Public health professional

Mongolia’s transition from a socialist to a market economy has brought about issues such as unemployment, changes in lifestyle and diet that the old health system can’t address effectively. VSO’s work in Mongolia aims to reduce the incidence of common illness by supporting initiatives that focus on preventative health care and healthy living.

As a public health research trainer, you’ll help Dornod District Health Authority develop their capacity to conduct research into common preventable illnesses. Building the skills of local staff in epidemiological methodologies, you’ll help them gather information vital to improving the health of the district, where a substantial proportion of the population live below the poverty line.

What does the role involve?

• Analysing the training needs of colleagues working in the Department 
• Developing a training programme for colleagues in epidemiological research techniques
• Assisting the District Health Management team in identifying areas in need of research, and in developing research programmes to meet those needs
• Assisting in developing proposals to access research funding

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll need a relevant degree-level qualification, with solid experience of conducting public health research, and teaching or training others. You’ll need to be able to adapt your approaches to a new way of living and working. Strong communication skills are key, to build relationships across language barriers, and work through an interpreter. VSO will provide language training. A positive attitude and good sense of humour help all VSO volunteers rise to the challenges and enjoy their successes.

And the rest...

Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia is one of the largest and highest countries in the world, with 40 per cent of its territory covered in mountains. Pristine steppe and extensive forests stretch out for thousands of kilometres, representing one of the world’s most unspoilt landscapes. The country has a unique nomadic culture that still forms the backbone of national identity today. You’ll be able to take part in many festivals, such as Naadam, a summer festival featuring the ‘three manly sports’: horse riding, wrestling and archery, plus story-telling and singing.  You’ll live in a small but comfortable apartment with central heating in Dornod and every district has markets and small shops for food and other essentials.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12-24 months to make a sustainable contribution to improving public health in the district. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training, a volunteer allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. NHS employees can volunteer with continued membership of the NHS pensions scheme.

In 2004, Malawi’s health system was described as ‘dangerously close to collapse’. The Malawian Ministry of Health embarked on a six-year plan to revive it, with funds from the UK Department for International Development. Infrastructure is being improved, more health professionals are being trained and retained. VSO volunteers have supported Malawian colleagues to make the plan a reality, but many challenges remain. Now Rumphi District Health Management team have asked for help to address some of the most challenging health needs in Malawi. As a public health manager, you’ll improve the delivery of essential services at community level. You’ll support greater coordination and better management of first-level care and public health initiatives. Improving data management and reporting, you’ll ensure health needs can be understood and acted on, and progress measured. Mentoring and training Malawian colleagues and community level staff, your supervision and guidance will help build the confidence and capabilities of those you work with.

What does the role involve?

• Supporting the planning and management of primary health care activities in the district
• Contributing to developing the primary health care strategy for Rumphi district
• Coordinating vertical, government and non-governmental organisations’ primary health interventions and activities
• Strengthening health management information systems, standardising data collection, developing reporting
• Training colleagues in data management
• On the job training, facilitating learning, and staff development

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be an experienced primary care or public health practitioner with expertise in planning, managing, and developing services and interventions. Experience of health management information systems is important, as is the willingness to spend time working at grass roots level in rural areas. Previous experience of training or developing others would be an advantage. You’ll work as part of a team of volunteers within the health service in Rumphi District, with two other volunteers also directly working to strengthen primary health care. As with all VSO placements, you’ll need to be flexible, patient and creative to work effectively with limited resources.

And the rest...

The name Malawi means ‘reflected light of bright haze’, a most apt description of this country whose area is one fifth covered by water. Besides the magnificent Lake, Malawi has five National Parks, beautiful scenery and year round sunshine. You’ll be based in Rumphi, a lovely small town surrounded by hills, close to the Nyika National park and Vwaza Marsh Wildlife reserve. Rumphi’s small supermarkets and restaurants can be supplemented by the well-stocked supermarkets and shops of nearby Mzuzu. You’ll live in a small house with running water and electricity.

We’ll ask you to commit to 24 months to make a sustainable impact in Rumphi. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training before your placement, living allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. NHS employees can volunteer with continued membership of the NHS pensions scheme.

In 1990 Mongolia abandoned 70 years of Soviet-style communism for a market economy. Whilst many households have benefited from more liberal policies, one-third of Mongolia’s population lives below the poverty line. The old health system emphasised secondary care within hospitals over primary care and health promotion. This has contributed to a low level of awareness about healthy living in many communities and a high incidence of preventable ill-health.  As a public health educator, you’ll help the Darkhan Health Department to improve the effectiveness of their health education and promotion work. This will involve developing a health promotion campaign focusing on illness prevention in the community and encouraging health professionals to adopt client-centred approaches.

What does the role involve?

• Supporting the Health Department to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate a national programme to reduce preventable diseases in the community
• Improving the management of health services, promoting a client centred approach
• Promoting the use of information, education and communication materials, and developing appropriate communication campaigns
• Training the trainers of community-based health volunteers in health promotion methodologies, to improve the quality of health education in the community

Skills, qualifications and experience required

You’ll be a qualified public health or health promotion professional with at least three years’ experience of working in public health, preferably in a health education/promotion role. You’ll be confident in leading and training others and have experience of working in a community setting. In addition to this, you’ll be able to work effectively and creatively with limited resources and have strong interpersonal and communication skills. You’ll be proactive and innovative and have the ability to work well in a cross-cultural environment.

And the rest...

Sandwiched between Russia and China, Mongolia is one of the largest and highest countries in the world, with 40 percent of its territory covered in mountains. Pristine steppe and extensive forests stretch out for thousands of kilometres, representing one of the world’s most unspoilt landscapes. The country has a unique nomadic culture that still forms the backbone of national identity today. You’ll be able to take part in many festivals, such as Naadam, a summer festival featuring the ‘three manly sports’: horse riding, wrestling and archery, plus story-telling and singing.  You’ll live in a small but comfortable apartment with central heating in Darkhan and every district has markets and small shops for food and other essentials.

We’ll ask you to commit to 12 - 24 months to make a sustainable contribution to improving public health in the district. In return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional support. We'll provide you with extensive training, a volunteer allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. NHS employees can volunteer with continued membership of the NHS pensions scheme.