Health Programs, Health Specialist
Location
Volunteering at Warm Heart is an opportunity to immerse yourself in both authentic Thai culture and the beautiful mountains surrounding Warm Heart’s location in Phrao, Northern Thailand. Local villagers will welcome you to share in the simple pleasure of day-to-day life while Phrao’s north central location provides the perfect base camp to explore not only Thailand, but Laos as well. Phrao is also conveniently located just 89 Kilometers north of Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second largest city, where all the comforts of Western culture can be found.
The Position
Warm Heart seeks a Health Specialist to assist with the day-to-day operations and planning of its health programs. Warm Heart operates five health projects—HIV/AIDS, disabilities, vitamins, Clinic in the Clouds, and EMT. The volunteer may work on various aspects of any one of these projects, and while expertise in any specific program area is a plus, Warm Heart welcomes applicants with a general public health, management, or program design background to assist with one or more of its health projects.
The Projects
Currently, the disabilities project requires the most attention, as a field survey was just completed to determine Phrao’s disabled population, major causes of disabilities, etc. for the purpose of developing a sheltered workshop program wherein those who are able to learn can be taught skills and allowed to work, in order to provide for their families. Based on this survey, the next steps in transferring the data from this survey into reality will require substantial manpower, coordination, and additional research.
Other projects are at varying levels of development and vary in the amount of man-hours needed at any given time.
Specific Requirements
This position requires a passion for public health, and a willingness to undertake a range of duties, from analyzing data to visiting communities.
Requirements for all Positions
Working for a start-up NGO in a foreign country, especially one located in a small town, places special demands on volunteers. Volunteers will work with a small team of international volunteers in a Thai organization and community. The work is demanding and may be frustrating at times due to linguistic and cultural barriers.
Volunteers must therefore understand that Warm Heart requires individuals who have excellent interpersonal and diversity skills, lots of patience, perseverance and endurance. Warm Heart also requires initiative-taking individuals who are self- starting, flexible and self-managing as Warm Heart does not have the resources to micro-manage volunteers.
There is no language requirement for volunteers staying less than three months, but Warm Heart encourages volunteers to take an active interest in learning basic Thai words and phrases of day-to-day courtesy. Warm Heart requires interns planning to stay longer than three months to attend an intensive Thai course prior to starting work.
Time Commitment
A 2-3 month minimum commitment, but a longer commitment is ideal, as it will help build sustainability and consistency regarding Warm Heart’s overall health programs.
Visa Assistance
Warm Heart provides volunteers with assistance in obtaining necessary visas.
Apply
Complete the application form on www.warmheartworldwide.org. Warm Heart will contact you for additional information.
