About: VillageReach is a global health innovator that develops, tests, implements and scales new solutions to critical health system challenges in low-resource environments. Our mission is to save lives and improve health by increasing access to quality healthcare for the most underserved communities. More than a decade of studying and working in low-resource communities around the globe drives our approach—invest in innovations that address the unique needs of weak health systems with an emphasis on strengthening the “last mile” of healthcare delivery. We launch new systems, technologies and programs that improve health outcomes by extending the reach and enhancing the quality of healthcare. We focus on solutions that address the most critical barriers to improving health outcomes with a key focus on healthcare accessibility, human resource constraints, information availability and lack of infrastructure.
Position Overview: The Project Officer will support the Pharmacy Assistant Training Program, a two-year certificate-level training program focused on improving medicine management and pharmaceutical practice at the health center level with the purpose of training and deploying a robust pharmaceutical workforce. By 2016, 150 Pharmacy Assistants will graduate and be deployed to health centers in Malawi. The Project Officer will support ongoing activities including: Assistance with supervision of students in their practical sites, development of training materials, monitoring and evaluation, classroom support, program documentation, and program advocacy. The Project Officer will report directly to the Project Manager. In addition the Project Officer will receive ongoing support and mentorship from the Malawi Country Director and VillageReach leadership.
Responsibilities:
- Maintain close communication with Malawi College of Health Sciences (MCHS) Pharmacy Department and Leadership to ensure seamless coordination and delivery of program objectives
- Provide classroom support for the Malawi College of Health Sciences Pharmacy Department as needed
- Provide support for implementation of new eLearning initiative for students undergoing practical training in rural areas
- Assist with the development of training materials to support practical student learning at a health center level
- Conduct routine data collection, analysis, and reporting to support the Pharmacy Assistant Training Program monitoring and evaluation plan
- Participate in the training and capacity building of pharmacy assistant preceptors located in districts throughout Malawi
- Travel and support MCHS in their routine supervision visits to pharmacy assistant placements in district hospitals and rural health centers located throughout Malawi
- Follow up with Pharmacy Assistants in their posts after graduation
- Carry out project timelines and activities with an eye for high quality deliverables and community impact
- Represent VillageReach and the program at various forums
- Other work as assigned by the Project Manager or Country Director
Required Skills and Experience:
- A Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Pharmacy, Public Health, Education, Public Administration or other related field; significant work experience in related field may compensate for education requirement
- At least 2 years of relevant work experience
- Energy, intelligence, diplomacy, and sound practical judgment
- Ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks, problem-solve, and work under pressure
- Fluency in English with excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
Preferred Skills and Experience:
- Knowledge and hands on experience in supply chain management or pharmacy related work
- Master’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Pharmacy, Public Health, Education, Public Administration, or other related field
- Experience with curriculum development and classroom based teaching
- Experience in administration of higher learning institutions
- Experience creating and delivering training materials
- Experience conducting research including data collection, analysis, and reporting
- Project management experience including work planning and budget management
Living Conditions: Fellows will be provided with housing, health insurance and a living stipend of $650/month. Fellows will receive an award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year. Flights to and from the placement site and all other costs associated with GHC programming are included, including $600 in professional development funds.
*Note: the living stipend and completion award may be paid out in USD or local currency, as determined by the placement organization
To apply to this position click here: http://ghcorps.org/fellows/apply/application/
