Global Links programme - volunteering opportunities

The success of our work relies heavily on fostering partnerships between clinicians in high, middle and low income countries. We recruit and prepare doctors, nurses and midwives who help us in all aspects of programme delivery, usually through longer-term placements overseas in the Global Links programme. Find out more and scroll down to download our current opportunities and application form.

RCPCH Global

We are recruiting qualified clinicians

At RCPCH Global we recruit suitably qualified clinicians globally, mainly to work in long-term positions in our programmes – from six months to two years in general, depending on the interest and availability of applicants. We work in partnership with local professional organisations to strengthen health systems.

We are actively recruiting paediatricians, neonatologists, obstetricians, paediatric and neonatal nurses and midwives for our programmes in Rwanda, Nepal and Lebanon (In an advisory capacity).

The roles for doctors are for those who have RCPCH or equivalent professional membership.

We accept applications from across the world - you do not need to be working in the UK to apply - but an active registration with your professional regulator is essential.

We recruit within our major grant-funded programmes, providing structured training, mentoring, quality improvement and impact assessment/data gathering skills in partnership with local clinicians and hospital/health centre administrators.

Impact and benefits

In the last decade we have placed more than 120 clinicians in our programmes across a range of low-resource settings. Our teams work with local staff to improve the care provided to infants, children and young people in challenging areas of the world.

Whilst mainly hospital-based, our programmes develop wider health systems through improving access to hospital for community services and onward referral to specialist care.

When our international clinicians return to their home countries, many report improved capabilities, not just clinically but also in teaching, effective audit and management of quality improvement projects.

What is the role of our international mentors?

We take a systems-based approach to our work. Mentors are not placed simply to fill 'gaps in the rota'; they are vital in supporting local staff towards higher standards in care quality through:

  • Training and mentoring of local healthcare staff
  • Transferring skills in paediatric and neonatal care
  • Building the capacity of PICU (paediatric intensive care unit), NICU (neonatal intensive care unit), OPD (outpatient department) and paediatric emergency services
  • Conducting clinical audits and quality improvement projects

What costs do the programmes cover?

We work on a stipendiary basis, with travel, accommodation, professional fees and living allowance covered by the programmes. Our aim is that our programmes are 'cost neutral' for those who come and work with us.

Watch our mentors in action

What do we offer you?

  • Support in getting long-term leave from your current role
  • All pre-departure costs (comprehensive medical insurance, return flights, inoculations, anti-malarials, PEP kit, etc.)
  • Accommodation while overseas
  • A monthly living allowance
  • Comprehensive pre-departure training:
    • Programme specific briefing
    • Cultural awareness
    • ETAT+ intensive, including training to teach
    • Security training
    • Leadership training

What have returning clinicians reported?

  • Improved core clinical skills
  • Improved confidence and decision making
  • Greater understanding of tropical paediatrics and infectious diseases
  • First-hand experience of global child health issues
  • Opportunity to gain leadership and management experience
  • Joining international paediatric networks
  • Enriched awareness of cultural and ethnic diversity

Apply here for Global Links programmes


For more information, get in touch with the Global team at global@rcpch.ac.uk.