Application Guide
How to Apply for General Interest Application
at Amref Health Africa
🏢 About Amref Health Africa
Amref Health Africa is the largest African-based international health development organization, founded in 1957 and implementing over 180 programs across 35 African countries. What makes them unique is their community-led, people-centered approach to health systems and their vision of 'Lasting health change in Africa' driven by local empowerment rather than external imposition. Someone might want to work there to join a mission-driven organization with deep African roots that combines public health expertise with community empowerment.
About This Role
This General Interest Application is for full-time remote positions across Amref's diverse operations, allowing candidates to express interest in contributing to their health systems transformation work without specifying a particular department. The role is impactful because it opens doors to join an organization reaching 40+ million people across Africa, where you could work on anything from program implementation to advocacy, research, or communications for health equity.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might involve virtual collaboration with colleagues across different African time zones, contributing to program planning or implementation that addresses specific community health needs, and engaging with research or advocacy work that supports health systems transformation. You would likely balance project-specific tasks with broader organizational initiatives aimed at lasting health change across multiple countries.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Amref Health Africa Is Looking For
- Demonstrates genuine alignment with Amref's mission of 'community-led and people-centred health systems' and understanding of social determinants of health in African contexts
- Has experience in international development, public health, or related fields with specific knowledge or interest in African healthcare challenges and solutions
- Shows adaptability and cross-cultural competence suitable for a pan-African organization with offices in 10 African countries and diverse international partnerships
- Possesses skills transferable to Amref's work areas: program management, research, communications, advocacy, or technical health expertise with ability to work remotely effectively
📝 Tips for Applying to Amref Health Africa
Explicitly connect your experience to Amref's specific approach of 'catalyzing community-led health systems' rather than just general health or development work
Research and mention specific Amref programs or geographic focus areas that align with your background (e.g., maternal health in Kenya, WASH programs in Uganda)
Highlight any experience working with or understanding of African health systems, even if indirect, given their exclusively African operational focus
Address how you would contribute to their 'staff complement of over 2,000' diverse professionals across multiple countries and time zones
Since this is a general application, clearly indicate which of Amref's work areas (program implementation, research, advocacy, communications, etc.) best matches your skills and interests
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
["Your understanding of Amref's unique position as an African-based international organization and why that matters for health development", 'Specific examples of how your experience aligns with their mission of empowering communities rather than just delivering services', 'How you would contribute to addressing social determinants of health in African contexts based on your background', 'Your ability to work effectively in a remote capacity while contributing to teams across multiple African countries and time zones']
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Specific Amref programs in countries where you have experience or interest (check their country office pages and program reports)
- → Their advocacy positions on current African health issues (like pandemic preparedness, universal health coverage, or health workforce development)
- → Their partnerships with African governments, communities, and international organizations to understand their collaborative approach
- → Recent annual reports to understand their strategic priorities and how different departments contribute to their mission
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with a generic international development background without showing specific understanding of African health contexts or Amref's community-led approach
- Focusing only on technical health expertise without demonstrating understanding of social determinants or community empowerment aspects of their work
- Treating this as a generic 'remote job' application without showing how you would specifically contribute to their pan-African operations and mission
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Amref Health Africa!