International Development Volunteers

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Africa Health Organisation (AHO) Role Description

Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is an international health organization that provides health and social care in Africa and the Diaspora. Its mission is to lead strategic collaborative efforts among countries in Africa and other partners to promote equity in health, combat disease, and improve the quality of and lengthen the lives of the people of Africa.

We are looking for International Development Volunteers from across the world to assist and support AHO in developing international development policies and strategies related to health and social care, education, poverty alleviation, water and sanitation, communicable diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, TB, hepatitis, etc, non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), etc, social determinants of health, agriculture, disaster preparedness and management, AI and digital, gender equality, migration, nutrition, food, social protection, human rights, child marriages, FGM, breast ironing, conflict, environment, conservation, politics, climate change, human and natural disasters, humanitarian, gender-based violence, climate change, economic development, conflict, gender, globalization, trade, and energy. Your role is to provide research, analysis, and advice on international development policy, strategy and fundraising for AHO.

Duties and Responsibilities

By health, we mean three (3) things:

(1) communicable diseases such as TB, Malaria, Viral Hepatitis, Smallpox, Polio, Ebola, etc,

(2) non-communicable diseases such as Cancer, Diabetes, Mental Health, Kidney Failure, Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), chronic Lung illness, etc, and

(3) social determinants of health, such as behaviours that affect our health. Social determinants of health (SDOH) are the nonmedical factors influencing health outcomes. They are the conditions in which people are born, grow, work, live, and age, and the broader set of forces and systems shaping the conditions of daily life. These forces and systems include economic policies and systems, development agendas, social norms, social policies, racism, climate change, and political systems.

The following list provides examples of the social determinants of health which can influence health equity in positive and negative ways:

• Economics - Income and social protection
• Education and Literacy
• Unemployment and job insecurity
• Food insecurity
• Housing, basic amenities and the environment
• Early childhood development
• Social inclusion and non-discrimination
• Structural conflict
• Colonialism, Racism, Discrimination and Imperialism
• Access to affordable health services of decent quality.
• Water and Sanitation
• Politics and decision-making
• Climate Change and its impact
• Air Pollution and Water pollution
• Environment and conservation, biodiversity and plastic pollution
• Cultural Norms and Beliefs
• Behaviour such as smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, unsafe sex
• Biologicals such as age, gender, race
• Religion and Belief, such as witchcraft, religious fanaticism, cults, religious fundamentalists
• Zoonosis - Animal health (veterinary) such as anthrax and rabies
• Agriculture and food
• Poverty
• Energy
• Digital development
• Disaster risk management
• Mining and oil extraction
• Financial section and inclusion
• Gender equality, gender-based violence
• Infrastructure development
• Urban development
• Rural development
• Trade and macroeconomics
• Engineering and modelling
• Governance, corruption and Human Rights
• Among others, and so on, etc

(I) Primary Duties or Responsibilities Scanning and Analysis in the areas of Policy and Strategy

• From your chosen topic above, gather and analyse information from various sources to advise AHO’s broad approach to international development.
• Gathers and analyses information from various sources to write, monitor, and report on the international development policy, the shifting development discourse of AHO and the changing global development landscape for AHO’s work. Prepares analysis and advice about specific developments in AHO’s policy and strategy and contributes to written briefs and reports.

(ii) Synthesis, Framing, and Communication for Key Policy Audiences

• Liaises with AHO Country Teams focused on international development thematic issues to raise funds for, support, develop, visit, and gather and share information.
• Synthesises and frames programmatic and corporate information on routine and urgent, fast-moving international development issues for AHO leaders and membership audiences.
• Develop synthesis documents and briefing materials for review by the AHO President and senior management engagement with international development policy-makers.

(iii) Support to Strategic Plan development and implementation and Annual Planning

• Contributes to AHO’s international development strategic planning process and the drafting of its Strategic Plan.
• Supports the implementation of AHO’s Strategic Plan through support for working groups, implementation plan development, project idea development, and other activities.

(iv) Support to Programmes in the areas of Policy and Strategy

• Provides information and advice to AHO's international development programmes in navigating political landscape structures and roles in response to requests from leaders.
• Organises meetings, seminars, and events to increase AHO's international development programme awareness of and engagement with relevant policy and strategy issues.
• Provides analytical support about evolving policy directions and specific priority initiatives.

(v) Pursuit of Strategic Initiatives of interest to AHO President

• Prepares analysis and advice on international development issues requiring an arms-length approach, such as programming in higher-risk countries.
• Undertakes research, analysis, project ideas, and other tasks related to specific strategic initiatives of interest to the AHO President (e.g., research projects identified by the AHO President).

After you have written your strategy and policy, develop into a project that you would like to deliver in Africa with the guidance of AHO. We will discuss your project and create a plan of action.

Start fundraising for your project using different methods and ideas. Use GoFundMe or Facebook to appeal to people who want to contribute to your project. Africa Health Organisation (AHO) is on these websites; you can find us on the link.

Here are some fundraising ideas:

1. Abseil,
2. Bake sale,
3. Auction
4. Bingo
5. BBQ
6. Book sale
7. Coffee mornings or afternoon tea
8. Golf day
9. Quiz night

Check the AHO website for fundraising ideas.

You will work with AHO to deliver your project and take time to visit it, meet the people, and see the difference you have made on the ground. AHO will guide you throughout the whole process. Our staff on the ground in Africa will liaise with you about your project choice, delivery, and visit. AHO will arrange your visa, transport, accommodation, and safaris in your chosen country in Africa.

Qualification, Skills and Experience

• An honours degree, studying, graduate, masters or doctorate in subjects such as International Development, Global Health, Politics, International Trade, Sociology, Psychology, Public Health, Medicine, Engineering, History, Accounting, Finance, architecture, Biosciences, Journalism, Communications, Computing, Mathematics, Digital Technology, AI, IT, ICT, Education, Early Years, Social Work, Youth Work, Languages, Law, Criminology, Hospitality and Tourism, Anthropology, Sport, Teaching, Nursing, Building and Construction, Data Sciences, Drama, Fashion, Film-making, Food Science, Forensic Science, Environmental Sciences, Health and Social Care, Pharmacy, Public Health, Social Policy, Veterinary Medicine, Dentistry, Geography, Business Studies, Economics, Agriculture, Sciences, Biomedical, Art, Design, Marketing, Media or equivalent
• A minimum of two (2) years of experience in global development, or students must be a current student or recently graduated from a university or college from anywhere across the world,
• Anyone with a passion for Africa's development, with or without a degree or qualification but with experience, is considered.
• A strong cultural awareness and a strong passion for Africa and SDGs.
• Strong analytical skills
• Experience through studying and living abroad
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative analysis skills
• Strong writing ability

Languages requirements

The ability to speak one of Africa's widely spoken languages would be an added advantage e.g. Afrikaans, Amharic, Arabic, Bemba, Berber, Chewa, Chinese, Dinka, English, French, Fula, Fulani, German, Greek, Hausa, Hindi, Igbo, Italian, Japanese, Kinyarwanda, Kirundi, Kongo, Korean, Lingala, Malagasy, Mandinka, Nambia, Ndebele, Nyanja, Oromo, Portuguese, Russian, Sango, Sesotho, Shona, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swati, Thai, Tigrinya, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Vietnamese, Xhosa, Yoruba, Zulu, etc. You are still welcome to apply if you don't speak any of the above languages.

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Grants and Bids Traineeships, Internships & Apprenticeships

Traineeships are not the same as Apprenticeships and Internships. Apprenticeships last longer. Due to government funding stoppage, we are currently suspending paid apprenticeships. However, if you are interested in unpaid Internships, you can apply via the VolunteerMatch website and search for AHO Internships.

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We do not promise a job offer to volunteers, trainees, interns, or apprentices; however, those who perform above par, winning grants and tenders during their time with us, may be offered a job if their grant or tender creates one. We also sponsor successful trainees to come and live and work in the UK.

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How to Apply

Please submit your CV and a Cover letter via Idealist explaining your motivation.