Compensated GHFP II Multipurpose Prevention Technologies Intern in DC
Global Health Fellows Program II
Multipurpose Prevention Technologies Intern
Research, Technology, and Utilization Division, Office of Population and Reproductive Health, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development
Location: Washington, DC
Anticipated timeframe: October 15, 2013 – January 15, 2013: Compensated Internship
OND-P2-012
The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with CDC Development Solutions and Management Systems International. GHFP-II is supported by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
GHFP-II’s goal is to improve the effectiveness of USAID health programs by addressing the Agency’s immediate and emerging human capacity needs. The program seeks to accomplish this goal first through the recruitment, placement and support of diverse health professionals at the junior, mid and senior levels. These program participants include fellows, interns, corporate volunteers and Foreign Service National professionals. The program then provides substantial performance management and career development support to participants, including annual working planning assistance, and ensures that professional development opportunities are available.
Looking to the future, GHFP-II also seeks to establish a pool of highly-qualified global health professionals that will ensure the Agency’s ongoing technical leadership and effectiveness. This objective is supported by an extensive outreach program that brings gl
obal health opportunities and specialized career advice to a diverse range of interested
individuals, with a particular focus on those underrepresented in the field of global health.
INTRODUCTION:
The Research, Technology, and Utilization Division (RTU)under the Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) in the Bureau for Global Health (GH)works to advance and support the generation, synthesis and utilization of empirical evidence to improve access, quality, and efficiency of voluntary family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH) programs. The PRH Office provides technical leadership, strategic direction, implementation oversight, support to field missions, partner coordination, and performance tracking for the family planning component of the United States Government (USG)’s Global Health Initiative.
The Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPT) Intern will primarily assist the RTU/PRH staff to pinpoint those countries where high rates of unintended pregnancy, HIV, herpes simplex virus (HSV), and human papillomavirus (HPV) intersect, and to attempt to determine which populations in those countries could benefit most from an MPT product that can simultaneously prevent those sexual and reproductive health risks. The Intern will help to compile and analyze country-level data on the prevalence of selected indicators.Information for some of these indicators is easily accessible (e.g., HIV prevalence), while others may prove more challenging (e.g., HPV prevalence). Informational graphics (using software such as ArcGIS) will then be created to depict where areas of overlapping needs exist and where roll-out of MPTs could be targeted. The Intern may have opportunities to present this work and contribute as a co-author of a scientific publication for a peer-reviewed journal. S/he will work closely with the Senior Epidemiological Advisor as his/her onsite manager.
LEARNING OBJECTIVE:
- Gain a greater understanding of MPTs, an important, interdisciplinary and cutting-edge subject area, while working with members of the biomedical team in RTU.
- Serve as a resource to provide analysis on understanding regional variation in need for MPTs.
- Gain familiarity with the work of GH/PRH/RTU within USAID.
ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Determining which indicators are both ideal and feasible to collect across countries.
- Identifying and compiling reliable country-level data on selected indicators (potentially disaggregated by gender and age).
- Identifying appropriate mapping software (potentially ArcGIS) to analyze the data.
- Creating graphical maps to illustrate where prevalence of two or more indicators is high.
- Articulating the strengths and weaknesses of this analysis, and proposing suggestions for additional work in this area.
- Presenting results of this project in various venues.
- Contributing to preparation of a manuscript to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal.
- Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming need and/or the Intern’s own interests.
QUALIFICATIONS:
- Enrolled in, or a *recent graduate of, a graduate level program related to public health.
- Demonstrated interest in epidemiology, sexually transmitted infections, reproductive and sexual health, and global health issues.
- Strong attention to detail, ability to gather and work with quantitative data from a wide variety of sources.
- Ability to serve as a motivated self-starter with excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Understanding of (or a keen interest in learning about) planning and writing a scientific manuscript.
- Familiarity with mapping software such as ArcGIS (desired, but not required).
- US Citizenship required.
* ‘Recent graduate’ is defined as obtaining his/her degree no more than one year prior to the internship anticipated start time.
To Apply: Detailed information, including an online application and instructions, is available on our website at www.ghfp.net. All applications must be submitted by Friday, September 6, 2013 at 5:00 pm eastern time.
