ADI needs volunteer health project managers who are motivated to work in a place where life is not only a challenge, it's an adventure. You might have a background in health administration, public health, or nursing with management experience.

We currently have a vacancy for a health manager in New Ireland Province, PNG, to work in partnership with the provincial government to build the clinical and administrative capacity of New Ireland health staff. Download the full job description here or read more below.

The assignment is for 12-18 months, ideally commencing in May 2013. This role is being recruited in partnership with Australian Volunteers International and includes a monthly living allowance, accomodation, airfares and other travel expenses.

Job description

The main activities are:

Essential

• Relevant tertiary, professional or technical qualifications or equivalent work experience in health administration/management, project management, public health and/or nursing ;
• Demonstrated health project management and administration work experience;
• General management skills;
• Project Management skills;
• Demonstrated success in building the skills of others through formal and/or informal training and coaching;
• Demonstrated success in consulting with stakeholders and facilitating the work of others to achieve an agreed outcome .

Download the full job description here

Frequently asked questions

Where are volunteers based?

Field travel is required for all assignments.

New Ireland Province: you'll be based in the provincial capital Kavieng, which is three hours by plane from Port Moresby. New Ireland Province is less physically intense - scattered islands, tropical beaches and choppy seas - but just as professionally challenging with just 7 local doctors for 160,000 people. read more

Western Province: you'll be based in the port town Kiunga, the administrative hub of North Fly District, which is two hours by plane from Port Moresby. Western Province is isolated and physically demanding with rugged jungle, high mountain ranges, rainfall of up to 8 metres annually and vast floodplains. read more

Can I take a partner/family?

Yes, you can take a partner. If your partner is trained in health, ADI will pay for your partner’s airfares. Depending on their qualifications and skills there may be an appropriate role for them either in the local health network or at a local hospital.

If your partner is not trained in health, ADI will not pay for your partner's airfares, but will provide full board and accommodation for the period of the assignment. Your partner may wish to assist in non-medical areas.

What type of accommodation is available?

New Ireland Province: The ADI volunteer house and adjacent apartment are located in Kavieng opposite the Provincial Governor's house in a secure compound, just 500m from the main shopping area. The house has three furnished bedrooms (one double, two singles); kitchen with gas cooker and oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and cooking utensils; hot water and an automatic washing machine (see photos). The apartment has two furnished bedrooms.

Western Province: The ADI volunteer house is located in Kiunga on the grounds of the Montfort Catholic Mission. It's a free-standing, one-bedroom house with a spare bed in the living area (see photos) and can accommodate up to three people (including one couple). The Mission has a health office, school, centre for children with disabilities and centre for workshops and conferences.

What remuneration will I receive?

You will receive a monthly living allowance of AUD $1,000-$1300, payable to a bank account in Australia or a bank account in PNG.

What else does ADI provide?

ADI provides return airfares, insurance, vaccinations, accommodation and food.

How long does it take between applying to volunteer for ADI and departing for PNG?

If your application is successful, deployment typically takes place over the next four months. However, you can apply 12 months in advance if you wish.

What about meals?

New Ireland Province: You can choose to cook in your own house using goods bought from the Kavieng shops and bustling Saturday market. Alternatively, you can enjoy a meal at one of the nearby resorts.

Western Province: Food is provided by the Mission and you can choose to cook in your own house or eat in the dining room with the Bishop, Catholic priests, nuns and other lay people. Occasionally you may wish to supplement your meals with local produce from the markets. ADI will pay for this.

How safe is it?

New Ireland Province: This region is very safe. There has been no history of uprisings or violence in the area. The local people are very helpful, friendly and engaging. Similarly, ADI is well respected in the community.

Accommodation in Kavieng is in a secure compound and on patrol you will always be accmpanied by a large team of around 10 provincial and district health staff.

Western Province: Our program is based in Kiunga, which is a port town and regional center for commerce in the North Fly District. There has been no history of uprisings or violence in the area. The local people are very helpful, friendly and engaging. Similarly, ADI is well respected in the community.

Accommodation is within the Montfort Catholic Mission complex which houses about 30 people and is regularly patrolled. However, care must be taken to look after your personal belongings.

A safe is provided for your essential personal documents and valuables, and you will need to lock the house when you are not there.

On patrol, you will always be accompanied by our local boatman/driver Jean who is very knowledgeable, reliable and experienced. Generally we find doctors are highly regarded and welcomed by villagers.

What recreational activities are available in the area?

New Ireland Province: Kavieng town is spread out with a large, beautiful harbour and is a popular destination for sports, fishing enthusiasts and cruising yachts. There is basic golf course and a small range of restaurants.

Diving, snorkelling and surfing are available just outside of Kavieng. We recommend Lissenung Island Resort (which offers ADI volunteers a great overnight deal) and Nusa Island Retreat just 5 minutes away from Kavieng by boat.

Western Province: The mining company, Ok Tedi, have a recreation club in Kiunga. It has a swimming pool, basic six-hole golf course and gym. There is a large library at the mission and cable television. The area is famous for birdlife including birds of paradise and cassowaries! A local environmentalist caters for interested viewers.

What goods are available in the local shops?

New Ireland Province: In Kavieng, in general there is a good range of food, homewares and toiletries available. The variety of food at the markets is great, especially on Saturdays.

There is a pharmacy, several supermarkets, a hardware shop, an electronics/office/internet shop, and some variety stores. There is also an excellent seafood retail outlet located at the wharf.

See photos of Kavieng, including volunteer accommodation.

Western Province: In Kiunga, the shops stock a varying range of goods depending on when the last shipping container arrived. There is a Minimart, a small grocery store, a bulk store, two family stores which sell general grocery items and frozen meats, and a hardware store. There is also a liquor store only open on weekdays.

There is also a major shopping centre at Tabubil, 137 kilometres away or three to four hours by road. There is generally someone going there on a weekly basis.

See photos of daily life in Kiunga.
See photos of volunteer accommodation in Kiunga.

Apply to volunteer

This is a once in a lifetime experience and a chance to make a real difference.

1. Please review the full job description and selection criteria here.

2. Download an application form here

To apply or learn more, please contact Delene Evans on (02) 9975 0112 or email her adioffice@adi.org.au

Read field stories by ADI volunteers here