About this role
HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor
Project Description: Apply your expertise in HIV care and treatment to strengthen Botswana’s HIV response and improve outcomes for people living with HIV.
Botswana is a global leader in the fight against HIV/AIDs, becoming one of the first countries to meet the UNAIDS 95-95-95 targets in 2021. While adult prevalence and AIDS-related mortality continue to decline, critical gaps remain for total epidemic control by 2030. Thousands of Batswana remain unaware of their status or are not currently on life-saving treatment, and 2% of those on ART have not achieved viral suppression. Addressing these challenges requires informed interventions to enhance age-appropriate education, secure medical supply chains, optimize referral networks, and strengthen primary care systems.
As an HIV/AIDS Technical Advisor, you will collaborate with health providers on treatment adherence, referrals, and linkage to care. Working closely with facilities and schools, you will facilitate peer groups for youth living positively and strengthen efforts to improve viral suppression and retention. Your service will enhance service quality and ensure tailored support for key populations.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in public health, biology, health sciences, or health education. AND Two or more years of experience working in related health systems, preferably within HIV/AIDS education, sexual/reproductive health, or social behavior change programs.
Living Conditions: During training, Volunteers will have a private room within a host family’s house. After training, Volunteers will move to their assigned sites in one of the country’s 10 districts and can expect either a private room or a small, private house on the host family’s compound. The Volunteer should be prepared for limited or unreliable electricity and water in these rural areas. Public transportation via a mini-bus, bus, or taxi will allow the Volunteer to travel to larger towns if needed.
Activities: Facilitate support groups and monthly clubs for people living with HIV/AIDS. Coordinate and deliver age-appropriate health education sessions to reinforce essential health messages. Train health service providers on treatment adherence, referrals, linkages to care, and support services.
Lead demand‑creation activities to increase community HIV testing, streamline clinical linkages, and referral services. Conduct school-based peer support groups for youth living positively with HIV.
Support retention and treatment outcomes, including viral load suppression among children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as tutoring students in English or math and leading fitness clubs.
Training: After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a semi-urban or rural community where you will collaborate with health clinics, nonprofits, and government entities to assess the needs and develop a work plan.
Peace Corps/Botswana will equip you with Setswana language resources and you may work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community. You may also receive language resources to learn Ikalanga, Simbukushu, or Sekgalagari based on your site placement.
Job Highlights: Acquire transferrable skills in HIV/AIDS treatment and adherence management while supporting a district-level primary health center.
Develop an expertise in patient referral systems and clinical linkages offered by HIV service organizations.
Learn Setswana from skilled language and intercultural facilitators.