Harm reduction advisor (F/M) – Myanmar At Médecins du Monde

For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies.

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations.

MdM currently works in 30 countries across all continents where it focuses on 5 priority areas: emergency and crisis, sexual and reproductive health, harm reduction, migrants and displaced populations (health rights), health and environment.

MdM has adopted a pragmatic approach to its provision of assistance to sex workers and drug users. Rather than denying them their identities and lifestyles, MdM works with them on creating solutions adapted to their specific needs to improve their health, provides them with treatment, health care, psychosocial support and prevention services and carries out initiatives aimed at fostering their independence. This approach is called Harm Reduction. It is not limited to medical issues but also encompasses the social and legal risks impacting people’s ability to exercise their right to heal.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

You work under the supervision of the deputy general coordinator and you have strong functional links with the field teams in Yangon and in Kachin. You are responsible for overseeing the quality of harm reduction programs. You work closely with MdM team, peer workers, beneficiaries and partners and you oversee the planning of harm reduction intervention, the good collaboration among stakeholders, the quality of services provided and the adequation of activities to the beneficiaries’ needs.

In close collaboration with the training and coaching unit and other partners, you maintain continuous questioning, active training and knowledge sharing of all parties and particularly the empowerment of community-based organizations.

You advocate and support the effective implementation of the harm reduction approach (drug and sex work) towards the government, partners and the humanitarian community.

Your main responsibilities are:

Project management

• Support the mission in identifying and prioritizing needs in terms of harm reduction in Myanmar
• Develop and implement activities in line with MdM harm reduction framework and international quality standards
• Support the field office in the activities design, planification and monitoring as well as partner’s participation at the various stage of the project design and implementation and in the timely completion
• Encourage the development of a comprehensive community-led approach toward drug users, sex workers and LGBTQI+ communities
• Propose innovative approaches in harm reduction based on internal and external best practices and lessons learnt
• Improve peer workers and community-based organizations involvement and accompaniment

Capacity building

• Contribute to the implementation of the training and coaching unit and support the production of training and presentation materials
• Maintain knowledge of HIV care, STIs, risk reduction, mental health issues, case management and other related topics through self-study and training participation
• Organize coaching sessions directly with peer workers, peer mentors, community-based organizations and partners to improve quality of services

Advocacy and communication

• Support advocacy and communication advisor in the development and implementation of a relevant harm reduction advocacy strategy

Reporting and coordination

• Participate in the elaboration and implementation of effective and adapted data collection, monitoring and evaluation tools
• Contribute to the successful completion of program deliverables, reporting and documentation of activities
• Participate actively to regular country level internal coordination meetings supporting development and implementation of harm reduction programs
• Represent MdM to local, regional, national, and international meetings, workshop and events

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

• Status : Employee Contract
• Fixed-term contract
• Duration : 12 months
• Starting date: as soon as possible
• Based in Yangon with regular field trips to programs areas
• Gross monthly salary 3 175 euros
• Premium equal to one month salary paid in two instalments – minimum of 6 months seniority required
• Expatriation bonus (10% gross salary per month)
• Transportation cost, vaccines and visas covered
• Guesthouse housing
• 22.5 RTT (recovery days) per year
• 5 weeks of paid leaves per year
• Health insurance (60% covered by MdM and 40% by the employee)
• Insurance (repatriation…)
• Teleworking agreement for positions eligible to telework: 110 days/year (minimum of 1 day per week onsite)
• Given the current circumstances of Covid-19 pandemic, we are taking special measures to apply health protocols and hygiene measures to guarantee the safety of our staff.
• Médecins du Monde promotes trainings and internal mobility
• Single posting

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE NEEDED:

• Extensive experience with an international NGO at coordination/senior management level
• Extensive experience in project cycle management
• Extensive experience in HIV/harm reduction related interventions
• Experience in team management with a strong leadership
• Experience in partnership development with local authorities
• Experience with Global Fund, USAID and AFD funds is an asset
• Knowledge of Myanmar/region environment is a strong asset
• Languages: fluent in English is compulsory, French is an asset
• You embrace the core values and support the proactive philosophy of Médecins du Monde.

TELEPHONE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED Médecins du Monde reserves the right to fill the vacancy before the closing date for applications. MdM stands up for the integration of people living with disabilities and fights against discrimination.