Teaching Assistant Intern, Humanities and Social Sciences

Job Summary

The Teaching Assistant Intern provides comprehensive academic, instructional, and administrative support to the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences across the MBBS and MGHD programs. Reporting directly to the Head of Humanities and Social Sciences, the intern acts as a focal Teaching Assistant to coordinate in-class learning logistics, manage coursework deployment, and evaluate student assessments. The position serves as an essential bridge between course directors, visiting faculty, and students to facilitate an array of interdisciplinary courses blending health psychology, communications, tech innovation, and medical anthropology.

Qualification

• Required: Master’s-level academic training focused specifically on health psychology, health sciences, global health, or a closely related field.
• Documented training in clinical education methodologies or health psychology with a clear focus on global or resource-constrained settings.
• Exceptional written and verbal proficiency in English.

Experience

• Proven experience teaching, mentoring, or coaching health science-oriented students using active, student-centered learning approaches.
• Demonstrated ability to adapt instructional strategies to accommodate diverse student bodies with varying levels of pre-existing content familiarity.
• Prior experience teaching, working, or conducting field interventions within Rwanda or similar regional contexts.
• Experience collaborating with academic teams to draft, compile, and employ creative pedagogical strategies.

Core Duties and Responsibilities

Instructional Support & Course Delivery:

• Provide direct classroom support to the Head of Department, course directors, and visiting international faculty.
• Deliver targeted assistance across an interdisciplinary course catalog, specifically supporting:
  • Psychology & Anthropology: Introduction to Psychology (PSY8114), Medical Anthropology and Social Medicine (HUM8124), and Introduction to Sociology (SOC8115).
  • Health History & Economics: History of Health in Africa (HUM8123) and Introduction to Health Economics (HEC8116).
  • Scientific Reasoning & Tech: Critical Thinking and Scientific Reasoning (SCI8113) and Introduction to Transformative Technology in Health (ICT81112).
  • Professional Communication: Academic Writing Skills (ENG8111), Communication Skills in Kinyarwanda (KIN8121), Essentials of Oral Communication in English (ENG8122), Creative Writing and Narrative Medicine (ENG8126), and Communication Skills for Medical Professionals (COM8214).

Assessment & Learning Management:

• Assist in the grading of formative and summative student assessments, including essays, lab reports, tests, and final examinations.
• Support the curation, drafting, layout editing, and digital maintenance of teaching and learning assets on the university’s Canvas Learning Management System (LMS).

Student Mentorship & Office Administration:

• Maintain structured office hours and independent modalities to offer direct academic coaching to students.
• Respond promptly and professionally to students' academic queries and administrative requests.
• Uphold and actively model the UGHE Code of Conduct and Honor Code, fostering an environment of intellectual honesty, civic consideration, and commitment to social justice.

Skills & Competencies

Technical:

• Competency utilizing Canvas LMS or comparable learning management platforms.
• Understanding of active learning educational strategies and medical humanities curricula.
• Strong proofreading, copy editing, and instructional formatting skills.
• Ability to break down complex global health and psychological theories for undergraduate learners.

Behavioural:

• Resolute commitment to social justice, institutional equity, and empathetic student support.
• Strong teamwork, interpersonal fluidity, and ease collaborating with visiting global faculty.
• Pronounced cultural humility and capability to thrive in a highly diverse, international environment.
• Strict adherence to academic integrity and professional discretion.

Skills Required:

• Health / Medical