City of Johannesburg EPWP Youth Employment Programme 2026: Community Health and Skills Development Opportunities for Unemployed Youth
The City of Johannesburg EPWP Youth Employment Programme 2026 offers short-term work opportunities for unemployed youth in health education, data coordination, and site supervision roles under the Jozi Ihlomile initiative focused on HIV/AIDS, TB, STI awareness, and community outreach.
The City of Johannesburg has launched its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) Youth Employment Programme for 2026, designed to provide short-term work opportunities for unemployed youth while strengthening community health education and service delivery across priority wards. Running for a period not exceeding twelve months, the programme forms part of the municipality’s broader strategy to address unemployment, improve public health awareness, and build entry-level experience pathways for young people between the ages of 18 and 35.
Structured under the Jozi Ihlomile health initiative, the programme focuses on ward-based HIV/AIDS door-to-door education and community engagement. It also incorporates monitoring, data collection, and administrative coordination roles that ensure effective implementation of public health messaging at grassroots level. The initiative is particularly targeted at addressing HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB), Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), substance abuse, gender-based violence awareness, and broader social welfare challenges affecting vulnerable communities.
Community Health Education Through EPWP Jozi Ihlomile Educators
One of the key components of the programme is the EPWP Jozi Ihlomile Educators role within the Department of Health. This stream is designed for youth who will be deployed directly into communities to conduct door-to-door awareness campaigns.
Participants in this role are expected to educate households and individuals on critical health issues, including HIV prevention, TB management, STI awareness, substance abuse risks, and stigma reduction. The role places strong emphasis on community interaction, requiring participants to engage residents in meaningful conversations that promote healthier lifestyles and encourage early access to healthcare services.
Successful candidates are required to hold a Grade 12 qualification (NQF Level 4) and fall within the youth age bracket of 18 to 35 years. Applicants must also provide an affidavit confirming that they have no criminal record. While prior experience is not mandatory, candidates are expected to demonstrate basic knowledge of public health issues and possess strong communication abilities.
In addition to interpersonal engagement, educators are responsible for accurately recording all field activities and submitting reports using prescribed documentation. Digital literacy is also important, as participants are expected to use electronic devices for communication, reporting, and data submission.
EPWP Jozi Ihlomile Site Coordinators: Oversight and Field Monitoring
The Site Coordinator role serves as a supervisory layer within the programme, ensuring that community education activities are implemented effectively across designated wards. Coordinators are responsible for monitoring field educators, verifying their activities, and ensuring that programme standards are maintained consistently.
This position requires at least a Grade 12 qualification, youth status between 18 and 35 years, and a minimum of one year’s relevant experience in HIV/AIDS door-to-door education or similar community outreach work. As with other roles, applicants must provide proof of a clean criminal record.
Site Coordinators are expected to demonstrate a strong understanding of municipal health policies, community engagement strategies, and reporting procedures. They play a critical role in ensuring accountability within the programme by tracking field performance and supporting educators in achieving their outreach targets.
Their responsibilities also include compiling reports for regional health departments and ensuring that all ward-level data is correctly documented and submitted. Through this function, Site Coordinators help maintain operational efficiency and ensure that the programme’s objectives are met at community level.
EPWP Jozi Ihlomile Data Coordinators: Administration and Information Management
The Data Coordinator stream focuses on administrative and technical support within the programme. These participants are responsible for managing the flow of information from field teams to central management structures, ensuring that all collected data is accurately captured, verified, and reported.
Applicants for this role must hold a Grade 12 qualification and fall within the youth age category of 18 to 35 years. A minimum of one year’s experience in a health or social sector environment is required, alongside strong computer literacy skills, particularly in MS Office applications such as Word, Excel, and Outlook.
Data Coordinators are expected to demonstrate strong typing, communication, and analytical skills. Their primary responsibility involves collecting data from ward-based sites, verifying its accuracy, and electronically capturing it for reporting purposes. They also provide administrative support to both regional and central programme management teams.
This role is essential in ensuring that the EPWP initiative is data-driven and evidence-based. Accurate data collection enables the City to evaluate programme effectiveness, track outreach performance, and improve future planning for public health interventions.
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Programme Impact and Youth Empowerment
The EPWP Youth Employment Programme plays a dual role in both community development and youth empowerment. On one hand, it strengthens public health awareness in vulnerable communities by addressing critical social and health issues through direct engagement. On the other hand, it provides unemployed youth with practical work experience, skills development, and exposure to municipal operations.
Participants gain valuable experience in communication, public health education, administration, data handling, and field coordination. These skills are transferable across multiple sectors, including healthcare, social services, administration, and non-governmental organisations.
The programme also promotes civic responsibility, encouraging young people to actively participate in improving the wellbeing of their communities. By working closely with households and local stakeholders, participants develop a deeper understanding of social challenges and the importance of preventative health education.
Conclusion
The City of Johannesburg EPWP Youth Employment Programme 2026 represents a significant opportunity for unemployed youth seeking meaningful short-term employment while contributing to public health development. Through its Jozi Ihlomile Educator, Site Coordinator, and Data Coordinator roles, the initiative combines community outreach with administrative and monitoring functions to create a comprehensive health education system at ward level.
Beyond employment, the programme serves as a structured entry point into the public health and social development sectors, equipping participants with practical experience and foundational skills that can support long-term career growth.
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