Peer Navigator

Description:

AHRI is recruiting Peer Navigators who reside in catchment areas within Durban and Somkhele, KwaZulu Natal. Peer Navigators will be assigned to provide psychosocial support to children and adolescent participants living with HIV within clinics wherein they attend standard of care. More specifically, peer navigators will provide in-person and virtual (text message/audio/video) support, including psychosocial support, HIV education, appointment reminders, adherence support, sexual and reproductive health, and healthcare service navigation. Peer Navigators will facilitate individual sessions with participants and group support sessions to address and further explore specific issues identified during the comprehensive need’s assessment in across two districts, namely Durban and Somkhele.

Overview of Duties:

Brief overview of duties

• Provide guidance, psychosocial and emotional support to participants throughout the study.

• Perform a comprehensive needs assessment, develop and implement an individualised action plan of psychosocial support 

• Act as a hub for HIV education, appointment reminders, adherence support, sexual and reproductive health and healthcare service navigation

• Facilitate individual sessions and group support sessions  

• Attend weekly check-in meetings with the research team and monthly debriefings for all peer navigators with a multidisciplinary team 

• Advocacy and education to all research participants and to the community as a whole 

 

Requirements of the Job 

Minimum Requirements 

• Senior certificate (Grade 12)

• Must be between the ages of 18 to 26 years 

• Fluent in English and Zulu 

• Must be a current resident of the clinic catchment areas   

 

Minimum Experience 

• Good knowledge of the community and its resources for support 

• Understanding of the population being served and the relevant issues 

• Good communication and interpersonal skills 

• Basic computer skills for data entry and communication 

 

Advantageous 

• Experience in a supportive role, such as volunteering or working in community services, healthcare, or social work, is often preferred

• Experience with data collection or participating in research projects 

• Experience collecting data and/or delivering programmes of support 

• Experience in conducting interviews and/or focus groups 

 

 

Skills Required  

• Knowledge of available community resources and services 

• Good communication and interpersonal skills 

• Knowledge of HIV treatment and care. 

• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team, flexible and a good team player 

• Good problem-solving skills 

• Strong verbal and written communication abilities 

• Well organized and possession of the ability to plan effectively and efficiently

• Ability to show empathy and compassion towards participants 

• Understanding of participants' experiences and challenge 

• Ability to build rapport and establish trust with participants 

• Comfort working with diverse populations 

• Ability to work collaboratively with research teams, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders.  Willingness to share insights and feedback to improve the program of support 

 

  Knowledge 

• Previous research experience e.g. working in a research project. 

Worker Type:

Employee

The application closing date:

3 Feb 2026

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, kindly consider your application as unsuccessful if you do not hear from us within 14 days of the application closing date.