Career Op Global Health
Career Op Global Health
Career Op Global Health
Updated 7/14
evaluation, logistics and supply chains, or training and education; familiarity with a specific population or
subject matter, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, reproductive and child health; and experience working across
cultures.
Program developers and proposal managers write proposals and applications for funding, working from a
design created by a technical expert and translating it into non-expert language. S/he needs to have
enough knowledge of the subject to write about it, but doesnt need expertise in the topic. To secure such
a position, it is helpful to have the following: strong writing and communication skills
to persuasively convey technical aspects to a mixed audience of experts and non-specialists; an
understanding of the technical concepts of the project; grant writing and fundraising skills; and an ability
to coordinate communications and manage business activities, including management, finance, and
accounting.
Other types of work in global health include research positions at academic institutions, research
organizations, think tanks, governmental agencies, and policy groups. Entry-level positions, such as
research assistant, program assistant, or research analyst, often require specialization in a policy or a
technical field.
(Source: http://news.change.org/stories/jobs-in-global-health)
Employment by Organization Type
International, or Multilateral Organizations (e.g.: World Bank, WHO, UNICEF)
Qualifications: A postgraduate degree in public health, business, economics, and social or
behavioral sciences.
Some have an employee nationality quota, which can make finding a position as a US citizen
difficult due to overrepresentation. The salaries are higher and expect to travel quite a bit, but also
to deal with the bureaucracy and inefficiencies of working at such a large organization. Contract
work is a good way to get your foot in the door. These organizations offer fewer internship
opportunities than others.
Bilateral Governmental Organizations (e.g.: CDC, USAID, DHHS, embassies)
Qualifications: a postgraduate degree in public health, business, economics, and social or
behavioral sciences is helpful.
These organizations offer more internships and entry-level positions. USAID tends to contract
with other agencies rather than hire people directly due to structural constraints on hiring.
Academic Institutions
Offers job security, teaching, and research experience. Opportunities depend on funding.
Nonprofit Organizations
There are two categories: 1) Specialized service providers filling specific medical needs. The
American Academy of Family Physicians and the American Society of Tropical Medicine and
Hygiene compile lists of international positions. 2) Emergency relief and rehabilitation (MSF or
ICRC, for example) to assist with humanitarian disasters.
For both categories, permanent positions are mostly for those working on policy and operations.
Medical staff are often hired on a short-term, as-needed basis.
For-Profit and Nonprofit Consultant Organizations (e.g.: John Snow, FHI360)
These organizations have been growing rapidly as governments have been using more contractors
to provide both expertise and manpower. They offer generally well-paid, full-time positions to
work on long- or short-term assignments, and include travel.
Updated 7/14
Updated 7/14
UNAIDS - www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health
World Health Organization (WHO) - www.who.int/en
Resources for Additional Information
Associations
American Public Health Association - www.apha.org
The American Society for Nutrition - www.nutrition.org
Foreign Policy Association - www.fpa.org
Center for Disease Control and Prevention - www.cdc.gov/globalhealth
Internet Resources
International Nutrition Foundation: www.inffoundation.org
Center for Global Development, Global Health Policy - www.blogs.cgdev.org/globalhealth
Center for Global Health Policy - www.idsaglobalhealth.org
Center for Strategic & International Studies- www.csis.org/program/global-health-policy-center
Duke Global Health Institute- www.globalhealth.duke.edu/policy/center-for-health-policy
Explore Health Careers. Org- www.explorehealthcareers.org/en/Career.51.aspx
Families USA- www.familiesusa.org/issues/global-health/matters
Kaiser Family Foundation, US Global Health Policy - www.globalhealth.kff.org
Washington Global Health Alliance- www.wghalliance.org/jobs
What is Public Health? www.whatispublichealth.org/careers/index.html
LinkedIn
Global Public Health - www.linkedin.com/groups/Global-Public-Health-120372
Global Health Economics Network - www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=39902
Global Health Council - www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=819577
Publications
101 Careers in Public Health, by Beth Seltzer, MD MPH, Springer Publishing Company, 2010.
Case Studies in Global Health, by Ruth Levine, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2007.
Essentials of Global Health, by Richard Skolnik, Jones & Bartlett Publishers, 2007.
Finding Work in Global Health, by Garth Osborn & Patricia Ohmans, Health Advocates Press, 2005.
Public Health: Career Choices That Make a Difference, Bernard Turnock, Jones & Bartlett Publishers,
2006.
Updated 7/14