Health Advisor Assistant at Médecins Sans Frontières
Médecins Sans Frontières – OCBA (Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens) is looking for a Health Advisor Assistant
(Position based in Nairobi)
General Context: Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, sex, religion, creed or political affiliation.
The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates.
The operations are implemented by 41 field teams and 20 mission coordination teams and organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens, Nairobi and Buenos Aires.
The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the Operational Department.
Background of the position: To accompany the recently created decentralised operational unit in Nairobi called the East African Unite (EAU), MSF-OCBA is opening this temporary position there.
The Operational Team have increased their workload and need an experienced medical manager to assist in supporting its operations over a period of peak work.
The HAA is hierarchically accountable to the Health Advisor (TESACO) and closely coordinates with
the other positions at the EAU.
the other positions at the EAU.
Job Objective: The objective of the Health Advisor Assistant is to support the TESACO (health advisor) in maximizing the quality and adjustment of the projects managed by the Operational Cell, from a medical perspective, through technical follow-up and support.
The position is foreseen for a 3 month period (April, May and June) and will cover the period of including both Sudan and South Sudan in our portfolio and a midyear review towards activities and resources needed.
S/he is hierarchically reporting to the health advisor of Cell5. The TESACO provides him/her with support, guidance, supervision and development of professional competences.
S/he is part of the Operational Cell and, when needed, replaces the TESACO in the dissemination and implementation of the policies and standards defined by the Medical Department as well as the respect for medical ethics and MSF humanitarian principles in intervention.
The Operational Cell is made up of a person in charge of the Cell (RECO), one Deputy RECO/health advisor, one logistics advisor (TELOCO), one financial advisor (FINOCO) and one human resources advisor (REHUCO).
Current Cell’s portfolio includes the following missions: Ethiopia, India and Yemen.
During the month of March Sudan and South Sudan will be included while Yemen will be handed over to another operational cell during the months of April.
Main Responsibilities and Tasks
The functions conducted by the Assistant-TESACO include:
A: To contribute to his/her Operational Cell:
- Support the TESACO in being globally acquainted and up-to-date with the projects.
- Prepare and present updates to other cell members on medical activities and achievements in the projects followed by the cell
- Prepare the medical support documents needed for the midyear revision.
B: To give technical medical support to the missions, including:
- Together with the TESACO support in the definition and drafting of the technical components of the projects.
- Support the mission teams in the follow-up of medical activities.
- Follow up on the technical medical part of the projects through periodic technical reports.
- Give feedback within the stipulated timeframe to the teams in the field relating to technical medical issues (with the support of the rest of the team in the Medical Department if necessary) and the agreement of the TESACO.
C: To ensure appropriate procurement, monitoring and management of medical supplies:
- Medical orders follow-up (with the support of Medical Logistics).
- Ensure that the medical supplies chosen are adapted to the various projects. Making sure they are appropriate and their need justified.
- Ensure that MSF’s policy concerning local drugs purchases is respected.
- Ensure proper use of Isystock in the mission and follow up of recommendations made by pharmacy referents.
D: To support technical training:
- Make sure that medical teams receive basic technical and methodological information delivered and/or demanded.
- Ensure that the medico-technical materials and bibliography requested by the projects are duly delivered (in addition to the information periodically distributed by the Medical Department).
E: Others: Assume responsibility for Expat and National staff health in the East African Unit. This includes support to medical evacuations from surrounding missions to Nairobi.
Selection Criteria
Education and experience
- Qualified Medical Doctor, clinical officer or nurse
- Experience in management of medical activities/projects for MSF OCBA
- Recent experience with MSF OCBA’s HIS and health & operations management tools
- Fluency in English
Competencies
- Knowledge of Pharmacy tools is a plus (Isystock)
- Knowledge of MSF Health Information System
- Excellent communication and diplomatic skills
- Good organization skills
- Good management skills
- Professionalism a must
- Transparency a must
- Flexibility a must
- Ability to work in a team
- Good analytical and problem-solving skills
- Problem analysis and solving capacity a must
- Cross-cultural awareness
- Quality and results orientation
- Planning and organizing
Conditions
- Based in Nairobi at the EAU office
- Full time but fixed term of 3 months
- Starting date: as soon as possible.
To Apply
Applicants should send their curriculum vitae and cover motivation letter under the reference “Health Advisor Assistant” to:
MSF-SPAIN
MSFE-RRHH-NBO@barcelona.msf.org
Closing date: 12th March 2014
Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates
