Job Description

Anova is an NGO that empowers people and changes lives. Good health and quality of life is what motivates us to provide healthcare solutions and support for those who need it most.

SIOC Development Trust (SIOC-CDT) was established in 2006 by Sishen Iron Ore Company SIOC (PTY) LTD to invest in the development of the communities in which the mine operates. Together with Anova, they are implementing a Mental Health Programme (Psychosocial Support) to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention, treatment, promotion of mental health and wellbeing.

We are looking for a Social Worker to coordinate the support of mental health users (MHU)at health facilities, referrals to the community and community stakeholder engagement and collaboration. The Social Worker will report to the project manager, manage the Social Auxiliary Workers and represent the organisation in relevant stakeholder meetings and also assist in capacitating our stakeholders. The Social worker will be an advocate for the rights of the mentally health clients, will be expected to enhance family and social integration processes.

Key duties and responsibilities:

Coordinate Community Component of the Mental Health Project

• Through Outreach Team Leaders, capacitate and coordinate community health workers to support mental health users including home visits to support adherence, missed appointment tracing, provision of education around relapse recognition and their ability to identify and refer individuals and families at risk of common mental health disorders.
• Map existing community-based organisations which are available to support different aspects of mental health issues, strengthening existing referral pathways to these organisations and capacitation of these organisations to provide support where needed. These include addiction recovery groups, gender-based violence shelters and support centres, organisations supporting vulnerable children, adolescents and youth and others.
• Advocate for and contribute to community forums around mental health promotion, prevention and seeking help, including engaging with traditional leaders.
• Engage with traditional health practitioners to align referrals and care.
• Promote mental health through local radio stations, events and other available forums.
• Engage with Department of Social Development to ensure MHU from health facilities are linked to support in the community.
• Together with the project manager, coordinate regularly with SANCA, Vertice and other relevant partners (e.g. LoveLife) including supporting any campaigns or outreach days.
• Oversee community bidirectional referrals and linkage.

Coordination of Mental Health Support at Facility

• Daily oversight, capacitation and support of social auxiliary workers (SAWs).
• Capacitate DoH counsellors and other staff to provide support for MHU.
• Oversee support and counselling of MHU at health facilities.
• Direct service delivery to a subset of MHU who require additional support including linking to other available support in the community.
• Ensure that SAWS are aligning to the relevant SOPs and relevant statutory requirements.

Project Administration and Support

• Complete, compile, and submit the relevant technical assistance tool/reports to line manager and submit these timeously.
• Ensure a monthly report is submitted of facility and community project activities to the project manager.
• Communicate efficiently and professionally through email and written documents.
• Maintain ethical conduct in line with principles of ethics when dealing with patients and patients records.
• Prepare and participate in audit processes as relevant.
• Identify potential advocacy issues and report to the project manager or relevant stakeholders.
• Assist with the collection of human rights data and reporting violations to the relevant parties or stakeholders.
• Advocate for mental health users and provide valid or authentic information for support.
• Obtain regular feedback from clients to establish the effectiveness of the community care centre services, missing services, gaps, inefficiencies, opportunities, and improvement measures.
• Provide regular feedback to the relevant stakeholders while maintaining confidentiality.
• Monitor a project implementation progress vs plan, adjust or provide recommendations as and when required to align to the objective of the programme.
• Attend to relevant mental health programmes or events, workshops, stakeholder meetings, audits, research and attend trainings to remain relevant and comply to latest trends and legislations.

Any other relevant tasks as agreed with line manager.

Minimum qualifications, experience and skills required:

• A Degree in Social Work or relevant qualification.
• Must be registered with The South African Council for Social Service Professions (SACSSP/Council).
• 5 years experience working a Social Worker.
• 2 years experience working in mental health programme.
• Experience managing other cadres (e.g. counsellors, social auxiliary workers)
• Knowledge of various mental therapeutic interventions and related legislations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Ability to keep neat, accurate, complete and confidential records.
• Knowledge of working with DoH policies.
• Excellent record keeping skills.
• Resilient and mental strong individual.
• Supervisory, mentorship and leadership skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Valid drivers license and willing to travel as and when required.
• Innovative, organized, analytical and excellent interpretation data skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and has attention to details.
• Previous experience in managing and coordinating projects.
• Facilitation and presentation skills.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Computer Literate MS Office Packages (MS Outlook, MS Word, MS Excel & PowerPoint).
• Willingness to work flexible hours.
• Fully vaccinated for Covid 19

Closing date: 03 September 2023

In accordance with our Employment Equity goals and plan, preference will be given to suitable applicants from designated groups as defined in the Employment Equity Act 55 of 1998 and subsequent amendments thereto.t

Preference will be given to persons with disabilities.

Anova Health Institute is a provider of essential health services and therefore has a mandatory vaccination policy. Should your application be successful, you will be required to submit your proof of vaccination before commencing employment in the role.

Applicants who have not been contacted within 4 weeks of submitting their application should assume that they have not been successful.

Unsolicited CVs from agencies will not be paid agency fees should their candidate be placed at Anova.

For more information on Anova visit our website:

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