SENIOR ORTHOPAEDIC SURGICAL SPECIALIST At International Committee of the Red Cross

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and at the same time promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Your role

We have developed expertise in the field of war surgery, and our role often goes further than delivering direct patient care. Frequent training sessions in local hospitals and universities enable colleagues to deliver the special treatment that weapon-wounded patients require.

This position is considered an extension of the Hospital Services Programme’s technical team based in Geneva. The Senior Orthopaedic Surgical Specialist (SOSS) is a member of the Regional Hospital Team in NAME (North Africa and the Middle East). They will report to the Hospital Manager/Team Leader Cairo as their direct supervisor ­­ and to the technical referent in the Hospital Services Program Geneva (Senior Surgeon, Chief Surgeon).

Purpose

The SOSS has the responsibility of providing orthopedic coaching/training and support to existing surgical teams in NAME and AFRICA operations as well as of contributing to guidelines for ICRCs global operations.

• Participate in institutional-level planning/discussions to build a sustainable HR pathway to provide orthopedic support to field operations in the future.
• Contribute to the development of plans of action regarding the delivering of the quality surgical service in the ICRC hospital projects and implements the relevant clinical objectives.
• Represent the ICRC in medical meetings and conferences regarding orthopedic practice.
• Add to the development of quality improvement and research activity with respect to orthopaedic surgery and in identifying, implementing and monitoring appropriate clinical outcome indicators

Main responsibilities

• Be responsible for supervising and guiding the orthopedic management of patients and monitoring orthopedic treatment outcomes in the ICRC Hospital projects in NAME and Africa regions.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of orthopedics surgery within the ICRC.
• Maintain an overview of surgical activities regarding the orthopedic pathologies, including medical, surgical and physiotherapy activities.
• Update ICRC clinical protocols and guidelines based on best available evidence
• Contributes to training programs for ICRC surgeons, nurses and national staff in close collaboration with regional surgeons and HQ staff.
• Give input to complex clinical decisions regarding limb injuries.
• Together with HR, participate in the recruitment of new orthopedic surgeons to establish a suitable pool of expertise in orthopedic surgery.
• Provide technical support to field programs from HQ or via field visits in close coordination with relevant Program Coordinator and Head of Health Sector
• Support development of a competency based curriculum for orthopaedic surgeons joining ICRC assignments.

Main tasks

• To respond to emergencies when needed as per request of the delegations and health unit HQ staff, as part of the regional hospital team in Cairo.
• Contribute to the supervision, and training of ICRC surgeons and other medical staff in the appropriate management of acute weapon-wounded patients, and other types of orthopedic emergencies and their chronic complications.
• Give input to the needs-assessment for orthopaedic surgery, human and physical resources required and mechanisms to enhance the ICRC response to the treatment of complicated limb injuries.
• Contribute to the management of patients and face to face training of staff through regular planned ‘Training & Treatment’ field visits
• Coordinate and supervise relevant scientific studies/use of new technology or /treatment protocols under the guidance of the Health Unit in Geneva.
• Evaluate current orthopedic equipment and proposes changes if needed.
• Contribute to ICRC surgical training (Fundamentals of War Surgery, Advanced War Surgery Modules and other specific workshops), and proposes new training when gaps are identified.
• Establish the list of orthopaedic surgical instruments to be integrated in the ICRC standard list.

Reporting

• Draft EOM report after each field mission (findings, action taken, proposals, etc) addressed to the HoD and health coordinator (or relevant health staff if not coordinator) of the visiting delegation, in copy to the head of sector and GVA Senior / Chief Surgeon.
• Give input to the ICRC internal reports (Weekly Operational Report, Quarterly Health Technical Report, Planning for Results and other reports requested).
• Provide specific reports as requested by HQ on technical aspects and outcome data

Education and experience required

• Specialization in orthopedic surgery with a valid license to practice.
• Extensive (at least 5 years) orthopedic surgery experience.
• Orthopedic humanitarian experience.
• Training experience in clinical orthopedics.
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Fluency in a second language such as French or Arabic is an asset.

Desired profile and skills

• A senior orthopedic surgeon with relevant working experience in developing countries
• War trauma management
• Ability to work with colleagues from different cultures and background
• Computer proficiency in Microsoft office

Our operational context

• In line with the principle of neutrality, the ICRC does not assign personnel to a country of which they are nationals
• You are in good health and will do a medical check-up prior to departure in the field
• You are prepared to accept unaccompanied postings (i.e. no spouse, partner, children or dependents) for at least the first 24 months.
• In line with our security guidelines, you hold a manual driving license

Our offer in a nutshell:

• Rewarding work in a humanitarian and multicultural environment with an attractive salary and social benefits
• Opportunities for further in-house training
• Starting date: 01/01/2022
• Location: Cairo (CAI)
• Hardship : H1: family posting but limited amenities
• Job level: C1 (C1)
• Length of assignment: 24 Months
• Type of position: Mobile
• Application deadline: 03/10/2021