Description

Couples' Voluntary Counseling and Testing (CVCT) Placement

CVCT interns coordinate the daily activities of the CVCT sites and organize efforts to ensure consistency. Interns monitor CVCT counseling and support staff in order to guarantee clients receive the highest standard of care and support possible. One of the primary goals of the CVCT intern is to empower the CVCT staff to be as self-sufficient as possible, while acting as a liaison to other interns as well as outside organizations. CVCT interns closely monitor and evaluate CVCT program activities. Interns are responsible for quality control of data collected at each site and help to ensure complete data collection. CVCT interns work closely with community partners from grass roots organizations within each country to United States, Zambian and Rwandan government offices including the Rwandan and Zambian Ministries of Health, The Center for Disease Control Zambia and the Treatment Research and AIDS Center (TRAC) in Kigali. The CVCT department provides monthly reports to donors and government partners to expand acceptance and use of CVCT services throughout Zambia and to assist in the ongoing implementation of CVCT services in Rwanda on a national level. Interns organize district community promoter (DCP) promotion activities as well as help recruit and train DCPs. In addition to DCPs, interns also are responsible for the promotion of CVCT in the community, which includes organizing meetings with community leaders and media promotion.

We offer this program in multiple site across Zambia.

Qualifications

Internship Responsibilities (all departments) -

RZHRG interns must have an MPH degree or similar applicable master's degree or have completed at least three years of medical school, as well as have experience in data management/analysis with Access and/or SAS. These qualifications can be adjusted for individuals with comparable experience abroad - applicants must be able to demonstrate experience. For Rwanda internships, we give preference to French-speaking applicants. There is a minimum commitment of six months, although one-two years is preferred.

An intern is considered a middle-management position. Interns directly report to site Directors and RZHRG directors. As members of management, interns are expected to behave in a manner befitting a manager and respectfully learn from, as well as lead, staff while advancing organizational goals. Intern responsibilities vary by department, however all interns engage in the following tasks: Attend, lead and keep minutes of weekly department meetings, as well as each site's weekly management meeting. Perform daily quality control over departmental procedures, including (but not limited to) data collection forms, standard operating procedures and departmental log books. Liaise with Emory RZHRG management on a daily basis, including informal (email and Skype) and formal (reports) correspondence. Perform staff evaluations and participate in recruitment/hiring of new staff. Conduct monthly trainings for departmental staff on SOPs, competency assessments and/or new study protocols or amendments. Read and demonstrate competency on all SOPs related to their department (e.g. lab, medical, CVCT, data and management) and allied departments. Review, write and revise departmental SOPs on a rotating basis.

Job/Intern Types

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

air fare to work site

Salary/Pay

Pay applies only to interns committing greater than six months

Experience Required

yes

RZHRG interns must have an MPH degree or similar applicable master's degree or have completed at least three years of medical school, as well as have experience in data management/analysis with Access and/or SAS. For Rwanda internships, we give preference to French-speaking applicants. There is a minimum commitment of three months, although one-two years is preferred.

Volunteer Types

Age Range

21-30

This Program is open to

American, Australian, Canadian, European and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Apartment/Flat

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Resume
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

one month

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group's Mission Statement

The Rwanda Zambia HIV Research Group is committed to supporting Couples Voluntary Counseling and Testing (CVCT) as an effective and economical way to decrease HIV/AIDS transmission throughout southern Africa. An estimated 70 percent to 90 percent of sexually transmitted HIV infections in southern Africa occur in couples who dont realize that one partner is HIV (+) and the other is HIV (-). CVCT has been proven to reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS by more than two-thirds among those couples who dont share the same HIV status. Through our network of clinics in Rwanda and Zambia, we provide testing and compassionate counseling to couples, educating them about prevention and protection.

Year Founded

1986