Babalwa Puthumo

I am a visionary and approachable woman of few words. I prioritize in clear and effective communication using coaching mindset with a performance appraisal handy for clear goal drives, verbal and written communication skills, and effective articulation of the value proposition to clients and team. I possess relationship building skills, data handling ability, strategic planning and execution measures, market analysis and competitor insight, and analytical thinking mindset with a balancing approach.

Literacy and numeracy initiatives with capacity building are at the core of my heart. I lead with clear confidence and clear expectations. My motto is "STRICT ON PERFORMANCE YET COMPASSIONATE ON PEOPLE".

I am a humble, strict, compassionate person with integrity and a calm demeanor at all times.

Sales Consultant at O'Keeffe & Swartz (2025-09 – 2026-01)

• Client relationship management
• Product knowledge dissemination
• Present product and negotiate deals
• Upsell
• Reach set Sales targets
• Collaborate and complement team members
• Offer customer service when the need arise

HTS Senior Counsellor, Demand creation officer and Team Leader at Lesedi Lechabile Primary Care (2023-05 – 2025-09)

• Leading a team of 29 field recruiters to meet targets
• Training and mentoring team members
• Building a relationship with clients and members
• Monitor performance and progress
• Overseeing the recruitment process
• Drive and mitigate targets
• Address performance issues or behavioral problems
• Leading the quality assurance team
• Mentoring in-house Lay counsellors
• Leveraging Marketing channels
• Management of PR and campaigns
• Overseeing the whole voluntary counseling and testing sessions

Researcher at IAPAC qualitative research program (2022-02 – 2023-03)

• Obtain informed consent
• Participant eligibility screening
• Forming and maintaining work relationships (rotation on facilities)
• Capture data using real time (gadget)
• Probe around HIV adherence
• Provide HIV continuum and support
• Refer for psychosocial or healthcare wellness as per the need

Research Assistant at Wits Health Consortium (2019-11 – 2021-03)

• Local facility level participant identification and recruitment
• TB screenings
• SARS covid 19 screenings
• Referral system use
• Medical history questionnaire
• SARS 19 household visits for observations, psycho social interventions and close contact identification

Roving Consultant Coordinator at SANAC /Civil Society (2021-03 – 2023-12)

• Lead a team of 20 team members
• Build team coherence, manage disciplinary actions
• Identify gaps in alleviation of HIV, GBV and other social ills
• Drive targets and ensure key performance areas are met
• Implement community education, retention, and recruitment activities
• Handle escalations on improvements and below key performance indicators
• Do performance appraisals on the go
• Create awareness platforms
• Identify and facilitate areas of capacity building
• Mitigate and adhere to protocols and set targets
• Employee wellness support
• Provide coaching for team members
• Execute community outreach
• Seek an update on Art, Prep, Sti and Tb
• Seek evolving information as per NSP guidelines

Receptionist at Wits Health Consortium (PHRU at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital) (2020-12 – 2021-11)

• Answering of phones
• Customer service
• Registration of participants (patients)
• Handling mail and emails
• Maintaining office admin tasks
• Management of appointments and schedules

Research Counsellor at Wits Health Consortium (PHRU) (2019-04 – 2020-12)

• Informed consent processing
• Recruitment of TB sequel study participants
• Retention and prevention of loss to follow up
• Tier.net patient tracking
• NHLS track care system use
• Identification of patient healing barriers in the recovery process
• Monitoring and evaluation
• Report writing
• Dealing and reporting comprehensively on factors associated with HIV infection

Research Assistant at Wits Health Consortium (PHRU) (2014-08 – 2019-03)

• Management of 10 fieldworkers
• Finger pricking/phlebotomy
• HIV pre and post counselling
• Spearheading focus groups and peer moulding sessions
• Conduct team appraisals
• Contraception package education
• Identify and conduct refresher courses in-house
• Substance abuse education
• Risk reduction management
• PWID/PWUD education
• Management of key population key issues
• Championing participant retention and linkage to care

Care worker (volunteer) at Katleho District Hospital (Virginia) (2007 – 2013)

• Holistic care of bedridden patients
• Bed making
• Urine testing
• Wound dressing
• Checking and documenting of vital signs

Basic Assistant Nursing Certificate in Nursing – Elite School of Nursing

Grade 12 – Masimanyane High School