Job description
Position Code
HRD-SA/10-025
Program
Kuyakhanya
Job Grade
Officer I (11)
Employment Type
Contractual (close-ended until June 30, 2026)
Reporting To
Mental Health, Lead
Location
Port Shepstone, South Africa
JOb Purpose
Lead and coordinate the implementation of the Mental Health (MH) component of the Kuyakhanya Project across districts in KwaZulu-Natal. The role is accountable for ensuring effective delivery of mental health services through the Lay Counsellor team, integration of MH with other project activities, stakeholder engagement, data quality assurance, logistical support, training and capacity development, and continuous learning and quality improvement.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Provide administrative and operational oversight for Lay MH Counsellors across project districts.
- Coordinate weekly planning and review meetings with field teams to ensure alignment with work plans.
- Support the MH team's logistics, including phones, data, transportation arrangements, and coordination of shared resources.
- Collaborate closely with ECD and MH team leads to ensure integrated delivery of services at the site level.
- Maintain and monitor -tracking tools for MH field activities, ensuring accurate documentation is captured and timely reported.
- Monitor counselling targets, screening outcomes, and initiate strategies to improve reach and follow-up.
- Support onboarding and capacity development of new Lay Counsellors, including training on tools, screening protocols and follow-up procedures.
- Identify and resolve challenges related to field implementation, reporting, or stakeholder coordination.
- Build and maintain effective working relationships with site-level stakeholders, including clinics, local Department of Health reps, and community leadership.
- Assist with feedback sessions, community awareness activities, and mobilisation efforts.
- Contribute to the development, review, and implementation of SOPs, workplans, and training tools.
- Provide regular progress updates to the MH Lead and contribute to monthly and quarterly project reports.
- Represent the MH component in district-level stakeholder engagements and project meetings, as delegated.
REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES (KSA)
Required Qualification
- Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Psychology, Social Sciences, Project Management, or related field.
Required Experience
- Minimum 3 years' experience coordinating or managing community-based programs.
- Demonstrated experience in mental health or psychosocial support programs is highly desirable.
- Valid, unendorsed driver’s license with a minimum of 2 years’ driving experience and willingness to travel extensively.
Required Skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace.
- Strong administrative and project coordination skills.
- Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to mentor and support junior staff.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving ability.
- Detail-oriented, organized, and reliable.
- Ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- Team leadership and adaptability.