Description

Title:               Rwanda-based Curriculum and Training Specialist

Reports to:     Curriculum and Training Manager, Boston Office

Location:        Rwanda (based in Rwinkwavu, with travel to other PIH sites in Rwanda); occasional travel to Boston

Organizational Profile

Partners In Health (PIH), headquartered in Boston, MA, is an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through its service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern medical science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has major programs in Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Burundi, Kazakhstan, the Dominican Republic, and Boston, working tirelessly to lessen the joint burden of disease and poverty.  

This is an exciting time for PIH. The organization is taking on immense challenges, while its new found visibility has brought the opportunity to influence even greater changes on the global stage. As the work continues to expand, PIH seeks individuals committed to the mission and values of the organization (see PIH values) to join the team.  

Position Description

The Rwanda-based Curriculum and Training Specialist will work closely with the Department of Medical Education and Training (DMET) at Inshuti Mu Buzima (IMB) and with the Rwandan Ministry of Health (MOH) to support key continuous medical education and training initiatives in Rwanda. To this end, the Specialist will work closely with IMB and MOH staff members in order to: 1) develop, revise and evaluate effective training curricula, materials, and delivery; 2) build an effective monitoring and evaluation system for the IMB training team; and 3) mentor clinicians and program leaders in the development and delivery of high-quality trainings. The main goals are to strengthen and expand upon IMB and PIH’s training models and curricula, to work with IMB and MOH clinical programs in ensuring quality, consistency, and standardization of training methodologies and materials, and to assist the IMB Department of Medical Education and Training in improving the overall quality and impact of IMB and MOH continuous medical education and training initiatives.

Overall Responsibilities 

The Curriculum and Training Specialist will work collaboratively with and provide mentorship to members of DMET, as well as to IMB and MOH clinical staff to 1) develop, write, edit, and revise training curricula and materials (facilitator manuals, participant manuals, PowerPoint presentations, flipcharts, pocketbook guides) for key IMB/MOH training initiatives; 2) help to build the curriculum and materials-development skills of members of DMET; 3) provide direct mentoring and technical assistance to DMET and other clinical teams to  improve training delivery; 4) strengthen the monitoring and evaluation systems and skills within DMET; and 5) coordinate the work of international and Rwandan content experts and consultants, and ensure consistency, timeliness and high standards in the development and implementation of training materials.

Specific Responsibilities

1.         Work closely with DMET and other clinical and community health programs at IMB and the national level to define training curriculum objectives, priorities, content and methodology.

2.         Write, review, edit, and revise training materials as needed in conjunction with clinical and community health programs at IMB and the national level, and in collaboration with DMET team members.

3.         Collaborate with IMB clinical and community health programs and international clinical experts in order to revise, standardize and deliver high-quality continuing medical education and training materials.

4.         Provide technical assistance and mentoring to DMET staff in order to develop their training and materials development skills and capacity. This includes mentoring DMET team members in writing, reviewing, editing, and revising training materials (manuals, PowerPoint presentations, flip charts, and other training materials) in preparation for piloting at IMB sites, publication, and dissemination throughout Rwanda and more broadly; using PIH templates, a competency-based approach, participatory teaching methodologies and activities, and language levels and training activities appropriate for participants’ literacy levels and cultural contexts.

5.         Work with DMET team members and other clinical and community health teams to update, revise, standardize, and improve existing training materials as needed.

6.         Work with DMET team members and other clinical and community health teams to improve training delivery, including developing tools and systems for improving trainings based on piloting and feedback.

7.         Provide technical assistance and mentoring to DMET team members in order to build the team’s capacity to monitor and evaluate training activities effectively. This includes helping the team to refine and strategically use dashboards, TrainSmart, and other monitoring and evaluation tools, and to develop processes for analyzing monitoring and evaluation data and using it to improve training content, delivery, outcomes, and follow up.

8.         Work with DMET team members and other clinical and community health programs to collaborate and coordinate with funders, officials from ministries of health and non-governmental organizations, and other partners involved in IMB and MOH training projects.

9.           Deliver occasional training of trainers or other trainings for IMB or MOH staff in Rwanda.

10.      Help to coordinate communication with consultant writers, designers, translators, training team members, and other PIH staff involved in curriculum and educational materials projects.

Requirements:

1.      A degree in education, health education, public health or a related field; an advanced degree preferred.

2.      At least 3 years experience designing, developing, and editing professional-level training materials for adults, preferably in international healthcare and/or resource-poor settings.

3.      Experience designing and implementing training programs in the area of non-communicable diseases/cancer, women’s health, and community health.

4.      Experience developing and delivering training to a range of audiences, including low-literate adults, professional trainers, health professionals, etc.

5. Experience evaluating training programs and materials.

6. Demonstrated possession of excellent interpersonal and organizational skills; written and oral communication skills; and a solid understanding of adult learning theory, interactive skill building, and participatory methodologies appropriate for low-literate and culturally diverse communities.

7.  Demonstrated ability to manage and prioritize a variety of complex tasks simultaneously. 

8. Ability to work productively in highly collaborative settings while also able to function independently.

9. Demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff, clients, and consultants.

10. Experience with computer applications and Internet research.

11.       French proficiency (written and spoken) preferred.

12. Interest in social justice and health care issues.

** Please note that short listed candidates will be required to present samples of training curricula and materials that they have developed.