Why volunteer?
There is strong evidence that participating in global health work brings real benefit to NHS staff and services, as well as healthcare staff and citizens in our partner countries. Volunteering with King’s Global Health Partnerships provides opportunities to:
- Develop skills in leadership and interdisciplinary team-working
- Build knowledge and skills in innovation and quality improvement
- Broaden clinical and teaching experience and participate in healthcare education
- Develop cross-cultural experience and working with diverse communities
- Build personal resilience and efficiency, including an enhanced ability to stay calm and make good quality decisions
- Experience renewed energy for tackling the challenges in the NHS
Volunteering in Sierra Leone was a life-changing experience which gave me a sharpened sense of what really matters – I’m more discerning about the types of improvement approach that really add value, and more often challenge processes which don’t. I’m also more self-reliant and confident in making decisions using the best evidence available. And I developed greater appreciation of the resources we have in the NHS and renewed determination to make absolute best use of these
Laura Semple, NHS Manager
How does volunteering work?
All volunteer roles are appointed following an application and interview process.
There are three types of engagement which volunteers can choose
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1
Remote volunteering, which may involve online teaching and mentoring to health professionals in any of our four partner countries
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2
Short trips (1-2 weeks) to Somaliland and Democratic Republic of Congo
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3
Longer term placements (6-12 months) in Zambia or Sierra Leone
What are the basic requirements?
- Have at least 5 years of experience in your discipline
- Have a relevant professional qualification
- Be fit and healthy
- Have a clear DBS check
- Be able to commit to the full duration of your placement / remote mentoring role
We welcome applications from volunteers from all disciplines – clinical and non-clinical. In particular, we are looking for professionals with expertise in the following areas:
Quality Improvement • Trauma Surgery • Emergency Medicine • Nursing • Mental Health • Hospital Management • Hospital Engineering • Infection Prevention Control • Paediatrics • Obstetrics & Gynaecology • Infectious Diseases.
What King's Global Health Partnerships offers?
For short trips, all costs associated with the trip including flights, visa, vaccinations and anti-malarials, local transport, subsistence and accommodation will be covered.
For longer placements, we offer:
- Monthly stipend for living expenses
- Return flights to partner countries
- One return flight between the partner country and the UK for every 6 months that the volunteer is in post, to support travel during annual leave
- Multi-entry visa
- Residency permit & professional registration (where required)
- Vaccinations and anti-malarials
- Accommodation in a shared house with other volunteers
- Transport to and from the workplace
- 27 days annual leave plus public holidays.
We also offer access to:
- A comprehensive induction programme to King’s Global Health Partnerships (KGHP) as a chance to learn about our ethos and approach as well as essential safety and security briefings for overseas volunteers
- High quality support from the dynamic and experienced partnerships team during the period of volunteering
- KGHP’s Wellbeing Support Programme, which is provided through an external company called WorkPlace Options. This provides practical information and counselling on a variety of topics. Information can be provided over the phone, online or via email; and counselling is offered at a time convenient to you and at no cost for all those working with KGHP.
Please only complete this form if you are applying for a specific role.
If you want to hear about other volunteering opportunities, you can sign up to our newsletter instead.