Data Clerk at Médecins du Monde (MdM – Doctor of the World)
Status: Employee
Starting date: as soon as possible
Duration: until 31st of December
Country: Kenya
Base: Nairobi, Kenya
Mission Context: Médecins du Monde (MdM – Doctor of the World) is an international humanitarian organisation whose mission is to provide medical care for the most vulnerable populations, the world over, including France.
It seeks to stimulate voluntary commitment from doctors, other health care providers, and from those whose expertise in other fields is needed for its activities, to enlist all competent support required for the achievement of its projects, and to seek at all times to encourage close working relationships with populations in its care.
For 20 years, Médecins du Monde has been involved in Harm Reduction, and is recognised for its work in this area, in France and internationally.
MdM has been involved in Harm Reduction programmes relating to HIV/AIDS since 1987 in France, and since 1990 internationally, in Russia, Serbia, China, Myanmar and Vietnam.
The organisation has developed solid medical and human expertise in the field of HIV prevention and treatment among high-risk groups, as well as a Harm Reduction approach.
MdM has implemented a pilot project on Harm Reduction (related to drug use) in Kabul, Afghanistan, which is recognised by national and international stakeholders. As part of this project, a national resource centre has also been created.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Médecins du Monde has been working to improve access to voluntary counselling and testing; the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and access to antiretroviral treatment; as well as the decentralisation of treatment and healthcare.
Since 2009, MdM has chosen to target the highest-risk groups (particularly people who use drugs and sex workers), who are hardest hit and for whom no prevention or treatment services had been developed.
Following a needs assessment carried out in 2009, MdM implemented a harm reduction project among drug users in the Temeke district, in Dar es-salaam, Tanzania, in September 2010.
Today, this project includes a training and resource centre and aims to become a model project for national and regional harm reduction activities. In the same perspective, MdM have stated working in Kenya from 2013.
Harm reduction (HR) policy: Harm Reduction is a set of policies, programmes and practices aimed at reducing the risks associated with psychoactive drug use for people who do not have the capacity or will to stop using. It helps drug users, their families and the community.
The harm reduction approach focuses on injection-related risks and on the individual, rather than on drug use.
Debates on harm reduction began when the threat of the spread of HIV among drug users was recognised. However, similar approaches have been used for a long time in many other contexts and for different types of drugs.
Harm reduction complements practices aimed at reducing overall drug use, in that it is based on the acceptance of the fact that many people in the world continue to use drugs despite preventive or repressive measures.
It recognises that people who use drugs do not always have the ability or will to stop. This approach is based on the principles of public health and on a commitment to respecting human rights.
It is based on the understanding that it is preferable for a person who uses drugs not to inject, but that if a person does inject it is better to use sterile equipment in order to avoid harmful consequences.
Program Presentation: Kenya is one of the 10 countries in the world with the highest number of injecting drug users (with an estimated 130,000 drug users, of which between 18,000 and 30,000 are injecting users).
HIV prevalence in Kenya decreased from 14% in the mid-1990s to 5-6% in 2006. It is estimated that 1.5 million people are living with HIV, and that the prevalence rate among adults is 6.3%.
A 2004 study of 156 IVDUs in Nairobi found an HIV prevalence of 36% (68% in women) and a prevalence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) of 42% (48% in women).
In Kenya, drug use is heavily stigmatised by the population and healthcare professionals alike, which further marginalises people with drug dependency problems.
Drug users risk being detained for the use or possession of drugs, or even injecting equipment, which in turn increases the risks and vulnerability faced by people in relation to HIV and HCV.
MdM wants to centre its action on groups at high risk of infection, particularly drug users, by allowing them access to harm reduction programmes and adapted HIV and hepatitis prevention and treatment programmes.
This work is carried out at the same time as the implementation of the first prevention and care activities.
MdM’s harm reduction project in Kenya aims to strengthen the capacity of Kenyan actors (voluntary organisations, healthcare professionals, etc.) and to become a model project for the country.
In the long term, it also aims to support the development of a regional approach, particularly with Tanzania, in order to introduce common training sessions and advocacy activities.
General Objectives of the position
The Data Clerk will be responsible of the accuracy, the quality and timeliness computerization of the project’s data, and project files archiving in close coordination with the staff project.
He / She will participate in the design and improvement of the data entry tools and support their analysis.
She/he will work in constant coordination with medical and outreach departments which are the one to collect project’s data on the daily basis.
Responsibilities and tasks description
- Participate in the design and revision of the data collection tools,
- Give a feedback on the data collected and ensure their accuracy,
- Participate in the design of the databases in adequation with Project requirements and MdM Monitoring and Evaluation Process,
- Ensure data entry and management on the daily basis coming from outreach and medical department on the dedicated project’s data bases,
- Ensure the filling in of MdM Monitoring tool (Monitool) on the monthly basis following MdM Monitoring Handbook,
- Ensure the quality of the data entry and their consistency,
- Support the Program Coordinator and Program Assistant with the basic data analysis in preparation of the monthly reports,
- Ensure proper archiving of the project documents in line with MdM recommendations and guidelines,
- Organize in collaboration with his/her line manager monthly data review/monitoring sessions,
- Actively involved in the project operational research,
- Ensure the compliance of the backup recommendations,
- Ensure confidentiality of the project’s data in line with MdM policy,
- Ensure small maintenance and tasks regarding IT management,
- Ensure data entry for managing project’s stock in a qualitative manner and in line with the responsible of each department,
- Translate any project’s documents from English to Kiswahili or inverse upon needs,
- Demonstrate an ethic and professional practice
Position Requirements
Education
- Bachelors in Information Technology or at least Diploma in a computer-related field.
Qualifications and Skills
- At least 2 years of professional experience in computer-related sector
- Very good typing speed
- Excellent Computer Skills (Office Pack)
- Good writing, communication and analytical skills
- Experience in collecting information through assessments and evaluations
- Involvement in program with Key Populations and/or HIV program will be added an advantage
- Experience in NGO or project research is an asset
Personal attributes
- Non- judgement attitude towards (injection) drug use and (injecting) drug users
- Ability to work in team autonomously
- Able to check information, logical
- Cultural sensitivity, diplomacy and tactfulness
- Adaptation to specific working conditions (in the natural environment of (injecting) drug users)
- Capacity to work in an multidisciplinary and multicultural team
- Dynamism, high level of motivation
- Willingness to learn new skills and/or approaches
- Ability to work and stay calm under pressure
Languages: Proficient in English and Kiswahili
Due to the urgent nature of this position, applications will be processed as they are received.
If you believe you are the ideal candidate we are looking for, please submit your application and CV to the following email address medecins.du.mondefrance@gmail.com with the title: Data Clerk.
Closing date will be on 6th September 2016.
Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
No application will be considered after the closing date as well as any application received by phone or in our office.
No application will be considered after the closing date as well as any application received by phone or in our office.
