Obstetrician/Gynaecologist – Sierra Leone at Médecins Sans Frontières

Obstetrician / Gynaecologist

Duty Station: Sierra Leone (+ other location)

Senior Career Level

Start Date: April 2022, Duration: 12 months

Implement gynaecology / obstetrics procedures, performing any other prior treatment required, during or immediately after a woman has given birth in order to improve women’s reproductive health and to reduce pregnancy, delivery and neonatology risks. This will be done in accordance with MSF policies, protocols and universal hygiene standards and in multidisciplinary collaboration with other medical doctors and midwife services.

The candidate will provide a sustained presence with a focus on improving quality of care and mentorship of local colleagues. The goals for this program are the transition of skills in clinical leadership, improving standards of care and fostering a culture of learning which can be continued by local colleagues. The structured mission is to support the improvement of local Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) systems according to context; not to replace, weaken or disrupt their progress.

Your Main Responsibilities

• Work alongside local clinicians building their skills in clinical governance and leadership. This should include the clinical audit cycle, quality improvement projects, risk management and continued medical education.
• Install a culture of supportive critical reflection on case management. Focus on clinical decision making skills according to context (e.g. management of obstetric emergencies).
• Working across disciplines to support quality improvement in cross-cutting areas, for example Infection Prevention and Control, rational antibiotic usage, clinical documentation.
• Participates in medical case review to highlight areas for improvement and to give feedback/support following untoward medical incidents.
• A presence on the maternity wards and delivery room, observing and supporting the maternity team during complicated deliveries.
• Improve the decision making and techniques for obstetric and gynaecological procedures. This should include, but is not limited to, safe surgical techniques, support the routine use of a Safe Surgical Checklist, appropriate resuscitation and post-surgical observation.
• Work with colleagues to understand the principles of Respectful Maternity Care, Patient Centered Care and shared decision making. Consider the holistic needs of an individual and their community, in both the short and long term.
• Focus on key mission objectives (SMART) using a quality improvement approach. For example, improving the Maternal Death Surveillance and Response system to be an effective learning tool. Partner with local providers who can become skilled and lead on these objectives going forward.
• Provide technical support and hands-on training to doctors, clinical officers (or equivalent), midwives and other maternity staff, on the diagnosis & management of obstetric complications; including nursing care, rational use of diagnostics, medications and procedures. Aiming for independent and competent practice from local providers.
• “Train the Trainer” – coach local clinicians in developing the skills to lead on training of their colleagues.
• Mentorship of local clinicians, building their confidence to become effective clinical leaders.
• According to context and security; Engage with local community leaders, primary healthcare facilities and public health bodies. Support training, case reviews and improvement projects.

Your Profile

Education

• A medical doctor with completed subspecialty training in obstetrics and gynaecology

Knowledge

Essential:

• Obstetric and gynaecological surgical skills, complex vaginal delivery.
• Provide abortion care and manage complications.
• Appreciates cultural and contextual differences in indications for and types of procedures provided (e.g. in cases of limited resources, challenges of consent and difficult healthcare access)

Desirable:

• Public health approaches to improving maternal health

Competencies

• Able to operate independently at the attending/consultant level. Confident in supervising, supporting and upskilling colleagues
• Leadership skills, able to manage a diverse team, cultural sensitivity, skillful in building local capacity
• Able to “train the trainer” and support professional development
• Managing and training clinical governance skills; clinical audit, quality improvement and risk management

Languages

• Essential: Good level of English Language
• Desirable: A second language (e.g. French or Arabic)

MSF Offers

As an international staff leaving to the field, you will receive:

• A fixed term contract for the duration of the assignment
• 1 week of holiday for every 3 months of assignment
• Initial preparation before your first assignment
• Detailed briefings
• Psychosocial assistance
• Salary based on previous work experience and country of residency
• Coverage, such as medical care and vaccination package, accident insurance, including repatriation
• Accommodation and round-trip transportation to and from the field as well as travel costs
• Per diem (calculated according to local cost of living) to cover daily expenses
• Travel costs and visa administration
• Debriefing and personal career advice as well as training opportunities
• Departure on assignment is non-accompanied (no family or couple departures)

Deadline for applications: December 17, 2021