Medical Coordinator – Afghanistan at INTERSOS

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INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Medical Coordinator

Code: SR-28-2125

Duty station: Kabul and Kandahar with visit to other Provinces based on needs

Starting date: 01/01/2022

Contract duration: 6 months, renewable

Reporting to: Head of Mission (hierarchically), HQ Medical Referent (functionally)

Supervision of: Deputy Medical Coordinator, Programme Medical Referent

Dependents: Non-family Duty station

General context of the project

Over 40 years of conflicts and political turmoil have taken a massive cumulative toll on the people of Afghanistan. A total of 18.4 million people, almost half of the total population, have been estimated by the UN to need humanitarian assistance prior to recent events. Severe droughts are recurring in Afghanistan, currently resulting in nearly 14 million people in acute food insecurity, with over 3 million children facing severe malnourishment. The recent displacement of 550,000 people is adding to an estimated 2.9 million people who remain internally displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance, while winter months are around the corner.

INTERSOS has been working in Afghanistan since 2001, with a country office in Kabul, and field bases in Kandahar and Zabul provinces. In recent years INTERSOS has been focusing its assistance based on integrated community-based approach that includes primary health care (including sexual and reproductive health care), nutrition and protection programmes serving conflict-affected populations, particularly in hard-to-reach areas, with a special focus on socially excluded individuals, including women, children and persons living with disabilities.

With its operational approach and active engagement with the communities, INTERSOS has been enjoying strong community acceptance and operational access. All INTERSOS activities continue to be implemented in Afghanistan at present time, with no operational restrictions and with full inclusion of female staff.

It is widely anticipated that Afghanistan’s humanitarian situation may deteriorate further, given that the international support to key essential and social services – food aid, health, education, and other essential services, is currently frozen. Although humanitarian aid can not replace this gap, the international assistance that prioritises urgent humanitarian needs will be essential.

At the same time, unless the operational environment with all its impediments (including in relation to banking/cash transfers and counter-terrorism measures) does not improve, the response will continue to be a challenge.

Recognising that the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan will require a more intensified international humanitarian assistance, INTERSOS remains in Afghanistan to deliver its ongoing activities, and potentially scale up its response.

General purpose of the position

In close collaboration with the Country Director, the Programme Coordinator and the HQ Medical Referent, 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 INTERSOS charter, policies, and ethical principles with consideration of international and national protocols, 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. Furthermore, the Medical Coordinator provides technical inputs to the health and Nutrition strategy and programme development at Mission level.

Main responsibilities and tasks

o Responsible for defining, monitoring and updating the medical content of the INTERSOS 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 and project plans are achieved

o With support and training from Head of Mission and HQ Medical Referent, continuously monitor the medical and humanitarian needs in the Mission country in new areas of intervention or in areas where INTERSOS is already present through exploratory missions, monitor and review project proposals, determining necessary resources in order to define health and nutrition priorities and potential new programs to cover medical and humanitarian needs of the population at risk

o Coordinate with the HQ Medical Referent for the support and actively participation into design, writing and validation of the project proposals (technical side) to be submitted to international donors and private foundation, according to the mission strategy and in collaboration with Program Coordinator and Technical Coordinators

o 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

o Responsible for defining and sizing other resources (pharmacy and medical equipment management in collaboration with logistics) and timelines, procedures and protocols

o Ensuring preparation of all medical orders in collaboration with the Logistics Department and the submission of all medical purchase requests. Being accountable for the proper management of the pharmacy in the Mission, including projects. Provide reports on the mission’s evolution from the medical perspective, as required

o 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

o In close collaboration with the HR Coordinator, participate in the planning, definition and sizing of the health-workforce in the mission and supervise the associated processes (recruitment, validation of medical staff, training/induction, evaluation, potential detection, development and internal / external communication). Coach and directly support the medical teams in the implementation of the medical activities making sure that internal protocols are respected as well as the ones of local Ministry and Health Department

o Represent INTERSOS before local medical authorities and guarantee constant presence and active participation to the health and nutrition coordination fora (clusters meetings, other technical coordination meetings) and keep 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

o Responsible for medical data collection, analysis and reporting to HQ Medical Referent to ensure a proper monitoring of the program and, where needed, to adapt them to existing programs

Required profile and experience

Education

o Advanced university degree in medicine or other paramedical studies.

o Desirable specialization in Tropical Medicine or a degree in Public Health

Professional Experience

o Minimum 5 years relevant work experience as Medical referent in the humanitarian sector especially in fragile and unstable environment

o Strong experience in trainings and capacity building and development of local staff and partners in related subjects

o Prior experience in working in complex emergency setting, involving internal displacement.

o Strong experience with monitoring tools and systems, including remote monitoring

o Experience with participatory approaches and working with vulnerable groups, including gender mainstreaming and with persons with disabilities.

o Previous experience in developing and implementing M&E activities

o Previous experience in working in Afghanistan (desirable)

Professional Requirements

o Ability to take initiative and work autonomously

o Ability to achieve results effectively, considering the need for speed, scale and quality

o Ability to plan ahead and output oriented (pro-active)

o Able to ensure quick quality delivery in stressful environment (stress-resilient)

o Ability to integrate and work well within multi-ethnic and multicultural teams

o Attention to detail and structured way of approaching tasks (very organized)

o Ability to adhere to deadlines and respect line management

Languages

Excellent written and spoken English**

Personal Requirements

o Strong organizational and problem-solving skills

o Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff, beneficiaries and other stakeholders

o Excellent analytical skills

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o Excellent Monitoring and Evaluation skills with the ability to develop tools, collect data and Analyse trends

o Strong diplomatic skills to coordinate and work with various Stakeholders, Donors and the Cluster system

o Experience of working in complex emergency setting involving protracted crisis and internal displacement

o Very good knowledge of Microsoft Office (including MS Word, Excel, Power-point or other presentation software, Outlook and Skype)

o Readiness to commit and adhere to the values, mission and vision of INTERSOS**