Description

In late 2004, AIHA established the HRSA-funded HIV/AIDS Twinning Center to support PEPFAR objectives to build sustainable institutional and human resource capacity in target countries overseas.

The Volunteer Healthcare Corps (VHC) is a distinct yet complementary component of the Twinning Center's institutional partnership program. It is designed to rapidly expand the pool of trained providers, managers, and allied health staff delivering quality healthcare services - including care to people living with HIV/AIDS - by providing opportunities for skilled professionals from various fields to serve the cause of global health by volunteering their time and expertise.

Volunteers help increase human resources for health, scale up existing services, and jumpstart new projects through long-term placements at twinning partnership sites and other institutions. They become catalysts for sustainable change as they transfer knowledge and skills and serve as mentors and role models for local counterparts.

Highlights

In addition to building the capacity of local institutions that are working to deliver effective and sustainable solutions to HIV/AIDS and other public health challenges in Africa, the VHC makes an important contribution to American public diplomacy. A long-standing partner of USAID's Volunteers for Prosperity (VfP) program and President Obama's volunteer initiative, the VHC provides global learning opportunities for each volunteer while enabling these individuals to serve as a goodwill ambassadors by bringing meaningful change to people's lives.

Qualifications

Volunteers are highly-qualified, resourceful individuals capable of working independently on need-based projects developed in conjunction with partner organizations. Most opportunities are for trained healthcare professionals not just doctors and nurses, but also social workers, health educators, lab technicians, etc. Opportunities for volunteers to work in information technology, management, or organizational development are also available.

The Volunteer Healthcare Corps currently operates in Ethiopia, South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana.

The program in Ethiopia, the Diaspora Initiative has the benefit of recruiting highly-skilled Diaspora professionals with particular motivation to return to Ethiopia, allowing them to quickly engage in both professional and personal activities while confronting less cultural barriers. With this program, there is a strong potential for repatriation, contributing to the Ethiopian workforce.

Typical assignments range from three months to two years, depending on the needs of the host institution.

Programs in South Africa, Mozambique and Botswana are open to US citizens or permanent residents. The basic requirements to be considered as a VHC volunteer include:
* Be at least 21 years of age
* Have at minimum, a Bachelor's degree
* Have a health-related professional skill
* Have professional experience of at least two to five years (this depends on the assignment)
* Be of sound mental and physical health
* Have a strong desire to improve healthcare in developing and transitional countries
* Meet professional licensure and certification requirements, if applicable to the assignment

Minimum Education

Bachelors

Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

No cost

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• International travel
• Living stipend
• Pre-departure orientation/Training

Experience Required

yes

Relevant professional experience of at least two to five years (depending on placement site) is required.

Volunteer Types

This Program is open to

American Participants.

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-3 months

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Year Founded

1992