COCODA Tanzania is a non-governmental organization established in 2000. COCODA’s establishment as its name suggests, resulted from intensifying concern among community members in Tanzania over the surging number of orphans, mainly resulting from the increased number of people infected by HIV and dying from AIDS, the majority being adults leaving behind young children without parents. This trend had a negative impact on social and economic development. Hence COCODA Tanzania envisioned offering an effective response to the situation by providing education to the local communities on HIV/ AIDS, supporting orphans and most vulnerable children, providing vocational skills to youth, and establishing small-scale incomegenerating groups for a community sustainable economy.

Meeting Targets and Maintaining Epidemic Control (EpiC) is a global project funded by the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) which is dedicated to achieving and maintaining HIV epidemic control.  FHI360 is the prime recipient of this funding in Tanzania.

COCODA is subcontracted by FHI360 to implement the EpiC project in Njombe and Mtwara regions. In the Njombe region, the project is implemented by COCODA in 6 councils (Njombe TC, Njombe DC, Makambako TC, Wanging’ombe DC, Ludewa DC, and Makete DC), and the Mtwara region the project will be implemented in all 9 councils (Mtwara MC, Mtwara DC, Masasi TC, Masasi DC, Nanyumbu DC, Nanyamba TC, Tandahimba DC, Newala DC, and Newala TC) to address critical gaps and bottlenecks in the response to HIV among key and vulnerable populations (KVP) and adolescent girls and young women (AGYW). The EpiC project works closely with the Government of Tanzania (GoT) at national and sub-national levels to deliver HIV and other services tailored to the needs of these groups.

COCODA Tanzania invites competent and motivated applicants to apply for the following positions.

Community Engagement Officer (CEO): 1 Position

Location: Njombe Region 

Reports to: Deputy Project Manager 

Position Description

The Community Engagement Officer will work with the EpiC Regional Technical team to implement an HIV prevention program targeting the population at risk in the region. Working with Vulnerable populations including Adolescent Girls Young women, and other at-risk Populations. s/he will monitor the implementation of the SBC, and structural interventions in compliance with the overall regional work plan. S/he will play a key role in ensuring that the SBC, structural activities are conducted according to the National standards and EpiC standard operating procedures, and that beneficiaries receive quality services; s/he will also play a crucial role in supervising and building the capacity of Peer educators, Peer mobilizers and Peer Navigators of key and vulnerable population during outreach activities (mobile testing and moonlight approaches) for HTS provision. s/he will be managing the implementation of Social Network Strategy (SNS) including Enhanced peer Outreach Approaches (EPOA) and Risk network referrals (RnR), S/he will be facilitating peer outreach and Peer navigators through conducting progress reviewing weekly/ monthly basis with PE, PN and PM. She/he will be working with Linkage and the case management team with health facilities and the community for a continuum of care. The Community Engagement Officer will oversee the implementation of online outreach strategies to expand program reach. He/she will support Adolescent and youth Economic strengthening by supporting the establishment of incomegenerating activities.

Job Details,

• Oversee and manage a team of peer educators, mobilizers, and navigators to deliver comprehensive HIV services including HTS, PrEP, HIVST, TB, GBV, and family planning.
• Ensure effective implementation of community-based activities, including mobile testing, self-testing, index testing, and other outreach services.
• Facilitate community access to condoms and PrEP services among key and vulnerable populations.
• Conduct SBC training for adolescent girls and young women, as well as other at-risk population
• Supporting Peer (educators, mobilizers, navigators) during Community works including demand creation, group education, individual education, outreach services for bot moonlight and mobile testing, and client referrals and linkages
nafasi za kazi
• Supervising and monitoring community activities including SBC activities to ensure Peers (educators, mobilizers, navigators) have all required tools, etc.
• Coordinate and support the Peers (educators, mobilizers, navigators) to implement and monitor the timely implementation of comprehensive HIV services and provision of friendly services to all KVP clients
• Manage peer educators and peer navigators to ensure proper planning and implementation of community engagement-related activities for demand creation, group, and individual education sessions
• Support PEs to ensure that the vulnerability index tool is administered and filed for all AGYW enrolled in the project.
• Facilitate the formation of economic strengthening groups among adolescents and youth
• Support the establishment of a case management team in conjunction with the health facility
• Work with project and district officials to facilitate community engagement training to, peer educators and navigators and other relevant training required
• Support integration of HTS with other biomedical and behavioral interventions to key population

B: Networking

• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders such as implementing partners and LGAs
• Identify and link the target population to relevant support services including Economic Strengthening and other care referral
• Collaborate with other implementing partners to optimize service delivery.
• activities function smoothly and efficiently and in an integrated manner

C: Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting

• Prepare monthly and weekly route plans for the project to reach the targeted population. Prepare document experiences, briefs, and success stories
• Monitor Peers (educators, mobilizers, navigators)and Providers implement plans and progress of community engagement portfolio as per project targets
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports to the Program Manager.
• Conducting weekly performances for Peer (educators, mobilizers, navigators) to assess performance and share areas of improvement
• Working closely with the Data Manager to evaluate data and program progress.
• Conducting monthly meetings with Providers and peers (educators, mobilizers, navigators) to share progress in a specific month and plan for the next month

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’ degree in public health, social work, Community Development, Sociology, or other related degree required, 3 to 5 years of relevant experience working with KVP at the community level.
• Knowledge of health and development programs in Tanzania including familiarity with the national KVP, youth and gender guidelines, standards, and protocols.
• Experience in programs serving KVP and addressing gender norms, demonstrated cultural sensitivity and sound understanding of the needs of KVP and other vulnerable groups.
• Experience in working with LGA, NGOs, CBOs, and health facilities to implement public health projects, especially those working with vulnerable populations.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Experience in conducting trainings and workshops.
• Experience in working with youth and adolescents.
• High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication.
• Well-developed computer skills.

How to Apply:

Candidates are required to mention the ‘Position Title’ in the subject line of the e-mail. All applicants MUST attach a cover letter and their updated Curriculum Vitae with certified copies of academic certificates as supporting documents to their applications. All applications should be submitted no later than 4:00 Pm on 25^th August 2024 by email, to: hr@cocoda.or.tz. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Warning: Please avoid deception agents, COCODA charges no cost for any job position advertised. COCODA enhances equal opportunity for all qualified candidates.