Biostatistician/Statistician Advisor

Location Kigoma, Tanzania

Start Date Nov 2018 - Jan 2019 (flexible)

Length of Placement 12 Months

Language Requirements English

English Reading: Level 4, Writing: Level 4, Speaking: Level 4

Language Scale: http://www.cusointernational.org/languageratingscale

Open to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada only

As the Biostatistician/Statistician Advisor, you will support the efforts of the Regional Health Management Team (RHMT) in improving their knowledge of statistics so that they can better analyze and create methods of interpreting the vast amounts of medical data that they have. You will also help them to better assess the risks and benefits of various medical procedures in their catchment area. A large part of your day to day work will involve designing new and insightful studies, collecting the relevant information from physicians and patients, and compiling these raw numbers into a sensible form. By evaluating the risk factors present in Kigoma population, you will be able to compute the dangers of and solutions to the spread of disease.

As a volunteer, you will:

• Support the RHMT in designing, analyzing, and implementing targeted statistical studies, which are geared to further medical knowledge and improve research efforts in the Kigoma region
• Help the RHMT members sift through data with advanced processing tools and methodology

Essential Academic Qualifications:

• Biostatics degree or Statistical degree

Essential Professional Background:

• Sound written and verbal communication skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Sound active listening skills
• Sound critical thinking
• Ability to work independently and in teams

Regional Health Management Team-Kigoma

Mission: Facilitating the provision of basic quality health services that are equitable, accessible, affordable, sustainable and gender sensitive.

Vision: To maintain a healthy society with improved social wellbeing that will contribute effectively to individual and national development.

Cuso International terms and conditions allow you to lead a modest and healthy lifestyle while being effective in your placement. This support package will cover basic living expenses for one volunteer and is not intended to cover home-based expenses (ex. loans, support payments, etc.) or luxury items such as imported items in placement or international personal travel.

Support Package

- Modest monthly living allowance (varies depending country)

- Accommodation while in placement

- Return airfare and visa/work permit costs

- Cost of required vaccinations, antimalarial medication and health insurance

- Pre-departure training and in-country orientation

- Travel and accommodation for reintegration debriefing weekend

- Modest support for accompanying partners and dependents going on placement with you for 12 months or longer (Return flight, emergency medical insurance, vaccinations)

- Access to Employee Assistance Program while in placement and upon return

- Cuso International assessment day (Candidates must cover the first $200 of the most cost-effective travel expenses and all accommodation costs).

- Travel and accommodation for the five-day pre-departure training course and for in-country orientation

- Bonus: Additional return flight home or cash in lieu after 12 months of service for volunteers who extend for another 6 months

Fundraising

We ask each volunteer, regardless of placement length, to raise $2,000. All volunteers receive support from Cuso International to help achieve the goal through fundraising. If the volunteer chooses not to fundraise or is unable to achieve the fundraising goal, he/she can make a one-time donation or become a monthly donor to support our work.

Residency

The majority of Cuso International volunteer applicants are residing in Canada at the time of application and during the pre-departure process. Occasionally we received applications from volunteer applicants who are residing outside of Canada at the time of application. In both instances, between your application date and placement start date, we must be able to contact you and you must be able to contact us easily and promptly throughout the process.

We may require your passport and would need to be aware of your current place of residence and any travel plans you may have during this time. You will also require unrestricted access to Canada during this time for assessment and training, as applicable.

Citizenship

Leaving your country of residence can have significant effects on your citizenship status in that country. It is your responsibility to research the consequences of travelling to Canada during the pre-departure process if you are living outside of Canada and of leaving your country of residence for a placement with the immigration authority where you live.

By applying to this placement, you accept full responsibility for any consequences related to your citizenship, residency and immigration status or penalties as a result of travel to an assessment day, training course, international placement or other Cuso International related travel.

You  must  check the implications that apply to you, but examples include:

• Canadian permanent residents may need to make arrangements with immigration authorities before travelling. These arrangements allow them to travel without risk to their status in Canada. Without them, residency status may be withdrawn.

• Citizens of other countries, including those visiting Canada on a visa, may have travel restrictions.