Technical Senior Specialist - COVID-19 Preparedness and response

Job Description

International Medical Corps is a global humanitarian nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs.

Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in areas worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at high risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.

Background

International Medical Corps interventions in the Central African Republic consist of the provision emergency Health, and Nutrition Care services, as well as emergency Protection assistance in response to gender-based violence perpetrated against Internally Displaced People and vulnerable host communities, affected by conflict. While providing basic primary health care services to the beneficiaries, International Medical Corps also focuses on capacity building of existing human resources, in order to deliver and take ownership of health, nutrition and protection programs implemented by International Medical Corps, thus assuring the sustainability of the health program for the coming years.

International Medical Corps, with the support of OFDA, DFID and ECHO, acts as a first responder to the CAR humanitarian crisis in Ouaka, Vakaga and Haute-Kotto Provinces. International Medical Corps has also extended its partnership with the EC, through the Bekou Trust Fund, to carry out a multi-year project; The CAR Health System Strengthening Project.

The COVID 19 pandemic affecting the world has changed the lives of individuals and organizations as well as mode of operating. To keep abreast of these changes, IMC Central African Republic(CAR) has adequately adapted progressively so as to continue to maintain her status of first responders in health emergencies.

International Medical in partnership with 3 other agencies has applied for funding from USAID/OFDA for Strengthening risk communication and community engagement aspects of COVID-19 response in CAR and through CERF allocation to NGOs, IMC will be support CAR ministry of health preparedness to respond to COVID-19 in Bria, Bambari and Birao

Job Purpose

The Technical Senior Specialist will ensure provision of uninterrupted COVID-19 Medical Emergency Responses across all IMC facilities as well as to provide strategies in minimizing the potential health consequences of workplace infection of COVID-19

Main Responsibilities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation. The tasks listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive

Technical Support

• This job holder adopts a risk-based approach where it applies a time- dependent response to this pandemic and activities at the different infectious disease units that will be set up.
• Provision of guidance to the senior management team in the management of emergencies with a focus on infectious diseases and more especially COVID-19
• Conduct risk assessments at the Isolation facilities and ensure outcomes are appropriately reflected
• Create standards and guidelines for health in emergencies for the country program
• Capacity Building for frontline health workers on COVID-19
• Ensure all IPC protocols are up to date in the isolation centers
• Ensure that emergency plans are in place for health and establish standards for the health interventions in emergencies
• Strong contribution to the emergency response unit globally on infectious diseases emergency interventions for health
• Ensure training in health emergencies are standardized.
• Support project monitoring implementation of International Medical Corps’ operations: grant tracking and reporting. Submit reports on a timely basis to the donors and headquarters
• Develop a standard supervision and monitoring document based on the WHO COVID-19 protocols and guidance that will be approved and used by International Medical Corps
• Produce a supervision report with strong recommendation for each facility visited and shared with IMC and other partner organizations (e.g. WHO, Health Cluster, Ministry of Health)
• Ensure preparedness and response activities on case management and IPC are well implemented in the isolation facilities and all health facilities supported
• Provide technical support to the COVID-19 preparedness and response program at both state and national level
• Conduct regular monitoring to the sites where the activities are implemented to ensure quality in the service provision

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily all

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse, Trafficking in Persons, Child Safeguarding and any suggested violation to our Code of Conduct, which may involve Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption or Harassment. If you see, hear or are made aware of any suggested activities then you have an obligation to report.

• A Master’s degree in public health; with a concentration in Epidemiology

Experience

• Coordinating medical Emergencies and infectious disease outbreaks.

Competencies

• Proven capabilities in leadership required
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal and organization skills in a multicultural environment
• Ability to work with minimum supervision under strict deadlines
• Strong cultural sensitivity, ability to work in insecure environment and cope with stress
• Strong organizational skills and the capacity to analyze and prioritize
• Profound cross-cultural awareness and insight into health care issues, Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decision independently, extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrations
• Excellent decision-making skills, Team player and strong communication skills, both oral and written.

Other - Languages

• Fluency in English and French required

Equal Opportunities

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.

About the Organization

International Medical Corps is a global, humanitarian, nonprofit organization dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through health care training and relief and development programs. Established in 1984 by volunteer doctors and nurses, International Medical Corps is a private, voluntary, nonpolitical, nonsectarian organization. Its mission is to improve the quality of life through health interventions and related activities that build local capacity in underserved communities worldwide. By offering training and health care to local populations and medical assistance to people at highest risk, and with the flexibility to respond rapidly to emergency situations, International Medical Corps rehabilitates devastated health care systems and helps bring them back to self-reliance.