Community Health Outreach Specialist – Malaria Control
Peace Corps
On-site
Kenya
Job Description
PMI REACH has requested the support of Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) to serve as Community Health Outreach Specialists. HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal and child health remain significant public health issues in Kenya, and malaria remains a major public health issue accounting for over 16% of all outpatient consultations with 70% of the population at risk for malaria infection. By leveraging their knowledge, skills and attitudes coupled with training to live and work in underserved communities, Volunteers are uniquely positioned to team up with community health promoters in improving the reach and quality of services to the most vulnerable.
The PCRVs support County Malaria Control Coordinators (CMCC) in program implementation across their county. They will be embedded at the county level working closely with the CMCC in community-based case management programming, focusing on building linkages between community and health facilities, as well as with other PMI implementing partners working in the community on malaria prevention and control activities. PCRVs will also be working at the household level via local community organizations and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), to reach the highest-risk populations promoting behavior change communication and youth-friendly services, demand creation for health services – including those that are youth-friendly and gender-equitable.
Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Kenya together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health, Social Sciences, or a related field
• At least two years’ experience in one of the following public health areas during Peace Corps service or through other professional work in a developing country: maternal health, infant and young child health or nutrition, malaria control, household-level health outreach, TB/HIV
• Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) or a minimum of two years working overseas in an international development context
• Flexibility and patience to adapt to changing circumstances and work without constant or close supervision
• Intercultural communication and relationship-building skills
PMI REACH has requested the support of Peace Corps Response Volunteers (PCRVs) to serve as Community Health Outreach Specialists. HIV/AIDS, malaria and maternal and child health remain significant public health issues in Kenya, and malaria remains a major public health issue accounting for over 16% of all outpatient consultations with 70% of the population at risk for malaria infection. By leveraging their knowledge, skills and attitudes coupled with training to live and work in underserved communities, Volunteers are uniquely positioned to team up with community health promoters in improving the reach and quality of services to the most vulnerable.
The PCRVs support County Malaria Control Coordinators (CMCC) in program implementation across their county. They will be embedded at the county level working closely with the CMCC in community-based case management programming, focusing on building linkages between community and health facilities, as well as with other PMI implementing partners working in the community on malaria prevention and control activities. PCRVs will also be working at the household level via local community organizations and Community Health Volunteers (CHVs), to reach the highest-risk populations promoting behavior change communication and youth-friendly services, demand creation for health services – including those that are youth-friendly and gender-equitable.
Candidates selected for this position will be arriving in Kenya together as a group, so while the departure dates for the whole group could change, dates cannot be changed for individual candidates.
Required Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in Public Health, Community Health, Social Sciences, or a related field
• At least two years’ experience in one of the following public health areas during Peace Corps service or through other professional work in a developing country: maternal health, infant and young child health or nutrition, malaria control, household-level health outreach, TB/HIV
• Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (RPCV) or a minimum of two years working overseas in an international development context
• Flexibility and patience to adapt to changing circumstances and work without constant or close supervision
• Intercultural communication and relationship-building skills