Médecins Sans Frontières is an independent international medical-humanitarian organization that provides assistance to populations in distress, victims of natural or man-made disasters and victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and regardless of race, religion, belief or political affiliation. The MSF movement is structured around six operational centers (OC) and 36 offices around the world. We carry out medical humanitarian operations in more than 70 countries. Field medical operations are carried out 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 effort 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 field operations in the region and to develop the medical knowledge and expertise of MSF on medical issues particularly relevant to West Africa.
The Dakar platform is led by a Platform Manager (HoP) who manages a pool of Specialized Implementation Support for Operations in West Africa (IS), and is connected to a vast operational and medical network at the inside and outside MSF. The objective of the platform is to correctly identify key needs in support of medical implementation as well as the best coordinated response for MSF field programs in the region. By ensuring it is closely linked to COs, the platform aims to foster knowledge and expertise benefiting all MSF programs.
The current portfolio covered by the Dakar platform currently includes MSF field operations in Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger and Nigeria, but is expected to evolve each year based on medical needs.
GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The main objectives of this position are:
- Contribute to the identification of nursing needs and support the practical operationalization of the nursing component in the OCBA, OCG and OCP field projects managed by the cells based in Dakar in West Africa.
- In collaboration with competent Nursing Referrals, provide direct one-off support for the design, implementation and monitoring of nursing activities in projects managed by cells based in Dakar in West Africa. More specificly :
- Contribute to cross-fertilization within and between OCs, and ensure that nursing care of acceptable quality is provided to our beneficiaries through the introduction of “good practice” strategies in treatment, diagnostics and programmatic management in the region.
- Actively develop and participate in the West African network of expertise with a view to increasing MSF’s know-how.
Support for the implementation of nursing care is managed by the Head of the Dakar Platform (HoP), and technically guided/advised by the nursing referents/advisors of the COs of the projects concerned.
Its priorities are based on the annual roadmap of the Dakar Medical Platform and assigned by the HoP in consultation and coordination with the respective operational units of the COs and the referents/advisors.
He/she will work in direct and sustained collaboration with the CO nursing advisors/advisors, the operational unit(s), country medical coordinators and the projects concerned.
This position should preferably be based in Dakar, although a remote location can be negotiated, administratively dependent on the Dakar office through an MSF Senegalese contract.
He/she must be able to devote 80% of working time to the field, while the remaining 20% will be dedicated to project monitoring, knowledge sharing and strengthening the MSF nursing network in West Africa in Dakar. Where possible, he/she should dedicate one month per year to field deployment to non-West African programs to remain exposed to the diversity of MSF’s nursing challenges and responses.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS (in collaboration with Nursing Referents)
- Contribute to the identification of needs and support the practice of operationalizing nursing techniques:
- Provide support in needs assessment and strategy development during new project development and during PoA periods.
- Propose the necessary means for appropriate implementation of nursing activities in the field such as human resources, medical tools and equipment, as well as capacity development needs, among others.
- Under the coordination of the HoP, participate in the annual planning of medical platform activities and priorities in collaboration with teams in the field, operational units and medical referents/advisors.
- Participate in and execute the planning of field deployments and implementation support in close coordination with the cells, the relevant medical referent/advisor and field missions.
- Propose and participate in operational research projects, concept notes and study protocols in coordination with CO referents/advisors.
2. Provide direct one-off support for the design, implementation and monitoring of nursing activities managed by the Dakar office cells:
- Provide direct implementation support through field visits to managers/supervisors as well as PMRs and MedCos to improve the quality and organization of nursing care.
- Ensure that there is good coordination and continuity of care in projects.
- Support field teams in the development and implementation of nursing best practices in accordance with respective CO strategies.
- Identify nursing-related learning and development needs and contribute to the development of training tools and provide appropriate on-site training in coordination with the Nursing Referral/Advisor.
- Support the recruitment and integration of nursing staff in/for the region when relevant.
- Help define, adapt to the context and implement systems, tools, protocols, guidelines and SOPs in coordination with the nursing advisors of the OCs.
- Support quality improvement in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of nursing activities, including the establishment, analysis and interpretation of nursing data from field teams using tools existing and validated by the CBs.
- Produce a field visit report within one week of each field deployment, documenting the activities carried out, key achievements and providing recommendations to ensure the sustainability of the implemented activities. The report must be shared with the relevant field teams, the HoP and the cells and referents/advisers of the OCs.
- Maintain regular contact with the nursing teams in the field and supervise them. Provide feedback to field teams, referents/advisors, HoP and operational units, maintaining open communication.
- Exceptionally, fill the gap in nursing work in the field if urgent needs are identified by the HoP and operational units.
3. Contribute to collaboration within and between COs and to the consistent implementation of best nursing practices in the region:
- Whenever possible, participate in the NCWG to stay up to date with MSF’s current nursing priorities and strategies.
- Provide support and advice on evidence-based nursing practices and MSF procedures in projects in the region.
- Encourage collaboration between the different technical profiles involved in nursing at the level of projects, programs, missions and countries for an effective knowledge sharing dynamic.
- Work closely with related specialties to ensure consistent medical transversality within and between projects.
- Help organize nursing monitoring and evaluation activities by promoting the use of tools validated in the region.
4. Actively develop and participate in the West African network of expertise with the aim of increasing MSF’s know-how.
- Support field teams during nursing-related meetings with other stakeholders (Ministry of Health, WHO, etc.).
- Liaise and coordinate with other regional actors and platforms (universities, international NGOs) to increase MSF’s nursing network for exchange of experiences and potential partnerships.
- Participate in internal and external nursing related committees and forums where relevant.
Experiences / Training
Qualification :
- Nursing degree from a qualified university program.
- Minimum of 2 years of experience with an MSF project is considered a major criterion, or with another humanitarian organization in different nursing positions.
- Knowledge of MSF nursing protocols and resources and their use in the field is an asset.
- Recent and proven clinical experience as a nurse with or without MSF (strongly preferred).
- Fluency in French and English.
- Knowledge of and previous exposure to the West African context strongly preferred.
- Experience in international emergency response as a nurse.
- Essential computer skills (Word, Excel and Internet).
SKILLS :
- Analytical mind.
- Orientation towards results, service and quality.
- Ability to take initiative.
- Interest and aptitude for training.
- Planning and organizational skills.
- Communication and networking skills.
- Ability to stay in multicultural environments.
- Ability to work in stressful environments.
- Availability to travel extensively and be flexible with work schedules.
- Team spirit, flexibility.
- Understanding and commitment to MSF principles and compliance with MSF policies and rules.
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
TERMS:
- Based at home with field travel 80% of the time.
- Minimum of one month per year in similar functions in a non-West African project.
- Commitment: 2024 and 2025.
- Since this is a home-based position, the clauses of the employment contract will be made according to the country of residence
- Per diem will be granted only during field work and during the stay in Dakar
- Start date: September or October 2024