Youth Advocacy and Communications Officer – Sentebale 1069 views

Sentebale is a charity founded in 2006 by The Duke of Sussex and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Sentebale helps the most vulnerable and HIV infected children in Lesotho, Botswana and Malawi to receive the support they need to lead healthy and productive lives. We are currently providing psychosocial support to more than 950 children across Botswana with a deliberate bias towards remote and hard to reach areas

Our Mission: To become the leading organization in the provision of psychosocial support for children Irving with HIV in Southern Africa

Our Vision: To work in partnership to transform positively the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children

Background: In Mach 2017. Sentebale m Botswana launched the let Youth Lead (LYL) program aimed at identifying and supporting vibrant young people seeking to get involved in advocacy work in the HIV space The LYL program is not restricted to youth living with HIV. however, a handful of young people who have publicly shared their HIV status have been identified and assisted to reach their goals of supporting others and influencing Government policy.

Scope of Work:

The position involves engaging youth to actively participate in debates and activities on HIV and how it affects and impacts young people’s lives with the view to advocate for better outcomes for them.

Another key element of the position is to direct Sentebale communications on youth HIV issues; this will be done through radio interviews and social media engagement

Candidate’s Profile:

The post holder will be a young adult (35 years or younger) who is passionate about HIV issues and able to gather and articulate the views and opinions of young people, ensuring their voices are heard.

Objectives of the Advocacy Programme

• Allow the young voices of those infected and affected by HIV and AIDS to be heard
• Change adult attitudes to youth affected by HIV and AIDS
• Improve access and uptake to health services and education taught in schools on SRH & HIV/AIDS
• Strengthen leaders commitment (traditional and national leadership) to help youth affected by HIV/AIDS in Botswana

Duties will include:

Advocacy:

• Providing advice and expertise to management on a range of advocacy issues for youth living with and affected by HIV
• Identifying & registering young people wishing to join Sentebale’s LYL program

• Providing leadership to the LYL advocates and organizing skills building sessions and activities for them
• Lobby Government, national & tribal leaders to support positive change for youth affected by HIV/AIDS
• Engage youth to campaign and drive positive change m the fight against HIV/AIDS

Communications:

• Arranges all media contacts, press briefings, and interviews;
• Supports the development and implementation of any communications campaign;
• Works with various partners – NACA. UN entities. NGOs, private sector, and affected communities
• Assists in drafting communications and advocacy material for Sentebale. including newsletters, reports, promotional materials, and talking points for senior managers;
• Builds information networks; plans and oversees maintenance of publicly accessible information materials on Sentebale. plans and develops outreach promotional activities;
• Acts as ‘Motivational Speaker’ for Sentebale at relevant forums such as clubs, camps and some youth events;
• Tracks and compiles media pieces on Sentebale Botswana and prepares reports for submission to head office on a monthly basis

Qualifications and Competencies

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences or a field relevant to the post
• A minimum of 3 years experience in HIV, Media or Advocacy work
• Experience in training
• Strong leadership skills
• Ability to multi task and work as part of a team
• Good communication and report writing skills
• A divers licence will be an added advantage

Sentebale offers a competitive remuneration package.

Closing date is 15th February 2019:

Applications should be addressed to

Finance & Admin Manager P/Bag 13,

Poso House Gaborone

Email [email protected] [email protected]

Fax 390 7478

Enquiries: Tel: 318 4777: Miss Lesego Ngwako

NOTE: Only short listed candidates will be contacted