Urogynaecologists and General Gynaecologists: Short-Term Deployment to Palau

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST:

From Urogynaecologists and General Gynaecologists to lead a RACS Visiting Surgical Team for short-term deployment to Palau in October 2026

Context

RACS Global Health provides specialist medical support, education, training and mentoring to build health workforces and strengthen health systems in 13 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Deploying teams of Specialist Medical Volunteers not only provides vital and valued on-the-job training and mentoring to Asia-Pacific clinicians but our teams provide patients with access to surgical and other medical care that is not locally available. By volunteering with RACS Global Health, you are assisting patients with access to safe, affordable and life-changing surgery in our region.

RACS work in the Pacific is conducted in close collaboration with Pacific Ministries of Health, local clinical teams, the Pacific Community (SPC), Fiji National University (FNU) and a range of Australian and New Zealand specialist  medical colleges, associations and societies.

The deployment of Visiting Medical Teams (VMTs) and all other RACS Global Health health-focused activities are based on the priority needs of Pacific Island Countries as specifically requested by Ministries of Health and hospital teams.

Overview of volunteer opportunity

RACS Global Health has received a request from the Palau Ministry of Health to provide a Surgeon to treat patients at Belau National Hospital in Koror, Palau.

Volunteer Assignment Details:

RACS will organise and cover the cost of all travel, accommodation, transport, pre-trip medical checks and meals for the duration of the deployment, in line with RACS’ Per Diem Policy. RACS will also provide travel insurance and health and security advice and support (through International SOS). RACS also organises medical registration and special entry visas with the relevant Ministry of Health, prior to the Team’s deployment.

Key roles & responsibilities

• Review of the list of equipment, drugs and consumables required for the deployment with sign-off of a final Packing List used by the RACS Medical Equipment Coordinators for procurement, customs clearance and freighting purposes.
• Team Leader to receive, safeguard and personally carry drugs as hand luggage, for the team’s use in-country and to be accountable for their appropriate use.
• Completion of all compliance requirements prior to departure. These include, but are not limited to the following:
  • National criminal record checks
  • Signing of RACS’ suite of policies including Child Safeguarding Policy and Code of Conduct
  • Successful completion of three Global Health e-learning modules on Child Safeguarding, Ethical Images and Stories and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH)
  • Pre- trip health assessment (with your GP) to obtain a fitness for deployment letter, to ensure fitness to travel.
  • Submission of documents required for local medical registration.
• Respectful and collegial engagement with local clinical partners.
• Participation in meetings with the local clinical team and the Global Health team to develop a Clinical VMT Activity Plan once the volunteer team is formed. The Activity Plan is to be signed by the VMT leader, the in-country clinical lead and the Head of Global Health.
• Participation in a pre-departure briefing with the Global Health Team.
• Consent form used to obtain consent for images and stories collected consistent with RACS Ethical Images and Stories policy.
• Conduct surgical procedures (as agreed between the RACS volunteer team and the local clinical team) and on-the-job training and mentoring for local clinicians.
• Ensuring that proper handover of patient care to the local clinical team is undertaken prior to departure.
• Completion of the RACS End of Trip report including provision of completed consultation and surgery records within 2 weeks of return to Australia or New Zealand.
• Volunteer team to participate in a trip debriefing with the Global Health Team after submission of the trip report and records.
• Team leader to conduct post-trip follow-up with the local clinical team to determine if there have been any adverse events since the team’s departure.

Required competencies

Specialist Medical Volunteers must:

• be a qualified professional and be registered with the relevant medical authority to practice the specialty in Australia or New Zealand.
• have strong technical and medical expertise in the specialty area with a patient-centred focus.
• demonstrate a commitment to assisting the host country to meet their clinical training needs.
• have demonstrated experience in training and mentoring others.
• work collaboratively to optimise teamwork and be sensitive to other cultures and work in resource poor settings.
• have experience working internationally or a strong interest in international development and global health.
• demonstrate required competencies in current Gynaecology practice.

How to register your interest in volunteering with RACS Global Health

If you are interested in applying for this assignment, please submit your application to globalhealth@ranzcog.edu.au with the subject line: ‘Expression of Interest – Urogynaecologist/Gynaecologist October 2026 Trip’.

Applications will close at 11:59 pm AEST on Friday, 3 July 2026. However, applications will be reviewed as they are received. As a suitable candidate may be appointed before the closing date, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application as early as possible.

All applications will be reviewed by members of the RANZCOG Global Health Committee, who will assess candidates and identify the preferred applicant for this assignment.

Please include:

• A one-page cover letter addressing the required competencies
  
• CV and qualifications
• Current AHPRA/New Zealand Medical Council registration