Certificate IV in Community Development (CHC40808)

Sharin Vile is an Australia Pacific Training Coalition (APTC) Alumnae from Vanuatu, whose qualification and experience in community development and stakeholder engagement are adding value to her current role. She is a Senior Emergency Disaster & Response Officer deployed by RedR Australia working with the National Disease Surveillance Unit under Vanuatu’s Ministry of Health, to support the coordination of emergency response to Disaster and the COVID-19 outbreak in Vanuatu.

Sharin graduated with a Certificate IV in Community Development (CHC40808) from APTC in 2016 and applies what she learned in her studies to her work with the National Health Emergency Operation team in establishing Community Isolation Centres (CIC) in Shefa and Sanma Province.

A key aspect of her role in establishing CICs is ensuring accessibility and support are available to vulnerable groups as part of Vanuatu’s Covid response to the outbreak.

“We emphasize inclusivity and ensure vulnerable groups are considered and treated fairly and that facilities identified to be used as CICs are accessible for people with special needs. This is in line with the standard CIC guidance in setting up a community isolation centre. Likewise, there is a psychosocial lead that supports the CIC in making sure cases with psychosocial needs are addressed accordingly.”

On International Women’s day, Sharin was amongst other Ni-Vanuatu women who were acknowledged for their work and effort during the Covid outbreak in Vanuatu.

She credits her APTC training for lifting her confidence which has led to a demanding and rewarding career and shares that the community development course she undertook addresses some important communication strategies to build good relationships.

“My APTC journey was incredible, and it has benefited me in so many ways.   Although the context of the community development course is focused on working with community and community leaders, I apply the same principle in my work at the provincial and national level.”

Before the outbreak, Sharin worked closely with Provincial Health Administrators and Public Health Managers to finalise the Draft Public Health Emergency and Disaster Response Handbook and the National Health Plan for the Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation (DRM-CCA) which was launched in April 2021.

After APTC, Sharin pursued further studies with the Fiji National University and returned to Vanuatu in 2020 where she continues to work for RedR Australia.  

Australia Assists is the Australian Government’s humanitarian civilian deployment program. With RedR Australia as implementing partner, technical specialists are deployed to help communities, partners and nations prepare for, respond to and recover from natural hazards and conflict.

Sharin is one of over 2300 graduates of APTC, Australia’s flagship TVET investment program in the Pacific and Timor-Leste.