TB HIV Care is Hiring Educators – Grade 10!
Position Summary
Company: TB HIV Care (THC)
Industry: Non-Profit / Healthcare
Job Category: Counselling & Testing / Peer Education
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
Listing Reference: TBH250414-3
Listing Status: Active
Contract Type: Fixed-Term
Remuneration: Market-related
EE position: Yes
Closing Date: 2025/04/19
Introduction
TB HIV Care (THC) is a proudly South African, internationally recognised non-profit organisation with a longstanding history of providing quality healthcare services since 1929. Specialising in integrated prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of TB and HIV, the organisation reaches underserved communities across the country. With a focus on high-risk populations—including people who inject drugs (PWID), adolescent girls, young women, sex workers, and key vulnerable groups—TB HIV Care brings innovation, empathy, and excellence to the public health space. A career with THC offers not just a job, but the chance to be a part of a larger mission that connects people with essential care and supports social transformation through health equity.
Job Description:
The Peer Educator position in Cape Town is designed for individuals with lived experience in the PWID (People Who Inject Drugs) community. The successful candidate will play a vital role in delivering harm reduction strategies and health education, helping connect members of the PWID/PWUD (People Who Use Drugs) community with vital healthcare services. By leveraging their personal background and community trust, peer educators contribute significantly to improving the health outcomes of hard-to-reach populations.
This role requires a strong understanding of harm reduction, the ability to communicate effectively, and a compassionate approach. The Peer Educator will work closely with healthcare teams to provide information, distribute health materials, promote testing and treatment uptake, and advocate for human rights and dignity within vulnerable populations.
Ideal Candidate:
The ideal candidate for this Peer Educator role should be someone who:
- Has at least a Grade 10 education level
- Is either a current or former person who uses or injects drugs
- Has a minimum of 1 year of hands-on experience working in the PWID community or previous peer education experience
- Is fluent in English and ideally other local languages
- Has a clear criminal record
- Is passionate about making a difference in the lives of marginalised communities
- Demonstrates resilience, empathy, and a non-judgmental approach to outreach and counselling
Role Responsibility:
As a Peer Educator, your primary responsibilities will include:
- Distributing harm reduction packs and safer sex commodities to members of the PWID/PWUD community
- Providing accurate health education on critical topics, including:
- Safe injecting practices
- HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis
- Tuberculosis (TB)
- Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH)
- Human rights education
- Referring individuals living with HIV or TB to appropriate treatment services such as mobile clinics or drop-in centres
- Encouraging HIV-negative individuals to undergo regular testing and promoting the uptake of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) as a preventative measure
- Promoting mental and emotional wellbeing by offering psychological support and connecting clients with social service providers
- Recruiting individuals for Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) and completing eligibility assessments
- Identifying female drug users and distributing dignity packs to support personal hygiene and health
Skills & Attributes:
To thrive in this role, you will need a mix of interpersonal and technical skills, combined with deep community insight. Essential skills and attributes include:
- Good communication skills – Clear and empathetic communication is vital when engaging with vulnerable individuals
- Non-judgmental and trustworthy – As a peer, your authenticity and integrity will influence your ability to connect and support others
- Empathetic personality – Compassion drives meaningful engagement and lasting change
- Team player – Collaborating with healthcare professionals and fellow peer educators will ensure cohesive service delivery
- Strong interpersonal skills – Building trust and rapport within the community is key to the success of this role
- Organisational and planning skills – Ensuring distribution schedules, reports, and outreach efforts are efficiently managed
- Report-writing skills – Accurately documenting outreach efforts, referrals, and community needs
This role is deeply rooted in trust, lived experience, and a shared journey of recovery and care. TB HIV Care understands the value of community-based peer models and is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and empowering space for peer educators to flourish.
Joining TB HIV Care as a Peer Educator provides more than just employment. It presents an opportunity to become a community advocate, a health champion, and a beacon of hope for individuals who often feel excluded from the traditional health system. If you have walked the path and are ready to help others find their way, this role is your chance to make a real impact.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date of 19 April 2025. Applications must include a comprehensive CV, certified copies of qualifications, and a copy of your ID. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications can be submitted via the TB HIV Care careers portal. Ensure your reference number (TBH250414-3) is included in your application.
