Country: Somalia
Closing date: 26 Sep 2018
Background
The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Central Somalia (Mudug and Galgadud regions) and Mogadishu implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, WASH and health reaching out to more than 200,000 conflict and drought affected people.
Summary of Responsibilities
The Senior Medical Officer will be working under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator but will report technically to the Health Manager. He/She will be directly responsible for overseeing adequate and effective implementation of the Health Program in Dhusamareeb Hospital, including outreach activities in Dhusamareeb and Guriel which mainly consists of provision of preventive and curative services, centered on offering lifesaving out-patient and emergency department services that include emergency surgery, clinical care for sexual assault survivors, laboratory and pharmacy, provision of essential medical equipment, drug supplies and ambulance services. The SMO will therefore work closely with IRC’s local partner Swisso Kalmo to ensure provision of clinical services at Hanaano hospital is of high quality.
Key Responsibilities
Program Management:
- Ensure that clinical activities in the Outpatient department and ambulance services are implemented and running smoothly, including pharmacy and laboratory services.
- Will help with providing hands-on services in the hospital including conducting of outpatient consultations and surgeries where deemed appropriate. The SMO will therefore work 80% at the hospital and dedicate 20% of his/ her time to administrative tasks at IRC’s office as assigned by the health Manager.
- In collaboration with the Field Coordinator and Health Manager, the SMO will help identify health program opportunities by assisting the health staff to carry out assessments to better inform healthcare service delivery.
- Support Swisso Kalmo with data collection, compilation, analysis and preparation of reports.
- Review clinical activities at the hospital on a continuous basis and ensure provision of services is in line with overall goals and objectives of the program.
- Participate actively in hospital assessments including verification of different reports in different departments of the hospital.
- Play a key supportive role during technical health facility supervision visits by senior management, donors and third party monitoring teams.
- Inspect facilities and recommend building or equipment modifications to the Field Coordinator and Health Manager to ensure that activities are being implemented appropriately and as per the required hygiene and safety standards
- Coordinate all referrals of IDP and host community patients at the facility level to identified secondary and tertiary facilities as per MoH/WHO referral guidelines.
- Work closely with the Community Engagement Officer to provide technical support to outreach teams in Dhusamareeb and Guriel and ensure reporting is of high quality.
Human Resource Management:
- In collaboration with the Field Coordinator and Health Manager, participate in recruitment, induction and training of medical personnel as per the activities highlighted in the program documents
- Orient new field staff members on personal health and safety issues as well as their specific assigned responsibilities Coordinate with Swisso Kalmo to develop work schedules and assignments for staff and constantly review this to ensure that objectives are met and implementation of activities is carried out accordingly
- Coordinate ambulance activities in the community and ensure all referred cases receive appropriate care.
- Ensure weekly staff meetings are conducted in collaboration with Swisso Kalmo, Health Manager and Hospital Director and address issues raised as well as provide feedback on the implementation of activities and other issues that will enable smooth running of activities
- Establish and follow up on implementation of Continuous Medical Education sessions at the health facility in collaboration with unit in - charges
- Organize monthly meetings with the hospital management.
Grants Management
- Prepare monthly clinic specific work plans that reflect overall Health Program work plans as per the different grants and submit these to the Field Coordinator and Health Manager and provide brief reports on status of implementation of activities.
- Participate in monthly BVA meetings and provide adequate and timely feedback on under-expenditures or over-expenditures on appropriate budget lines and suggest remedial measures.
- Monitoring, supervision and reporting:
- Ensure proper data collection tools are in place at the health facility and shared out with relevant staff. Closely monitor and evaluate staff understanding of use of these tools and recommend trainings/capacity building mechanisms in order to improve the quality of data.
- Ensure timely collection of weekly and monthly data from the hospital, analyze and use the information to plan, monitor and manage the project, with reports on changes in trends provided to the Health Manager on a weekly (disease surveillance data) and monthly (other epidemiological data) basis
- Drug management: ensure that the health facility has up to date drug management tools which are in use in all service departments, proper recording of drug distribution at all levels including ensuring that regular inventories are conducted, and ensure proper storage according to recommended standards. Monitor rational use of drugs periodically in comparison with morbidities
- Monitor closely the morbidity and mortality trends together with all the other health indicators to ensure that prompt actions are taken
- Prepare activity reports on a regular basis to inform the Field Coordinator and Health Manager of the status of implementation of program activities. Assist in drafting donor sector reports periodically as required by the Field Coordinator and Health Manager.
- Attend meetings concerning overall health program issues as requested by the Field Coordinator or Health Manager
- Keep the Field Coordinator and Health Manager informed of all developments and issues through weekly situation reports.
Coordination:
- As requested by the Field Coordinator or Health Manager, liaise and coordinate with the WHO led Health Cluster in Galgaduud, UNICEF focal points, IRC’s local partner and other external partners to facilitate information sharing to enable smooth running of health services at the hospital.
Qualifications
- Degree in Medicine and Surgery from a recognized institution
- At least 5 years of progressive experience in hands-on clinical work in recognized health facilities. Substantial surgical experience will be an added advantage.
- A mature person of high professional discipline and moral integrity, able to work under stress as the situation may dictate.
- Must be registered with the Directorate of Health (DoH) or Ministry of Health (MoH) of the Somali Federal Government and allowed to practice in Somalia
- Must be willing to spend 80% of time providing direct clinical care to patients in the hospital.
Required Experience & Competencies:
- At least two years experience in working with an INGO
- Relevant training and experience in supervising staff
- Experience in health program management and provision of direct clinical care
- Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds
- Good report writing and communication skills
- Proficiency in computer especially in EXCEL and MS WORD is a MUST
- Must be a good team player with a proven track record of good interpersonal relations.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances*
How to apply:
Full description of this position and application details can be viewed through our website https://www.rescue.org/careers.
This position is open to Somalia Nationals Only.
Deadline for receiving applications: 26th September 2018
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.