The Department of Health (DOH), through its AHEAD (Advancing Health through Evidence-Assisted Decisions) strategy, aims to inform the health sector’s global and national administrative and legislative policy agenda, create an equitable and enabling environment for health policy and systems researchers all over the country, and ensure the progressive realization of the envisioned research system.

With the continued commitment of DOH in training the next generation for health sector leaders, researchers, policy analysts, and program managers, they have partnered with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Council for Health Research Development (DOST-PCHRD) in order to implement the DOH Research Fellowship Program.

The program is a two-year intensive Health Policy and Systems Research Fellowship intended for early career professionals who are considering a career in research. A pre-fellowship or internship is being made available for highly qualified applicants who demonstrate interest in health policy and systems research in the context of research to policy translation. Graduates of the internship program may proceed to apply to the fellowship program.

Objective:

To develop capacity of Health Policy and Systems Research Interns in the process of research to policy translation

Deliverables:

1. Standard deliverables
   • Accomplishment report approved by the DOH supervisor every month
   • Back-to-Office report for all meetings/workshops attended
   • Technical report for all meetings/workshops organized
   • One brown bag session organized or facilitated every month
   • At least 5 memoranda every month
2. Station-dependent, in addition to #1:
   • At least 2 policy reviews every month; includes drafting policy issuances as maybe needed, if deployed to Health Policy Division
   • At least 2 program strategy, and performance/plan analysis and budget analysis every month, if deployed to Health Planning Division
   • At least 2 position papers every month, if deployed to the Legislative Liaison Division

Responsibilities

1. Adhere to agency policies, procedures, and rules governing professional behaviour
2. Be punctual, and work the required number of hours: 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday
3. Notify their supervisor if they are unable to attend
4. Behave and dress appropriately to the particular workplace
5. Respect the confidentiality of the workplace, its clients and its employees.
6. If things are slow, take the initiative and volunteer for different tasks or other work.
7. Discuss any problems with their supervisor and, if necessary, with the Internship coordinator at the Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau
8. Other technical tasks as may be required

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Bachelor’s degree, field of study must be on public health or any related area in the social and medical sciences; post-graduate degree is an advantage
2. At least one (1) year work experience, previous work experience in DOH is a plus factor
3. At least eight (8) hours of relevant training

Requirements:

1. A genuine interest in health policy issues 
2. Excellent English-language writing skills and the ability to present information in a variety of formats and styles for difference audiences
3. Strong skills in planning, preparing and delivering remarks
4. Strong organizational and administrative skills; with keen attention to detail
5. Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team with others
6. Ability to develop work plans, set deadlines, work well with minimal supervision, prioritize assignments, and organize multiple projects and duties simultaneously while meeting deadlines
7. Ability to work effectively as a member of a team, know when to act independently and when to consult for advice on decision-making
8. A willingness to carry out a wide range of activities, including both professional and logistical tasks
9. Strong computer skills with familiarity with Microsoft Office, email clients, Internet research, and social networking tools
10. Flexibility with respect to schedule, working hours, travel, and work assignments, including ability to work overtime or on weekends when necessary; reliable job attendance essential

Duration:

Two years, non-renewable

Compensation/Stipend:

For BS/BA degree holders: At least PHP 25,000.00 NETT

            For MS/MA degree holders: At least PHP 30,000.00 NETT

Expression of Interest:

Qualified applicants may file their application together with the following documents at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. orThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.:

1. Cover letter addressed to:

KENNETH G. RONQUILLO, MD, MPHM, CESO III

Director IV

Health Policy Development and Planning Bureau

Department of Health

2. Curriculum Vitae

Deadline of submission is on or before July 14, 2018. 

For queries, contact Ms. Juanita R. Valeza at 651-7800 local 1326/1328 or Ms. Ian Hannah C. Gozun at (02) 837-7537 local 2117.

In its aim to promote healthy lifestyle, the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD) spearheads the conduct of #HatawAgham4 on 19 July 2018 at the World Trade Center Manila.

Hataw Agham, part of the National Science and Technology Week (NSTW) celebration, includes various physical activities and series of health talks. For this year’s event, Zumba demonstration will be led by Ms. Natalie Uy-Chan of Zumba Fitness Philippines while, Dr. Lorna Espeso of Adamson University will lecture on healthy lifestyle for people with desk jobs.

The country celebrates the approval of the Philippine Mental Health Law or Republic Act 11036 after it was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte on 21 June 2018.

Before the law, the Philippines belonged to the one quarter of countries in the world without legislation that supports mental health. The enactment of the Mental Health Act serves as a monumental step toward providing the necessary mental health services the population needs.

The law enables barangays to provide mental health services through the scaling up of community and grassroots mental health programs, integration of psychiatric, psychosocial, and neurological services in government hospitals, and promotion of mental health education in school and workplace.

In a country where mental health illnesses are listed as the 3^rd most common cause of morbidity, RA 11036 will help address the needs of the growing population that only has 700 psychiatrists and 1000 psychiatric nurses serving it by securing the rights and welfare of mental health professionals.

Among other provisions in the law, schools and workplaces will be required to create programs and services on mental health education, while institutions and businesses will be given training on mental health to address the concerns of both students and employees.

While such enactment is a huge step in making mental health care more affordable and accessible, the law also highlighted the importance of research and development to gather evidences required to formulate and develop culturally-relevant national mental health program including indigenous knowledge and practices related to mental health. In conducting mental health research, the law emphasized that researchers must ensure that informed consent were sought and approved by an accredited ethics committee. Research on mental health is listed as a priority under the National Unified Health Research Agenda (NUHRA) 2017 – 2022.

Through this law, PCHRD hopes that research mental health could be further improved and supported, and the development of better policies, services, and programs will be enacted, paving the way to healthier and happier Filipino nation.

For more information on the grant services of the Council, please visit our website and  PCHRD Project Management System.


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Written by Reuben Andrew R. Razal
Created: 27 June 2018