About this role
Public Health Educator
Project Description: Whether you’re looking to start a meaningful career in public health or for an opportunity to share your expertise with others, health facilities and communities in Malawi are looking for your support.
Malawi’s health system faces significant challenges, including limited resources, workforce shortages, gaps in health knowledge, and weak infrastructure. Traditional beliefs can also play a role in shaping behaviors and treatment choices. These issues continue to slow progress. A 2024 survey showed only slight improvements in key health indicators, with some declining since 2015. Malawi’s Ministry of Health aims to achieve universal health coverage and improve quality of life through equitable access to quality services. However, limited government funding and declining donor support have made health financing increasingly difficult.
As a Public Health Educator, you will collaborate with the staff at health centers, schools, and community organizations to strengthen health education and services. Alongside the community, you will promote healthy practices that prevent or address key health issues. In this role, you will have the opportunity to support Malawians as they work to improve their quality of life and advance the country’s long‑term development.
Required Skills: Bachelor's degree in any field.
Living Conditions: Volunteers live in rural or semi-urban communities across the country. Housing will be approximately two miles away from the work site and may or may not have electricity. In areas with no electricity, renewable energy solutions help support daily needs. Water is accessed from communal sources such as boreholes.
Activities: Promote HIV prevention, care, and treatment among the youth and people living with HIV. Conduct nutrition education and awareness sessions with pregnant and breastfeeding women or caregivers of children under the age of 5. Promote the production of diverse, nutrient-rich foods through homestead gardens. Conduct nutrition cooking demonstrations to promote proper food utilization. Assist malaria education and awareness sessions that encourage bed net usage, utilization of malaria prophylaxis, and early care. Promote safe water and hygiene practices, including the use of sanitary facilities. Facilitate training sessions and strengthen current systems.
You may also work on secondary projects that meet your community’s interests and priorities, such as youth clubs or summer camps.
Training: As a Public Health Educator, you will be trained on participatory community development, principles of behavior change, as well as monitoring and evaluation best practices. Peace Corps/Malawi will equip you with Chichewa, Tumbuka, or Tonga language resources. You may also work with a tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.
After nine weeks of training, you will move to a rural or semi-urban community where you will collaborate with a health center and other community structures or groups to promote health work. You will work with the community to assess the needs and develop solutions based on community priorities.
Job Highlights: Gain hands-on, international experience effectively managing health programs in resource-constrained settings. Experience the rich culture, natural wonders, and warm hospitality that have earned Malawi the title of "the warm heart of Africa." Engage in traditional forms of living, learn the value of communal life, and build lasting friendships rooted in mutual understanding.