Additionally, the Social Worker/Trainer volunteer will develop standardized training modules designed to assist PLWHA to establish peer-facilitated support groups with the goal of improving ART adherence.

Finally, the Social Worker/Trainer volunteer will work in collaboration with hospitals and community centers in Addis Ababa and other regions to assess their needs related to organizing support groups for PLWHA. S/he will conduct a survey to identify various initiatives related to PLWHA-led support groups and other activities, such as: I-CAP’s peer-to-peer program; JHU-TSEHAI’s Alert network model; and I-TECH’s LTFUP tracing via PLWHA; as well as the programs and/or activities of other NGOs or PLWHA associations such as HAPCO, Mekdim Dawn of Hope, NAPWA, and TILLA. The volunteer will conduct exploratory research to identify patient needs for adherence support and specific requirements needed to support clinical teams. S/he will develop a draft training package containing selected best practices culled from current initiatives. The Social Worker/Trainer volunteer will then share all findings and recommendations regarding the level of PLWHA engagement at the facility, community, and national advocacy levels with relevant stakeholders, including PLWHA associations, USG universities, CDC, RHB, and HAPCO.

The volunteer will then design and conduct training workshops necessary to establish a confidential peer-run support group and develop specific mechanisms that will foster collaboration among various facilities and groups. A key element of this task will be identifying a group leader in close concert with people living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS.

Length of the assignment: 6 months

Name and title of supervisor: Dr. Alula Meressa

Name and title of counterpart: Dr. Alula Meressa

Volunteer Qualifications:

Required:

• Masters degree is social science/social work or related field
• Fluency in English and Amharic
• Minimum of 5 years work experience in training health care professionals/mental health social services field.

• A self-starter, with strong written and oral communication skills
• Previous experience working in a low-resource setting
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to develop cooperative working relationships.

Objective One: Develop assessment tools, conduct assessment, and based on the assessment, create a module for self-care/burn out management for health care professionals.

Volunteer responsibilities: 

• Conduct a literature review on self-care and burnout management
• Participate in stakeholder meetings regarding findings on self-care and burnout management
• In collaboration with stakeholders, prioritize target professionals for assessment and training activities
• Develop assessment tools on self-care burnout management and conduct assessment in conjunction with targeted professionals
• Develop a training module and share findings and recommendations with stakeholders
• Discuss ways of helping healthcare professionals manage stress and maintain quality of life to maximize their productivity
• Explore the burdens and rewards of a career as a healthcare professional and factors that contribute to burnout
• Teach strategies for counteracting burnout and promoting self-care to healthcare professionals
• Follow-up with targeted professionals for monitoring and evaluation (M & E) purposes
• Identify existing associations for HIV/AIDS support groups and conduct a survey to evaluate the benefits, outcomes, and challenges of the support groups
• Share findings with partners (PLWHA associations, USG universities, CDC, RHB)
• Conduct workshops on how to create and maintain a support group in collaboration with hospitals and community centers
• Establish a safe support group for PLWHA
• Co-facilitate the support group and supervise the group leader, as well as provide on going support to the group leader

Deliverables:

• Self-care/burn out management assessment tool relevant to Ethiopia
• Assessment of targeted health care professionals
• Module on self-care/burn out management for health care professionals
• Handout materials on the topic of health care professionals and burnout
• Confidential support group run by peers with a group leader established in collaboration with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), Mekdem and Down of Hope (Volunteer will co-facilitate until the group leader feels at ease with running the group alone and provide on-going support)
• Written text on how to start a support group
• Confidential log for members

Other Outcomes:

• Each seminar participant will be able to recognize/identify personal signs and symptoms of individual burnout.
• The participant will be equipped with strategies, resources, and personal interventions to utilize and nourish their personal quality of life.
• The participant will use tools, strategies and resources to improve teamwork and decrease stress and tension within the workplace.

• Complete the scope of work in the timeframe outlined
• Complete Twinning Center’s assessment and monthly monitoring and evaluation reports
• Submit a post-assignment final report and participate in an exit interview
• Adhere to the AIHA Volunteer Standards of Conduct

Placement organization/institution:

• Provide resources necessary for volunteer to carry out assignment successfully
• Identify a placement site counterpart for the volunteer to ensure sustainability of volunteer activities
• Submit quarterly performance assessment reports on the volunteer to the Twinning Center.

AIHA Twinning Center:

• Conduct pre-assignment orientation and training for volunteer and placement site staff.
• Provide volunteers with monthly living allowance, health insurance, and travel related costs to and from placement site.
• Provide ongoing support of volunteer as needed.