Search
Search
Close this search box.

04/11/2017

“The Head of Mission is the leader of our field activities”

Caroline Dulinge, head of Human Resources Development for ALIMA, explains the objectives of the PITCH sessions, which will be held in Dakar from April 10 – 14, 2017.

What is PITCH?

The PITCH (Humanitarian Coordinators Immersion and Transition Course) is a program designed to promote the integration and development of new mission leaders and project coordinators within ALIMA (Alliance for International Medical Action).

The first goal of these meetings is to get to know each other better. Through various modules, we introduce and work on key skills that a head of mission needs to lead medical and humanitarian projects within ALIMA.

Through hands-on experience-sharing workshops and exercises, in the presence of many headquarters representatives, participants learn to better understand ALIMA’s organization, internal working methods, protocols and approach to managing missions.

Who is the PITCH for?

This program is intended for experienced heads of mission or project coordinators (medical or non-medical). We are looking for Anglophone or Francophone professionals who would like to work with a dynamic NGO to implement stimulating and innovative medical projects in accordance with the ALIMA’s values.

In 2016, PITCH brought together 8 participants with diverse experiences. Three-quarters of these participants went on to become our collaborators in the field.

What qualities are you looking for in a head of mission?

A good head of mission is the main supervisor and mentor for our activities in the field. It is a person who must have strong skills in team management, communication, and who knows how to gather and unite team members around a project. To do this successfully, he/she must be able to understand the medical project, to design it and to manage it. A head of mission must also understand and adhere to the values and principles of the association, as he/she will be one of the representatives on the field. So we are looking for people who have experience in the humanitarian sector, not necessarily experience on medical projects, but who demonstrate a particular interest in medical projects, who are motivated and dynamic, and want to contribute to the development of the association.

When will the next meeting take place?

The next PITCH will take place from April 10 – 14, 2017, at the operational headquarters in Dakar, Senegal, where ALIMA staff will welcome you in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

For more information on enrollment, see our brochure: link


The Alliance for International Medical Action (ALIMA) is an international medical humanitarian organization that pools the expertise of international aid workers, national medical groups and global research institutions to provide high-quality medical care to people in need, while carrying out cutting-edge research to improve humanitarian medicine. By sharing resources and know-how, the ALIMA network is increasing access to care for communities at risk, while expanding the quality and capacity of humanitarian medical response in some of the most challenging contexts in the world. Based in Dakar, Senegal, ALIMA has projects in nine countries throughout West and Central Africa.

© Adrienne Surprenant / ALIMA

Related news