Medical Coordinator – Venezuela 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: 57-5519

Duty station: San Cristobal (Venezuela – 60%) – Arauca (Colombia – 40%) with frequent field visits to in-countries Health Program locations

Starting date: 01/05/2023

Contract duration: 6 months with possible extension

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Supervision of: 2 country medical referent

Dependents: HQ Health Unit

General context of the project

Escaping insecurity, huge economic contraction, and collapsing public services, over 6 million migrants and refugees from Venezuela have sought a new, safer life abroad over the past decade – with most leaving home since 2017. Approximately 2.5 million Venezuelans currently live in Colombia, where the aftermath of the multi-front internal war has caused the Country to have one of the highest rates of forced displacement in the world. Technically and financially unprepared and unable to control their borders, Colombian authorities initially proved incapable of responding to the needs of the incoming influx. As a result of such preparedness, a high number of Venezuelan refugees currently reside irregularly in the Country while only 1.492.275 (out of around 2,5 million present in the country) are registered. Lack of registration means an inability to access basic services, leading to an increase in other risks, including affiliation with armed groups.

Along the 2,200 kilometers border that separates Venezuela from Colombia – and more specifically near the Apure-Arauca border – the constant presence of irregular armed groups contributes to an unsafe environment for both migrants and the local population. As of 28 February 2022, 55,245 persons of Venezuelan nationality (2.23% out of the total) resided in the department of Arauca, of which: 31,150 were in the municipality of Arauca and 5,855 in Arauquita. In both above-mentioned municipalities, armed conflict, and mixed migratory flows, coupled with natural disasters, are the main causes of exacerbated humanitarian needs and high levels of unsatisfied basic needs reported especially among women, children and adolescents, indigenous communities, migrants, refugees, and Colombian returnees.

Since early 2022, a deterioration of the already precarious security situation occurred at the border area, especially in the Arauca region, as a consequence of intensified fights among armed groups.

General purpose of the position

In close collaboration with the EU and the 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-centered 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 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 programs through regular field visits, analyzing 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 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 the 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 in 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 4 years relevant work experience as Medical referent/Coordinator in the humanitarian sector especially in fragile and unstable environments.

Professional Requirements

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Demonstrate experience with different donors compliance and reporting
• Leadership, people management and development
• Strong teamwork and cooperation capacities
• Strategic vision
• Service orientation
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles
• Understanding of humanitarian operations principles, standards and best practices

Languages

Working Spanish and English. Multi-language knowledge desirable

Personal Requirements

• Leadership, people management and development
• Strong teamwork and cooperation skills
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles