Terms of reference

Job Title: Medical Coordinator

Code: 53-7201

Duty station: Damascus, with frequent missions to other field bases

Starting date: 01/07/2023

Contract duration: 6

Reporting to: Head of Mission

Supervision of: Technical supervion of the Project Medical Referent

Dependents: According to the country of assignment

General context of the project

Since 2020, INTERSOS Syria has been working in the Health sector in Rural Damascus and Hama governorates in coordination with the Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC). During 2022 the Primary Health Activities have been extended in Idleb governorate.

Main areas of focus are the following: capacity building of medical staff and SARC volunteers, strengthening of health facilities, provision of medical equipment, supplies, PPEs, deployment of medical mobile health teams in underserved areas, COVID-19 prevention and response initiatives, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) campaigns, support to Gynechologist and Pediatric consultations.

General purpose of the position

The Medical Coordinator will supervise technically the Health Programme of INTERSOS Syria and provide technical guidance and capacity building to INTERSOS national medical staff. S/he will develop tools and methodologies in line with INTERSOS medical strategy and standards, liaise and cooperate with health stakeholders, provide support to MEAL, develop new proposals and play a central role in the shaping of the mission country strategy with reference to the Health sector.

Main responsibilities and tasks

Overall responsible for the appropriateness and quality of medical interventions conducted by INTERSOS projects and being expected to identify and work on removing barriers to better patient safety, effective medical care, and better patient-centred activities

Continuously monitor the medical and humanitarian needs in the Mission country in new areas of intervention or in areas where INTERSOS is already present through exploratory missions, monitor and review project proposals, determining necessary resources in order to define health and nutrition priorities and potential new programs to cover medical and humanitarian needs of the population at risk

Coordinate with the Medical Unit for the validation of the project proposals he/she designs, in close collaboration with the Programme Coordinator of the mission, before submission to donors and private foundations.

Coordinate closely with the Programme Coordinator and the Protection Coordinator to design programmatic strategies and approaches and provide a supportive supervision to projects implementation, the Programme Coordinator being the line manager of Program/Projects Managers.

Responsible for the supervision and monitoring of the medical technical aspects, humanitarian needs and in coordination with the Logistics Coordinator, the material aspects of the programmes through regular field visits, analysing difficulties during the implementation and reporting deviations as they appear, in order to proactively propose the necessary solutions and support Programme Managers to achieve operational results.

Responsible for defining and sizing other resources (pharmacy and medical equipment management in collaboration with logistics) and timelines, procedures and protocols. Ensuring preparation of all medical orders in collaboration with the Logistics Department and the submission of all medical purchase requests. Being accountable for the proper management of the pharmacy in the Mission, including projects. Provide reports on the mission’s evolution from the medical perspective, as required.

Coach and directly support the medical teams in the implementation of the medical activities making sure that internal protocols are respected as well as the ones of local Ministry and international standards.

Represent INTERSOS before local medical authorities and guarantee constant presence and active participation to the health and nutrition coordination fora (clusters meetings, other technical coordination meetings) and keep regular contact with other counterparts in the mission (NGOs, local organizations, donors, authorities, SARC) in order to broaden the medical-humanitarian situation analysis, strengthening the impact of the medical intervention and supporting advocacy actions.

Support on the medical data collection, analysis and reporting to HQ Medical Unit to ensure a proper monitoring of the program and, where needed and possible, to adapt them to existing programs.

Required profile and experience

Education

Advanced university degree in medicine or other paramedical studies. Desirable specialization in Tropical Medicine or a degree in Public Health

Professional Experience

Minimum 3 years relevant work experience as Medical referent in the humanitarian sector especially in fragile and unstable contexts. Previous international experience is an asset.

Professional Requirements

• Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)
• Demonstrated experience with different donors compliance and reporting
• Leadership, people management and development
• Strong teamwork and cooperation capacities
• Strategic vision
• Strong problem-solving
• Commitment to INTERSOS principles
• Understanding of humanitarian operations principles, standards and best practice

Languages

• Fluent knowledge of English (speaking and reading).
• Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.

Personal Requirements

• Strong interpersonal skills
• Flexible and cooperative
• Team worker
• Respectful and reliable attitude