The purpose of the community health and HIV and AIDS project is to improve family health conditions of Malawians, particularly those living in rural communities in support of national efforts through prevention and mitigation of HIV and AIDS, malaria prevention and nutritional status improvement by using evidence based interventions in a resource limited environment. Volunteers will work with community health extension workers, medical staff and community members in health promotion activities including community mobilization for utilization of health services and update of behaviors that will promote their health and well being. Some of the interventions include grassroot soccer, girls empowerment camps, and workshops focused on HIV and Malaria prevention techniques and mitigation of AIDS effects.
Malawi is one of the Peace Corps countries participating in Let Girls Learn, an important initiative promoting gender awareness and girls’ education and empowerment. You will receive in-depth training on incorporating methods of gender analysis into community assessment and development efforts. During your service you will find culturally appropriate ways to incorporate gender awareness and the promotion of youth- especially girls- into your work. As part of the initiative, you will also report on these efforts and their impact.
Malawi is one of the Peace Corps countries participating in Let Girls Learn, an important initiative promoting gender awareness and girls’ education and empowerment. You will receive in-depth training on incorporating methods of gender analysis into community assessment and development efforts. During your service you will find culturally appropriate ways to incorporate gender awareness and the promotion of youth- especially girls- into your work. As part of the initiative, you will also report on these efforts and their impact.
Required Skills
Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in the health sector and one or more of the following criteria:
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience
Desired Skills
Candidates are expected to work at community-level health facilities supporting the Malawi health team in behavior change interventions with a special focus on HIV and AIDS, malaria, nutrition and youth related activities.
Experience with youth and girls empowerment is an added plus.
Experience with youth and girls empowerment is an added plus.
Required Language Skills
There are no pre-requisite language requirements for this position. Please take a moment to explore the Language Comments section below to find out more on how local language(s) will be utilized during service.
Additional Language Information
•Trainees in this assignment will be trained in the local language used in their assignment area such as Chichewa or Chiyao languages (in the Central and South) and Chitumbuka, Lambya or Tonga languages (in the North)
•All volunteers are required to learn a local language and attain fluency level of Intermediate-Mid by the end of Pre-Service Training (PST). Midway through PST volunteers are given a mock language proficiency oral interview using the guidelines of American Council for Testing Foreign Languages to prepare for the final language proficiency interview towards the end of PST
•Continuing language support is provided at site through tutors and language skills are assessed at Mid- Service and Close of Service.
•All volunteers are required to learn a local language and attain fluency level of Intermediate-Mid by the end of Pre-Service Training (PST). Midway through PST volunteers are given a mock language proficiency oral interview using the guidelines of American Council for Testing Foreign Languages to prepare for the final language proficiency interview towards the end of PST
•Continuing language support is provided at site through tutors and language skills are assessed at Mid- Service and Close of Service.
Living Conditions
You will be expected to work five days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with community members and/or counterparts. You will be assigned to a specific health facility, which is fully or partially supported by the government of Malawi. Your host agency is responsible for identifying housing. The Peace Corps office ensures that housing meets safety and security and medical standards as stipulated by the office.
Most Volunteer houses are constructed of bricks with concrete flooring, and corrugated metal roofs. Electricity and running water are not widespread in Volunteer housing. Electricity, when available is 220 volt, 50 hertz (220v, 50 cycles). All Volunteers should expect to use hurricane lamps and candles, paraffin (kerosene) and wood/charcoal stoves for cooking or heating. In areas without running water, water sources are available from community taps or boreholes. Peace Corps will provide a water filter and other forms of water purification for drinking water. All sites have the basic necessities such as locally grown staples, vegetables, household goods and mobile phone coverage.
Many parts of Malawi enjoy mild weather due to its high elevation, although lower regions around the lake are usually 10-15 degrees hotter. The main roads connecting the larger cities and towns are very good. Volunteers should be willing and able to live in rural and low resourced conditions. Cell phone coverage is improving throughout the country but remains inconsistent in some remote volunteers' sites. For charging phones, most villages have charging booths for a modest fee and solar chargers are becoming more common. If you are lucky, you can also get 3G internet connectivity at your site or your nearest trading center or town.
Peace Corps Malawi strives to create an inclusive environment for all. We support individuals from many different backgrounds and staff have been trained in diversity, inclusion and LGBT issues. LGBT applicants should be advised that the current Malawi cultural and legal norms do not support an open and transparent LGBT community.
Most Volunteer houses are constructed of bricks with concrete flooring, and corrugated metal roofs. Electricity and running water are not widespread in Volunteer housing. Electricity, when available is 220 volt, 50 hertz (220v, 50 cycles). All Volunteers should expect to use hurricane lamps and candles, paraffin (kerosene) and wood/charcoal stoves for cooking or heating. In areas without running water, water sources are available from community taps or boreholes. Peace Corps will provide a water filter and other forms of water purification for drinking water. All sites have the basic necessities such as locally grown staples, vegetables, household goods and mobile phone coverage.
Many parts of Malawi enjoy mild weather due to its high elevation, although lower regions around the lake are usually 10-15 degrees hotter. The main roads connecting the larger cities and towns are very good. Volunteers should be willing and able to live in rural and low resourced conditions. Cell phone coverage is improving throughout the country but remains inconsistent in some remote volunteers' sites. For charging phones, most villages have charging booths for a modest fee and solar chargers are becoming more common. If you are lucky, you can also get 3G internet connectivity at your site or your nearest trading center or town.
Peace Corps Malawi strives to create an inclusive environment for all. We support individuals from many different backgrounds and staff have been trained in diversity, inclusion and LGBT issues. LGBT applicants should be advised that the current Malawi cultural and legal norms do not support an open and transparent LGBT community.
Medical Considerations in Malawi
- Malawi may not be able to support Volunteers with the following medical conditions: asthma, including mild or childhood; cardiology; dermatology; gastroenterology; some types of gynecologic support; insulin-dependent diabetes; mammography; ongoing behavioral health support; seizure disorder; urology.
- The following medication(s) are not permitted for legal, cultural or religious reasons: none identified.
- Volunteers who should avoid the following food(s) may not be able to serve: eggs and peanuts.
- After arrival in Malawi, Peace Corps provides and applicants are required to have an annual flu shot, to take daily or weekly medication to prevent malaria, and to receive mandatory immunizations.
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