About this role
Malaria Prevention Outreach Specialist
Project Description: Occupational therapists, special education teachers, and speech therapists, your skills are needed to close the gap for Deaf students in Kenya.
The government of Kenya wishes to expand its Education for the Deaf (E4D) project into secondary schools for the Deaf, where students perform below average in math and science. This low performance is directly attributed to the teachers’ lack of Kenyan Sign Language (KSL) vocabulary for teaching math and science subjects, inadequate knowledge on strategies to teach abstract concepts, and resources that are not adapted for Deaf learners. The assessment methods used are meant for hearing learners, with little to no accommodation. Deaf learners also lack experiential learning opportunities.
As a Deaf Education Specialist, you will develop signs that can be used for math and science instruction. Along with local teachers, you will incorporate technology, art, and illustrations to help explain abstract scientific concepts.
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: Volunteers will be placed in rural communities in Western Kenya. Housing is provided by the work partner and can be a private structure in a family compound, staff housing at the school, or a stand-alone house in the community.
Activities: Develop and implement school-based health education programs that promote malaria prevention behaviors. Encourage timely health-seeking behaviors and reduce barriers to malaria treatment access. Collect and analyze data on the burden of malaria illness among the 4,000+ students and their families. Assist community health promoters to strengthen malaria case management services. Support participation in national and local malaria observance events, including World Malaria Day.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as youth clubs and workshops on healthy nutrition.
Training: After a 2-week orientation on topics such as health and safety, you will move to a rural community where you will collaborate with staff at a secondary school for the Deaf. You will work with the partner and your community to assess the local needs and develop a work plan in line with their established goals. Peace Corps/Kenya will equip you with Kenyan Sign 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: Gain valuable experience supporting a global public health issue. Learn about the 42 official tribes that call Kenya home. Become a valued part of your host family and the community.