Coordinating Office for Global Health
International Experience & Technical Assistance Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Will IETA participants be eligible to receive Post Hardship Differential?
A: Effective with the IETA Class of 2007, employees participating in the program are not eligible for Post Hardship Differential.
Q: I had trouble printing the application pages.
A: Use Internet Explorer (CDC default) rather then Netscape.
Q: Will training and international assignments be completed in 1 year?
A: IETA aims to complete all workshops and international assignments in 12
months.
Q: Are PMI's are eligible?
A: Yes, providing that at the time of application, the PMI has been employed
by CDC in a GS-11 or equivalent position for 12 months and has their 1st and
2nd level supervisor's support in writing. It may be difficult to be
simultaneously involved in 2 long-term training programs, but it is at the
discretion of the applicant and their parent organization.
Q: Can Contractors (i.e.: Battelle, TRW) apply or submit justification to
apply?
A: No.
Q: Can ORISE Fellows apply to IETA?
A: No.
Q: Is it recommended to apply to Polio/STOP and IETA simultaneously?
A: This is at the discretion of the applicant. IETA works with Polio/STOP to
place assignees in the program, but some of those who applied to IETA could
have (and were) accepted to the Polio/STOP program without IETA's help. If
you think you qualify, you should apply.
Q: Are there any assignments shorter than 3 months?
A: All participants are expected to commit to a three-month minimum
assignment. Actual assignment lengths will vary but will average twelve
weeks. IETA cannot guarantee a shorter assignment to any participants and
applicants should therefore consider their availability carefully.
Q: Will there be flexibility on taking an international assignment?
A: Assignments are based on the needs of the research and prevention
programs and the skills of the IETA participants. Slight adjustments may be
made at the discretion of the program, but IETA participants will not be
offered a choice of assignments and are guaranteed only ONE invitation for
an overseas assignment.
Q: What are the workload responsibilities of the international
assignment?
A: All assignments are based on the needs of prevention and research
programs, thus workload will vary with the assignment. (You may work
holidays and weekends.)
Q: What are the typical living conditions on international assignments?
A: Living conditions will vary with the country assignment. Applicants
should assume that they would be assigned to a hardship post with difficult
living conditions. Some international assignments may be in capital cities
and in more comfortable conditions, but even the best will require assignees
to be adaptable and tolerant.
Q: Will participants' family members be allowed to accompany them on
assignment?
A: No. All IETA travelers will be unaccompanied and travel as employees on
official US Government Passports and Travel Orders. Due to the nature of
these short-term international public health assignments, family members
will not be allowed to accompany IETA participants on TDY.
Q: Will visitations from family or friends be allowed during short-term
assignment?
A: IETA participants will travel unaccompanied as employees on
US Government Travel Orders. Assignments are based on needs of each
prevention and research program. Therefore, each hosting program must
determine if conditions are favorable for visitations while on international
assignment. If visitations occur during the agreed-upon period of work, then
the assignee's in-country supervisor must be consulted. All arrangements are
the responsibility of the employee (ticketing, visas, vaccinations,
evacuation insurance, accommodations, etc)
Q: Can I take Annual Leave during the assignment?
A: Many participants arrange to take Annual Leave upon completing their
international assignment. Whether this allowed will depend on DHHS and CDC
policy and will be at the discretion of the in-country and permanent
supervisors.
Q: Will participants be required to continue current work assignments
during international assignment?
A: No, participants should inform their first-line and second-line
supervisor of the demands and requirements of the international assignment.
Communication with home office (CDC) could be irregular and unreliable.
Supervisors and participants should decide how current workload would be
handled during the participants' absence. Applicants are encouraged to offer
suggestions and creative ideas to cover workload when asking for support to
apply to IETA.
Q: How do I make myself available for more than one type of international
assignment?
A: When completing the application form, select those skill
areas for which you believe yourself to be most qualified and you will be
considered for assignments in at least those areas.
Q: Can you define the skill area of "Informatics"?
A: Informatics is the systematic and scientific application of technology to
a specific discipline, in this case, public health. Staff skilled in
informatics may include individuals knowledgeable about tools for developing
public health information systems, systems analysis and programming,
hardware support and management, Internet-based data warehousing, geographic
information systems, and connectivity. Persons with these skills might be
asked to provide consultation and training to in-country CDC staff, as well
as to other public health partners.
Q: How extensive is the training?
A: Selected participants will be required to attend a total of four
workshops in Atlanta. The length of the workshops will require absences from
the participant's home office of 3 to 5 days. These trainings are designed
to enhance an individual's cultural competency, adaptability, problem
solving capability, and communication skills in order to increase their
effectiveness and satisfaction when working in an international setting. The
intention is that 3 workshops will be completed prior to the international
assignment, and one workshop will be held after all participants have
returned from overseas.
Q: What is a first or second-line supervisor?
A: This will depend on the hierarchy of your organization. Check with your
supervisor for more information.
Q: How long should my application answers be?
A: Answers should be no longer than 2 pages.
Q: Will interviews be held?
A: After rating, the top qualified applicants will be interviewed by phone.
Q: Will the application reviewers be drawn only from the National Center
for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention?
A: No, IETA solicits reviewers with international public health experience
from CIOs across CDC who are given specific guidance on the review process.
Q: What are your criteria for selection?
A: The actual selection parameters will not be disclosed to the applicants
(similar to HRMO process). Applications will be numerically rated by
reviewers based on the strength of the overall application and the responses
to each of the written responses to the 5 questions. We assume technical
competence, and will not question the merits of your technical abilities as
public health professionals. IETA is interested in harvesting candidates
with flexibility, fortitude, and interpersonal skills. We are interested in
individuals who can think on their feet, read between the lines, and problem
solve.
Q: I am a Commissioned Officer with HRSA. I understand that the program
is open to employees of other HHS agencies. How does this work?
A: Yes, this opportunity is open to other PHS agencies. The announcement is
made to federal PHS agencies simultaneously, and the application process
will be the same for all. We accept up to 20% of each training cohort from
other PHS agency staff (5 persons).
Q: Does CDC support the costs for PHS employees to attend the workshops
in Atlanta? Does CDC support the cost of the short-term supervised
international assignment?
A: The employing PHS office of each participant who is not from CDC/ATSDR is
asked to sponsor all costs associated with domestic IETA training workshops
and for participant's salary while during an international assignment. The
international hosting program will cover all travel costs associated with
the international assignment.
Q: What is CDC's stand on medical clearance for international travel for
applicants who may have compromised immune systems, a blood disorder, a
disability, or a chronic disease? (One that nonetheless enables them to work
and travel.)
A: The CDC complies with Department of State guidelines. All international
assignments with IETA require an official Department of State medical
clearance. The Department of State (not CDC) determines medical clearance
for an individual. There are various levels of clearance handled on a
case-by-case basis ranging from worldwide to post-specific. Some posts have
health units at the U.S. Embassy. If an applicant is truthful, if they are
not currently ill, have a stable medical condition and have a low likelihood
of needing medical attention abroad, then there should not be a problem.
Persons with compromised immune systems may be at higher risk for
contracting infections in hardship conditions where there is no assurance of
adequate medical care, and may be denied clearance. Employee should discuss
w/private physician, staff at the CDC travel clinics, or contact Doris Riggs
at the Office of Global Health (404) 639-7458.
Q: How do people manage family logistics while on a foreign assignment?
My husband works 10-hour days and would need assistance with getting our
Kindergartner and a 3rd Grader to and from school/summer camp.
A: The issue of managing personal logistics is something that is best dealt
with by the employee/traveler. It is common for family and trusted friends
to assist with the management of family/household issues while the employee
is away. And whether one is single, married, with or without dependents --
arrangements would need to be made for everything from paying bills to
arranging childcare.
Q: It would be helpful to speak with someone who has filled assignments
doing these sorts of things to get some in-depth understanding of what is
potentially involved.
A: Specific questions such as this can be transmitted by IETA staff to
former IETA participants who are willing to be contacted and answer
applicant questions.
Q: Is this training program open to ASPH Fellows?
A: No. Please refer to eligibility criteria on the website. Applicants must
be permanently employed by the Federal Government.
Q: Is this training program open to EIS officers?
A: No. Please refer to eligibility criteria on the website. Although
conditions could be favorable for an active EIS officer in year two to meet
the IETA eligibility requirements, an applicant would be unable to
successfully fulfill the requirements of both programs. EIS officers who
have completed their 2 year tour and are permanent FTEs would need to
consider whether the IETA program is an appropriate mechanism to serve their
professional development needs.
Q: Is this training program open to PHPS fellows?
A: No. Please refer to eligibility criteria on the website. The employment
status of PHPS fellows is temporary in nature, and an applicant would be
unable to successfully fulfill the requirements of both training programs
simultaneously. Current PHPS applicants should pursue international training
opportunities within the PHPS program.
Q: I have some international experience. Can I apply?
A: IETA is first and foremost a developmental training program for those
with limited/no international experience. Individuals who already possess
international health experience should seriously consider whether IETA is an
appropriate training program for them. Circumstances may vary, but generally
-- those with the experience IETA is trying to provide will not receive
priority consideration.
Q: Can Certified Public Accountant apply?
A: Host country program requests for administration and management support
often involve writing cooperative agreements, contracts, position
descriptions for local hire, procurement, financial systems development,
management, and automation, and program budgeting. Please consider whether
your skills as a CPA may be suitable, review the skill sets on the
application form and consider the program administration arena.
Q: What months does the training cover (start to finish) and what months
of the year would you be required to travel overseas for your 12 week
assignment? I have personal reasons for needing to be home during the month
of May.
A: Assignments for 2002 should take place sometime between March - December.
We try to remain as flexible as possible with regard to coordinating
international assignments around availability (both for work and personal
reasons.) In turn, our expectation is that participants will make themselves
as available/flexible as possible. We try to avoid placing people in a
position where they would have to decline an invitation for an international
assignment. The participant with fewer scheduling limitations is easier to
place. Participants can only expect to receive one invitation for an
international assignment. If circumstances prohibit the applicant from
accepting, IETA can't guarantee a subsequent opportunity.
Q: Who pays for travel to Atlanta for the IETA workshops?
A: The employees Agency/CIO will cover domestic travel for all employees accepted into the IETA program and are asked to continue paying participants' salaries while away for the 3 to 4 month international assignment.
Q: Who pays for international travel expenses?
A: The hosting international program will cover travel costs and expenses
associated with the overseas assignment. Participants' employing agencies
and C/I/Os are expected to continue paying participants' salaries while on
international assignment.
Q: I have a new supervisor who is not familiar with my work. Can I seek
support from the supervisor who just left my office?
A: The support of your
CURRENT rating supervisors of record (first and second-level) is required
for reasons including, but not limited to employee performance, budget, and
managing employee responsibilities during their absence while on TDY. Your
current rating supervisor is free to consult with prior supervisors of
record in completing the IETA supervisor support form.
Q: I do not have a resume. Can I use the SF-171 instead of the resume as
the required attachment?
A: Yes. However, all participants accepted to the program must provide an
electronic copy of their CV to use for the purpose of securing an
international assignment.
Q: Do you have be proficient in a particular foreign language to
participate in the IETA one year training program?
A: No -- second language proficiency is not a requirement of the program.
However, applicants are asked to indicate if they have language abilities in
essay question 5 of the application materials
Page last modified: September 14, 2006
