Home Vacancies, February 2025 Mentor for High-Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) / Jinka (2...

Mentor for High-Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) / Jinka (2 Positions)

Location: Jinka

Organization: Mekdim Ethiopia National Association (MENA)

Deadline: Jan 4, 2025

Job Description

URGENT INTERNAL/EXTERNALVACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

Mekdim Ethiopia National Association (MENA) is an indigenous national non-governmental, non-political and not for profit humanitarian organization working in the area of HIV/AIDS prevention, care, treatment and support services for the past 30 years throughout the country.

Accordingly, MENA is now in process of recruiting employees for its Global-Fund/GC7-HIV Prevention Project sub-granted from CCRDA aimed at “Expanding Access to Comprehensive HIV Prevention and Care Services for Key and Priority Populations in Selected High-Incidence Woredas/Towns”  of South Ethiopia and Oromia Regional State Government; thus, the organization invites interested and competent candidates on the following vacant posts:

Job Description for AGYW Mentors (Specific to HIV Prevention in Higher Learning Institutions)

  1. Job Summary
  • Position Title: Mentor for High-Risk Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW)
  • Reports To: Project Coordinator
  • Required No: 2
  • Work Location: Jinka
  • Gender: Female
  • Age: 18-29
  • Employment Type: Full-Time/Part-Time
  • Salary: Negotiable
  1. Job Purpose

The AGYW Mentor will provide mentorship, guidance, and education to adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in higher learning institutions to promote HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and overall well-being. The mentor will serve as a trusted resource, fostering a safe and supportive environment for AGYW while linking them to essential services.

  1. Key Responsibilities

Outreach and Mentorship

  • Conduct regular outreach to engage high-risk AGYW in higher learning institutions.
  • Build trusting relationships with AGYW to provide mentorship and support tailored to their needs.
  • Identify and support high-risk AGYW to access HIV prevention, counseling, and other health services.

Education and Awareness

  • Provide health education on topics such as HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and gender-based violence (GBV).
  • Facilitate small group discussions, workshops, and one-on-one mentoring sessions on risk reduction strategies.
  • Distribute educational materials, condoms, and other prevention tools during outreach and mentoring sessions.

Service Linkage and Referral

  • Support AGYW in accessing services at health facilities, or other relevant institutions.
  • Facilitate referrals for HIV testing, treatment, counseling, and other medical or social support services.
  • Collaborate with service providers and higher learning institution authorities to address barriers to service access.

Promotion of Digital Tools

  • Promote the use of an Android-based HIV risk screening app among AGYW in higher learning institutions.
  • Guide AGYW on how to use the app to assess and understand their HIV risk and access appropriate services.
  • Collaborate with project staff to monitor app adoption and provide feedback for improvements.

Community Engagement and Mobilization

  • Work closely with the HIV/AIDS Unit in target higher learning institutions to ensure that HIV prevention activities align with institutional policies and programs.
  • Collaborate with student leaders, particularly those involved in HIV/AIDS clubs and organizations, to organize awareness campaigns, events, or activities for AGYW.
  • Advocate for AGYW-specific needs and HIV prevention strategies in institutional settings.
  • Promote peer support networks among AGYW to foster a sense of community and resilience.

Monitoring and Reporting

  • Maintain accurate records of outreach activities, mentoring sessions, and referrals made.
  • Collect feedback from AGYW to assess the impact of mentoring and improve services.
  • Prepare and submit regular reports to the Project Coordinator.
  1. Qualifications

Education

  • Recent graduate from a target higher learning institution, with an educational background in fields such as Public Health, Psychology, Social Work, Nursing, Gender Studies, or related disciplines.

Experience

  • Lived experience or familiarity with challenges faced by AGYW in higher learning institutions is essential.
  • Experience in mentorship, peer education, or outreach is an advantage.

Skills and Competencies

  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to connect with diverse individuals.
  • Knowledge of HIV prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and GBV prevention strategies.
  • Familiarity with using mobile apps and promoting digital tools.
  • Ability to maintain professionalism, confidentiality, and ethical service delivery.
  • Proficiency in [local language] and English is an advantage.
  • Use of social media for engagement with mentees is an advantage.
  1. Key Attributes
  • Empathy, understanding, and respect for the experiences of AGYW.
  • Commitment to empowering AGYW and fostering positive behavior change.
  • Flexibility to adapt to dynamic working environments and institutional settings.
  • A non-judgmental and proactive approach to supporting marginalized populations.
  1. Working Conditions
  • Based at the DIC or higher learning institution, with frequent outreach to AGYW.
  • May involve work during evenings, weekends, or holidays to meet AGYW needs.
  1. Mentor Selection Process

Collaboration with Higher Learning Institution

  • The selection of mentors will be conducted in close collaboration with the target higher learning institutions to ensure that individuals are well-integrated into the academic and social environment.
  • This collaboration will involve the HIV/AIDS Unit, relevant academic departments, and student organizations (including HIV/AIDS clubs and other peer-led initiatives).

Criteria for Selection

  • Mentors must be recent graduates from the target higher learning institutions, ensuring they are familiar with the institution’s environment, challenges, and the needs of their peers.
  • Preference will be given to candidates who have experience in mentorship or peer education, especially in areas related to sexual and reproductive health, HIV prevention, or community mobilization.
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills are a key requirement, as the role involves engaging with vulnerable populations and advocating for HIV prevention within a university setting.
  • Mentors should demonstrate empathy, respect, and commitment to confidentiality and ethical service delivery.
  • A thorough understanding of the challenges faced by AGYW in higher learning institutions is essential, particularly around issues like HIV stigma, sexual health, and gender-based violence.
  • AGYW Living with HIV are encouraged to apply.

Selection Process

  • Application Review: Institutions will promote the mentor role through university channels, and candidates will submit applications to the HIV/AIDS Unit or CSO staff.
  • Interviews and Assessments: Shortlisted candidates will undergo interviews and possibly practical assessments to evaluate their suitability for the role. Interviews will assess their communication skills, ability to relate to AGYW, and knowledge of HIV prevention and other relevant topics.
  • Final Selection: The final mentor selection will be made based on the interviews and evaluations, with input from the HIV/AIDS Unit, academic staff, and student leaders. The process will ensure a fair and transparent approach to identifying the most suitable mentors.
  1. Application Process

How to Apply

Interested candidates should submit their CV , cover letter, and relevant certifications to the following address within 7 days from the date of this vacancy announcement.

Jinka Town Health Office/Jinka University to Dr. Tariku Tadesse (09-38-82-60-14), or Mr. Abdissa Zeleke (09-11-72-66-30/09-16-66-56-53) or attach to: [abdissazeleke2016@gmail.com]before the application deadline.

Or potential applicant can use the following link for the application.

https://mekdimethiopia.org/vacancy

MENA highly encourage applications from women and people living with HIV.

Application deadline: January 4, 2025 at 5:00 PM

NB. MENA have the right to cancel the vacancy announcement and also only short-listed applicants will be communicated.