Community Health Promoter

If you’re looking to start a rewarding career in public health, Ugandan communities have a space for you.

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics reported in 2024 that 75% of the country’s disease burden was preventable. Factors that contribute to ongoing challenges for maternal and child health, include limited access to preventative health services, low community awareness of healthy behaviors, a prioritization of care and treatment over prevention, insufficient staffing of local health facilities, low capacity for using health data systems, and high HIV stigma. The Ministry of Health is committed to strengthening both the country’s health education and overall awareness of available support and care.

As a Community Health Promoter, you will mobilize the community to prevent disease and adopt healthy behaviors. In collaboration with community leaders, you create sustainable health programs that promote maternal and child health, improve sexual and reproductive health, and strengthen the capacity of community health workers.

Qualified candidates will have an expressed interest in working in the health sector and one or more of the following criteria:

• Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in any field
OR
• 5 years' professional work experience

Volunteers in Uganda live in peri-urban or rural areas, including villages, towns, school campuses, and clinic compounds.

Gain valuable, hands-on experience promoting behavioral changes at the community level.
Learn a variety of local languages, such as Luganda, Ateso, Lango, and Lusoga from skilled Language and Cross-Culture Facilitators.
Become a valued part of a host family and community.

Assess community health needs and develop materials or tools that are culturally relevant.
Train community members on health topics, such as antenatal care, nutrition, malaria prevention, HIV support, water sanitation, and hygiene.
Support the creation of support groups for people living with HIV.
Plan community-wide campaigns and events.
Support recordkeeping, child growth monitoring, and health behavior adoption tracking.
You may also work on additional projects that meet the community’s interests and priorities, such as planting trees and introducing garden practices to improve nutrition.

As a Community Health Promoter, you will be trained on community mobilization and sensitization, as well as disease prevention and support.

After 10 weeks of training, you will move to a rural or peri-urban community where you will collaborate with health workers, district health officers, clinical staff, and school staff. You will work with the community to assess the local needs and develop solutions.