Medical Coordinator – Iran At INTERSOS

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: 58-6345

Duty station: Teheran, with frequent trips to the project locations

Starting date: 01/07/2023

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Supervision of: Medical Activity Managers

Dependents: Family duty station

General context of the project

Iran faces a significant deterioration of the humanitarian situation which is likely to further worsen in the first half of 2022. The recent developments in Afghanistan are further worsening the humanitarian situation for thousands of Afghans who are currently obliged to flee their homes. 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. The deterioration of the humanitarian situation led already to a massive number of displacements towards Iran.

Additionally, Iran is one of the first countries hit by Covid-19 pandemic and remains the most affected country in the Eastern Mediterranean region and among the worst hit worldwide (WHO). The third wave was even more harmful than the previous two, with the whole country in a declared state of emergency. A fourth wave is expected. COVID-19 has worsened a critical situation, both in terms of health and limited capacity to fulfil basic needs.

Concerns are further increasing for both Iranians and Afghans with limited access to basic services, especially health care, due to the impact of COVID-19, the country’s ongoing economic crisis and the difficulty to import essential medical goods. COVID-19 has a severe impact on the socio-economic situation and causes loss of employment, especially for the poorest 40% of the population. Most vulnerable Afghans and Iranians increasingly resort to negative coping mechanisms; 46 million people live below or just above the multidimensional poverty line; 32 million people are affected by some food insecurity and malnutrition, with 1 million children already at risk of severe acute malnutrition prior to COVID-19; 3 million households are female-headed, and child-headed households are on the rise. Malnutrition is increasingly visible, in particular in rural and remote areas.

For these reasons, INTERSOS has decided to open its humanitarian operations in Iran since the very first stage of the highly likely Afghan refugee’s influx. INTERSOS strategic presence in Iran will guarantee a strong and effective humanitarian response to the newly displaced as well as the most vulnerable Iranian host communities filling also the gap that the country is experiencing in term of international humanitarian actors presence. The presence in Iran will also strategically boost INTERSOS capacity to respond to the Afghan crisis at regional level considering the over 20 years humanitarian activity in Afghanistan.

General purpose of the position

In close collaboration with the Head of Mission and the HQ Medical Unit, 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.​

Main responsibilities and tasks

• Responsible for defining, implementing and updating the medical content of the INTERSOS country medical strategy 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.
• Overall responsible for the appropriateness and quality of medical interventions conducted by INTERSOS projects and being expected to identify and work on removing barriers to better patient safety, effective medical care, and better patient-centred activities
• 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
• Coordinate with the HQ Medical Unit for the validation of the project proposals he/her designs to be submitted to international donors and private foundation
• 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
• In close collaboration with the HR Manager, 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
• Responsible for defining and sizing other resources (pharmacy and medical equipment management in collaboration with logistics) and timelines, procedures and protocols. 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
• 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​

Required profile and experience

Education

Advanced university degree in medicine or other paramedical studies. Desirable specialization in Tropical Medicine or a degree in Public Health​

Professional Experience

Minimum 3 years relevant work experience as Medical referent in the humanitarian sector especially in fragile and unstable environments​

Professional Requirements

• Good organizational and planning skills
• Leadership, team management and cooperation
• Ability to take initiative and work independently

Languages

English is essential​

Personal Requirements

• Behavioral flexibility
• Negotiation skills and decision-making skills
• Diplomatic, interpersonal and good communication skills
• Understanding of humanitarian operations principles, standards and best practices
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles