A new way of volunteering with VSO: 4 weeks per
year, for the project cycle of 3 years.
year, for the project cycle of 3 years.
Background
The St. Francis Referral Hospital (SFRH) is located
in Ifakara, Southern Tanzania and has a capacity of 400 beds and attracts
approximately 700,000 referral patients per year from Kilombero and other
neighbouring districts. The hospital is connected historically and
operationally to a number of other health institutions. All the local partner
institutions depend on each other in order to be able to act as a platform for
health care, training and research. Through the support of volunteers there is
real potential to strengthen Ifakara as a centre of excellence in healthcare,
training and research.
in Ifakara, Southern Tanzania and has a capacity of 400 beds and attracts
approximately 700,000 referral patients per year from Kilombero and other
neighbouring districts. The hospital is connected historically and
operationally to a number of other health institutions. All the local partner
institutions depend on each other in order to be able to act as a platform for
health care, training and research. Through the support of volunteers there is
real potential to strengthen Ifakara as a centre of excellence in healthcare,
training and research.
In order to allow the hospital to fulfill its role
as a regional referral and teaching hospital, quality of services need to be
improved through better infrastructure, strengthening of the financial and
human resource management and by ensuring availability of qualified staff,
equipment and drugs. Swiss Development Cooperation and VSO are supporting the
SFRH to improve its quality of healthcare services in a sustainable way by
offering accessible and affordable quality services to the population and
providing excellent training and research opportunities to the local partner
institutions. Based in the hospital as a Research Specialist, you will support
hospital management to identify priority areas for research to improve the
quality of care.
as a regional referral and teaching hospital, quality of services need to be
improved through better infrastructure, strengthening of the financial and
human resource management and by ensuring availability of qualified staff,
equipment and drugs. Swiss Development Cooperation and VSO are supporting the
SFRH to improve its quality of healthcare services in a sustainable way by
offering accessible and affordable quality services to the population and
providing excellent training and research opportunities to the local partner
institutions. Based in the hospital as a Research Specialist, you will support
hospital management to identify priority areas for research to improve the
quality of care.
What does the role involve?
- Facilitating conduction of research for
specific issues indentified by the hospital administration - Coordinating collaboration between the
hospital departments and Ifakara Health Institute to develop a research
culture by carrying out research relating to improved patient care e.g./
infection control, monitoring patient outcome, hospital revenues - Guiding capacity building of departmental
staff ability to interpret research results and use it to guide
decision-making and patient care management.
Skills, qualifications and experience required
You can apply for this role if you are a qualified
a research scientist with a degree in any field of health and masters-degree in
any field of science, plus a minimum of 5 years experience as a research
scientist. It is desirable but not essential to have worked in Africa. You will
need to be available for the period of project, up to 3 years or a minimum of 2
years, with the flexibility and availability to travel and come to train for 12
weeks in a year, (2 weeks every 2 months). We are looking for someone who is a
team worker with good social and interpersonal skills and networking abilities.
You should be able to handle conflicts in a constructive consultative way and
have a flexible personality, adapting easily to new situations, and being able
to set realistic expectations on working in a hospital in the tropics.
a research scientist with a degree in any field of health and masters-degree in
any field of science, plus a minimum of 5 years experience as a research
scientist. It is desirable but not essential to have worked in Africa. You will
need to be available for the period of project, up to 3 years or a minimum of 2
years, with the flexibility and availability to travel and come to train for 12
weeks in a year, (2 weeks every 2 months). We are looking for someone who is a
team worker with good social and interpersonal skills and networking abilities.
You should be able to handle conflicts in a constructive consultative way and
have a flexible personality, adapting easily to new situations, and being able
to set realistic expectations on working in a hospital in the tropics.
And the rest….
Ifakara in the south of Tanzania is an authentic
savannah grassland area that is green during the rainy season and brown in the
dry season. Daytime temperatures vary between 32-39 degrees Celsius throughout
the year. Southern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s best national parks and
game reserves. There is some good hiking around Mbeya, the largest town in the southwest,
but it’s the country’s two largest parks, Ruaha National Park and Selous Game
Reserve that provide the most awe-inspiring encounters with lions, elephants
and wildebeests. Mikumi is a smaller national park, but its proximity to Dar es
Salaam makes it handy for those without the time for the full safari but who
still want to see some wildlife. While on placement, we’ll ask you to commit to
12 weeks per year for up to 3 years to make a sustainable contribution. In
return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional
support. We’ll provide you with extensive training including language classes
before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living
allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return
to your home country, we’ll support you to resettle.
savannah grassland area that is green during the rainy season and brown in the
dry season. Daytime temperatures vary between 32-39 degrees Celsius throughout
the year. Southern Tanzania is home to some of Africa’s best national parks and
game reserves. There is some good hiking around Mbeya, the largest town in the southwest,
but it’s the country’s two largest parks, Ruaha National Park and Selous Game
Reserve that provide the most awe-inspiring encounters with lions, elephants
and wildebeests. Mikumi is a smaller national park, but its proximity to Dar es
Salaam makes it handy for those without the time for the full safari but who
still want to see some wildlife. While on placement, we’ll ask you to commit to
12 weeks per year for up to 3 years to make a sustainable contribution. In
return, we’ll give you comprehensive financial, personal and professional
support. We’ll provide you with extensive training including language classes
before your placement, and our financial package includes a local living
allowance, return flights, accommodation, insurance and more. When you return
to your home country, we’ll support you to resettle.
How to apply:
To find out more about volunteering with VSO or to
apply go to http://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer/
and quote T0785/0019/0001 on your
application. On average it takes a minimum of 4 months to go through the
application process so apply now for departure as soon as possible.
apply go to http://www.vsointernational.org/volunteer/
and quote T0785/0019/0001 on your
application. On average it takes a minimum of 4 months to go through the
application process so apply now for departure as soon as possible.
Closing Date: Friday, 30 August 2013
