PEER NAVIGATOR (KOTA KINABALU & KUCHING)

Overview

Provide targeted outreach, education, and support in HIV and STI prevention.

You have:

• Lived or community experience as a member of key populations (e.g., MSM, sex workers, people who use drugs, transgender individuals).
• Outgoing, open-minded, and empathetic personality with strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Basic knowledge of HIV, PrEP, STIs, and harm reduction, with experience in providing or receiving peer support or counseling.
• Comfortable engaging diverse communities in a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner.
• Able to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Digitally literate with social media skills and a creative approach to outreach.

JOB OVERVIEW Peer Navigators play a vital role in HIV and STI prevention and treatment efforts by providing targeted outreach, education, and support to individuals at high risk of HIV. Their primary responsibilities include promoting HIV counseling and testing, educating communities on condom use, harm reduction, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), as well as facilitating access to treatment for HIV (HAART), STIs, and Hepatitis C. Peer Navigators ensure treatment adherence among existing clients and actively engage new clients through community outreach and awareness activities.

SPECIFIC KNOWLDEGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES • Lived or community experience as a member of key populations (e.g., MSM, sex workers, people who use drugs, transgender individuals). • Outgoing, open-minded, and empathetic personality with strong communication and interpersonal skills. • Basic knowledge of HIV, PrEP, STIs, and harm reduction, with experience in providing or receiving peer support or counseling. • Comfortable engaging diverse communities in a respectful, non-judgmental, and compassionate manner. • Able to work independently and collaboratively in a team setting. • Highly organized, self-motivated, and trustworthy with strong integrity and respect for confidentiality. • Digitally literate with social media skills and a creative approach to outreach (an existing online following is an added advantage).

RESPONSIBILITIES & DUTIES

Community Outreach and Engagement • Conduct targeted online and offline outreach in congregation areas frequented by key populations. • Identify and build trust with at-risk groups (e.g., MSM engaged in chemsex/slamming, sex workers, swingers). • Refer clients for HIV screening through Community-Based Testing (CBT), Voluntary Counselling & Testing (VCT), and HIV Self-Testing (HIVST). • Promote access to and education on PrEP, HAART, and other prevention tools including condoms and lubricants. • Provide harm reduction messaging and basic information on STI and Hepatitis C prevention. • Participate in and conduct advocacy events and awareness campaigns via platforms such as Twitter Spaces, TikTok Live, Instagram Live, and health fairs. • Record and submit outreach activities monthly via Online Client Log (includes client ID, status, outreach medium, and supporting documentation).

Clinic-Based Navigation and Support • Accompany and assist clients in navigating services at STI-friendly clinics. • Deliver counselling and accurate information on PrEP, HAART, STI treatment, and Hepatitis C services. • Obtain online client consent to enable communication and case navigation by Peer Navigators. • Maintain updated client records, track follow-ups, and provide appointment reminders. • Refer clients to Community Health Workers (CHWs) or self-testing platforms when necessary. • Guide clients on medication use including pill count methods, pill diaries (for event-driven PrEP), and digital adherence tools. • Submit daily Client Report Forms and monthly PrEP performance reports (defaulted clients, reverted clients, reasons for defaulters). • Facilitate PrEP or HAART access through available Value-Added Services (e.g., MyUbat, SPUB, Postage). • Support clients in understanding laboratory results, appointment expectations, and clinical procedures at each milestone (e.g., M1, M3, M6).

Adherence and Defaulter Management • Track PrEP and HAART adherence as a key performance indicator (KPI). • Contact and follow-up with clients who miss appointments before their medication runs out. • Conduct motivational interviewing to re-engage defaulted clients. • Identify and document clients who discontinue treatment and capture reasons for discontinuation. • Collaborate with clinic staff to manage medication supplies and facilitate re-initiation of treatment where needed.

Partner and Sexual Network Engagement • Promote HIV and STI testing to sexual partners and networks of existing clients. • Encourage partner testing and PrEP uptake where appropriate. • Facilitate linkage to care for partners who test positive or require preventive services.

Cross-Cutting • Build and maintain professional relationships with clinical staff, CHWs, and NGO teams. • Foster collaboration with community leaders, peer educators, local CBOs, and support groups. • Participate in peer support activities, PrEP echo trainings, and support group facilitation when required. • Promote health-seeking behavior and positive health outcomes within key population networks.

Undertake other responsibilities not outlined above which are commensurate with the role of Manager, Grant Regional Coordinator and which have been discussed and agreed between the Head of Programme and the post holder to further aims of MAC.

How to apply?

Email to [email protected]

Potential interview questions