Welcome to Ponleu Sokapheap (PSP)

The name Ponleu Sokapheap (PSP) is in Khmer and it means “shining the light on health”. PSP is a not-for-profit national NGO based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Our aim is that by “shining a light” on health topics and disseminating health information to a broad readership, thereby increasing their skills and knowledge, we will make an input towards improving the health of the people in Cambodia.

PSP produces, designs, translates and publishes materials that have to do with healthcare.

Our key publication, Health Messenger, provides in-depth information on a selected health theme to health staff across the country. Besides the target readers, the magazine reaches a large number of people as it is often shared. Monitoring has shown that 78% of our target readers share their copy with family members, relatives, neighbours, VHSG members and other health volunteers.

Health workers in Cambodia receive little regular medical health information, particularly in the Cambodian language, Khmer. The regular publication of our magazine provides health workers with updated information on the most urgent public health issues. It enables health workers to improve their knowledge and practices and the effectiveness of their work and make them more aware of their role in the fight against the major health problems that prevail in Cambodia.

Published every three months, each 80 page issue offers comprehensive, practical and easy to understand health information. The journal is written in both Khmer and English and is heavily illustrated. The contents of the articles are always in line with national guidelines and policies. Our recent topics include hygiene and sanitation, abortion, infection control and childhood pneumonia. Each issue has an editorial committee of locally available experts in the field.

As well as providing information on how to recognize, treat and prevent diseases, Health Messenger also provides community education ideas and information on public health developments.

For those working in rural areas, Health Messenger is often the only regular health information they have access to. During epidemics, such as the dengue fever outbreaks, getting out information to rural areas becomes vital and Health Messenger is the vehicle for disseminating this information.

Health Messenger is published in close co-operation with the Cambodian Ministry of Health and relevant health organizations. Up to date 38 issues of Health Messenger have been distributed across the country. The editorial page is systematically written and signed by MOH authorities.

The magazine is distributed to all health staff (approximately 30,000) in Cambodia free of charge four times a year.

PSP receives core funding from AusAID. In addition, the organization must gain sponsorship to cover the production and distribution costs for each issue. The cost of producing and distributing one feature topic issue of the magazine to all MoH workers in 24 provinces, 6 national hospitals, and 5 Regional Training Centres is approximately US$30,000. The cost of delivering Health Messenger to health workers of 5 other Ministries is covered by AusAID.

We hope to become a financially sustainable organisation in the future. However, at present we are depending on donor support for the operational costs of the organization and we need to seek sponsorship for every issue of Health Messenger.

Re-advertisement

We are now seeking an Associate Editor to write articles on various health issues to be published in PSP's publications.

Main responsibilities:
• To work with the director/editor and Medical Associate Editor to plan, research and write articles for PSP’s publications, on a number of different health topics for nurses/midwives and doctors.
• To research and write articles in English and Khmer which are medically, contextually and graphically correct.
• To partake in field visits to research and gather information, case-studies and photography/ illustrations for use in the publications.
• To support the PSP’s editorial team in any other work.

Skills and Requirements:
• Minimum 3 years experience in producing educational/training material.
• Strong medical background, medical doctor or medical assistant preferred with knowledge of public health issues.
• Experience of working with MOH, national programmes or at hospital level, UN agencies and local/international NGOs.
• Excellent communication skills, including excellent English.
• Project management experience.
• Highly motivated, resourceful and able to work on own initiative.

A competitive salary will be offered based on skills and experience.

If you have the experience and qualifications for this challenging position and would like to work in a small dynamic team, please send your CV and a covering letter to: PSP, #34, Street 304, Phnom Penh, email: director@psp.org.kh
Closing date for applications: until a suitable candidate is identified
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted