Project Overview
HIV Ireland is looking to recruit a dedicated project coordinator in health / social care to deliver an 18-month pilot mobile HIV and STI testing service. The service will address the need to increase access to HIV and STI testing for persons from communities at increased vulnerability to acquiring HIV, including people who are gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men, transgender and non-binary, migrants and new communities, refugees and asylum seekers, people who inject drugs, people engaging in sex work, etc.
The service, which utilises a bespoke mobile testing vehicle, will provide testing and information services across the Leinster region. A partnership approach between HIV Ireland and AIDS Care Education and Training (ACET) has been adopted to deliver this project.
The Project Coordinator will be responsible for planning and delivering the mobile testing services to key populations in locations across Leinster. They will be involved in the recruitment, co-ordination, and supervision of peer volunteers for the service. The project co-ordinator will develop strong working relationships with local stakeholders, assist in the advertising and promotion of the service, and ensure accurate collection of monitoring and evaluation data.
The successful candidate will work closely with the Project Support Worker for migrant communities who will be based at ACET.
Main Responsibilities and Duties
Plan and deliver testing service, including identifying testing locations, carrying out testing, supervising volunteer testers, delivering information and other related outreach activities provision for target communities, e.g. gay bisexual and other men who have sex with men (gbMSM), migrant communities, etc.
Identify and secure urban and rural locations for mobile testing, including in partnership with local authorities, community and voluntary organisations and other stakeholders.
Develop and maintain strong relationships with sexual health service providers to ensure strong clinical pathways of care for those accessing testing services.
Coordinate recruitment and training of project volunteers in collaboration with HIV Ireland and ACET colleagues.
Co-develop, promote, and disseminate project materials and resources.
Oversee mobile unit supplies and ensure the mobile unit is service ready.
Participate in data collection, reporting and regular team meetings.
Carry out any of the duties which fall within the broad scope and purpose of HIV Ireland.
Experience, Skills, and Knowledge
Essential
A strong understanding of the health / social issues that impact minority communities in Ireland, with an emphasis on gbMSM and those with a migrant background.
Demonstrable knowledge and/or experience of HIV, STIs and sexual health.
Experience of staff and / or project management.
Self-motivated with excellent organisation and written/verbal communication skills.
Experience of cross-sectoral relationship-building and engagement.
An ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds in a variety of settings in a respectful and empowering way.
An ability to engage sensitively with people on particularly difficult issues, including in relation to physical and mental wellbeing.
Experience working as part of a team and in partnership with other organisations.
Desirable
Third level qualification (Level 8 or Level 9) in sexual health, public health, HIV, sexually transmitted infections, or related disciplines.
Experience of managing / coordinating rapid HIV testing / STI testing in community settings.
Experience of working with clients / populations who experience barriers to healthcare, including, in particular, HIV and STI services.
A full clean driving licence.
How to Apply
Applicants should send a CV together with a cover letter (2 pages max) outlining how they meet the above criteria.
A shortlist of candidates will be selected based on assessment of applications received and candidates invited for interview. Canvassing will disqualify applicants.
Applications should be submitted by email to jobs@hivireland.ie. Please include Mobile Testing in the subject line.
The closing date for applications is Wednesday 28 June 2023 at 1pm. Late applications will not be considered.
Interviews
Interviews will be held in the week of 3 – 7 July 2021. Candidates must be available for interview during this week.
Only shortlisted candidates will be called for interview.