About this role
Project Description
Are you looking to take the next step as a public health professional? Do you want to make a difference in underserved communities?
Guinea faces high maternal and infant mortality rates. In 2022, about 553 mothers died for every 100,000 babies born. For newborns, 32 out of every 1,000 died, and for children under five, 96 out of every 1,000 died. With more than 70 percent of people in Guinea under the age of 30, opportunities abound to improve health outcomes for the next generation. Unfortunately, the country’s large youth population faces challenges such as low employment, limited educational opportunities for women and girls, and underutilized reproductive health information and services. Compounding these obstacles are low community engagement and sociocultural factors like illiteracy.
As a Community Health Advisor, you will work with health facility staff and community health workers to collect, analyze, and use data; foster community engagement; build community partnerships; and promote health services.
Required Skills
Bachelor's degree in public health, community health, social sciences, or a related field.
AND
Two or more years of relevant work experience in public health, preferably in one of the following areas: maternal health, infant and child health, nutrition, malaria control, and the prevention and care for tuberculosis (TB) or HIV/AIDS.
Living Conditions
Santé Intégrée operates in Eastern Guinea. The Volunteer will live in their own house or in an apartment within walking distance of the organization’s office. Volunteer homes typically include metal doors and windows, a living area, bedroom, kitchen, bathroom, bed, table, and chairs. Homes are close to work and potable water sources. Volunteers will be located within a couple hours of other Volunteers and Peace Corps/Guinea’s regional house in Mamou, which serves as a transit hub and Volunteer resource.
Job Highlights
Acquire skills and experience in health systems development and community-based primary care.
Gain experience in business planning, budgeting, staff management, partnership development, and logistics.
Build lasting friendships through cultural exchange and community engagement.
Activities
Collect, analyze, interpret, and use data to plan and implement evidence-based project activities.
Organize campaigns, community dialogues, and home visits on public health topics.
Develop radio messages for broadcast audiences.
Support community action groups.
Train and coach community health workers.
Monitor and evaluate intervention impacts.
Document success stories.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as supporting teachers in health education or after school youth clubs
Training
After a two-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate your partner organization and the local health authorities to assess their needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Guinea will provide you with French language resources and may pair you with a tutor to build your language skills and help you better connect with the community.