Organization Mission

Morobe Development Foundation Inc. (MDF) is a leading Internationally recognised NGO based in Lae Morobe Province, Papua New Guinea (PNG). It has the vision to help young people reach their full potential by utilizing their hidden talents in community development initiatives to become role models in their communities. MDF was established to address a broader and more diverse range of objectives and work through the use of dance, music, and drama.

MDF’s primary aim is to ensure that women participate equally in decision-making in any project undertaken, including projects related to Ending Violence against Women and promoting Human Rights to support the Government and the Sustainable Development Goals.

MDF, in collaboration with Online Volunteers (OV), have previously undertaken various scientific research studies related to the environment including: forest cover loss, land use land cover change, the influence of various parameters on surface waters, and coastal shoreline turtle habitat loss. These projects included the participation of various experts and researchers from diverse fields across various countries across the globe – ranging from marine biology, biodiversity conservation, PNG community management, remote sensing, and land use policy among various others.

MDF is managed by a management committee, which is made up of the Chairman, the Deputy Chairman, Secretary, the Treasurer, the Project Coordinator, Community Development Officer, and a male and female member of the foundation, and ensures that women participate equally in decision making.

We at MDF assert that we have the required skill sets, knowledge, established international network, and the necessary foundational work to undertake projects successfully.

Context

Papua New Guinea is facing escalating development challenges—ranging from limited access to safe drinking water and proper sanitation to communication disruptions that affect governance and cultural cohesion. To address these issues, the Morobe Development Foundation (MDF) has prepared five research manuscripts on topics including water quality, hygiene practices, healthcare access, community waste management, and the impact of digital communication on traditional social structures.

These research papers are being prepared for submission to academic journals and aim to inform sustainable, community-based solutions to critical development concerns. However, to ensure their clarity, quality, and academic rigour, MDF seeks the assistance of Online Volunteers with relevant academic and editorial experience.

By supporting the review and refinement of these papers, Online Volunteers will directly contribute to research and advocacy that supports Sustainable Development Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation. Your contribution will help amplify community voices, strengthen scientific validity, and influence national and local development strategies.

Key Responsibilities

MDF is engaging eight Online Volunteers with relevant subject matter and editorial expertise to review and edit five research manuscripts. Each volunteer will be assigned one key focus area aligned with their background.

Online Volunteer Roles and Focus Areas:

Volunteer 1: Review and improve analysis on water scarcity and its environmental determinants, ensuring scientific clarity and logical flow.
Volunteer 2: Edit sections related to waterborne disease risks and public health impacts, providing medical/scientific insight and coherence.
Volunteer 3: Review content on community sanitation and hygiene practices, especially gender-sensitive health concerns.
Volunteer 4: Edit and structure content on solid waste management in institutional or urban settings, focusing on technical feasibility.
Volunteer 5: Refine analysis on the influence of communication technologies on cultural and democratic norms, ensuring consistency in socio-political language.
Volunteer 6: Support the review of a health service accessibility study, focusing on clarity, terminology, and structure.
Volunteer 7: Provide editorial feedback on a technical water feasibility report, ensuring alignment with engineering and environmental standards.
Volunteer 8: Conduct a cross-cutting review of policy relevance and community development recommendations across all papers, ensuring practicality and scholarly tone.

Online Volunteers will be acknowledged in the publication or considered as co-authors, depending on their level of contribution. The selected volunteer will also receive a Certificate of Appreciation issued through the Unified Volunteer Platform.

Required Skills and Experience

The selected candidate should have:
– PhD (or equivalent experience) in environmental science, public health, communication studies, or related fields.
– Demonstrated experience editing or reviewing academic publications.
– Familiarity with water quality research, WASH assessments, social impact analysis, or cultural studies.
– Ability to perform independently and meet deadlines.