Project Assistant-Youth and Community Engagement job at Amref Health Africa

Company Description

Amref Health Africa, founded in 1957, is the largest African-based international health development organisation. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref implements programmes across 35 African countries, reaching more than 40 million people, with a strong operational presence in Africa and advocacy and fundraising offices in Europe and North America.

Guided by its vision of lasting health change in Africa, Amref’s mission is to catalyse community-led, people-Centred health systems and address the social determinants of health. Amref believes sustainable health transformation is driven from within communities and works to strengthen health systems while empowering communities to demand and access quality, affordable healthcare.

Program Summary

Amref health Africa in Uganda, with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Uganda) is implementing the Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment Programme (Scaling impact) in Uganda’s Underserved Regions (SAY Plus+) programme in Bukedi (Kibuku and Butebo), Busoga (Namayingo, Namutamba, Buyende and Mayuge) and support to the Jinja and Mbale Regional Referral Hospitals. The SAY+ project seeks to advance the rights to health of adolescents and young people (10-24years) in underserved regions of Uganda with particular emphasis on girls, refugees, out-of-school/youth not in education, employment and training (NEET), persons with disabilities, women with fistula and other minorities by promoting equitable access to education, health, protection and livelihood opportunities. The programme builds on lessons learned from predecessor initiatives such as WAY, ANSWER, the ongoing SAY and STOP programmes to expand access to comprehensive SRHR services and work toward the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV). To achieve this, the programme applies a three pronged, evidence-based approaches; Creating demand for SRHR/GBV/HIV/fistula services and information, building an enabling environment at the community and district levels that upholds SRHR, prevents GBV, and supports young people to exercise agency and Strengthening adolescent-responsive and survivor-centred SRHR, GBV, and HIV services delivery, including differentiated youth-responsive models at the facility, community, and school levels.

JOB PURPOSE

The Project Assistant -Youth and Community Engagement will lead the implementation, and coordination of youth and community engagement activities under Output 1 (Demand & Empowerment) of the SAY+ Programme. The position holder will ensure the dissemination of gender-transformative information, empower young people (including Persons with Disabilities and Key Populations/ vulnerable groups) and strengthen community-to-facility linkages for integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), HIV and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) services. The primary focus of this role is leading demand creation for obstetric fistula interventions, from community identification, midwifery-led demand creation, referrals and linkages for surgical repairs, psychosocial rehabilitation and economic reintegration in line with National policies across the two assigned target districts.

Primary Responsibilities and Key Duties.

1. Technical Strategy & Program Implementation

Execute strategies to address the reproductive health needs of young people and women of reproductive age and expand access to integrated SRHR, HIV, family planning, post-GBV care, and obstetric fistula prevention and management.

Lead community mapping and screening initiatives through VHTs and CHWs using digital tools (eCHIS) to identify fistula and birth injury survivors.

Coordinate mobilization, logistics, and referrals for surgical repair camps (targeting Jinja Regional Referral Hospital) and facilitate emergency obstetric care referrals.

Establish facility and community based psychosocial and mental health support structures for fistula survivors using the Ministry of Health (MOH) Minimum Social Integration Package.

Link survivors to economic empowerment, livelihood skills training, and government development initiatives (such as the Parish Development Model).

Support adoption of service delivery models (including flexible timing and integrated outreaches) to meet the unique needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Key Populations (KPs), and adolescents in hard-to-reach areas.

2. Community Mobilization & Gender-Transformative Engagement

Partner with youth, women and PWD-led CBOs to train youth and women leaders on interactive advocacy theater and conduct behavior-change workshops and community performances.

Roll out midwifery-led community initiatives and scale up male involvement using the Together We Decide Plus game strategy through male champions and midwife mentors.

Conduct orientation forums for traditional, cultural, religious, and local government leaders on fistula awareness, risk reduction, positive health-seeking behaviors, and referral pathways.

3. Community Health Systems Strengthening & Accountability

Support implementation of community-level CQI initiatives in collaboration with the HSS officer and the district teams.

Organize multi-sectoral review meetings, conduct monitoring visits and facilitate accountability forums using social accountability scorecards with district and community leaders.

Strengthen community-to-facility referral networks in line with Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) framework.

Facilitate orientation on Target Population SRHR (TPSR) and joint action planning at sub-county and parish levels.

4. Capacity Building & Capacity Strengthening

Organize training and mentorship of community health workers (CHEWs/VHTs) on maternal health basics, fistula mapping, and digital reporting (eCHIS).

Organize joint community, school and facility-level Values Clarification and Transformation (VCATs) orientations for teachers, Community Development Officers (CDOs), and healthcare staff.

5. Program Administration and Financial Management

Participate in annual work planning, budget drafting, and target setting for the assigned districts.

Manage field operational funds and resource allocations in strict compliance with organizational financial guidelines.

Document best practices, case studies and routine monitoring data for internal and donor reporting.

Perform any other assignments provided by the supervisor.

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Social Work and Social Administration, Public Health, Development Studies, or a closely related field.

Additional post-graduate qualification or diploma in Management of Reproductive Health Programs, Public Health, or Project Planning is considered a strong added advantage.

A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in managing and coordinating Adolescent/Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) interventions, obstetric fistula programs, GBV prevention, or community engagement initiatives.

Solid working knowledge of national Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Policies, maternal health frameworks, and community health integration strategies.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

Skills and knowledge of district health systems and national health frameworks (e.g., FP Costed Implementation Plan, Total Market Approach Strategy, Essential Maternal & Newborn Guidelines, and Fistula Prevention Strategy).

In-depth understanding of obstetric fistula screening, identification, clinical/surgical referral pathways, and comprehensive social reintegration packages.

Demonstrated experience in participatory community mobilization, interactive theater, and male engagement methodologies.

Proven capacity to conduct stakeholder mapping and maintain strong working relationships with District Health Teams (DHTs), CSOs/CBOs, cultural, and religious institutions.

Practical skill in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) methodologies, social accountability scorecards, eCHIS digital reporting, and project monitoring.

Experience in activity-level financial planning, budget management, field resource tracking, and high-quality report writing.

Competency in offering/coordinating counseling, psychosocial support, and referral pathways for adolescents, youth, vulnerable women and their families.

Languages

Fluency in written and spoken English. Proficiency in local languages spoken within the target sub-regions (Buyende, Mayuge, Namutamba, Namayingo) is highly desirable.

• Execute strategies to address the reproductive health needs of young people and women of reproductive age and expand access to integrated SRHR, HIV, family planning, post-GBV care, and obstetric fistula prevention and management.
• Lead community mapping and screening initiatives through VHTs and CHWs using digital tools (eCHIS) to identify fistula and birth injury survivors.
• Coordinate mobilization, logistics, and referrals for surgical repair camps (targeting Jinja Regional Referral Hospital) and facilitate emergency obstetric care referrals.
• Establish facility and community based psychosocial and mental health support structures for fistula survivors using the Ministry of Health (MOH) Minimum Social Integration Package.
• Link survivors to economic empowerment, livelihood skills training, and government development initiatives (such as the Parish Development Model).
• Support adoption of service delivery models (including flexible timing and integrated outreaches) to meet the unique needs of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Key Populations (KPs), and adolescents in hard-to-reach areas.
• Partner with youth, women and PWD-led CBOs to train youth and women leaders on interactive advocacy theater and conduct behavior-change workshops and community performances.
• Roll out midwifery-led community initiatives and scale up male involvement using the Together We Decide Plus game strategy through male champions and midwife mentors.
• Conduct orientation forums for traditional, cultural, religious, and local government leaders on fistula awareness, risk reduction, positive health-seeking behaviors, and referral pathways.
• Support implementation of community-level CQI initiatives in collaboration with the HSS officer and the district teams.
• Organize multi-sectoral review meetings, conduct monitoring visits and facilitate accountability forums using social accountability scorecards with district and community leaders.
• Strengthen community-to-facility referral networks in line with Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) framework.
• Facilitate orientation on Target Population SRHR (TPSR) and joint action planning at sub-county and parish levels.
• Organize training and mentorship of community health workers (CHEWs/VHTs) on maternal health basics, fistula mapping, and digital reporting (eCHIS).
• Organize joint community, school and facility-level Values Clarification and Transformation (VCATs) orientations for teachers, Community Development Officers (CDOs), and healthcare staff.
• Participate in annual work planning, budget drafting, and target setting for the assigned districts.
• Manage field operational funds and resource allocations in strict compliance with organizational financial guidelines.
• Document best practices, case studies and routine monitoring data for internal and donor reporting.
• Perform any other assignments provided by the supervisor.

• Skills and knowledge of district health systems and national health frameworks (e.g., FP Costed Implementation Plan, Total Market Approach Strategy, Essential Maternal & Newborn Guidelines, and Fistula Prevention Strategy).
• In-depth understanding of obstetric fistula screening, identification, clinical/surgical referral pathways, and comprehensive social reintegration packages.
• Demonstrated experience in participatory community mobilization, interactive theater, and male engagement methodologies.
• Proven capacity to conduct stakeholder mapping and maintain strong working relationships with District Health Teams (DHTs), CSOs/CBOs, cultural, and religious institutions.
• Practical skill in Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) methodologies, social accountability scorecards, eCHIS digital reporting, and project monitoring.
• Experience in activity-level financial planning, budget management, field resource tracking, and high-quality report writing.
• Competency in offering/coordinating counseling, psychosocial support, and referral pathways for adolescents, youth, vulnerable women and their families.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Proficiency in local languages spoken within the target sub-regions (Buyende, Mayuge, Namutamba, Namayingo) is highly desirable.

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Social Work and Social Administration, Public Health, Development Studies, or a closely related field.
• Additional post-graduate qualification or diploma in Management of Reproductive Health Programs, Public Health, or Project Planning is considered a strong added advantage.
• A minimum of 3 years of progressive experience in managing and coordinating Adolescent/Youth Sexual Reproductive Health (ASRH) interventions, obstetric fistula programs, GBV prevention, or community engagement initiatives.
• Solid working knowledge of national Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Policies, maternal health frameworks, and community health integration strategies.