About this role
Maternal and Child Health Educator
Project Description: Sierra Leone is seeking dedicated individuals who want to build a meaningful professional career in public health or apply their maternal and child health expertise to help reduce the country’s high maternal mortality rates.
The Government of Sierra Leone has made maternal and child health a national priority but still face significant challenges, including a critical shortage of healthcare workers. The country has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world; approximately one woman dies for every 140 live births due to pregnancy or childbirth-related complications. In a bid to address the high maternal mortality rates, the Ministry of Health launched a nationwide campaign, “300 Days of Activism to End Preventable Maternal and Child Deaths,” to reduce preventable deaths and the number of children missing essential vaccinations with the ultimate goal of reaching zero cases. Increased human resources, technical expertise, and health infrastructure is required to meet these goals.
As a Maternal and Child Health Educator, you will build the capacity of skilled health care workers in project development and grant writing skills that will enable them to continue seeking resources long after your service ends. You will serve as a mentor to teens, encouraging them to make healthy and informed choices for their futures.
Required Skills: Associate degree in any field and at least two years of full-time, post-high school work experience (from any combination of roles). OR Bachelor's degree in any field. OR High school diploma or GED and four years of full-time, post-high school work (from any combination of roles).
Living Conditions: Volunteers may be placed in the northern, southern, or eastern regions of Sierra Leone. There may be some independent Volunteer houses within a family compound based on the availability of houses within the community. Volunteers will live in modest housing that typically includes two rooms and a small parlor, along with either an indoor or outdoor bathroom. Shortly after arrival Volunteers will receive a local SIM card for their smartphones; however, Volunteers should be prepared for inconsistent cell service and internet connectivity. While public transportation is available, a bicycle can be provided to interested Volunteers.
Activities: Evaluate community needs alongside community stakeholders.
Provide grant writing and project development training to community health workers.
Facilitate informative cooking demonstrations that teach how to diversify meals with nutritious foods.
Organize youth clubs and camps that promote healthy behaviors and life skills.
Facilitate health outreach and campaign activities on nutrition, hygiene, and positive youth development.
Support community garden development for improved nutrition.
Additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as school health clubs or leadership camps for girls.
Training: As a Maternal and Child Health Educator, you will be trained to support families to adapt improved hygiene practices, detect early warning signs of pregnancy, and engage family members to support mothers and children. Peace Corps/Sierra Leone will teach you Krio to help you comfortably live in and connect with the community. You will also receive language resources and may learn secondary languages, such as Mende, Temne, Limba, Kono, and/or many more local languages.
After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with a health clinic to assess the needs and develop solutions based on community identified priorities.
Job Highlights: Gain international experience with maternal and child health within a resource-limited setting. Receive high-quality training in maternal and child health, hygiene, nutrition, health promotion, and community engagement—building a strong foundation for any public health career. Learn Krio from skilled language and intercultural facilitators.