Project Assistant-Youth and Community Engagement (2)

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.