The purpose of this listing is help job seekers in international health. It is oriented primarily to North Americans, but may be useful in other regions as well. Feel free to pass it on to others. For an electronic version, go to www.ccih.org and click on "job search." Please send corrections, additions, or suggestions to MartinRS@aol.com.
 

1. Getting jobs in international health, even with good academic credentials but limited experience, requires a lot of work. It pays to research and contact a lot of potential employers. Networking is key. In addition to sending email messages, letters and resumes, personal follow is important.

2. Many jobs, especially for those with limited experience, are found with PVO/NGOs. It is usually easier to find overseas posts than jobs in the US. Agencies that deal with refugees and disaster relief are sometimes promising job sources for newcomers.

3. A free booklet, Voluntary Foreign Aid Programs, gives summary information about more than 400 U.S. PVOs. Write to the Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation, U.S. Agency for International Development, Washington, DC, 20523-7600, or phone (202) 712-0840, or email VOstrich@usaid.gov.

4. You can get information about 800 PVO/NGOs around the world registered with USAID at <http://intranet.dimen-intl.com/usaid/>.

5. Mission Handbook 1998-2000: U.S. and Canadian Christian Ministries Overseas, is a 512-page directory for $49.95 from Mission Advanced Research & Communication, 800 E. Chestnut Ave., Monrovia, CA 91016. Phone 1-800-777-7752. Fax (818) 301-7786. Web address <http://www.wvi.org/marc/>. Many of these prefer employing Christians.

6. The Global Health Council, formerly NCIH, has several very helpful resources. Go to http://www.globalhealthcouncil.org and click on publications. Then look at:

a) Career Network, a monthly listing of entry and advanced level jobs that you can subscribe to for $25 per year by email (you can see a sample on the web).

b) the Global Health Directory, 108 pages of comprehensive information on over 450 U.S.-based organizations working in international health. It can be ordered online for $10.

c) Internship and Volunteer Opportunities, a $5 booklet.

d) Career Opportunities in Global Health, a booklet which can be read online and lists many other valuable references for job hunters. In addition, The Career Connection job fair at their annual June conference in the Washington DC area brings over 50 employing organizations. You can write the Global Health Council at 1701 K St., NW, Washington, DC 20006. Tel (202) 833-5900. Email: ghc@globalhealthcouncil.org.

7. InterAction Member Profilesis a 425-page directory ($40 plus shipping) which gives detailed information for 150+ US-based non-profits working internationally, many of which have health programs. Contact Publications Department, InterAction, 1717 Massachusetts, NW, Suite 801, Washington, DC 20036. E-mail: publications@interaction.org; tel: (202) 667-8227; fax: (202) 667-8236; or online at <www.interaction.org/pub/pubs/profile.html>. Their site <www.interaction.org/volunteer.html> has many linkages with organizations with international volunteer opportunities. Also check <http://www.interaction.org/jobs.html>.

8. The American Public Health Association annual conference in November (1999 in Chicago) is a good place to network about job openings. Ask about their CareerMart. Contact American Public Health Association, 800 I Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20005-3710. Phone the CareerMart coordinator at (202) 777-2742. Check for details<http://www.apha.org/jobs/cmart.html>.

9. International Opportunities for Medical Students, is obtainable from the American Medical Student Association, 1910 Association Drive, Reston, VA 22091. Tel. (703) 620-6600.

 

10. Publications that include advertisements for health positions are:

a. Monday Developments, a bi-monthly publication of InterAction, a coalition of over 150 NGOs. It will keep you abreast of what is happening in the NGO community. Subscription rates are: $25 for 3 months; $45 for 6 months; and $65 for 1 year. A sample copy can be obtained for $4. Contact Interaction at the address given in No. 7 above, or order it at http://www.interaction.org/pub/md/subform.html;

b. International Career Employment Weekly lists around 500 job openings every other week. The rate for individuals is: $26 for 6 issues; $46 for 12 issues, $86 for 24 issues, and $149 for 49 issues. Contact International Career Employment Weekly, 1088 Middle River Road, Standardsville, VA 22973; phone: 804-985-6444;

c. The International Employment Hotline, published monthly by Will Cantrell, PO Box 3030, Oakton, VA 22124. Tel (703) 860-1562; and

d. International Jobs Bulletin, a bi-weekly listing hundreds of organizations offering jobs overseas. Contact University Placement Center, Woody Hall B208, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901.

11. International Opportunities: A Career Guide for Students lists internships and job opportunities with NGOs, the US Government, UN, private sector, and educational institutions. It costs $10.95. In the U.S. call (800) 528-6279. From anywhere, fax (801) 378-5882.

12. For a Directory of Overseas Medical Volunteer Opportunities with contact information for 150 facilities in 50 countries, send your name, address and phone number to OPTIONS, 3550 Afton Road, San Diego, CA 92123. There is a small fee. You can also enter your name and resume into their database for future volun-teer opportunities. See http://www.serve.com/PCI/options.html.

13. USAID and its many contractors and grantees generate lots of international public health jobs. Although quite competitive, a few career positions are available for people with good academic backgrounds and some experience in international development. Inquire about the International Development Intern program. Write the Personnel Office, US Agency for International Development, Washington, DC 20523.

14. Many jobs are available at USAID-funded organizations like the Academy for Education Development, Management Sciences for Health, John Snow, Family Health International, Population Council, Population Services International, University Research Corporation, Aga Khan Foundation, ADRA, World Vision, and scores of others. Unfortunately, there is no central clearinghouse for such positions. Some of these are for profit organizations. Many of the non-profits are listed inVoluntary Foreign Aid Programs - 1998 (No. 3 above).

15. The World Bank and the projects it finances employ many health specialists fulltime or as consultants. Again, there is no central point to get information about these opportunities. Networking with the relevant offices is required. Very few of these jobs are entry level.

16. Emory University lists public health openings, including some in international health at http://web.sph.emory.edu/phemploy.nsf/. See also http://www.sph.emory.edu/studentservice/Career.html.

17. Opportunity NOCs (non-profit organization classified) publishes biweekly regional lists of job opportunities with NGOs. Cost: about $15 for three months. Subscription information and a sampler of several hundred positions (mostly domestic) is accessible at www.opportunitynocs.org. Write The Management Center, 870 Market Street, Suite #800, San Francisco, CA 94102-2903. Phone: (415) 362-9735. Fax: 415-362-4603.