Senior Faculty, Social and Community Medicine

Position: Assistant Professor (or above), Social & Community Medicine

Department: Community Health and Social Medicine (CHSM)

Program: Master of Science in Global Health Delivery – Social & Community Medicine (MGHD-SCM)

Location: UGHE, Butaro Campus (with frequent field engagement)

Reports to: Chair, Department of Community Health and Social Medicine

Works closely with: MGHD Program Director, MGHD-SCM Academic Coordinator, Module Leads, Practicum Coordinator and all MGHD faculty members.

1. Background

The University of Global Health Equity (UGHE) is a mission-driven institution advancing health equity through education, research, and community engagement, grounded in social medicine and a preferential option for the poor. The Department of Community Health and Social Medicine (CHSM) provides academic leadership for social medicine and community-engaged training at UGHE and leads the Community-Based Education (CBE) program, which is fully integrated with the School of Medicine and embedded across undergraduate and postgraduate education.

In line with its mission and through the department of CHSM, UGHE has strengthened the Master of Science in Global Health Delivery (MGHD) by launching a Social & Community Medicine (SCM) option, deepening the program’s focus on social medicine, health equity, community-embedded learning, and participatory practice.

2. Purpose of the Position

The Senior Faculty member (Assistant Professor and above) will provide academic and pedagogical leadership for the MGHD–Social & Community Medicine (SCM) option, ensuring excellence in:

• Curriculum delivery, review and continuous improvement
• Teaching, learning, student assessment, and mentorship across SCM modules
• Design, supervision, and evaluation of community-based practicums
• Strengthening and sustaining community learning partnerships
• Research and scholarly output aligned with social medicine and community health
• Support other department of CHSM programs, including the MBBS CBE program and the Global CBE program.

3. Key Responsibilities

A. Curriculum delivery

• Develop detailed syllabi, learning materials, case studies, assessments, and teaching resources.
• Ensure integration of community-based learning, ethical practice, and equity-focused content.
• Contribute to quality assurance processes as needed.
• Support curriculum review for SCM modules, ensuring alignment with Social medicine principles, HEC curriculum standards an the MGHD program learning outcomes.

B. Teaching & Learning Delivery

• Deliver high-quality teaching in SCM modules as defined in the curriculum.
• Use innovative, evidence-based, and learner-centered teaching methods (case-based learning, field-based inquiry, reflective practice).
• Provide structured academic advising and mentorship to MGHD students.
• Contribute to teaching in other core MGHD modules and across additional CHSM programs including the MBBS CBE program and the Global CBE program.
• Support other UGHE academic units as needed.

C. Field-Based Practicum

• Support the development, implementation, and evaluation of the field learning sessions and practicum.

• Contribute in training and supervising field preceptors, community faculty, and site-based mentors.
• Participate in field visits to ensure quality learning experiences and alignment with program objectives.
• Support student projects that generate actionable evidence for local health partners.
• Practicum support in social medicine and Community health for other students

D. Assessment, Evaluation & Quality Assurance

• Design formative and summative assessments in line with HEC expectations and UGHE assessment policy.
• Ensure alignment with module learning outcomes and MGHD program competencies.
• Participate in internal and external program evaluations, curriculum reviews, and accreditation follow-up including for the MBBS CBE program, the Global CBE and other academic units at UGHE.

E. Research, Scholarship & Community Engagement

• Develop, conduct and publish own research in social medicine, community health systems, health equity, or related fields.
• Contribute to knowledge generation aligned with UGHE’s mission.
• Support student research projects, including proposal development, ethics applications, and dissemination.
• Strengthen community partnerships that support participatory research, implementation science, and evaluation.
• Contribute to community engagement initiatives in Butaro and beyond.
• Develop grant proposals for research, community engagement and other relevant projects

F. Institutional Service

• Serve on departmental, school, or university committees.
• Support faculty development, including training of adjunct faculty and community-based educators.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of partnerships for the CHSM department and UGHE, as needed.
• Contribute to other initiatives of the CHSM Department and of the university as needed.

4. Required Qualifications

Essential

• Master’s degree (PhD or equivalent terminal degree preferred) in social medicine, family medicine, community health, global health, public health, health systems, or related disciplines.
• Medical degree or its equivalent is an added advantage
• At least 5 years of academic teaching experience at postgraduate level.
• Demonstrated experience in curriculum design, assessment, and educational leadership.
• Strong research record in community health, social medicine, equity, or qualitative/implementation research.
• Experience working in community-embedded or field-based programs in Africa.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and mentorship skills.

Desirable

• Experience managing or supervising postgraduate practicum programs.
• Prior collaboration with ministries of health, NGOs, or district health systems.
• Strong publication record and evidence of successful grant writing.

5. Competencies

• Deep understanding of social medicine, equity, and community health systems
• Ability to integrate social theories, ethics, and practical field methods
• Expertise in participatory methods and community-based inquiry
• Strong pedagogical innovation and learner-centered teaching
• Cultural humility and ability to work across multidisciplinary teams
• Leadership in community partnerships and stakeholder engagement
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple modules simultaneously
• Commitment to UGHE’s mission, vision and values

6. Supervisory Responsibilities

• Module assistants, teaching assistants, and field preceptors
• Student research and practicum supervision
• Coordination with adjunct and visiting faculty

7. Expected Outputs

• Updated and high-quality SCM module syllabi, teaching materials, and assessments
• At least two SCM modules led or co-led per year
• Effective supervision of practicum students and field faculty
• Peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs, or implementation research outputs
• Contribution to annual program reviews and accreditation documentation
• Strengthened community-based education frameworks and partnerships

8. Application Requirements

• Cover letter
• Updated CV with publications
• Teaching philosophy statement
• Sample of curriculum or teaching materials developed
• List of references

How to Apply

Applicants should provide: (1) curriculum vitae, (2) Degree, (3) A cover letter describing your interest in UGHE and relevant experience. Please upload these under the ‘Additional Files’ tab on the application page.

University of Global Health Equity is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Organizational Profile

UGHE is a new kind of university focused on training the next generation of global leaders in health care delivery. The university launched in Rwanda in September 2015. Through an academic experience uniquely rooted in the values of equity, students are empowered to both ease suffering at the bedside and drive transformational, systemic changes to the health system.

UGHE is an initiative of Partners In Health (PIH), an internationally recognized non-profit organization whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. In over nearly three decades of operating alongside public sectors in countries around the world, PIH has developed a model to deliver high quality healthcare to some of the world’s most marginalized communities. Nowhere has this impact been more profound than in Rwanda, where Inshuti Mu Buzima—PIH’s sister organization—and our government partners have driven innovation for a decade.

Members of the UGHE community are tenacious and resolute in our drive to attain social justice, make common cause with those in need, listen to and learn from others, and operate with honesty and humility as we uphold academic integrity and intellectual curiosity. The University of Global Health Equity seeks individuals committed to these values to join the team.

Commitment to Safeguarding and Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Sexual Harassment:

At UGHE, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including community members – as well as our students, contractors, staff, and visitors to our campus are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment and any form of systemic abuse, whilst reducing risk and vulnerabilities. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with UGHE’s policy.

UGHE will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of fraud, harassment, sexual harassment and any form of systemic abuse or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.