Country: South Sudan (Republic of)
Closing date: 15 May 2013
DDG Medical Coordinator (4 months) - South Sudan
Profile
Proper medical coverage is essential to all Mine and UXO clearance operations. The Medical Coordinator (MC) ensures that medical support is at an optimal level under existing circumstances. S/he tailors and executes the training program to local paramedics working with the clearance teams, provides first aid courses for the local staff (other than medics) and to international personnel, and designs and tests the medical evacuation plan.
The MC has a professional background as e.g. an ambulance paramedic, emergency nurse or medical doctor. He is qualified and experienced in Advanced Trauma Life Support, pre-hospital stabilization of accident injuries. S/he has experience in training junior medical students.
Candidates with prior experience in humanitarian work, post conflict environments, remote medical care, will be favored. Previous experience in Mine Action programs would be an advantage.
Background
Danish Demining Group (DDG) is the branch of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) that focuses on human security programming. DDG and DRC have been present in South Sudan since 2006 and currently have operations in seven of ten states in the country. While initially DDG’s focus was on traditional Mine Action (MA) activities such as Explosive Ordinance Disposal and Mine Risk Education, DDG has developed an innovative and fast-expanding Armed Violence Reduction (AVR) programme
For an overview of the contamination in South Sudan, please refer to UNMAS South Sudan and http://unmas.org/southsudan/index.php/maps
General Responsibilities
The Medical Coordinator has the primary function of training, monitoring and mentoring the national staff under his/her responsibility. The purpose of this role is to develop the capacity and medical knowledge of the national staff within DDG. The objective of building knowledge and capacity within the national staff is to ensure that DDG’s Medics are trained and operate according to DDG SOPs, South Sudan NTSG and recognized best practices and sustainable supervision and management.
It is important that the MC does not take over the tasks and responsibilities of the national staff under his/her supervision, but rather monitors and ensures that these tasks and responsibilities are carried out correctly, efficiently and effectively.
Management
The Medical Coordinator reports to the Operations Manager. Team Medics and occasionally additional field staff will report to the MC.
Specific Duties
Medical/health
• Ensure Medical SOPs, Protocols and practices are consistent with best practice and South Sudan NTSG.
• Provide trauma/medical care and training to local and, where appropriate, international staff.
• Monitor health of all staff, inform management of trends in illness-related absence and offer solutions.
• Design and implement preventive schemes to promote staff health, particularly but not exclusively, in relation to HIV, malaria and camp hygiene.
• Advise management on medical issues.
• Establish sustainable contacts with local health care facilities.
Management and Training
• Lead recruitment of suitably qualified national staff for training as Team Medics.
• Carry out Quality Management of operational medics.
• Train Team Medics to the standard required in NTSGs.
• Ensure that all medics are completely familiar with DDG’s Casevac SOP.
• Establish continuation training and professional development of all Medics (and medical management).
• Maintain a record for all staff of days lost through sickness absence.
• Liaise with mine action, healthcare, local authorities and any other relevant organizations, operating in South Sudan with regard to medical issues.
Medical stores/logistics
• Manage DDG medical stores to ensure proper storage and correct quantities of stores are available at all times.
• Prior to deployment, ensure that sufficient and appropriate medical supplies are available at operational locations.
• Ensure that all trauma kits are equipped to at least the minimum standard specified in UNMAS NTSG version 8, Chapter 10.
• Ensure that vehicles designated for use as evacuation vehicles are equipped at least to the standard specified in UNMAS NTSGs.
• Establish and maintain contacts to reliable sources for medicines and medical equipment.
• Maintain an effective stock control system for medical stores.
General
• Act as team medic when required.
• Carry out other reasonable duties as requested and required by the Operations Manager or DDG Program Manager.
Required qualifications
• Significant experience working as a medic in harsh environments – experience of the South Sudan context is preferable.
• Training experience.
• Recognized and current medical and trauma certification.
• Knowledge of accreditation requirements in mine action.
• Demonstrated planning and work plan drafting skills.
• Ability to work proactively and with initiative.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Flexible, reliable and trustworthy.
• Fluent knowledge of English (verbal and written).
We encourage all qualified candidates to apply, irrespective of nationality, race, gender or age.
Conditions
Availability: Immediately
Duty station: South Sudan
Contract: 4 months
Status: Non-family duty station
Salary and conditions in accordance with Danish Refugee Council’s Terms of Employment for Expatriates; please refer to www.drc.dk under Vacancies. The position will be placed at salary level A9.
Further information
You are welcome to contact Maria Kristensen at maria.kristensen@drc.dk for further information about the position.
For general information about the Danish Refugee Council and Danish Demining Group, please consult www.drc.dk and www.danishdemininggroup.dk
Commitments
DRC has a Humanitarian Accountability Framework, outlining its global accountability commitments. All staff are required to contribute to the achievement of this framework (http://www.drc.dk/HAF.4265.0.html).
How to apply:
Application process
Only motivated applications that address the stipulated duties and meet the required qualifications, sent together with a CV, will be considered. CV-only applications will not be considered. Please provide names of references, but do not attach any written recommendations.
We only accept applications online on www.drc.dk> Vacancies > Current vacancies > Medical Coordinator – South Sudan (click on the vacancy, then on “Apply” at the bottom of the window that opens).
Please submit your application, in English and marked “Medical Coordinator – South Sudan” no later than 15 May 2013. Please note that applications will be assessed on a rolling basis, thus the position might be filled before the deadline.
Please let us know via job@drc.dk if you have questions to the application process or experience problems with your online application.