The South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) is at the forefront of combating HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis (TB), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in South Africa. As part of its mission, SANAC is building a dynamic team of dedicated individuals to facilitate its effective leadership in addressing these pressing health challenges.
The organization is currently seeking seven (7) Volunteer Peer Educators: Adolescent and Young People (AYP) to lead community-based HIV prevention programs in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
This nine-month initiative runs from January to September 2025, and SANAC is calling on young, passionate individuals between the ages of 18 and 24 to join the fight for an AIDS-free generation by 2030.
Position Overview
Location and Availability
The seven Peer Educator: AYP roles are distributed as follows:
KwaZulu-Natal:
- 2 positions in Zululand
- 1 position in uMgungundlovu
- 2 positions in uThukela
Gauteng:
- 1 position in City of Johannesburg (COJ)
- 1 position in Sedibeng
Stipend and Duration
Peer Educators will volunteer for a nine-month term and receive a monthly stipend of R5,000.
Purpose of the Peer Educator: AYP Role
The Peer Educator: AYP program aims to enhance youth participation in South Africa’s HIV prevention efforts. By addressing issues faced by adolescents and young people, the program ensures the implementation of evidence-based interventions. Peer Educators will serve as local champions for HIV prevention, representing their communities and advocating for accessible, youth-friendly services.
This is an opportunity to become a leader in the fight against HIV, mobilize young people, and actively participate in SANAC’s mission of achieving an AIDS-free generation by 2030.
Key Objectives
- Awareness Creation: Mobilize peers and activate youth to engage in conversations around HIV prevention and issues that impact them directly.
- Youth-Centric Communication: Develop and implement strategies tailored to resonate with the youth.
- Program Effectiveness: Ensure existing AYP-targeted programs reach the intended audience effectively and deliver impactful results.
- Collaboration and Coordination: Contribute to the design and improvement of programs that directly address the needs of adolescents and young people.
- Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate peer-to-peer networks and create platforms for sharing lessons learned across districts.
Roles and Responsibilities
As a Peer Educator: AYP, your responsibilities include:
- Acting as a youth representative in HIV prevention discussions, workshops, and advisory committees within the district.
- Raising awareness and mobilizing young people to participate in prevention programs.
- Advocating for accessible, youth-friendly health services.
- Collaborating with local stakeholders to strengthen the implementation of HIV prevention programs for adolescents and young people.
- Speaking publicly about youth HIV prevention matters when required.
- Documenting lessons learned and creating knowledge-sharing hubs to benefit communities.
- Supporting organizations in developing youth-friendly policies and procedures.
- Preparing detailed monthly and quarterly reports and sharing them with the District AIDS Coordinator.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Peer Educator: AYP role, candidates must:
- Be female and between the ages of 18 and 24.
- Hold a Matric certificate (tertiary education is an added advantage).
- Be in good academic standing and committed to maintaining this standard.
- Have prior experience participating in AYP-targeted programs.
- Demonstrate strong communication, report writing, and negotiation skills.
- Exhibit a passion for empowering peers and addressing youth-related issues.
- Be willing to fulfill all outlined roles and responsibilities.
Reporting Structure
Peer Educators will report to the respective District AIDS Council coordination structures for daily operations and receive technical support from the Provincial AYP Technical Officer.
Application Process
To apply for the Peer Educator: AYP position, candidates must email the following documents:
- CV
- Copy of Matric and any other highest qualifications
- ID copy
- A letter of motivation detailing previous participation in community programs.
Email your application to: hr@sanac.org.za
Subject line: Clearly indicate the position and preferred area.
Application deadline: 27 January 2025 at 16:30.
Applications submitted late, via fax, or without the required documents will not be considered. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and if you have not received feedback within two months of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.
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This role offers a unique opportunity to impact South Africa’s fight against HIV while gaining valuable leadership and advocacy experience. As a Peer Educator, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping an AIDS-free future by 2030, while also growing as a community leader and change-maker.