About this role
Project Description
Calling all experienced public health professionals and health educators! NGOs and district health offices across Zambia are seeking your expertise to strengthen community health systems and expand essential health services.
Zambia faces significant public health challenges, including high HIV prevalence, rising youth reproductive health concerns, and persistent maternal and child mortality. Limited access to quality health information, resource constraints, and gaps in prevention and service delivery contribute to ongoing health risks in both urban and peri-urban communities. Addressing these challenges is a national priority, with the government emphasizing community-based education, stronger health systems, and improved coordination across programs that address HIV, tuberculosis, malaria, nutrition, and maternal and child health. NGOs and health offices are committed to these goals but require additional technical support to meet the growing demand for effective and evidence-based public health interventions.
As a Community Health Trainer, you will bring valuable professional experience that strengthens program quality, improves the use of data for planning and decision making, and builds the skills of staff and community partners. By supporting program design, training, monitoring, and implementation, you will help expand access to essential health information and services. Over time, your contributions support stronger health systems and empower communities to take an active role in improving their own health and well-being.
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
Volunteers will live in an urban or town setting and will have a one- or two-bedroom house with running water and electricity. Housing will be located within a reasonable walking or biking distance from the workplace, with public transportation available.
Job Highlights
Gain valuable public health experience supporting, managing, and evaluating programs in partnership with leading Zambian nongovernmental organizations (NGOs).
Develop skills in data use, health systems, and capacity building.
Collaborate with professionals and learn intercultural leadership skills.
Activities
Conduct assessments with counterparts to identify gaps in public health programming and staff capacity.
Design and facilitate trainings that strengthen staff skills in community health education and program implementation.
Support teams to improve coordination and the delivery of health activities.
Train staff in monitoring, evaluation, and data use through routine data collection and analysis.
Develop strategies that enhance community engagement in priority health areas.
Provide coaching to strengthen organizational systems that support effective health programming.
Review program progress with staff and identify opportunities to improve quality and sustainability.
Work with stakeholders to collaborate across sectors and promote public health initiatives.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as facilitating professional development workshops or organizing youth leadership activities.
Training
The Community Health Trainer will participate in a two-week orientation program that covers technical skills, medical sessions, self-care, the local language (English is the official working language of Zambia), and intercultural learning. They will also receive a full safety and security briefing.