Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Global Assessors Application

Thank you for your interest in becoming an assessor for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). This role will assess entries to our small grants programme, and abstracts for our events. 

Since 1907, RSTMH has been dedicated to improving tropical medicine and global health, working with and through our members based in over 80 countries. We do this through funding and disseminating multidisciplinary research through grants awards programmes, peer-reviewed journals and a calendar of meetings and events.

We are currently looking to extend our global network of assessors to represent all areas of knowledge and experience of tropical medicine and global health required to assess such a broad range of potential research. 

Main duties and responsibilities 

As a global assessor for RSTMH, you would be asked to review submissions for our small grants, travel scholarships, event abstracts and possibly other RSTMH activities. 

We would provide all resources needed to carry out assessments using our online platform Submittable and would support assessors with other resources needed. We would hopefully also try and provide a platform for assessors to network with one another, making new contacts. 

We would like global assessors to: 

· Have sufficient knowledge to be able to provide a robust review of applications

· Have a good understanding of RSTMH and our work

Benefits 

Being a global assessor will hopefully strengthen your own personal development and we will look into ways to formalise this. You will be seeing research ideas and concepts at the start of their journeys and be able to help improve research practice. Your work will help encourage and inspire the next generation of researchers and professionals in global health. RSTMH would provide references for global assessors and would recognise their work and support whenever possible. 

 The Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Country Ambassador application form 

Thank you for your interest in becoming a Country Ambassador for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene (RSTMH). 

Since 1907, RSTMH has been dedicated to improving tropical medicine and global health. As a respected society, our members are at the heart of the tropical medicine and global health community, and with them we play a role in all stages from initial research, implementation, debate, through to impact. Our overarching ambition is to save lives and improve health around the world through increased access and improved equity in healthcare.

We bring together researchers and professionals from all sectors to understand the current position of tropical medicine and global health, and the challenges which exist that hinder their progress. Our work includes funding multidisciplinary research and disseminating it through peer-reviewed journals, as well as through meetings and events. We also bestow medals and awards to recognise excellence in practice and emerging talent.

We are currently looking for a group of Country Ambassadors; volunteers who can help us ensure the relevant individuals and organisations in their country are aware of our work and activities. We want researchers and professionals to be aware of the ways RSTMH could help them progress their careers and showcase their work. We also want to ensure their knowledge and experience is represented in our networks, and part of the impact we can achieve. 

The role of the Country Ambassador

The Country Ambassador is a new voluntary role, which was created as a result of our new strategy, launched late 2017.

The aim of the role is to ensure we are better connected with our members, supporters and networks outside of the UK. Ambassadors help influence how the Society operates, through their links to the Board of Trustees and also to the team. 

Main duties and responsibilities  

As a Country Ambassador, you could help ensure researchers and professionals in your country or area can better benefit from the work of the Society, and you can also inform us about we best work in your country or area. 

You can be involved through a number of ways: 

• By spreading the word about RSTMH and our work through disseminating information to your networks
• By potentially helping us deliver local events in your country or area
• By helping ensure progress in tropical medicine and global health from your country is represented in our journals, at our meeting and events, and in our data through encouraging your networks to be involved with us
• By advising us on how the work in your country or area aligns with our strategic priorities
• By helping us understand the contacts and organisations in your country and area that you feel we should be in contact with 

We also want to hear your thoughts on how we can best achieve our aims and objectives for global health and tropical medicine.

We would like Country Ambassador to be able to work with us for at least three years, to be able to establish links and networks and make best use of the role.

For most countries we will look to recruit one Country Ambassador only, however we recognise that for some countries we may need more than one. 

Skills and experience needed

You will have been based in the country you would like to represent for at least a decade and will be there for at least a further year. 

You will have a good understanding of the health environment, as well as have established links to tropical medicine and global health networks and organisations. 

You will be knowledgeable in your specific area of tropical medicine and global health and will have established good networks within your country, in your field and more widely, preferably across the clinical, academic, charitable industry and policy making sectors. 

You will have represented your organisation or work in other non-exec or voluntary capacities in the past and will have a good understanding of how to disseminate information and extract ideas and advice. 

Finally, you will be a member of RSTMH, and be confident and willing to represent RSTMH.

Benefits 

We hope that volunteering as an RSTMH Country Ambassador will be of benefit to you. You will be part of a network of ambassadors around the world, hopefully expanding your existing networks and contacts in your area of work. 

The RSTMH Team is happy to provide references for Country Ambassadors. Once the network of Regional Ambassadors is in place there are opportunities to discuss other benefits relevant to the region. 

Members and Fellows of RSTMH can nominate another member or Fellow, or themselves, for the RSTMH Emerging Leaders Award 2023.

This award was established specifically for early-career professionals or researchers from, and based in, low- and middle-income countries.

The purpose of the Award is to recognise significant contributions in leadership and service, including mentorship and other forms of capacity-building, to the fields of tropical medicine and global health.  

For the purpose of this award we define early career as a maximum of 10 years active employment post-training, discounting career breaks.

The award will comprise:

 - A £5,000 personal cash award

 - A certificate

 - Access to mentorship through the RSTMH Board of Trustees and wider network

 - A platform to make a keynote speech at a RSTMH meeting

Self-nominations must be accompanied by a supporting statement from an RSTMH member or Fellow.



Deadline for submissions Friday 16th June, 17:00 (5pm) BST (British Summer Time).

Complete submissions received after the deadline will not be considered. Self-nominations without a supporting statement by the deadline will not be considered. 

For enquires please contact Membership Manager Nisreen Hamad nisreen.hamad@rstmh.org

As a Student Ambassador for the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, you could be involved in a range of activities that help raise the profile of RSTMH at your university/institution and potentially with your wider networks.

RSTMH expectations of Student Ambassadors 

• Be a member  existing RSTMH member for a minimum  of 3-months 
• Be a full-time student in a subject related to global health, though part-time students will also be considered.
• Have good networks and be confident and willing to represent RSTMH at events and meetings.
• Provide feedback and ideas, thoughts or comments concerning Society activities to help with the process of continuous improvement. 
• Always treat RSTMH staff, supporters, partners and members with respect, consideration and appreciation.
• Be friendly and professional at all times when representing RSTMH and engaging your networks about RSTMH.
• Help disseminate announcements to relevant students and staff on an ongoing basis, for instance, via departmental mailing lists, Noticeboards, or social media; via online resource portals and/or via the course convener for the relevant degree programmes.
• Provide as much notice as possible if you are unable to fulfil your Student Ambassador commitment. 
• Have a good understanding of RSTMH and our work: our events, grants, journals and other plans.
• Be able to communicate clearly about RSTMH and our work, staying within RSTMH’s brand guidelines. 
• Be familiar with the aims and scope of our two journals.
• Act in a way that doesn’t discriminate against or exclude anyone. 
• Respect different opinions and be sensitive to different cultures. 
• Have a strong social media presence.
• Donate as much time to the role as you can. 

How to apply 

Student Ambassadors are recruited throughout the year. 

We are now open for applications. If you would like to apply to become a RSTMH Student Ambassador, please complete the application form. 

Please give as much information as possible about your experiences, interests and availability. 

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Amelia Fincham, amelia.fincham@rstmh.org.