Medical Coordinator for Ethiopia

Location: Jijiga, Somali Region

Deadline: 23 Nov 2023

Job Description

The humanitarian aid organization Ärzte der Welt e. V. is the German division of the international network Médecins du Monde/Doctors of the World (MdM). The 17 national members of the network implement domestic and international health care projects, currently almost 340 projects in 75 countries around the world.

MdM provides emergency medical aid in disaster and crisis situations, supports access to health care and, if possible, assists with reconstruction measures. The network is also active in risk reduction and preparedness as well as long-term development co-operations in neglected regions around the world that receive little public attention. MdM ensures that its health services are provided equally to the most vulnerable citizens, refugees, internally displaced people and host communities, regardless of their ethnic, social, religious or political background. MdM considers access to general health care to be a universal human right for everyone.

MdM has been working in Ethiopia since 1986, implementing different types of health projects from long-term interventions to emergency response. MdM Germany is pursuing two programmatic approaches since 2021: collaboration with local partner in development-oriented projects and implementing a larger volume emergency humanitarian intervention in Somali Region. For the this programme part, a scale up and geographical extension to Afar Region is in planning.

The humanitarian multi-sectoral intervention of MdM Germany in Somali and future Afar Region is aiming to improve the access to and the quality of health care services (with a focus on SRH-R, MCH, GBV), prevention of epidemics (incl. Covid-19) and MHPSS for conflict and crisis affected communities, with particular attention to the needs of women and girls. Nutrition and WASH components are integrated in the approach and implemented by the local partner organisation.

Jointly, MdM Germany and the partner support existing health centers and health posts in 3 different areas of the Somali Region: rural remote areas, IDP camp settings, and areas with ethnic / internal border conflicts. The direct support to existing health staff and structures is completed by outreach activities to the surrounding communities. Strategic scaling up of activities, also in terms of thematic focus and geographically is being developed. Donors include German FFO, ECHO and German BMZ, a further diversification is envisaged.

In close collaboration with the Country Representative and the future Health Advisor at HQ Level, the Medical Coordinator shall be responsible for quality implementation and technical supervision of the health programme, leading the Programme Team and further development of the missions’ operational health strategy of the Ethiopia Country Programme (thematically, geographically). S/he will be responsible for supporting the Programme team members and local partners.

In support of our work in Ethiopia, MdM Germany is looking for an experienced Medical Coordinator, based in Jijiga, Somali Region with frequent visits to all current and future project locations within Ethiopia (mainly Somali and Afar Region) and Addis Abeba. Once the Country Office in the capital is established the duty station will change to Addis Abeba.

Responsibilities:

• Further develop the health part of MdM Germany’s country strategy in accordance with MdM Germany’s vision and mission as well as existing national plans and policies.
• Develop MdM-GE’s health programme in Ethiopia according to the approved country strategy an in close cooperation with the senior management team, aligning with MdM -France in the country.
• Ensure effective and efficient implementation and follow-up of MdM Germany’s health programme in Ethiopia according to approved plans and budgets and propose programmatic adaptations if needed.
• Lead technical assessments/surveys in prior defined locations in Ethiopia, develop relevant ToRs and tools for data collection, analyse the result and provide comprehensive reports on the results.
• Lead the MdM-GE’s health team and provide supervision and technical support in implementing the ongoing activities in Ethiopia.
• Define/Update SOPs, medical guidelines and modalities for the overall mission as well as programme implementation.
• Support the effective functioning of MdM Germany’s MEAL system and contribute to the further development in support of MEAL officer.
• Supervise the pharmacy activities in terms of quality of storage conditions in collaboration with Logistics department and management.
• Assess capacity building needs of the health team of MdM Germany and the partner, develop capacity building plans and identify relevant training opportunities.
• Review and analyse the quality of data reported by the health team, provide feedback and ensure timely and quality reporting.
• Contribute to donor reports and proposals as well as MdM Germany internal reports by providing relevant data, analysis, and technical inputs.

Hierarchical & Functional links

The Medical Coordinator reports directly to the General Coordinator. S/he directly manages the medical / technical team in the country (Addis and project regions) and supports the programme team.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATION

Your professional Profile

• Essential, degree in medicine or other paramedical studies and/or Public Health
• Master in International Cooperation and/or Humanitarian Aid are desirable.
• At least 5 years field expierence in similar positions with a INGO or within the UN System
• Proven experience in emergency response, especially on non-communicable diseases,
• Strong project management skills and experience including project planning, proposal development and report writing,
• Strong experience in trainings and capacity building and development of local staff and partners in related subjects,
• Experience in representation within the humanitarian system and in challenging negotiations with local authorities,
• At least three years expierence at a senior management level with demonstrable ability to lead a team on a complex environment,
• Fluency in English (written and verbaly).
• Confident and proficient in the use of MS Office.

Your personal profile

• Capacity to live and work in challenging conditions,
• High level of mental and physical resilience and ability to cope with a high level of workload,
• Strong problem solving and organisational skills in day to day and crisis situations,
• Ability to classify and to manage priorities and adaptability to changing priorities,
• Strong communication (written and spoken) and interpersonal skills including the ability to effectively motivate people, listen and to diplomatically manage the relationship with local partners and different authorities.
• Reactivity, anticipation, adaptability, capacity to take initiatives.
• You are comitted to MdM’s values.

Conditions of employment / What we offer

• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Length of the contract: 12 months with possibility to extend
• Duty station: Jijiga with visits to other field locations (and future change to Addis Abeba)
• Salary: according to MdM Germany’s terms and conditions