REGIONAL MEDICAL COORDINATOR FOR ASIA UNIT (BASED IN ANY OF THE ASIA OFFICES)

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, religion, creed or political affiliation.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens and decentralised in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE OF THE POST

In close collaboration with the Head Of Mission and the Medical Department, defining and implementing the medical strategy of the mission. Being responsible for the planning and coordination of all medical activities and resources in the mission, according to MSF’s charter, policies, and ethical principles with consideration of international and national laws, in order to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients and their communities as well as to improve the health condition and humanitarian living conditions of the target population.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS

• Being responsible for defining, monitoring and updating the medical content of the MSF country policy, medical strategy, annual plan and budget, translating the identified health needs into a medical strategic vision and project objectives, priorities and resources needed in order to cover the medical and humanitarian needs of the population at risk, and ensuring that the objectives and goals set in the Mission’s annual plan, CPP and project plans are achieved.

• Being overall responsible for the appropriateness and quality of medical interventions conducted by MSF projects and being expected to identify and work on removing barriers to better patient safety, effective medical care, and better patient-centred activities.

• Continuously monitoring the medical and humanitarian needs in the Mission country through exploratory missions, the use of health information systems, monitoring and reviewing project proposals, determining necessary resources in order to cover medical and humanitarian needs of the population at risk

• Being responsible for the supervision and monitoring of the medical technical aspects, humanitarian needs and in coordination with the Logistics Coordinator, the material aspects of the programmes through regular field visits, analysing difficulties during the implementation and reporting deviations as they appear, in order to proactively provide the necessary solutions and achieve operational results

• In close collaboration with the HR Coordinator, participating in the planning, definition and sizing of the health-workforce in the mission and supervising the associated processes (recruitment, validation of medical staff, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and communication). Coaching and directly supporting project coordinators and medical teams in the implementation of the medical activities.

• Together with the HR Coordinator, defining, updating and implementing the Mission’s Health and Safety Policy Framework including medical insurance, social packages and repatriation policy. Ensuring the guarantee of the highest possible level of medical related security issues (mental and physical health and safety in the workplace) and monitoring the psychological status of all Mission’s staff, suggesting solutions to help improve mental health related issues

• Being responsible for defining and sizing other resources (pharmacy and medical equipment management in collaboration with logistics) and timelines, procedures and protocols. Ensuring preparation of all medical orders in collaboration with the Logistics Department and the submission of all medical purchase requests to HQ. Being accountable for the proper management of the pharmacy in the Mission, including projects.

• Providing reports on the mission’s evolution from the medical perspective, as required, and is responsible for the Medical Library of the Mission. Informing the medical field staff of all materials available, and keeping all medical documents updated in the database

• Representing MSF before local medical authorities and keeping regular contact with other counterparts in the mission (NGOs, local organizations, donors, authorities) in order to broaden the medical-humanitarian situation analysis, strengthening the impact of the medical intervention and supporting advocacy actions to raise humanitarian awareness

SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES, TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

This role is a unique position within OCBA, where the position fulfils the duty of Medical Coordinator and holds the function of Cell Health Advisor. A field based position, the role will support the regional HoM and RECO in planning and implementing OCBAs activities in Asia. The position will be part of the Asia Unit (AU), which is nested within Cell 3, along side an AU FinCo/Cell Fin, HRCO/Cell HR, and LogCo/Cell Log. The position is considered a field based position, which can be located in one of the following OCBA hubs – Bangkok, Jakarta, Manila or Delhi, but with a preference for Bangkok in light of operational volume. The position is supported by a deputy Medical Coordinator based in Jakarta.

The Asia Unit currently oversees operations in India, Bangladesh, Thailand and SE Asia, however existing Bangladesh and India operations are to be handed over to other sections or closed by the end of 2021.

By the time the position commences (start Dec 2021), there will be two ongoing core projects within the AU portfolio, with planned explos for 3 more potential projects expected.

TESACO/Health Advisor function

The position sits as an ‘honourary’ TESACO in the HQ functional matrix; as such the role is expected to participate in all HQ level discussions that involve TESACOs. Depending on the profile and interests of the applicant, participation in and allocation of HQ dossiers will be expected. He/she will be the interface between of the Medical Department, the medical staff in the field and the Asia Unit. He/she is hierarchically accountable to the Head of the Asia Unit (Cell 3 RECO), while functionally linked to the Head of the Operational Medical Service of the Medical Department. Other functions of the TESACO role include:

1. Provide strategic and technical support to field teams

• Collaborate with and give technical support to the teams in the field in all phases of the project cycle (needs assessment, design of project proposal, planning, monitoring and evaluation, project re-orientation, expansion or closure), for regular, exploratory, and emergency missions.
• Define and justify the medical strategy of the projects within portfolio, ensuring it is aligned with both Operations and Medical Department’s objectives.
• Assist in establishing networks with national health actors and medical academia.
• Support missions with medical advice when drafting the annual planning of the projects, in close collaboration with the rest of the members of his/her cell and the support of the Medical department.
• Provide medical technical support to the assigned portfolio, taking into account operational orientations and the input from support services.
• Support emergencies when needed, to ensure effectiveness of our response.

2. Supervise and support implementation of policies and plans

• Ensure that the Organisation’s medical principles, guidelines, and policies are implemented, as well as the recommendations mentioned in the different medical evaluations. Identify report on, and challenge situations in which their implementation is not viable or may hinder the achievement of operational objectives.
• Contribute to implementation of the annual operational plan in the projects within portfolio, according to medical policies.

3. Ensure appropriate procurement, monitoring and management of medical supplies

• Ensure the correct monitoring and management of medical supplies by the medical teams in the field. Ensure that all procedures followed for local purchases, and donations, of medical commodities.
• Validate all medical orders that fall under the “exceptions” category of the procurement protocol.
• Ensure that emergency buffer stocks in the missions are consistent with the EPP (Preparedness Plan) jointly with Technical Referents.
• Ensure the quality of medical interventions comply with MSF standards; though proper monitoring of medical reporting from the Field, ensuring that policies in force complied with.

4. Follow up projects and support reporting

• Ensure timely and accurate medical and pharmacy reporting is submitted by missions; to analyse the fulfilment of operational and medical objectives, and feed medical-operational monitoring and analysis.
• Follow up the technical medical part of the projects through field visits and technical reports.
• Analyse the medical information, statistics, qualitative information, surveys and guide the mission accordingly.
• Support the medical teams in the field when drafting the technical parts of reports for donors, ratifying them with the RECO before submitting them to the corresponding donors.

5. Participate in Human Resources processes and training

• Collaborate with the HRCO/Cell HR in reviewing and approving descriptions of field positions, based on job profiles.
• Collaborate with Human Resources Department in the assignment of field positions.
• Carry out technical briefings and debriefings of medical professionals in his/her cell, involving the Technical Referents of the Medical Department when needed, and identify individual training needs.
• Ensure that medical teams receive technical and methodological information through briefings of Medical field Coordinators, specific sessions, coordinators’ weeks, technical publications, etc.
• Participate in internal and external courses/information sessions imparted by MSFE/OCBA in agreement with his/her corresponding RECO.

6. Contribute to his/her Operational Cell

• Support RECO/Regional HoM in presenting to Dir/Ops and emergency committee platform project proposals , COPROs and specific medical topics as requested by the platform.
• Be globally acquainted with all the projects as well as the current situation in each one of them.
• Represent the Cell during field visits.
• Actively participate in decision making processes within his/her Operational Cell.

7. Others

• Manage the communication channels with the teams in the field and /or the Medical Department, for issues that affect assigned portfolio.
• Consult support services for sparring and as technical content providers when needed.
• Organise regular exchanges with other operational units managing different portfolios and other relevant stakeholders.
• Agreeing with the Medical Department on operational research surveys conducted in the field.
• Participate in the operational back-ups for other TESACOs.
• Ensure that knowledge management policies are implemented at his/her level of responsibility (e.g. ensure that the History of the projects with regards to technical aspects is preserved).
• Participate in the accountability transversal processes at his/her level of responsibility

To seek for opportunities and needs in operations which could improve the support, research and innovation capacity of the operational centre.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education and experience

· Essential, degree in medicine or other paramedical studies. Specialization in tropical medicine or a degree in Public Health would be an asset.

· Previous working experience as a Medical Coordinator with MSF will be essential. Regional knowledge and experience will be helpful.

· Essential, working experience of at least four years in relevant jobs and previous humanitarian experience in MSF or other NGOs in developing countries.

· English essential; any SEA local working language would be an asset

Competencies

• Strategic Vision

• Leadership

• People Management and Development

• Service Orientation

• Teamwork and Cooperation

CONDITIONS

· Positions based in any of the Asia offices: Delhi, Bangkok, Jakarta or Manila.

· International travel: around 50%

· 1-year contract renewable for a maximum of 3 years (mandated position)

· Annual gross salary: based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy.

· Starting date: 1^st December 2021.

MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.

Médecins Sans Frontieres, as a responsible employer, under article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position.