How To Be A Community Based Health Advisor

Transcription

1 Malaria community based models Referent-Advisor (Temporary position based in Barcelona) The successful applicant will be a referent advisor to support and improve the implementation of the Malaria Community based models /interventions from the technical and strategic point of view. Her/is mission will be to contribute through her/is expertise and in agreement with Medical Director, head of advisors unit, the Community- Health promotion and Tropical disease advisors to improve the strategies applied in Malaria, in particular regarding community models of care, including prevention and case management. The concrete realization of these objectives into operational activities in the field will require an active collaboration with colleagues from the medical and the operations departments. Her/is contribution will be key to improve models that help to increase our capacity to reduce the burden that Malaria represents for the population in the context we work in (Niger, South Sudan, DRC, Mali, etc.), increase their access to health care and reduce Malaria morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable. S/he will be based in Barcelona and give support in this area to the polyvalent medical staff in the cells, the teams in the field and operations department in general at HQ level. S/he will be responding to the needs and requests of OCBA missions, specifically the ones implementing community models to tackle Malaria, in close coordination and team work with the other advisors, with the responsibility to cover effectively all the technical support needed in the OCBA portfolio in this domain. The close coordination with other referent advisors will contribute to a more transversal, integrated and holistic support to the cells and the field. The work will be carried out in the framework of the Strategic plan , the operational policy and OCBA annual plans as well as the Medical department plans. Her/is duty should always be framed on best international practices and standards. The successful applicant will be a referent advisor to support and improve the implementation of the Malaria Community based models /interventions from the technical and strategic point of view. Her/is mission will be to contribute through her/is expertise and in agreement with Medical Director, head of advisors unit, the Community- Health promotion and Tropical disease advisors to improve the strategies applied in Malaria, in particular regarding community models of care, including prevention and case management. The concrete realization of these objectives into operational activities in the field will require an active collaboration with colleagues from the medical and the operations departments. Her/is contribution will be key to improve models that help to increase our capacity to reduce the burden that Malaria represents for the population in the context we work in (Niger, South Sudan, DRC, Mali, etc.), increase their access to health care and reduce Malaria morbidity and mortality in the most vulnerable.

2 S/he will be based in Barcelona and give support in this area to the polyvalent medical staff in the cells, the teams in the field and operations department in general at HQ level. S/he will be responding to the needs and requests of OCBA missions, specifically the ones implementing community models to tackle Malaria, in close coordination and team work with the other advisors, with the responsibility to cover effectively all the technical support needed in the OCBA portfolio in this domain. The close coordination with other referent advisors will contribute to a more transversal, integrated and holistic support to the cells and the field. The work will be carried out in the framework of the Strategic plan , the operational policy and OCBA annual plans as well as the Medical department plans. Her/is duty should always be framed on best international practices and standards. PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANISATION The Malaria community based models referent advisor will be hierarchically and functionally accountable to the MSF-Spain OCBA Medical Director, until the head of the Advisors unit has been recruited, who will then be the direct line manager. Functionally linked and supporting Medical polyvalent (TESACO/ Desk HQ), Medical Coordinators and advice to colleagues in the field (missions), as the rest of the referent advisors of the Medical department. While in the field, he/she works under the regular hierarchical and functional structures of the missions, while keeping communication with the Medical Department. JOB PROFILE The successful applicant will be the referent advisor in Malaria community based models, being the focal point in regards to technical and strategic matters of this domain, in close collaboration and coordination with all advisors. Particular coordination will be needed with the Community- Health promotion, Tropical disease, Diagnosis and Epidemiologist advisors, and all areas linked to Malaria community involvement initiatives. Based in Barcelona, her/is main responsibility is to provide timely and effective support to the polyvalent medical staff in the cells and the teams in the field related to Malaria Community based models/interventions. MAIN RESPONSABILITIES, FUNTIONS AND TASKS S/he is the Malaria Community based models advisor to field missions / cells polyvalent medical staff, concerning any technical/strategic problem / question that arise from the field while performing and implementing Malaria community based models of care. This includes any innovative approaches, preventive or curative, as part of a comprehensive package (i.e. Seasonal Malaria Chemoprevention (SMC), prereferral, case management, home base care, etc.). S/he will provide direct support and follow up to the Malaria community based

3 interventions where community health workers are involved. It s expected s/he will help to adjust the intervention criteria for projects, setting up projects and support by developing and compiling guidelines for community approaches and data collection of this type of programs. S/he will support the Community- Health promotion advisor in the development of strategies, concepts papers, guidelines, indicators and tools to lead further the MSF- OCBA vision in the area of Malaria community based interventions, including preventing and case management activities. S/he will remain updated on scientific knowledge and evidence published in her/is area of expertise to ensure a relevant support to the field and share it with them. S/he provides support to enhance quality of care in the missions through the development, design and adaptation of guides and tools, concerning to Malaria Community based models. Support will be provided as well through field visits, on the job training and follow up visits. Participates in the follow up, monitoring & evaluation of the quality implementation of the Malaria community based models/interventions. S/he will ensure coherent application of MSF-OCBA to Malaria community based models strategy through briefings of field staffs and routine monitoring of activities progresses. S/he will work alongside a team of other referents and other medical colleagues specialized in relevant fields linked to Community based models and Health Promotion. S/he will explore together with the Community-Health promotion advisor, new avenues for appropriate Malaria Community based models, including background research, designing and revision of guidelines, collaborating with operations in the implementation and adaptation of strategies. Participation in discussions on design, development, implementation, review and modification of specific projects, together with the cell and other referents of the medical department. S/he will provide the fields missions / cells with adapted support according to the needs and requests, providing direct an immediate response or/and searching actively for the needed answers through research (literature review, seeking advice of specialist in the matter) to provide the best available solutions, based always in good practices and international standards; S/he conducts field visits / supports when needed (including emergencies) to orientate and evaluate / providing systematically a report, including program assessment and recommendations related to Malaria community based models/interventions issues; When visiting the field, s/he works close together with the mission team to identify together the areas to reinforce and improve, listening carefully to the concerns expressed by the field team, provide training and agree with them on a plan of action to improve with adapted and realistic recommendations. S/he will give follow up support directly and with the help of other technical advisors to accompany and support closer the efforts of the team in the field, also as a way to better understand the challenges and adapt the technical advices accordingly. S/he will takes good note of the concerns expresses by the colleagues coming from

4 the field and makes effective use of the lessons learned proceeding to realize the necessary adjustments. S/he will contribute to increase the knowledge and competences of staff in terms of Malaria community based models/interventions, by providing training within the organization. Participates in the design and implementation of international learning initiatives together with the community Health promotion advisor. S/he contributes together with Epidemiologist, Tropical disease and Lab advisors to the analysis and follow up of data collected in the Malaria community based interventions. S/he will participate in the definition of priorities in operational research, suggests ideas and participates in the follow up and supervision of operational research activities in the Malaria community models/interventions ; facilitates the review, edition and capitalization of field experiences producing reports on major gaps, lessons learned and recommendations on the different strategies implemented (pre-referral treatment of severe cases to hospital level, case management following predefined case definition, algorithms, adherence, treatment of simple cases, among others). Reports regularly to the line manager on the development of her/his activities, orally and in writing if requested. Medical department development and networking: As referent advisor of the Medical department, s/he participates in all activities organized by the Medical department, including weekly, monthly and process revision meetings, as in other ad hoc relevant reunions; S/he will participate and contribute to MSF OCBA medical department activities through providing proposals concerning the enhancement of the quality and relevance of Malaria community based models; Participates in the development of the plan of action of the department and contributes to review and update protocols, guidelines and policies in her/is field of expertise, including its preparation and dissemination in OCBA missions and in the MSF movement. S/he will promote the development of Community based models, programs within MSF OCBA, in particular related to Malaria, identifying key priorities, issues which need to be invested in (operational research, key Health Promotion & applied Medical Anthropology related questions); Informs and updates colleagues of the medical department on the evolution of the current Malaria community based models issues on a regular basis. Keep a regular communication and exchange with the other technical advisors/cells/departments in order to contribute to enhanced transversal work and better support to the field. S/he participates in OCBA training initiatives contributing to the development of competences and skills of the MSF HHRR in her/is technical area. S/he liaises regularly and networks with key relevant actors related to Malaria community based models, (academics, researchers, institution developing programs or policies related to this field: i.e. Sahel for SMC) to inform or get informed on recent / ongoing developments in and outside of MSF (programs, research, initiatives,

5 introduction of new tools) and use those info to feed internal discussion on Malaria community based models to promote innovation; SELECTION CRITERIA Education, Experience and desired attributes Medical doctor, preferable with Tropical medicine specialty. Education and /or experience in Public health will be a valuable asset. Up to date knowledge/experience in Malaria and community based models. Training and communication skills are essential. A minimum of 2 years programme experience in different MSF projects (different contexts) or with relevant medical organization working in low income countries and/or humanitarian settings in the fields of Malaria and community based models. Experience and interest in research Fluent in English and French. Knowledge of other languages (Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese) is an asset. Knowledge in computer: Excel, Word, Epi-info, and PowerPoint programs Others Willing to travel abroad on regular basis, including conflict settings Competences: Commitment to MSF s Principles Cross-cultural Awareness Behavioural Flexibility Analytical Thinking Strategic Vision Results and Quality Orientation Service Orientation Initiative and Innovation Teamwork and Cooperation CONDITIONS Position based in Barcelona at the MSF headquarters office with regular field visits (estimated to up to 50% of time) Fulltime job for six months starting in October 2014 Temporary position: to revise at the end of the period Annual gross salary: 35, (divided in 12 months payments) + secondary benefits, based on MSF OCBA reward policy Starting date: October 2014 Applicants please send CV and motivation covering letter under the reference MALARIA-REFERENT to: recruitment-bcn@barcelona.msf.org Closing date: 28th October Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.