Job Title: HIV Outreach Worker

Organisation:Hwupenyu Health & Wellbeing Project SCIO

Reporting to: Health & Wellbeing Coordinator

Salary: £15,000

Hours of Work: 21 hours per week (evenings and weekends may be required)

Status: 3 years Fixed Term: this post is funded by the Big Lottery Fund

Location: Covering the Greater Glasgow Area

Purpose of the Position

Hwupenyu Health & Wellbeing Project has developedcomprehensive and cohesive provision for the delivery of HIV prevention and support services for Black Minority Ethnic communities living in Greater Glasgow. The project delivers services and activities will that place an emphasis on access, prevention, treatment, and therapeutic services in a culturally sensitive way.

We currently have a vacant position for an HIV Outreach Worker; the successful candidate will be responsible for reaching out to BME communities where the congregate, in churches, events and other community gatherings, so as to inform them about the services and activities Hwupenyu provides. The Outreach Worker will alsobe asked to form professional relationships with Faith Leaders in order to access their congregation;key to this will be ability of the Outreach Worker to work with the Faith leaders in order to bring about a better understanding of living with HIV and other health conditions, and most importantly detail the support available from Hwupenyu. The HIV Outreach Worker will also be able to establish good working relationships with clinics within Glasgow and surrounding areas.

The post will be subject to a genuine occupational requirement and is open to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, from Black African or Afro Caribbean communities (*Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, disability and race).

Key Responsibilities & Duties include:

  • Develop, implement and oversee outreach strategies that achieve the intake and follow-up goals of the program
  • Maintain a small caseload of clients who are not engaging with statutory health services
  • Periodically evaluate and monitor outreach strategy to gauge effectiveness and to identify any gaps in service.
  • Record all work carried out and maintain Hwupenyu’s database
  • Refer individuals to appropriate Hwupenyu services and where appropriate outside services/agencies such as; medical, housing, financial, legal, education, training, employment, life skills and other services.
  • Liaise with a wide variety of Health Professionals, agencies and members of staff both internal and external to the group.
  • Be in a position to train peer volunteers and supporting them on one-to one basis to work through their action plan including follow up, carrying out action plan reviews and measuring outcomes to ascertain if clients are reaching their goals.

Person Specification

Job title: HIV Outreach Worker

Due to the projects aims and objectives only BME individuals living with HIV are eligible to apply. Experience of working with communities who are most ‘at risk’ of poor sexual health is essential, as is a good understanding of HIV, STI’s and Sexual Health. The ideal candidate will have highly developed interpersonal skills, excellent communication skills and a proactive attitude. A PVG or Disclosure certificate will be required for this role.

The post will be subject to a genuine occupational requirement and is open to individuals living with HIV/AIDS, from Black African or Afro Caribbean communities (*Exempt under the Equality Act 2010 Schedule 9, disability and race).

Criteria / Essential / Desirable
Qualifications /
  • ESOL
  • Relevant experience
/
  • Relevant Health Care Qualifications

Attainments/competencies
(list as required) /
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Listening Skills
  • Proactive attitude
  • PVG or Disclosure Certificate.
  • Problem solving
  • Good time management
  • Decision making
  • Confidentiality
  • Team work

Previous experience required. /
  • Experience of working on own initiative and as part of wider team
  • Sound knowledge of HIV and sexual health related issues including testing, treatment and long term condition management
  • Experience of planning and developing services which are evidence based
  • Previous experience of Microsoft office products.
/
  • Experience of working with a community development project.
  • Experience of providing one-to-one support service

Special aptitudes
(e.g. oral or written skills, manual dexterity, etc.) /
  • Ability to respect confidentiality of individuals & communities
  • Knowledge of, and sensitivity to the needs of gay & bisexual men of African origins, in relation to HIV & health promotion
  • Excellent networking skills
  • Accuracy
  • Confidence
  • Willingness to learn
  • Reliable
  • Helpful
  • Must be able to speak an African language besides English

Physical abilities, circumstances, but only if a justifiable requirement for the job /
  • BME individuals living with HIV for at least 2 years.
  • Willing to speak about their HIV status openly

To apply for the position of HIV Outreach Worker, please complete an application form.