Terms of Reference
Vacancy: Emergency Medical Experts, 2 Diaspora Positions
I. General Information
Post/Title: Emergency Medical Experts
Position Type: Diaspora Positions (2)
Duty Station: Hirshabelle state, Jowhar General Hospital
Duration of Assignment: 6 months
Deadline for applications: February 20th, 2024
II. Background Information
About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project
The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali Diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.
The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali Diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali Diaspora experts contribute addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali Diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.
III. Duties and Responsibilities
The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human services (MoHHS), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to build the capacities of the health workforce.
Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Hospital director, the Diaspora experts will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:
- Assess and stabilize patients who arrive in the emergency department with acute illnesses, injuries, or other medical emergencies. This involves performing comprehensive physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and implementing appropriate treatment plans.
- Responsible for providing immediate medical care to individuals who have been injured or are suffering from health problems as a result of floods. This includes assessing and triaging patients based on the severity of their conditions, providing initial stabilization, and initiating appropriate treatment.
- Conduct capacity building and knowledge transfer facilitation to all health professionals including medical doctors, nurses and community health workers working in the site of the emergency.
- Provide counseling on reproductive health and SRHR to Patients seeking medical attention and treatment in the areas affected by the recent flood.
- Develop policies and guidelines to ensure adequate and standardized procedures to counsel and treat patience and victims of gender-based violence.
- Be a cooperative member of a multi-disciplinary team which provides and coordinates comprehensive emergency services to all patients affected by floods, Outpatient and Inpatient Department Services.
- Implement preventive measures to control the outbreak of waterborne diseases such as cholera, typhoid and hepatitis.
- Administrate vaccinations, provide clean water and sanitation facilities, and educate the affected population about proper hygiene practices.
- Prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition and allocate appropriate resources and medical attention accordingly, by making quick and accurate assessments to ensure that the most critical patients receive immediate attention.
- Diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, including but not limited to heart attacks, strokes, trauma, respiratory distress, severe infections, and allergic reactions. develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide appropriate interventions to stabilize patients.
- Train and supervise Doctors, Medical Students, Nurses and community Health workers.
- Propose and/or implement health promotion activities in communities affected by floods.
- Perform routine examination of all patients and conduct training sessions on prevention and treatment of disease related to the flooding to the health staff in the region.
- Report and formulate clear recommendation with priority interventions and priority areas.
- Provide advisory to the Hirshabelle Ministry of health on communicable diseases and containment strategies.
- Rotate among the different Hospitals in the Hirshabelle State that are affected by floods to provide the adequate assistance and conduct capacity building.
- Ensure that all documentation meets local medico-legal requirements, and that statistical data is collected, using the health monitoring system, and to incorporate information in regular reports.
IV: Requirements:
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:
- Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali diaspora expert—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.
- Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoHHS coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
- Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHHS Coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
- Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.
V: Qualifications
Level of Education: Master’s degree in emergency medicine Specialization
Area of Study: Medicine, Emergency Medicine Specialty
Years of work experience in what area(s): At least five 5 years of relevant experience.
Languages needed:
- Fluency in Somali.
- Fluency in English.
- Fluency in Arabic is an advantage.
General Skills / Other Requirements:
- Ability to work long hours, often under pressure.
- Proven ability of conducting TOT, ability to identify, manage, lead and direct risk outbreak situations to partners and stakeholders.
- In depth knowledge of medical examination procedure, methodologies, and diagnostics.
- Capacities to communicate with colleagues and staff in a clear and concise manner.
- Have compassion and good bedside manners.
- Have a drive to teach and learn throughout their career.
- Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.
VI: Subsistence Allowance
The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on the level of education and degree and years of relevant experience.
VII: Security and insurance modalities
Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.
Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali diaspora. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali diaspora will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply
All applications must be sent via email to: [email protected] with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.
For further inquiries about the MIDA FINNSOM project and positions, you can reach out to Hussein Isse at [email protected] and cc Saara Parkkali at [email protected].
To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is February 20th, at 12.00 PM EAT.