Peer Educators – MSM & TG

The Institute of Health Programs and Systems (IHPS) is a South African non-profit company (NPC) born out of the PEPFAR CDC Track 1 transition of the ICAP, Columbia University, Multi-country AIDS Program (MCAP) in South Africa in 2010. The IHPS mission is “to strengthen health and development systems through program implementation and partnerships”, with a vision to achieve “optimal and sustainable health and development outcomes”. Currently, IHPS is a Global Fund (GF) Subrecipient (SR) under the Aurum Institute, tasked to implement the “Comprehensive HIV Prevention Programmes for Men who have Sex with Men (MSM) and Transgender People (TG) and their sexual partners across all five districts in Limpopo Province viz. Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg from 01 December 2025 to 31 March 2028. As such, IHPS seeks to recruit the positions outlined below, based, to be based in Capricorn, Mopani, Sekhukhune, Vhembe and Waterberg, in Limpopo Province.

Full Time
  • Contract Type: Fixed term contract
  • Start Date: February 2026
  • Remuneration: TBA
  • Level of Effort: 100%
  • Closing Date: 12 February 2026
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Overall Responsibility

The Peer Educator is responsible for delivering of community-based HIV prevention, treatment literacy, and psychosocial support services to men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender persons (TGP). The purpose of this role is to mobilize, educate, and support beneficiaries through culturally sensitive and evidence-based approaches that promote safer sexual behaviors, increase access to health services, and strengthen retention in care. The Peer Educator will serve as a trusted community liaison, conducting outreach, facilitating demand creation, providing health education, supporting HIV/TB/STI screening, and linking clients to clinical and social services. This position ensures that program activities are implemented effectively and contribute to improved health outcomes among key populations.

 

Key Performance Areas:

The incumbent shall be responsible for carrying out the day-to-day operations functions below:

  • Conduct targeted outreach and mobilisation of MSM & TGP in identified hotspots.
  • Promote uptake of HIV testing, PrEP, ART, STI/TB screening, and psychosocial services.
  • Facilitate brief peer education sessions focused on HIV prevention, sexual health, and human rights.
  • Provide stigma-free, confidential peer support to MSM & TGP.
  • Offer basic risk-reduction counselling, PrEP/ART adherence support, and accurate sexual-health information.
  • Refer and support MSM & TGP for HIV testing services.
  • Ensure effective linkage to PrEP, ART, STI/TB services, and gender-affirming care where available.
  • Conduct follow-ups to support initiation, retention in care, and viral load monitoring.
  • Conduct routine outreach in mapped hotspots and update mapping tools
  • Identify newly emerging MSM & TGP hotspots and trends in service demand.
  • Identify psychosocial needs, stigma, discrimination, or GBV cases among MSM & TGP individuals.
  • Provide basic emotional support and refer cases to mental-health, social, or legal services as per the program referral pathways.
  • Complete daily data tools (registers, linkage forms, PrEP/ART trackers) with correct disaggregation for MSM & TGP per GF indicators.
  • Submit weekly/monthly reports and ensure data quality, confidentiality, and compliance with POPIA and M&E standards.

Qualifications 

  • Grade 12 Certificate
  • Basic Counselling Certificate

Experience 

  • Experience working with key populations is an advantage.
  • Two or Three years’ experience in community outreach, peer education, or KP mobilization.
  • Prior involvement with MSM & TGP programming
  • Experience with hotspot mapping, referrals, and community-based HIV services.
  • Experience submitting daily/weekly KP data 
  • Previous work experience in NGOs or funded program will be an advantage. 

Competencies

  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Command of other official local languages (multilingual) would be an added advantage.
  • Sound problem solving and decision-making skills
  • Effective time management, organising and coordination skills.

Travel Requirements
Local travel is inherent to the position.

Employer’s Rights

This position description may not list all the duties of the job. If an offer is made, you will be presented with a detailed job description. Applicants will be evaluated based upon their demonstrated ability to perform the tasks listed above, their education and work experience. The employer reserves the right to revise this posting at any time.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should apply by e-mail only to HR@ihps-sa.org. Subject line should be the Position and District you are applying for, and a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should be attached. Submissions which do not follow the above instructions will not be considered.

Due to the extremely high volume of CVs expected, only those selected for interviews will be contacted.  NO PHONE CALLS about these positions will be accepted.

Closing Date: 12 February 2026