Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) will help address the shortage of qualified health professionals by investing in capacity and creating sustainable practices for local health care workforces. GHSP responds to expressed host country demand, advances PEPFAR's commitment to training and retaining more health care workers in countries with high HIV disease burden, and provides an innovative volunteer opportunity for Americans.

In January 2012, Peace Corps announced the expansion of the Peace Corps Response (PCR) program, allowing experienced professionals to serve in short-term, high impact Peace Corps assignments in dozens of countries around the world. GHSP Volunteers will be recruited by PCR and will serve as Peace Corps Response Volunteers.

The Peace Corps has a rich, 50-year history of preparing and sending American Volunteers for service overseas. Drawing on its networks within the United States, Global Health Service Corps (GHSC) will raise awareness of the program among qualified professionals who may be interested in serving as Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) Volunteers, and provide technical support to the program, Volunteers and the teaching institutions abroad. Consulting staff include senior global health leaders skilled and experienced in care delivery, medical education and patient care quality. The GHSC will also raise funds from the private sector to finance loan repayment for GHSP Volunteers.

In collaboration with PEPFAR country teams, the Peace Corps will work closely with the Ministries of Health, Ministries of Education and identified educational and health institutions to increase capacity and strengthen the quality and sustainability of medical and nursing education and clinical practices.

• Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) will launch in Tanzania, Malawi and Uganda, placing 10-12 physicians and nurses in training institutions in each of the three partner countries. GHSP may consider expanding to additional countries and disciplines in future years.
• Participants in the program will serve one-year assignments through Peace Corps Response, a program that offers high-impact, short-term assignments for qualified Americans. Some Volunteers may also have the option to serve for a second year.
• The application process is now live. It is expected that Volunteers will be on the ground in July of 2013.
• GHSP Volunteers will receive the same benefits as Peace Corps Response Volunteers, including: monthly living stipends, transportation to and from their country of service, comprehensive medical care, a readjustment allowance and vacation days. Volunteers will also receive additional technical training and support provided by Global Health Service Corps.
• Qualified Volunteers will also be eligible to participate in a privately funded program offering loan repayment for educational debt through the Global Health Service Corps.
• In coordination with host country faculty, GHSP Volunteers will function primarily as academic medical or nursing educators. They will also participate in direct clinical care as appropriate to their roles as educators and mentors.
• Volunteers will include board eligible or board certified doctors in core specialties, and nurses who have completed a BSN/MPH, MSN, NP, DNP, or Ph.D. and have a minimum of three years of both clinical and teaching experience.

Global Health Service Partnership (GHSP) applications are currently being accepted and interested applicants must submit their information no later than December 1, 2012. Peace Corps Response recruiters will begin conducting phone interviews with qualified candidates in fall 2012. Those applicants who are selected for an interview will then be required to submit references. Invitations will be extended to the most qualified applicants by February of 2013 and those Volunteers will be in the field by July 2013.

GHSP Volunteers will receive the same benefits as traditional Peace Corps Volunteers which includes: monthly living stipends, transportation to and from their country of service, comprehensive medical care, a readjustment allowance and vacation days. In addition, Global Health Service Corps (GHSC) will assist GHSP Volunteers in their school loan repayment by awarding stipends of up to $30,000. The GHSC has extended this incentive to attract the best-qualified individuals, including those who may have financial constraints to apply to GHSP positions.