O&G Intern Supervisor, National Referral Hospital, Solomon Islands

Volunteer opportunity

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Australian Volunteers Program (AVP) is an Australian Government-funded initiative that supports global volunteering. AVP works with partner organisations across the Pacific, Asia and Africa to achieve locally led change and the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The program fosters strong, mutual relationships between Australia and communities globally to contribute to achieving equitable development outcomes.

AVI is an Australian non-government organisation that manages the AVP. AVI works with Australian organisations, such as RANZCOG, to support development initiatives in partner countries. AVP, RANZCOG, and Pacific partner organisations collaborate to create volunteer assignments that help develop capacity of the O&G workforce in Pacific Island countries.

AVP is recruiting an O&G Intern Supervisor at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) in Honiara, Solomon Islands to provide clinical supervision and support for interns undertaking their O&G rotation. This six-month volunteer assignment has the following start dates: February 2026, August 2026 and February 2027.

AVP covers flights and accommodation and provides a living allowance.

This assignment could suit a FRANZCOG Advanced Trainee seeking to gain experience working in a low- to middle-income country or a Fellow transitioning to retirement.

Only Australian citizens or permanent residents, and New Zealand residents in Australia with a Special Category Visa, are eligible to apply for AVP assignments. Volunteers must be aged 18 years and over.

ABOUT THE PARTNER ORGANISATION

The National Referral Hospital in Honiara is the only tertiary hospital in Solomon Islands. It has 330 acute and subacute beds and provides specialist care in emergency medicine, O&G, internal medicine, paediatrics, surgery, and anaesthesia. Subacute units include orthopaedics, oncology, ENT, ophthalmology, non-communicable diseases and medical imaging. There are no ICU, HDU or cardiology facilities at NRH.

ABOUT THE ASSIGNMENT

The O&G Intern Supervisor is a volunteer assignment focused on educational supervision, particularly of interns rotating through the O&G Department. Working alongside local O&G consultants and registrars, the Intern Supervisor will contribute to departmental education of junior doctors, including teaching sessions for participants in the pre-vocational Bridging Program, which supports foreign-trained medical graduates undertaking an additional year of education and training before entering the two-year Intern Training Program. The O&G Intern Supervisor will also participate in departmental audit, research and quality improvement activities.

Duties and responsibilities include:

·        Assist with the delivery of the Bridging Program, including the delivery of lectures and short courses

·        Develop teaching modules for interns rotating through O&G

·        Participate in the education and assessment of interns undertaking their O&G rotation

·        Supervise and support interns during their O&G rotation, including role modelling of best practice clinical care for patients

·        Participate in departmental teaching, audit and research activities

·        Support quality improvement initiatives within the O&G Department, including development of clinical guidelines

·        Monitor and evaluate the uptake of systems and processes implemented through previous volunteer assignments and departmental collaboration

Selection criteria include:

·        Undergraduate medical degree (MBBS), FRANZCOG or current enrolment in FRANZCOG training program

·        Minimum four years of O&G training. Advanced Trainees who are interested in applying for prospective approval for this assignment must have a satisfactory 6-month assessment at the assessment prior to application, and must not have had a learning development plan in the previous 12 months

·        Capacity to perform caesarean sections/instrumental deliveries

·        Experience in Neonatal Resuscitation Program

·        Demonstrated experience in the supervision, support and mentoring of undergraduate and postgraduate doctors and nurses

·        Demonstrated respect for diverse cultures and developed cultural sensitivity

·        Commitment to teamwork, coaching and mentoring others

·        A preparedness to work with limited resources within a challenging environment

Additional information:

This assignment:

·        Reports to the Head of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, NRH

·        Involves staff supervision

·        Involves working with doctors, including SMOs, registrars, interns and Bridging Program trainees, and nurses of the NRH O&G Department

·        Works from 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday

·        Allows 20 days leave per 12 months, unless advised otherwise. The same terms and conditions as local colleagues apply, including national holidays

·        Requires professional indemnity insurance

LIVING AS A VOLUNTEER

The Australian Volunteers Program supports volunteers from preparing to go on assignment through to returning home. For a full breakdown of support provided, please visit: https://www.cognitoforms.com/RANZCOG/ApplicationFormForAustralianVolunteersProgramOGAssignments

A living allowance is paid for all AVP assignments. Allowance levels are based on the cost of living in the host country location. Allowances will be reviewed periodically and may increase or decrease.

Language support is provided during the in-country orientation period. Most often, additional resources for further development later in the assignment will be available if required.

Learn more about the host country location by reading the country profile: https://www.australianvolunteers.com/countries/solomon-islands/

APPLICATION PROCESS

Apply here, https://www.cognitoforms.com/RANZCOG/ApplicationFormForAustralianVolunteersProgramOGAssignments

RANZCOG refers suitable candidates for O&G assignments to AVP. Applications must be submitted to the RANZCOG Global Health Unit and include a brief CV and cover letter with responses to key selection criteria and set questions.

A RANZCOG panel will review applications as they are received.  If an applicant is considered appropriate for an assignment, they will be invited for an interview with the RANZCOG panel. Pending the outcome of the interview and referee check, RANZCOG will refer a suitable candidate for an assignment to AVP for consideration.

RANZCOG only refers candidates for O&G assignments and has no role in appointment. The final decision to appoint rests with AVP in collaboration with Pacific partner organisations.

For further information please contact the RANZCOG Global Health Unit:

Email:             globalhealth@ranzcog.edu.au

Phone:            +61 3 9412 2926