Community Health Educator at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

The objective of the Position:

• The purpose of the Community Health Educator is to increase community awareness of SRH and psychosocial support of health issues amongst young people. Facilitate youth participation (and family participation where relevant), organize and deliver health promotion activities and participate in community events to engage identified target populations. He/she will understand the available medical and social services in the centre. He/she will direct and inform the youth/adolescent on the medical and social services MSF is offering in the Centre.
• The Community Health Educator will work proficiently in a fast-paced environment, and collaboratively with all Dandora Youth Clinic Centre staff, including an intake team, medical and social services and allied social service private practitioners and external providers.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Facilitate young people and their families to access Dandora Youth Clinic services by providing timely intake, school visits assessment and appropriate intervention, where required.
• Create the link for greater youth participation/involvement at the center.
• Organize and lead with the youth a monthly activity planning with the support of their colleagues depending on topics and activities within and outside the center. Define and propose activities targeting youth outside the centre.
• With the support of the manager/supervisor, find local actors to provide life skills sessions or other services addressing the needs of the youth.
• Actively participate in supervision, case reviews and team meetings.
• Contribute to and implement innovative best practice initiatives based on the needs of young people in relation to mental health issues and physiological development.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate community awareness, service promotion and mental health literacy programs according to the principles of MSF.
• Participate in SRH activities within the community e.g. schools, youth forums, and interagency networks, to promote Dandora youth centre services and health literacy.
• Model and demonstrate constructive working relationships and information exchange across the organization.
• Deliver information to the youth and, their guardians on Sexual and Reproductive Health and adolescence needs, STI and prevention and about MSF, and the services it provides.
• Engage the youth through platforms provided such as social media together with the youth advisory council.
• Oversee daily operations of social areas including maintaining equipment, displaying appropriate signage, and operating and supervising computer programs as necessary.
• Help at recreational facilities by enforcing rules, modelling positive behaviour, and serving as a friend and mentor for young people also actively participate with the youth in the social activities set up such as games and provision of life skills.
• Encourage youth to participate in activities and form healthy and providing oversight to ensure everyone is treated fairly.
• Provide education and communication to the youth during waiting hours and provide professional and social materials.
• Consolidate the link between the community, MSF services and Facility services in collaboration with the Health Promotion team.
• Under the guide of the Manager/Supervisor, assess the impact of activities (with questions, verifications, and behaviours observations), and report problems, successes and constraints to him/her.
• Data collection and recording.
• Other duties consistent with the position where required and/or requested by the Centre Manager.
• Replace the Social Worker when not available, in case of an emergency cases.
• Assist the Centre Manager to identify, establish, improve, and maintain administrative processes.
• Participate in relevant training and development activities as an effective team member.

Qualifications & Requirements:

• Education: - Degree/ Diploma in Community Health/Social Science
• Experience: - Demonstrable working experience in Community Health Education
• Previous experience in a Youth Friendly Service is an added advantage.
• Languages: - Essential local languages, Kiswahili and English.
• Competences: - Adherence to MSF principles, Results and detail-oriented, service, team player, committed and flexible
• Applicants MUST be Kenyan