Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent international medical-humanitarian organization that provides assistance to populations in distress, victims of natural or man-made disasters, as well as victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, belief or political affiliation. The MSF movement is built around six operational centers (OCs) and 36 offices around the world. We carry out medical humanitarian operations in more than 70 countries. Medical operations are implemented by field teams and project coordination teams. Field operations are guided and supported by operational units of the Directorates and their support departments.
Three operational directorates, OCBA, OCG and OCP, have agreed to strategically organize their medical support for MSF field projects in West Africa. Their efforts led to the creation of a medical platform in Dakar, which aims to ensure and coordinate the medical support necessary for the implementation of MSF operations on the ground in the region, as well as to develop medical knowledge and MSF’s expertise on medical issues of great relevance to the West.
The Dakar platform is led by a Head of Platform (HoP) who manages a set of specialized implementation supports for West Africa operations (SIs) and is connected to an extensive operational and medical network at the inside and outside MSF. The aim of the platform is to enable appropriate identification of key needs in support of medical implementation, as well as the best coordinated response for MSF field programs in the region. By ensuring close links to CBOs, the platform aims to foster knowledge and expertise that benefits all MSF programs.
The current portfolio covered by the Dakar platform currently includes MSF field operations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, Ivory Coast and Liberia, but it is planned to evolve each year according to medical needs.
Assignment
GENERAL CONTEXT ON FIELD SIMULATION
Simulation is the science and methodology of creating a realistic situation or environments similar to reality, in order to elicit experiences that allow people, in a controlled and safe space, to practice, learn, reflect, to design, test or understand systems and/or human actions.
Therefore, at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) we are very interested in using simulation to develop skills, but also to reflect on and resolve questions, challenges and problems that we face in our daily work, in order to define new ways of doing things and bring about positive changes at the level of individuals, teams and the organization itself. In order to realize the benefits of this methodology, we are working to integrate simulation into our daily work within the organization at all levels.
Given the growing interest in the use of simulation at MSF and the recognized evidence-based benefits, MSF Field Simulation TIC is continually working to support the gradual increase in the use of simulation at MSF with the aim of contribute positively to the quality of the humanitarian medical assistance that MSF provides to the population.
This will be done by working in three main areas and pillars:
– Continue capacity building activities, as well as the development of learning solutions to design, organize, facilitate and implement simulation programs according to best practices.
– Continue to gradually integrate simulation into different identified MSF ecosystems (systems and processes), to contribute to the reflection, improvement and innovation of its medical-humanitarian activities.
– MSF will continue to explore innovative uses of simulation in the field and at headquarters for the benefit of individuals, teams and the organization itself.
POSITION OBJECTIVE
The primary objective of this position is to implement/support the implementation of simulation programs and build field capacity in simulation, with a particular focus on simulation programs for nursing (mainly in pediatrics and neonatology) and for emergency interventions. In addition, it aims to support the process of integrating simulation into daily operations to support field operations.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Preparation of field visits:
– Develop a schedule of field visits with projects adapted to each context, with the support of the simulation technical referent and other CO technical referents.
– Plan and prepare with the field team the visit for the implementation of simulation activities/programs, based on the needs or areas of improvement identified in the field.
– Coordinate the visit with the Medical Platform Implementation specialist.
– Participate in the design of scenarios in the field.
At the field level:
– Implement the simulation package and build capacity in the field in simulation to implement simulation programs aimed at improving the quality of nursing care in pediatrics and neonatology.
– Implement the simulation package and strengthen simulation field capacities to implement simulation programs aimed at improving the quality of emergency responses.
– Identify, with field teams, areas of improvement in the quality of nursing care in pediatrics, neonatology and emergency interventions where simulation can be used.
– Support field teams in planning a simulation program with the support of the simulation technical referent and other CO technical referents.
Monitoring and others:
– Implement/support monitoring activities for simulation programs implemented/planned in the field, with the support of the simulation technical referent.
– Participate in supporting trained local simulation facilitators.
– Promote and make visible the advantages of simulation in the field.
– Participate in the collection, analysis and communication of data.
PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION
This position will be responsible to the Platform Manager (hierarchical and functional) and the medical referents/advisors of the OCs, as well as the head of MSF Field Simulation ICT (technical).
Experiences / Training
SELECTION CRITERIA
Education and experience
• Nurse with experience at MSF or in another medical organization (at least 2 years) in the following areas:
– Pediatrics and neonatology
– Emergency intervention
Experience as a manager is a asset
• Experience in facilitating simulation-based learning programs
• Qualified training or certification in simulation and facilitation is an asset
• Experience in designing, implementing and monitoring simulation-based learning programs in academic and/or professional contexts, particularly in the medical field, is an asset
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic work environment
• Experience in developing learning programs/activities or performing tasks similar to those described above
• Knowledge of and prior exposure to the West African context strongly preferred
• Fluency in French and English.
Required qualities
• Commitment to MSF principles
• Intercultural sensitivity
• Behavioral flexibility
• Analytical thinking
• Strategic vision
• Results and quality orientation
• Service orientation
• Taking initiative and innovation
• Teamwork and cooperation
Salary
CONDITIONS
• Work from home (reside in the region) with teleworking (20%) and travel to the field (80%)
• Full time
• Estimated duration: 12 months renewable according to needs in the field
• Contractual terms according to the local legal framework
• Salary based on MSF Dakar’s remuneration policy.
• Start date: immediately