriefing, staff meetings and other as directed to do so on a regular basis.
• Additional responsibilities delegated by managers from time to time.

Any other tasks as agreed with line manager.

Qualifications and Experience

• Social auxiliary worker qualification; or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in social auxiliary work
• Experience in working in HIV programmes with key populations.
• Experience in harm reduction and PWUD programming is beneficial.
• Experience in providing therapeutic interventions to address substance abuse and harm reduction.
• Ability to travel as and when required
• Non-judgmental, trustworthy and empathetic personality
• Demonstrate strong professional attitude and behaviour at all times