Country
Uganda is a beautiful country with outstanding natural scenery but a chequered political history since it achieved its independence from the United Kingdom and became the Republic of Uganda in 1962. The 236,580 sq. kms. landlocked area is mainly flat with mountains only at the east and west margins. Consequently it has a consistent tropical climate with temperatures reaching a high of 29 degrees Celsius (summer day) and a low of 16 degrees (winter night) tempered by the 1000m altitude.
The land varies from semi-desert in the northeast to the lush and fertile shores of Lake Victoria and River Victoria Nile which flows through the country and provides arable areas. The rainy seasons in the south are from April to May and October to November. In the north the wet season is from April to October and the dry from November to March. Humidity is low outside the wet seasons.
Despite the fluctuating political climate in the recent past and the nearness of civil war in neighbouring countries causing an overflow of refugees, the economy is expanding rapidly.
Agriculture accounts for 70% of the gross domestic product and employs 90% of the workforce. Coffee, sugar, cotton and tea are the main export crops; maize, millet, cassava, sweet potato, cereals, beans are locally consumed. Manufactured goods are textiles, soap, cement and steel products and in a thriving economy are set to expand. It has natural resources of copper, cobalt, hydropower, limestone and salt.
Uganda's population of 23 million has a wide mix of tribes and languages although most can speak English, the official language. While 66% of the population are Christian the remaining practise animism or, a few, Islam.
There is a good system of sealed roads between large towns and bus services, post buses, minibuses and taxis run on a daily basis although conditions can vary and potholes are a regular feature to be aware of. Fuel is very expensive. The trains do not carry passengers at the present time, services having been suspended indefinitely.
Region
Kampala is a green and attractive capital city steadily being rebuilt following earlier civil disruption. It is built on seven hills with flowering summits, large houses and cooler air compared to the busy and bustling valleys where the sops, services, businesses, government offices and every day life takes place.
It has the usual range of shops, foreign exchange bureau, banks, airline offices, telephone, e mail and Internet facilities, and a noted nightlife of bars, clubs, discos and live music. The international airport is at Entebbe, 35kms from Kampala, and there are buses running from Kampala to Arusha (Tanzania) and Kisumu (Kenya) as well as local towns. Ferry services are also available on Lake Victoria.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare lessons (specific subjects will be agreed with the rest of the teaching team).
- Teach students using a variety of methodologies.
- Set, adjudicate and mark examinations.
- Follow-up students clinical demonstrations.
- Support students to conduct research.
- Assist to ensure the curriculum is kept up to date and relevant to Uganda.
- Develop teaching aids using locally available resources.
- Work with clients and students in clinical sessions.
- Carry out tutorials where classroom teaching in subjects is covered by some other sections of the curriculum.
- Promote Occupational Therapy within the Paramedical Training Schools and elsewhere.
- Participate in and promote the Ugandan Association of Occupational Therapists.
Person Specification
Essential
- Diploma or preferably a degree in Occupational Therapy recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists
- At least two years post qualification experience.
- Must be willing to learn Kiswahili.
- Ability to work with people of different cultures and to adapt professional skills to using low cost available resources.
- Must be willing and able to work in a team.
- Willing to travel independently throughout Uganda and to use public transport.
Desirable
- Experience in teaching (support and guidance will be given in planning lessons. Teaching methods and evaluating students' progress).
- A background in Mental Health however, all suitably qualified and experienced OTs are invited to apply.
- Experience of curriculum development as a part of a teaching team.
- Work experience in a developing country.
- Current driving licence.
Placement Information
Accountability:
To the member of Action Health staff responsible for managing the Uganda Programme, and on a day-to-day basis, the Principal Tutor of the Occupational Therapy Training School, Mulago Hospital.
Environment:
The responsibilities the post holder will have are considerable and the tasks demanding.
A hard working individual with a sense of humour, creativity and imagination would cope well with the job. The professional rewards are high, with plenty of scope for experimentation in teaching / learning and supervision methods.
Other Information
Current Trainer in this post: Julie Somerville
Click here to go to the Action Health application form
