CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO WORK IN PUBLIC eHEALTH IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN
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1. CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS TO WORK IN PUBLIC eHEALTH IN LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN started by Phillip Baker
Dear all, some may be interested in this opportunity. More information at:
http://bit.ly/dJEyKn
*DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 6 JUNE 2011*
“*This will be the century of networks, connectivity and interdependency,
which will allow us to overcome barriers of space and time and will open
possibilities that were unimaginable to humankind. If we encourage those
networks to exponentially multiply the available share capital in order to
link people and institutions within a large supportive and inclusive mesh
of
all the inhabitants of the continent, we will have taken a fundamental step
towards eliciting knowledge and experience in new ways of exchanging
technical cooperation for sustainable human development”*
Dr. Mirta Roses Periago PAHO Director, 2003
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What Is the Public eHealth Innovation and Equity in Latin America and
the
Caribbean (eSAC) Project?
-
Who Are the Young Professionals (YPs)?
-
What Are the Benefits of Becoming a YP?
-
Who Can Apply to Become a YP?
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How Are YPs Selected?
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How To Apply
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Additional Information
*What Is the Public eHealth Innovation and Equity In Latin America and the
Caribbean (eSAC) Project?*
Inequities in health are prevalent in and across many parts of Latin
America
and the Caribbean – they can be found between different social groups and
are influenced by race, gender, and ethnicity, among other things. The eSAC
project aims to improve the health of disadvantaged groups and contribute
to
the advancement of equity in health in Latin America and the Caribbean
(LAC), by nurturing and promoting Public eHealth innovations. The regional
project is jointly designed and implemented by the Pan-American Health
Organization (PAHO) (www.paho.org), Washington DC, and the People, Health
Equity, and Innovation (PHI) Research Group (www.phi-group.org) at
the University ofToronto, Toronto. The eSAC project is funded by the
Ottawa-based International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
(www.idrc.ca).
Public eHealth is an inclusive term that encompasses all of the possible
applications of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to public
health and related disciplines. Public eHealth includes both traditional
applications, such as management information systems, databases, and data
sharing networks, and more recent and innovative ones, such as those
supported by Web 2.0 solutions.
The project seeks to unite and strengthen the principles of transparency,
ethics, and equity through the innovative use of ICTs to enable better
health care delivery and access, particularly among undeserved populations.
The eSAC project integrated approach includes:
- the introduction of various types of incentives to stimulate
innovation;
- support to communication and networking activities;
- capacity development opportunities;
- the evaluation of solutions based on information and communication
technologies (ICTs) that address priority public health challenges in
the
region; and
- activities aimed at informing and sensitizing policy makers.
*Who Are the Young Professionals (YPs)?*
YPs are highly educated and motivated individuals who will support the
successful implementation of the eSAC project by catalyzing the development
of Public eHealth and equity in health, working in a regional community of
practice and contributing to various other project activities. To this end,
YPs will receive training and ongoing support.
*What Are the Benefits of Becoming a YP?*
The eSAC project will offer YPs a unique opportunity to learn, gain field
experience, and greatly expand their professional networks. Through their
involvement in the project, YPs will become pioneers and leaders in a
cutting-edge field that will dramatically impact the future practice of
public health in the region.
*Learning*
YPs will expand and deepen their knowledge of ICTs, public health, health
equity, effective mechanisms in stimulating innovation, and other
substantive areas. They will also improve their critical thinking,
reflection, analytical, team work, and leadership skills. YPs will receive
ongoing training*.* They will be accompanied throughout the whole duration
of the project by a small group of mentors-world-class specialists who will
help them better understand the rules and mechanisms needed to effectively
work as a virtual team*,* and how to make the most of technological tools
for networking and other activities
*Gaining Field Experience*
By contributing to eSAC field activities, YPs will have the opportunity to
understand the applied value of ICT-based solutions in public health. In
addition, they will gain experience in research, knowledge translation and
policy informing.
The YPs will gain experience and influence matters of health equity through
the following activities:
- analyzing eHealth applications that have broad relevance to the
improvement of Equity, efficacy, effectiveness, efficiency and quality
of
health services and systems.
- evaluating quantitative and qualitative ehealth studies, thereby
gaining experience in the development or application of appropriate
research
methods that justify confidence in the reliability and validity of the
findings; and
- studying eHealth issues and innovations that will add significantly to
the enrichment of specific knowledge and/or changes in health services
and/or health systems policies, organization or practices
In addition, the YPs will gain experience in research, knowledge
translation
*,* and policy informing.
*Expanding Professional Networks*
Participating in the eSAC project will represent, for YPs, a truly unique
opportunity to become central players in a region-wide professional network
that includes multiple communities of stakeholders-from innovators and
technical cooperation experts to policy-makers. Being part of such network
will in itself represent a powerful building block in support of YPs’
future
careers.
The program will provide a monthly stipend and cover all travel expenses.
Selected participants will be responsible for securing their own health
insurance.
*Who Can Apply to Become a YP?*
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- be 25 to 35 years old;
- be citizens of a LAC country, and currently residing in the region;
- be available for the whole length of the project;
- hold a university degree;
- be fluent in English and in one or more of the following languages:
Dutch*,* French*,* Portuguese*,* or Spanish;
- have previous experience in one or more of the following areas:
- application of ICTs to health and development;
- health equity;
- use of social media tools;
- social entrepreneurship; and/or
- social and organizational innovation.
In addition, YPs should:
- be able to work under minimal supervision;
- be able to act at the same time as leaders and team players;
- have excellent communication and facilitation skills;
- be able to work across cultural boundaries;
- be respectful of individual differences;
- be creative thinkers;and
- show flexibility, commitment and passion.
The final selection of YPs will ensure representation of all major LAC
subregions and all major Western languages.
*How Are YPs Selected?*
At the end of a multi-step selection process, ten applicants will be
invited
to attend a workshop with three main objectives:
- to create an opportunity for selection committee members to work
directly with the candidates and better assess their effectiveness,
attitudes, and interaction styles;
- to familiarize participants with the eSAC approach, objectives, and
methods; and
- to kick start the development of a detailed work plan.
At the end of the workshop, five candidates will be chosen as YP's. The
remaining applicants will be offered the opportunity to access the
online
training resources developed for the initiative and to participate, in
various ways, in the selected project activities.
*How to Apply*
Applications are accepted online at the following address:
*http://new.paho.org/cvesac*
In addition to completing the online form, all candidates will be required
to electronically submit the following documentation:
- Cover letter explaining the reasons for the candidate’s interest in
the
initiative and his/her areas of professional experience and interest
- Up-to-date curriculum vitae; and
- Photocopies of all university degrees.
*DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 6 JUNE 2011*
***Important Dates*
June 6, 2011 Application deadline
July 11, 2011 Letter sent to pre-selected candidates
August 8-10, 2011 Workshop
September 1, 2011 Commencement of activities
January 31, 2013 Conclusion of activities
*Contact Information*
Email for information about the call: ruglucia@paho.org
eSAC Project email : esacproject@gmail.com
Twitter: @eSACproject @healthpaho
Facebook: ESAC Project
PAHO website:http://new.paho.org/ict4health/
eSAC project website:
http:www.*esacproject*
*.net*
