About this role
Community Health and Outreach Specialist
Project Description: Educators with experience and a passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) are needed in Cameroon.
Cameroon’s east region has one of the country’s highest HIV prevalence rate at 5.6% due to a significant high school dropout rate and limited economic opportunities. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Association D’Assistance au Développement (Association of Development Assistance) intervenes in the community health sector to support development efforts, particularly those that promote women and girls’ empowerment. Program areas of focus include nutrition, food security, community health and vocational training. The organization is requesting support to develop staff capacity, expand their reach, strengthen data collection and analysis, as well as encourage healthy behavior changes. Serving as a community HIV antiretroviral (ART) dispensation center, the organization is also looking to develop its education on HIV treatment adherence, positive living, and proper nutrition.
As a Community Health Outreach Specialist, you will collaborate with staff on project implementation and community engagement. Alongside your colleagues, you will design and apply innovative strategies to expand outreach to more beneficiaries in the community.
Required Skills: Competitive candidates must meet all of the following criteria:
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in Public Health, Community Health, Social Sciences, Health Promotion and Communication, or a related field AND 2 or more years of experience in public health related to maternal health, infant and young child health, nutrition, and/or infectious diseases (e.g., malaria control, or TB/HIV)
Living Conditions: The Volunteer will live in independent housing in an urban area within walking distance from the office. The Volunteer will live and work in the country’s east region.
Activities: Mobilize communities and conduct outreach activities on health-related topics, including maternal and child health, nutrition, malaria, and HIV. Support antenatal and postnatal care services. Design and implement behavior change communication activities to engage the community. Conduct home visits for continuity of care especially for pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, children under five, and people living with HIV. Support data collection, management, analysis, and reporting.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as nutrition workshops and life skills camps.
Training: After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to an urban community where you will collaborate with staff to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals.
Peace Corps/Cameroon will equip you with French language resources and you may work with a local tutor who can help you build basic language skills to connect with the community.
Job Highlights: Make a meaningful contribution to the health and well-being of a community. Gain valuable experience supporting global health issues. Appreciate the country’s diverse landscapes and cultures, which have earned the country’s nickname, “Little Africa.”