Project Medical Referent at Medecins Sans Frontieres

Location: Abakaliki, Ebonyi

Operational Context

Nigeria's democracy has recently appeared to be more fragile and susceptible to disintegration than at any time since the restoration of civilian rule in 1999. The nation is contending with an array of social and political conflicts that at worst threaten its unity and continuing existence; and at best threatens its stability and economic future.
In addition to these conflicts the country also suffers from multiple endemic diseases, of which Lassa fever is one of the most serious. The recent exceptional resurgence of Lassa fever in the south-east of Nigeria has led to the primary intervening hospitals (in Lassa fever care) being overwhelmed.
The current outbreak of Lassa fever seems not only bigger than previous Lassa fever outbreaks, but it seems that more secondary cases (or at least more clusters of cases) occur.
The MSF Lassa project in Nigeria is located in Abakaliki, Ebonyi state (south-east Nigeria) and focuses on Lassa fever management, prevention, research and training.
The project will be run in close conjunction with the Ministry of Health at the Federal Teaching Hospital of Abakaliki (FETHA).

Main Objectives

• The Project Medical Referent is responsible for the management of the medical program within the project, reporting to the Project Coordinator and receiving functional support from the Mission Medical Coordinator and specialist referents at MSF OCB headquarters.
• The position will have five direct reports including the Nursing Activity Manager, one Medical Doctor, the Environmental Health Supervisor, the Health Promotion Manager and the Infection Prevention Control Manager.
• The main objectives of the role are to train the existing Ministry of Health Staff at the Federal Teaching Hospital of Abakaliki in Lassa fever related triage, clinical features, diagnosis, management and infection prevention and control measures such as personal protection equipment (PPE), vector control and contact tracing.
• The role will also be required to assist in the establishment of two new MSF constructed isolation rooms, support the State authorities to establish an adequate referral system, to assess and design strategies for future capacity building, technical support and to assess opportunities for research in conjunction with third party actors.

Responsibilities

• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator, Mission Medical Coordinator and Ministry of Health partners; define, implement and monitor all medical activities within the Project according to MSF standards and protocols.
• Participate in the development of the Project policy, annual plan, budget review and reports to donors
• Ensure regular contact with the Ministry of Health and other local medical actors
• Responsible for medical data collection, analysis and reporting to ensure proper monitoring of the program
• Provide technical support to medical personnel in the field via self-knowledge and MSF policies; ensuring compliance with medical activity protocols
• Coordinate, supervise, support and evaluate the medical team members’ performance to improve the medical components of the project and ensure compliance with both MSF and Ministry of Health protocols
• In conjunction with the Project Coordinator; supervise the associated personnel management processes including recruitment, induction, training, performance evaluation, development and communication for all applicable staff
• Manage all associated pharmacy and medical equipment
• Monitor consumption and prepare the Project medical orders for drugs, medical materials, medical devices and consumables; ensuring stock shortages do not occur.

Requirements

Profile:

• Medical Doctor or Nurse.

Education:

• Medical degree or Bachelor of science in Nursing (Level A1)
• Diploma in tropical medicine or at least 1 year of work experience in a tropical context is mandatory (except for Specialists in Infectious Diseases)
• MSc in Public Health (or similar) is an asset

Experience:

• At least two years of clinical experience in any context is mandatory
• At least two years of INGO expatriate experience in humanitarian settings in a similar coordination position is mandatory.
• Experience working with Viral Haemorrhagic Fever is required

Competencies:

• Strategic Vision
• Planning and Organising
• Teamwork and Cooperation
• Leadership
• People Management and Development

Languages:

• English (fluent)

Conditions

• Twelve months fixed-term field contract, based in Nigeria
• Salary according to MSF-OCB Field salary scale. Transport, accommodation, vaccinations are taken in charge by MSF. Per diem + medical insurance
• Expected starting date: 01 January 2019
• A dynamic and stimulating work environment alongside multicultural colleagues.