Global Health Fellows Program II Maternal and Child Health Policy Intern

in Fellowships
July 24th, 2015

Global Health Fellows Program II

Maternal and Child Health Policy Intern

Maternal and Child Health Division, Office of Health, Infection Disease and Nutrition, Bureau for Global Health, United States Agency for International Development

Anticipated timeframe: October 2015 – December 2015: Compensated 12 week internship

Location: Washington, DC/Arlington, VA

INT-P4-057

The Global Health Fellows Program (GHFP-II) is a five year cooperative agreement implemented and managed by the Public Health Institute in partnership with Global Health Corps, GlobeMed, Management Systems International and PYXERA Global. 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 global 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.

BACKGROUND:

USAID works in the toughest parts of the world to end extreme poverty and promote resilient, democratic societies. Ensuring the survival of mothers, newborns, and children is vital to developing healthy, prosperous nations. The Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Division within USAID’s Office of Health, Infectious Diseases, and Nutrition (HIDN) provides technical and policy leadership in maternal, newborn, child health, and environmental health in support of the Agency priority of Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths (EPCMD). In 2014, USAID released a report outlining how it will work with partners to save 15 million children and 600,000 women by 2020. This is one exciting step toward the agency priority of ending preventable child and maternal deaths within a generation. Learn more about USAID’s work in MCH and work to end preventable child and maternal deaths.

INTRODUCTION:

The MCH Policy Intern will be assigned to the MCH Division of the Office of Health, Infectious Diseases and Nutrition. The MCH Division is divided into teams that focus on maternal health; newborn health; child health; immunization; and water, sanitation and hygiene. The Intern will work closely with MCH Senior Policy Advisor and will report to the Division Chief, MCH who will serve as his/her onsite manager. The Intern will provide general programmatic support to a number of inter-related and cross-cutting policy activities and external engagements pertaining to maternal, newborn and child health.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: 

  • Gaining a greater understanding of USAID’s priorities in the area of maternal, newborn, and child health.
  • Gaining a solid understanding of the overall global policy landscape: engaging in policy-related activities involving teams across the Bureau for Global Health (GH) and supporting relevant external engagements.
  • Strengthening skills in communication and coordination within a complex organizational structure (supporting communications between USAID Washington and USAID Missions in EPCMD priority countries, as well as other United States Government (USG) agencies, as appropriate).

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Providing support by (a) researching, collating and synthesizing information on specific policy topics; (b) coordinating inputs from various technical teams across the Division and Bureau on strategic documents; (c) managing a calendar of key internal/external meetings and events; and (d) drafting reports and updates on various policy-related meetings and teleconferences.
  • Supporting USAID representation on the Board of the Partnership for Maternal Newborn and Child Health (PMNCH), including assistance with organizing periodic international teleconferences, drafting agendas, organizing briefing meetings and preparing talking points, briefing materials etc.
  • Supporting GH’s engagement in the ongoing process to develop a 2016-2030 Global Strategy for Women’s Children’s and Adolescents Health and Operational Framework under the auspices of the UN Secretary General’s Every Woman Every Child initiative.
  • Providing support on other external engagements as appropriate, including the organization of high-level policy-related events hosted/ co-hosted by USAID/ GH.
  • Assisting in the drafting and coordination of inputs to various policy statements, talking points, briefing documents and memos for the MCH Chief and other USAID/GH leaders, as needed.
  • Other tasks or responsibilities may be assigned based on organizational and programming needs and/or the Intern’s own interests.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Currently enrolled bachelor’s  degree candidate in public policy, public health, international health, international relations, social sciences or a related field; or, completion of such within the past 24 months.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills and proven ability to communicate quickly, clearly and concisely.
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills and the ability to work effectively with professionals of diverse backgrounds, including USG personnel and representatives of international partner agencies.
  • Computer skills in MS Word, Excel, Power Point, Google Drive, etc.
  • US citizenship or US permanent residency required.

COMPENSATION:

$15.83 per hour (non-exempt, hourly wage position).

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 August 6, 2015 at 5:00 pm eastern time.