Vacancy: Nurse (Neonatal & Child Health Specialist)
I. General Information
Position: Nurse (Neonatal & Child Health)
Position type: Diaspora Participant
Beneficiary Institution: Gabiley hospital
Duty Station: Marodi-jex Region
Stream/Band: Stipend commensurate with degree and experience
Duration of Assignment: 12 months (with possible extension).
Deadline for Applications: 21.01.2024
II. Background Information
About the MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase V 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) FINNSOM Health project, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health institutions across Somaliland since 2008.
The project is currently in its fifth phase (2022-2025), building on lessons learned from the previous phases, and continues its progress towards improving health outcomes in Somaliland, in close partnership with the Ministry of Health Development. Through the short-term deployment of diaspora health professionals, the objective is to transfer their skills and knowledge to the local staff in targeted institutions. Local professionals will remain an integral part of this project to contribute to sustainable outcomes in the health sector in Somaliland and to benefit from the knowledge and skills exchange with the diaspora professionals.
The new phase of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health for women and girls whilst providing mentoring and training opportunities for local health professionals. The project will also give particular attention to improving gender balance during recruitment. The project will target regional and district hospitals in Borama, Berbera, Buroa, Lasanod and Erigavo as well as some district level health facilities in underserved areas of Zaylac, Badhan, Ainabo, Odwayne, Buhodle, Sheikh, Arabsiyo, Gabilay, Baligubadle and Salahley, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health Development. The project will also continue to support Hargeisa Group Hospital. MIDA FINNSOM Health project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.
About Somaliland Ministry of Health Development
The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development (MoHD), headquartered in Hargeisa, comprises six main departments: (1) Administration & Finance; (2) Public Health; (3) Reproductive & Child Health; (4) Human Resource Development; (5) Planning & Policy; and (6) Health Facilities & Medical Services. (7) Mental Health Services
III. Duties & Responsibilities
The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development, with support from IOM under the framework of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V, seeks to build the capacity of hospital staff to improve its services to hospitals. MOHD seeks a qualified Neonatal & Child Health Specialist to provide services and on-the-job training and supportive supervision to local staff and students. This position will support the hospital’s neonatal unit, pediatric medical ward, and nutrition ward. Under the overall guidance of the Hospital Director, the Neonatal & Child Health Nurse will have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, and supportive supervision to neonatal ward nurses, particularly, topics that concern child health and neonatal care such as positive pressure ventilation with resuscitation and supplemental oxygen etc.
2. Study patients’ history and health assessment.
3. Help to decrease the neonatal mortality rate.
4. Ensure the availability of quality neonatal and pediatric services at the hospital.
5. Establish standard neonatal and child health services at the hospital.
6. Support hospitals in managing neonatal and pediatric emergencies.
7. Ensure that all medical and midwife staff implement standard clinical protocols and standard patient documentation procedures.
8. Assess the knowledge and skill level of the local nurses at the hospital and provide on-the-job training, mentoring, lectures, and supportive clinical supervision as needed to equip the staff with enhanced knowledge and skills to provide quality neonatal and new-born health services including:
a. Comprehensive and basic emergency neonatal care.
b. Counselling.
c. General neonatal health and lifestyle choices.
9. Provide care to inpatient children in the hospital neonatal ward, pediatric ward, and nutrition unit.
10. Advise clients on feeding malnourished children.
11. Carry out daily ward rounds in the neonatal ward with other medical doctors, health professionals, and medical students.
12. Carry out diagnostic tasks and complete medical check-ups.
13. Support in managing neonatal and pediatric emergencies at the hospital.
14. Discharge patients with appropriate instructions for further and outpatient care.
15. Work according to the MOHD and local Hospital guidelines, ensure national standards are maintained, and adhere to universal precautions.
16. Address the unmet needs in maternal health.
17. On-call for shifts and emergencies.
18. Develop clinical protocols, guidelines, and standards.
19.Perform any other tasks required by the line manager.
The MoHD Project Coordinator, the MoHD M&E Specialist, and IOM program officer will support this assignment through interaction with the qualified expatriate and beneficiary institution.
IV. Requirements
Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:
1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment.
2. 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, MoHD coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHD Coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
4. 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: Minimum: BSc; nursing/midwife desired Area of Study: Nursing Years of work experience in what area(s): working experience as a nurse (including few years working in Neonatal and Child Health)
Languages needed: ▪ Fluent in English. ▪ Fluent in Somali. ▪ Arabic language will be an advantage.
General Skills / Other Requirements: ▪ Experience in clinical teaching. ▪ Good communication skills. ▪ Ability to operate as part of a team and independently ▪ Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems. ▪ Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.
VI: Monthly Stipend
The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V based on 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 expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.
Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somaliland, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.
How to apply
How to Apply
All applications must be sent to email: midahargeisa@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.
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 21.01.2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.
While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply.
We highly encourage the participation of women in MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase V.