Healthy Villages Program Coordinator

UVP is currently seeking a new Healthy Villages Initiative Coordinator to head our Healthy Villages Initiative in Iganga district, eastern Uganda, under the direction of our local Program Manager. The Healthy Villages Coordinator’s job is complex and requires a deep-seated interest in a wide variety of program management areas, including health promotion, community organizing, accounting, publicity, mentorship of volunteers, and fundraising.

UVP’s work depends on a great deal of personal ownership of the projects and commitment to the communities. Ultimately all efforts must be rooted in our mission, and the corresponding values that enable us to effectively learn and serve with the people of Iganga. The Healthy Villages Coordinator will work in the following areas:

1. Community organizing: Within our Healthy Villages Program, work with rural communities to form and empower Village Health Teams – teams of volunteer community health workers who can promote health initiatives in their communities. Assist the Village Health Teams through training and increasingly autonomous function while collaborating with the teams in each community to run health-related programs depending on needs, such as HIV/syphilis, nutrition, sanitation, and malaria prevention.

2. Rural Health: Strengthen partnerships between our Healthy Villages communities and their government Health Centers, work to increase access to healthcare in these rural communities, and work with the District Health Office to advocate for our partner Health Centers and communities.

3. Planning and coordination of internship program – Assist in directing and supporting the work of the UVP summer volunteer teams (about 40-45 people in total, mostly undergraduate and graduate students) who will help with laying the foundation for the Healthy Villages Initiative rollouts

4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting – conduct monitoring assessments to ensure programs are meeting stated goals, provide weekly updates to the board, assist in the creation of detailed reports on our activities for publication to our supporters and to grantmakers, keep detailed financial records and prepare budget projections, write regular newsletter articles, blog posts, and update website content as needed.

Although we will consider candidates of other education levels and relevant disciplines, a Master's degree in Public Health is a plus.

Personal Attributes:

1. Deep-seated commitment to solidarity and sustainability marked by a passionate dedication to serve alongside those who are most marginalized in our world
2. Patience, steadfastness, and the ability to effectively compromise
3. Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency, patience and humility
4. Thorough and creative problem solving skills
5. Strong communication skills
6. Leadership background and ability

A successful candidate should ideally have the following experience:

- Experience as an educator, community organizer or comparable positions
- Work or volunteer history in developing countries
- English fluency including strong writing skills
- Familiarity with Microsoft Word and Excel, and ability to successfully use social networking websites to promote our activities
- Experience with public health issues and campaigns to improve public health, including program design, monitoring, and evaluation

Uganda Village Project will provide the Healthy Villages Coordinator with the following:

1. A monthly stipend, commensurate with experience
2. We will provide travel assistance to assist the Healthy Villages Coordinator in traveling to the job site to start work, if needed.
3. Lodging at our office site including utilities: electricity and internet, as well as use of a mobile phone, computer, and other such resources
4. Transport to and from Uganda (airfare and airport pickup), and visa costs
5. Health needs including doxycycline to prevent malaria, basic health care and emergency travelers’ insurance.
6. All program related expenses will be covered including transportation, communications such as mobile phone and internet use, materials, photocopying, etc.

We can provide support and assistance to write for grants or fellowships. We also have a fundraising manual, brochures, and numerous online mechanisms that you can utilize to raise funds if needed to cover costs associated with the position.

This position begins May 2011 with a minimum commitment of 13 months, and the ability to extend the contract, preference given to those able to arrive earlier.

Cover letter and resume should be sent to director@ugandavillageproject.org by March 31st, 2010. More information can be found at http://www.ugandavillageproject.org