GFE Opportunity in Ethiopia
Category : GLEPI Student Opportunities
**Please send your resume and cover letter ASAP to Dr. Dawn Comeau at dcomeau [at] emory [dot] edu. We will review resumes upon submission. Potential candidates will be contacted for an interview. The GFE funding application is due 2/20.
Project Title:
Evaluation of the MEPI Scholars program for developing research capacity of junior faculty at Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia
Project contact:
Dr. Dawn Comeau, Behavioral Sciences and Health Education, dcomeau [at] emory [dot] edu
Dates:
May 15- August 1 (tentative dates, flexible within this time period, minimum 6 weeks in Ethiopia)
Description:
The Medical Education Partner Initiative (MEPI) Junior Faculty Program at the College of Health Sciences at Addis Ababa University (Ethiopia) is funded by the NIH’s Fogarty International Center. In collaboration with Emory, the MEPI program builds research capacity in selected priority scientific disciplines to improve research infrastructure and research support in Ethiopia. The program trains junior faculty in four scientific areas: HIV/AIDS and related infections, maternal and child health, non-communicable diseases and mental health. The program has funded over 40 trainees to become independent scientific investigators by providing research methods training, mentoring and professional development.
This summer, we are looking for a RSPH student to apply for a GFE award and work with our Ethiopian colleagues to evaluate the program. Preliminary evaluation plans include conducting qualitative interviews and quantitative surveys with program participants, stakeholders, and key members of leadership about the program outcomes and lessons learned. The evaluation will also likely include a document review of progress reports, course evaluations, and publications. Case studies might be developed to describe unique success stories and impactful outcomes of the program. Most data collection will be in English. Final evaluation plans will be developed in country with collaborators.
Qualifications and Experience:
Students applying for this position should ideally have previous experience working in a global setting, the ability to communicate and collaborate with high level officials in clinical settings and higher education institutions, a desire to apply mixed methods research skills, and the ability to travel to Ethiopia for at least six weeks during the summer of 2020. The student will be mentored by faculty at Emory and AAU and will work closely with the MEPI program evaluator at the school of public health at AAU.
Position suited to a first year BSHE or global health student but we will review applications from all departments. This could be a practicum or thesis project. However, it is not paid position. Students must write and submit a GFE application for funding (https://sph.emory.edu/rollins-life/community-engaged-learning/global-field-experience/index.html).
The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:
- Strong communication skills (verbal and written)
- Experience with mixed methods and/or evaluation research and interest in evaluation as a career
- Ability to work with diverse team members including interacting with a range of professionals in high ranking leadership positions
- Ability to remain flexible and adapt to changing program objectives
- Experience working in higher education and clinical settings
- Experience or interest in working in Ethiopia or other settings outside the United States
- Amharic language skills (optional)
