Regional Health Coordinator – Syria

The MENTOR Initiative is a charitable ‘not for profit’ organisation, with headquarters based in Haywards Heath, UK, and works in over 8 countries across the world. We have been providing assistance to national and international partners, working in humanitarian crises in delivering effective vector borne disease control interventions since 2006. The goal of MENTOR is ultimately to reduce the burden of vector borne disease on emergency affected populations. Our work in Syria is in response to the increasing numbers and widespread transmission of leishmaniasis in the northern parts of the country, since the beginning of the civil war in 2011. What was already an endemic disease, has now become the most prevalent communicable disease within the country.

Our response is a three-pronged approach to tackling this disease through prevention, medical and IEC activities. In so doing we have reached over 4 million beneficiaries and treated over 100,000 cases in the past year alone. Due to the present security situation and border closures between Syria and Turkey, this process is remotely managed from our office in Duhok, Iraq.

Position Summary

MENTOR seeks a Regional Health Coordinator (consultant) to oversee the implementation of leishmaniasis disease control and management services for IDP and host communities in Turkey and Northern Syria. The consultant will lead in the design, delivery, management and reporting of high quality leishmaniasis case management activities and operational research.

He/she will be entrusted with the critical task of ensuring the programme achieves its case management objectives in accordance with the programme grants/awards and The MENTOR Initiative guidance/guidelines. The consultant will ensure the compliance of The MENTOR Initiative Emergency Response Programmes for all grant contract obligations to delivering health services and technical capacity building in line with the programme objectives and the changing context on the ground.

Position Description

The consultant will report to Country Director (CD) in the following tasks:

· Will assist in the design and planning for programmatic activity in Turkey and Northern Syria. This will include work in support of proposal writing to help secure new funding for this effort.

· Will coordinate MENTORs medical and capacity building activities and serve as a MENTORs representative whilst developing and sustaining strategic partnerships

· Will provide leadership, strategic direction and programmatic management for all medical activities in close coordination with CD and HQ Programme Manager (PM)

· Will serve as the technical supervisor, and communications conduit, between medical teams in different regions

· Providing advise as needed, and working collaboratively with the data, prevention, IEC and M&E teams to achieve the regional goals

· Assist in the development of programme reports and proposals for new grant applications

The consultant will build capacity and access to effective case management:

· In close collaboration with CD and PM, design, prepare, organise and deliver ongoing technical training of Syrian medical staff for the diagnosis and treatment of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis, with a section of the training outlining differential diagnosis in relation to skin and other diseases that may present with similar symptoms.

· Help supervise and manage The MENTOR Initiative’s national Medical Management team. Assure that they follow the work plan and activities in alignment with the programme objectives.

· Help review and design standard operating procedures for health workers and MENTOR medical staff to ensure that on-site technical coaching and supervision for leishmaniasis is conducted for all health facilities concerned, ensuring the reinforcement of health worker best practice, and patient care.

· Help design and implement case management procedures for health facilities to ensure effective treatment and the accurate collation and reporting of data for the disease

· Lead in the epidemiological mapping of leishmaniasis in the region

· Train and assist local and international NGO staff, and other health organisations, to design and deliver effective differential diagnostic and treatment services for leishmaniasis.

· As far as possible, monitor access to supported services and quality of services provided through partners/health networks in target areas, to ensure effective use of resources.

The consultant will maintain an emergency commodity supply chain:

· In close collaboration with the MENTOR Initiative logistical team, organise for the set-up of an emergency leishmaniasis stock of drugs and materials.

· Coordinate with health partners case load data, assess epidemic level/risks, and ensure that an even distribution of materials is maintained in response to case load numbers

· Manage the distribution (mapping and recording) of leishmaniasis drugs and materials directly to health facility teams across affected areas, plus to health partners, or during epidemics or as a ‘loan’ to partner agencies.

The consultant will ensure effective clinical activity planning and reporting:

· Plan out the weekly / monthly emergency clinical support activities and estimate the resources required, with relevant input from other staff.

· Prepare relevant medical sections for weekly, monthly/quarterly, and other ad hoc reports as required.

· Participate in developing relevant medical aspects of weekly, or more frequent planning meetings.

· Development of relevant medical sections in other reporting required by grant contracts.

· These reports will include some form of data analysis so that trends can be seen and if necessary, responded to.

· These reports shall include identification of areas of weakness and strengths and recommendation for improvement in implementation and performance of the related tasks.

Qualifications and Experience:

Qualified doctor, senior nurse or other similar related qualification preferred

Postgraduate training in public health or related field beneficial

Understanding of epidemiology beneficial

Fluent English necessary. Knowledge of Arabic and/or Kurdish beneficial.

Familiarity with NGO working environments and standard procedures preferred.

Attributes

Proven capacity to train others

Flexible and willing to learn

Practical, hands on approach

Excellent team worker and communications skills

Ability to work long hours