SENIOR HEALTH PROMOTION OFFICER
WITH RESPONSIBILITY FOR OUTREACH AND RAPID HIV TESTING
FULL TIME, FIXED-TERM CONTRACT
Originally founded in *, as Cork AIDS Alliance,
to provide support to people living with HIV, the Sexual Health Centre
is now a leading organisation supporting and promoting sexual health
in Ireland.
The Sexual Health Centre is now seeking an exceptional positive
individual to join our Sexual Health Promotion team as a Senior Health
Promotion Officer with responsibility for Outreach and Rapid HIV
testing. This role will respond to the sexual health needs of gay,
bisexual and Men who have Sex with Men (gbMSM). The programme will aim
to support people accessing prevention, testing, early diagnosis and
treatment opportunities. We recognise that furnishing individuals with
the skills to effectively respond to their sexual health is crucial to
their overall wellbeing. The purpose of this position is to establish
and develop a role that responds and supports equitable and innovative
access to sexual health services for the target population.
The Sexual Health Centre has an ambitious programme for a future where
sexual health is recognised as an integral part of life, barriers to
access sexual health services are removed, social stigma and
discrimination are challenged, each individual feels safe to express
their sexuality, and people make informed decisions regarding their
sexual wellbeing and treat each other’s life choices with the utmost
respect. Our services provide free and confidential information,
counselling and support to help people make positive, healthy
lifestyle choices to improve their wellbeing. In this role, you will
have the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the overall
strategy of the Sexual Health Centre.
If you are a strategic and driven professional with strong planning,
community development and outreach experience, this could be the ideal
role for you. This project focuses on delivering additional outreach
to the gbMSM population who engage in public sex environments
(cruising sites) or online geo-location dating apps as well as
delivering Rapid HIV testing programme.
This is a full time, fixed-term contract until February **Apply on the
website**. This will be extended subject to funding.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF YOUR ROLE WILL INCLUDE:
* Create an empowering, non-judgemental, positive and welcoming
atmosphere, emphasising self-determination and assisting people to
make plans and decisions in relation to their sexual health
* Devise, co-ordinate and implement a strategy for engagement in the
programme gay, bisexual or Men who have sex with Men with a particular
focus on public sex environments (cruising sites) and geo-location
dating apps
* Proactively source opportunities to communicate and advertise the
project to drive overall stakeholder and client engagement
* Co-ordinate, including volunteers, testing facilities in the
Sexual Health Centre including but not limited to Rapid HIV testing,
Hep C testing and STI testing services
* Incorporate an evidence based approach to health promotion and
testing within public sex environments
* Continuously seeking suitable locations or areas for this outreach
work while also identifying and collaborating with new partnerships
across all sectors of society
* Disseminating information and respond to queries on TasP, PrEP and
PEP, as well as providing professional lead Rapid HIV testing in the
community to ensure a confidential testing experience for MSM who may
not identify as gay or bisexual or individuals who do not regularly
attend ‘traditional’ testing services
* Provide sexual health advice, brief interventions, support
sessions and campaigns that encourage subsequent behavioural change to
MSM
* Create and facilitate opportunities to dispense and stock condoms
for distribution
* Incorporate the use of dating and geo-social apps in the delivery
of the project
* Ensure relevant documentation, such as permits, are in place for
service delivery
* Undertake comprehensive risk assessments and ensure relevant
policies, procedures, protocols and guidelines are devised under the
guidance of the management team
* Ensure a healthy and safe working environment for clients and
other staff
* Implement a strategy of quality improvement to monitor the
project, ensuring client engagement and involvement is central to
service delivery encouraging feedback loops to enhance client
participation
* Create an awareness of the Sexual Health Centre and its services
to relevant stakeholders, clients and service users
* Co-ordinate and deliver events and campaigns in relation to the
area of work
* Support the delivery of one-to-one interventions, drop-in
services, condom demonstrations, condom distribution and helpline
calls within the organisation
* Establish and maintain an excellent rapport with partners and
stakeholders
* Provide day-to-day office and administrative duties as required
* Monitor and evaluate work as required, keeping secure written and
statistical records of work undertaken and providing reports as
required
* Represent the Sexual Health Centre at events, conferences,
meetings etc.
* Achieve volume, activity and income targets as agreed with the
Centre Manager and in line with funder requirements
* Support the co-ordination of the Health Promotion Team
* Ensure that Community Employment staff are supported in their
integration in the workplace and assist in their training and
development under the guidance of the Centre Manager
* Adhere to the goals and targets of the Strategic Plan for The
Sexual Health Centre
* Deliver a service which is accessible and inclusive to all in line
with Sexual Health Centre Policies, Protocols, Procedures and
Guidelines
* Perform other duties commensurate with the nature of the post.
It is important that all members of staff be prepared to take on
additional duties or relinquish existing duties in order to maintain
efficient running of the organisation. All roles will develop and the
Sexual Health Centre may change the role scope in consultation with
the post holder
EDUCATION / PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
* A relevant qualification in health promotion, health care, social
care, community development or other relevant area
* Excellent communication and project development skills, with the
ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders
* Excellent IT skills, proficiency in Microsoft Office
* Suitable experience in developing, evaluating and managing
projects
REQUIREMENTS
* Relevant experience in the area of health promotion
* Experience in the areas of sexual health and/or Rapid Testing is
desirable
* An understanding of the health and social issues that affect the
LGBTI+ community
* An ability to work with people from a wide range of backgrounds in
a variety of settings
* The ability to work as part of a team and in partnership with
other organisations and individuals
* Flexible working style and the ability to respond effectively to
emerging/unexpected needs
* Innovative thinking and project planning is essential
* A full clean driving licence is essential
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
SALARY: Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the
candidate.
CONTRACT: Part-time, fixed term contract until February **Apply on the
website**
HOURS: Full-time contract, 5 days per week, Monday to Thursday 9am to
5: *pm and Friday 9am to 2pm. Due to the nature
of the post, evening or weekend work will be required.
HOLIDAYS: * Days annual leave pro rata
GARDA VETTING: please note that any offer of employment will be
subject to Garda Vetting.
The Senior Health Promotion Officer will report to the Centre Manager.
CV and accompanying cover letter can be directed to Catherine Kennedy,
Centre Manager: * Applications will not be
accepted after 1PM FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER **APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**TH,
**APPLY ON THE WEBSITE**
_Sexual Health Centre is an equal opportunities employer._
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
Payment:
Category: Health
