HIV / STD prevention worker at the HIV-SAM project / Institute of Tropical Medicine

Introduction

More than 480 staff members at the Institute of Tropical Medicine (ITM) contribute every day to improving the health of millions of people worldwide. Our researchers conduct more than 200 scientific projects in the fields of tropical medicine and international health. Our teaching staff welcomes more than 500 professionals from around the world each academic year to attend our highly regarded medical courses. Tens of thousands of travel and STD consultations take place in our clinic each year, and our internationally recognized reference laboratories examine many hundreds of thousands of samples. There is only one way we can accomplish these very diverse tasks: thanks to a great passion for our mission.

Within the HIV and Sexual Health Division of the Department of Public Health , the HIV-SAM project has been providing sexual health promotion and HIV prevention among sub-Saharan African communities in Flanders and Brussels since 1996.

We develop and test interventions including: raising awareness on HIV and sexual health, providing culturally tailored information and education, providing free prevention tools (male and female condoms), promoting early HIV testing, reducing HIV-related stigma and discrimination, …

Are you interested? We look forward to receiving your application.

Your role will be to perform following tasks under supervision :

·       Contribute to the coordination of outreach activities:

o   STD/HIV prevention activities in collaboration with African organisations, volunteers and people living with HIV. Distribution of prevention materials (male and female condoms, information brochures, flyers, & posters)

o   Prepare, implement, and follow up on HIV testing activities

o   Updating information on website and intranet

·       Promote sexual health , HIV prevention and testing in African communities through social media

·       Contribute to expanding and sustaining the HIV prevention networks including:

o   Further develop and follow-up contacts with African communities

o   Locate and mobilise new African communities and organisations for promotion of sexual health, HIV prevention and testing.

o   Strengthen collaboration with community organisations active in the field of prevention and HIV

·       Train and coach  the HIV prevention network and (peer support group of) people living with HIV.

o   actively recruit volunteers  to enhance the prevention networks (leaders of African community organisations, individual volunteers)

o   provide training to these networks

·       Properly refer volunteers and prevention network to necessary agencies or colleagues

·       Collaboration and coordination

o   Provide feedback to colleagues through weekly meeting

o   Participating in meetings and working groups

o   Contributing to the project’s reporting on prevention activities

Your profile

·       You have a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent through experience

·       You have good contacts with African communities and other communities with migration background in Flanders and Brussels

·       You speak and write fluently in French and you have a good knowledge of English or Dutch (knowledge of other languages such as Arabic, Somali are a plus)

·       You have good computer skills

·       You have good skills to work social media and other online channels

·       You can work discreetly and handle confidential information

·       You have a good knowledge of HIV issues and are open-minded towards people living with HIV, having experience in HIV prevention and in promoting the rights of people living with HIV is a plus

·       You are able to work well in a team, but can also work independently

·       You like to take initiative

The Institute of Tropical Medicine is an open and international campus where staff, students and researchers work on new international health challenges. We value human dignity and diversity, academic creativity and a critical spirit, solidarity and cooperation, and the well-being of employees, students, patients and clients. Together we ensure a pleasant working atmosphere with attention to work-life balance and opportunities for training.

We offer you:

·       A part-time position (50% or 80%) for a fixed term of 7 months. Starting date: 1st of June 2023

·       A collegial working environment with attention to work-life balance and individual growth and development.

·       A salary taking account of your work experience including benefits such as meal vouchers and additional pension.

·       An exciting position in a multicultural and interdisciplinary team