Internship Programme at the ECSA Health Community Secretariat
About the Organization
East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community (ECSA-HC) is a regional intergovernmental organization established in 1974 to promote the highest possible standards of health among its member states.
ECSA-HC fosters cooperation among member countries to strengthen health delivery programmes across the region. Member states include Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Eswatini, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The Secretariat, headquartered in Arusha, United Republic of Tanzania, executes decisions and programmes approved by member states.
Core Programme Areas
The Secretariat implements activities under the following programme clusters:
- Family Health and Infectious Diseases
- Non-Communicable Diseases, Food Security and Nutrition
- Health Systems and Capacity Development
- Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation
Constituent Colleges
ECSA-HC has eleven constituent professional colleges:
- East, Central and Southern Africa College of Nursing and Midwifery (ECSACONM)
- College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA)
- College of Anaesthesiologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (CANECSA)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (ECSACOG)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Paediatrics and Child Health (ECSAPACH)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Family Physicians (ECSACFP)
- College of Pathologists of East Central and Southern Africa (COPECSA)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Oncology (ECSACO)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Paediatrics and Child Health (ECSAPACH)
- East Central and Southern Africa College of Public Health Physicians (ECSA CPHP)
An umbrella college, the East Central and Southern Africa College of Health Sciences (ECSA-CHS), oversees and coordinates these semi-autonomous professional colleges.
Internship Programme Overview
The ECSA-HC Internship Programme provides hands-on learning opportunities for high-caliber graduate and postgraduate students, as well as recent graduates.
Interns gain exposure to the Secretariat’s daily work and regional public health initiatives over a structured placement period.
Internship duration is strictly six months.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree, Master’s degree, or enrollment in a higher degree programme relevant to ECSA-HC mandate areas
- At least two years of post-graduation experience
- Proficiency in English, the official working language
- Ability to adapt to an international and multicultural working environment
Preference will be given to nationals of ECSA-HC member countries.
Current Internship Opportunities
Six internship positions are available in the following thematic areas:
1. Health Systems Strengthening and Capacity Development
- Support initiatives to improve healthcare systems
- Contribute to institutional and workforce capacity-building programmes
2. Communication and Advocacy
- Assist in strategic communication initiatives
- Develop content and support advocacy campaigns
- Strengthen public health messaging
3. Nutrition and Food Systems
- Support programmes aimed at improving nutrition outcomes
- Promote sustainable and resilient food systems
4. Human Resource Management (HRM)
- Contribute to health workforce planning and development
- Support HR policy-related initiatives
5. Youth SRHR and Mental Health Advocacy
- Engage in youth-led Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) initiatives
- Support mental health awareness and advocacy campaigns
- Contribute to stigma reduction and policy engagement efforts
6. Information Communication and Technology (ICT)
- Provide ICT technical assistance
- Support hardware and software troubleshooting
- Assist with network administration and maintenance
- Contribute to graphic design and basic software development, including DHIS2-based solutions
- Support ICT asset management
Method of Application
Applicants must submit the following documents:
- A brief application letter stating reasons for applying and specifying area of interest
- A detailed Curriculum Vitae
- Copies of educational and professional certificates
- Completed ECSA-HC internship application form
- Names and contact details of three referees
Applications must be received by 6 March 2026.
How to Apply
Step 1: Complete the online application form:
Apply Here – Internship Application Form
Step 2: Email required documents to:
[email protected]
CC: [email protected]; [email protected]
Download the Full Advert:
Internship and Volunteer Programme – Full Advert (PDF)
Important: This internship is unpaid. Applicants are responsible for their own travel, visa, accommodation, insurance, and living expenses.Submission Deadline: 06/03/2026
Only candidates who meet all requirements and are shortlisted for interview will be contacted.
Submission Address
The Director General
East, Central and Southern Africa Health Community
Plot 157 Oloirien, Njiro Road
P.O. Box 1009
Arusha, Tanzania
Email applications to: [email protected]
Copy to: [email protected]; [email protected]
Eligibility Restrictions
The following individuals are not eligible:
- Close relatives of serving ECSA-HC officials
- Candidates who have previously worked at ECSA-HC or participated in its internship programme
Living Expenses
The internship programme is unpaid.
ECSA-HC does not cover travel, visa, passport, insurance, accommodation, or other living expenses. Interns are responsible for all costs associated with their stay during the internship period.
