In June 2015, AU Heads of State and Government mandated the creation of the African Volunteer Health Corps (AVoHC) to ensure the continent has a standby team of trained responders for disease outbreaks and other health emergencies. Since its establishment, AVoHC has deployed over 230 rapid responders to 23 countries, supporting responses to COVID-19, Ebola Virus Disease, Cholera, Measles, and Meningitis.
Building on this foundation, the Kofi Annan Global Health Leadership Program (KA-GHLP) was launched on 25 May 2020 as a flagship initiative of Africa CDC, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the Kofi Annan Foundation. The program has three key components:
- Fellowship in Public Health Leadership
- Public Health Scholars Program
- Public Health Policy Forum
The Kofi Annan Scholars Program (PHSP) specifically places experienced public health experts from across Africa and the African diaspora into time-limited placements in ministries of health, national public health institutes, and other critical health institutions. The aim is to provide technical expertise while building institutional capacity, advancing Africa’s Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Role of the Accreditation and Standards Specialist
Africa CDC is seeking 20 Accreditation and Standards Specialists to join the Kofi Annan Scholars Program roster under AVoHC. These specialists will contribute to the development, implementation, and harmonization of accreditation systems for health workforce training programs and health institutions across the continent.
Key responsibilities include:
- Assessing existing accreditation and training standards for health workforce institutions.
- Designing and validating minimum competency and training standards for targeted health professions.
- Developing accreditation frameworks aligned with both national and international standards.
- Supporting ISO 9001:2015 certification and quality management processes for health institutions.
- Coordinating with ministries of health, regulatory authorities, academia, and accreditation agencies.
- Producing technical documentation, policies, and procedures to meet ISO requirements.
- Facilitating capacity-building workshops and mentorship for national accreditation agencies.
- Driving regional collaboration to harmonize standards and promote mutual recognition mechanisms.
Academic and Professional Requirements
Applicants must hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree in one of the following fields:
- Public Health
- Health Policy or Health Systems Management
- Workforce Development or Human Resources for Health
- Quality Assurance or Organizational Development
- Related disciplines
In addition, candidates must demonstrate at least seven years of experience in health workforce accreditation, institutional quality management, ISO certification, regulatory systems, or health professions education.
Essential knowledge and experience include:
- Hands-on expertise in training accreditation and curriculum development.
- Familiarity with ISO 9001:2015 and other international quality standards.
- Proven track record in developing accreditation frameworks, policies, and harmonization strategies.
- Strong ability to engage with regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and national health agencies.
- Excellent technical writing, policy communication, and stakeholder coordination skills.
Personal and Professional Competencies
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
- Strong problem-solving and systems-thinking abilities.
- Capacity to manage competing priorities under pressure.
- Collaborative skills to work across multicultural and interdisciplinary teams.
- Emotional intelligence, adaptability, and resilience in dynamic environments.
- Effective interpersonal and negotiation abilities.
Tenure and Benefits
This is a volunteer fellowship under the AVoHC program. While it is not a salaried role, selected specialists will receive:
- Travel support, including round-trip economy airfare and related expenses.
- Health insurance during deployment.
- Stipend, communications, incidentals, and risk allowance.
- Accommodation allowance if deployed outside their city of residence.
- A certificate of recognition upon completion of deployment.
Additional Opportunities
As AVoHC members, specialists will:
- Join a network of over 55 African countries and diaspora professionals.
- Participate in training, mentorship, and professional development activities.
- Contribute to capacity-building of national institutions in Africa.
- Gain unique cross-cultural experiences and expand professional networks.
- Make a lasting impact on public health systems, with ripple effects far beyond individual assignments.
