Volunteer opportunity as Deputy Program Manager of Public Health Organization in Rural Uganda
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY AS DEPUTY PROGRAM MANAGER OF PUBLIC HEALTH ORGANIZATION IN RURAL UGANDA
Partners for Access (“PFA”) is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting and growing a community-based organization in the Nakaseke District of Uganda known as African Community Center for Social Sustainability (“ACCESS”). ACCESS is a community-based organization in rural Uganda founded in 2002 to empower vulnerable groups in resource limited settings through medical care, education and income-generating projects.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Responsibilities are largely up to the volunteer but will include a role in each of the following areas. The priority of the volunteer should be to gain an understanding of the needs of the organization and the community and to work with community members to find ways to meet their needs. Collaboration, communication, and patience are essential.
1. Medical Care
Volunteers will live and work at our on-site walk-in clinic (called Lifecare) and may visit the Nakaseke district hospital. Those with clinical skills will be involved in patient management, and those without will have the opportunity to observe. More importantly, you will be involved in preparing and procuring medical supplies and sundries depending on the current needs of the clinic.
2. Training Community Health Nurses
ACCESS is currently transitioning from a one year nurses’ aide training program to a fully accredited nursing school. Your role will be to research funding opportunities and support the ACCESS team during the transition.
3. OVC’s (Orphans and Vulnerable Children) and PLWAs (People Living With HIV/AIDS)
You will conduct weekly home visits via car or motor-bike to our OVCs and PLWAs to ensure that they are receiving what they need to go to school and that they are receiving proper medical attention.
4. Monitoring and Evaluation
This will be your most important and significant role. We will need a proactive individual willing to work through language barriers to gather information in order to monitor and evaluate our impact in the community. You will therefore help in designing the annual work plan and writing the annual report. Strong communication skills will be essential.
5. Facilitate Partnerships
Within the Nakaseke community are large NGOs including BRAC, Mildmay, MedNet, and World Vision. We will ask you to periodically meet with the leaders of these organizations to understand their role in the community and to work to enhance our partnerships to better meet the needs of the Nakaseke community. You will help the ACCESS staff plan for annual visits by international medical students. Their visit coincides with an annual Community Health Day in which we provide free care to 400-600 patients in two days.
6. Income Generation Activity (IGAs) Project
You will help implement and monitor a pilot IGA project with a group of women making soap.
6 month minimum required.
1. QUALIFICATIONS:
2. Willingness to work and live in a resource limited rural setting (Housing is provided on site)
3. Interest in working with people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWAs), orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs)
4. Able to work independently with minimal supervision
5. Demonstrated interest and background in public and global health
6. Willingness and flexibility to perform miscellaneous duties assigned by directors
7. Prior experience working in third world countries is preferred but not required
8. Able to work with a team despite language and cultural barriers
Start Date: September 2012
Please send cover letter and resume to Katie D’Angelo (kkdangelo@gmail.com) and Mohamed Zeidan (moe.zeidan@gmail.com).
