Policy and Research Volunteers

Policy and Research Volunteers Role Description

The Africa Health Organisation (AHO) will be 25 years old on 14 August 2025. We seek Policy and Research Volunteers to join us in celebrating our Silver Jubilee by carrying out research and demonstrating essential health and social indicators and have knowledge and experience in evaluation and research alongside a broad knowledge of health and social indicators. The post-holder will provide the high-level analysis needed to help us understand various health and social issues. You will use data and your quantitative and qualitative research background to analyse Africa's health and social indicator trends. This is open to anyone from anywhere.

Purpose of role

1. To provide the high-level analysis needed to help us understand a range of issues relating to broader health and social indicators, using large data sets and qualitative and quantitative research.
2. To gather and interpret the latest research findings on broader health and social indicators, analyse the implications of current policy developments, and translate complex papers for a lay audience.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

A. Policy

1. To research and analyse information relevant to broader health and social indicators
2. Analyse and review all available information and recommend options for implementation of policies

B. Research

1. To research and collect data and information on health and social indicators, such as:

• Morbidity indicators – e.g. AIDS incidence rate (100,000 pop)
• Socioeconomic indicators – e.g. population % with water and sanitation
• Demographic indicators – e.g. Life expectancy at birth (years)
• Mortality indicators – e.g. Infant mortality rate (1,000 lb)
• Resources indicators – Doctors per 1,000 pop, hospital beds per 1,000 pop
• Access indicators – e.g. Contraceptive use (men; women, all methods) (%)
• Coverage indicators – e.g. Immunisation coverage (%) under 1 year of age
• Risk Factors – e.g. Tobacco use, Alcohol and drug misuse, overweight/obesity prevalence

1. Construct tables, graphs and maps using the data and information gathered from the research.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Honours, Master's or doctorate in research degree such as social sciences, medicine, sciences, engineering, arts and humanities, e.g. economics, statistics, international development, public health, health and social care, nursing, sociology, psychology, geography, law, criminology, gender studies, women studies, children studies, men studies, environmental sciences, marine sciences, journalism, art and dance, art and design, mathematics, STEM subjects, media studies, marketing, business studies, etc.
• At least two (2) years of medical and socioeconomic research experience as part of a study course or in the field, work, or research institutions.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative research skills.
• Experience in analysing complex information and datasets.
• Experience in writing reports at school or authoring/contributing to publications.
• Good broad knowledge of the wider health, economic and social indicators and determinants of health
• Familiarity with fundamental statistical analysis and epidemiology

VOLUNTEERING IS NOT A PAID JOB

ALL our Volunteer Opportunities are not paid or salaried. Do not apply if you want a paid job or plan to negotiate a pay deal with us. Volunteering allows people to give their time for free to society while gaining the experience they need when applying for future paid jobs.