Start date
August 15, 2025

End date
February 20, 2026

Duration
27 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

Institute of Development Management (IDM) in Eswatini delivers education, research, training, and consultancy services to contribute impactful knowledge and skills, locally and globally. IDM offers a variety of programs that have local, regional, and global reach that respond to the needs of their customers. They have trained both pre-service students and in-service professionals at public and private institutions through short-term programs that explore topics, such as basic computing and intermediate software skills. The institution has integrated information and communication technologies in long-term programs including business, education, and health to ensure that graduates possess critical skills relevant for the economy.

Health informatics uses data management and technology to improve healthcare by ensuring healthcare providers have access to a patient’s historical medical records. The results of the skills gap audit conducted by Eswatini Economic Policy Analysis and Research Centre indicate that health informatics is one of the most crucial sectors that needs attention because it deals with critical patient data files. To provide more in-depth and interactive training opportunities to respond to the gaps identified through the survey, IDM seeks to develop a post-graduate diploma within the health informatics higher education program. IDM is requesting the support of a Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) who specializes in health informatics and has experience in both the health and information technology sectors. IDM, with the support of the VSPP, will advance the development of the health informatics curriculum, and provide in-depth training of health informatics tools used for teaching and learning. The VSPP will support the development of the training materials and coach IDM trainers as they adapt their health informatics trainings to deliver to working professionals.

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their Host Country Partners:

• Co-create a detailed work plan for developing the post-graduate diploma
• Co-create and conduct a needs assessment and research report that identify areas of opportunity
• Co-create a health informatics curriculum and training program for in-person trainings
• Co-develop learning assessment tools to complement the health informatics curriculum
• Mentor IDM staff on health informatics, the delivery of the content and relevant tools, assessments, and resources
• Co-create a schedule and system for future curriculum development, enhancement, and refinement
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5-15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 8-10 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Eswatini time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The Host Country Counterpart will have access to Google Meet, WhatsApp, and Zoom for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0-18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree in any field

Experience:

• 2 years working with information systems and health information technology
• 2 years designing and developing trainings or educational programs for adults
  
  

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually