Health Coordinator Ethiopia

The humanitarian aid organization Ärzte der Welt e. V. is the German division of the international network Médecins du Monde/Doctors of the World (MdM). The 17 national members of the network implement domestic and international health care projects, currently almost 340 projects in 75 countries around the world.

MdM provides emergency medical aid in disaster and crisis situations, supports access to health care and, if possible, assists with reconstruction measures. The network is also active in risk reduction and preparedness as well as long-term development co-operations in neglected regions around the world that receive little public attention. MdM ensures that its health services are provided equally to the most vulnerable citizens, refugees, internally displaced people and host communities, regardless of their ethnic, social, religious or political background. MdM considers access to general health care to be a universal human right for everyone.

MdM has been working in Ethiopia since 1986, implementing different types of health projects from long-term interventions to emergency response. MdM Germany pursuing two programmatic approaches since 2021: collaboration with local partner in development-oriented projects and implementing a larger scale emergency humanitarian intervention in Somali Region.

The humanitarian multi-sectoral intervention of MdM Germany in Somali Region is aiming to improve the access to and the quality of health care services (with a focus on SRH-R, MCH, GBV), prevention of epidemics (incl. Covid-19) and MHPSS for conflict and crisis affected communities, with particular attention to the needs of women and girls. Nutrition and WASH components are integrated in the approach and implemented by the local partner organisation. Jointly existing health centers and health posts in 3 different areas of the Somali Region are supported: rural remote area, Camp setting: Qoloji IDP Camp, Fafaan Zone and in Tuliguled Woreda in border conflict setting. The direct support to existing health staff and structures is completed by mobile units, who reach out to the surrounding communities. Strategic scaling up of activities, also in terms of thematic focus and geographically is being developed. Donors include German FFO, ECHO and German BMZ, a further diversification is envisaged. Furthermore, on the development side, the follow-up project proposal is being drafted with the second local partner in Ethiopia (CVDA).

In close collaboration with the Country Representative and the future Medical Advisor at HQ Level, the Health Coordinator shall be responsible for defining and implementing the medical strategy of the country programme and lead the Programme Team of the Ethiopia Country Programme. S/he will be responsible for the planning, monitoring and coordination of all medical activities and resources, supporting the Programme team members and local partners.

Responsibilities and tasks:

1. Programme management

• Ensure effective and efficient implementation and follow-up of MdM’s health care activities.

• Assess and establish in cooperation with the health team the capacity building needs of the public health system staff and contribute to the design of trainings.

• Partners: Monitor the implementation of medical activities, support capacity building.

• In close collaboration with the Administration, participating in the planning of the health staff in the programme and supporting processes (recruitment, validation of medical staff, training/induction, evaluation).

• Participate in the recruitment of local medical staff as well as in the staff performance appraisal process.

• Ensure that different components of the project are consistent and in line with medical needs and standards.

• Conduct regular field visits for supervision and monitoring of implementation.

• Define and size all needed resources (eg. 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.

• Being accountable for the proper management of the pharmacy in the programme, including projects and ensure that the whole process of pharmacy management is in line with MdM policy.

• Continue and develop further overall country programme’s logframe and project approach.

1. Technical Support

• Provide technical support to the Country Representative in implementing the ongoing medical activities according to approved plans and budgets and contribute to the further development of the programme.

• Draft/Update project-related guidelines, standard operation procedures, modalities, terms of references to ensure that ongoing and planned interventions are structured and implemented according to MdM and international standards.

• Lead any additional planned technical assessment and develop relevant tools for data collection process and data analysis.

• Coach and mentor the medical staff to ensure effective and efficient implementation of current and planned activities.

• Identify capacity building needs among the local health team develop training curriculum and content and provide related trainings.

• Support the effective functioning of MdM’s MEAL system and contribute to the further development.

• Analyse medical data collected by the health team and ensure timely and quality reporting. If necessary, set-up corrective measures in coordination with the Country Representative.

1. Reporting

• Analyze and monitor medical and health-related data, update MdM internal database and ensure reliability and consistency of these data.

• Contribute to donor reports and proposals, monthly situation report (SITREP), as well as the Medical Monthly Reports, by providing relevant data, analysis, and technical inputs related to health activities (consolidation of information from mobile teams and partners).

• Coordinate closely with the MEAL Officer in all aspects.

• Providing reports on the MdM’s programme evolution from the medical perspective

• Responsible for introducing a Medical Library of the Mission.

• Informing the medical field staff of all materials available, and keeping all medical documents updated in the database.

1. Budget Management

• Based on the activity schedule and procurement plan, prepare and share forecasts as appropriate with the finance teams.

• Review the monthly financial report (budget follow up) and share feedback with the finance team as appropriate including reasons for deviations.

1. Communication/Representation

• Represent MdM in the meetings and NGO clusters related to the programme

• Participate in internal coordination meetings within the MdM Network

• Represent MdM before local medical authorities and keeping regular contact with other counterparts (in NGOs, local organizations, authorities)

1. Other

Together with the Admin, HR and other related staff, defining, updating and implementing the Country Programme’s Health and Safety Policy Framework including medical insurance, social packages and repatriation policy. Ensuring the medical related security issues (mental and physical health and safety in the workplace)

Job Requirements

• Master in Public Health or relevant experience, Medical professional background preferred (doctor, nurse, midwife)

• At least three years’ experience implementing health programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa

• Expansive knowledge of sexual reproductive health and maternal and new-born health

• Ability to facilitate competency-based trainings (IMNCI, BeMONC, CAC etc) a plus

• Experience in working with both rural communities and camp settings (refugees, IDPs)

• Strong report writing ability and analytical skills

• Experience in multisectoral programming is an added advantage

• Cultural sensitivity and ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.

• Ability to listen and share decisions.

• written and spoken English (compulsory).

• Knowledge of the Ethiopian context an asset

Employment Conditions:

• Contract: Fixed-term contract 12 months

• Starting date: 01.12.22

• Based in Jijiga, Somali Region

• Guesthouse housing

• Single posting

How to apply

Register using the following LINK

MdM promotes equal opportunities for all people. We establish positive action measures for those who, due to functional diversity or social and / or cultural exclusion, belong to under-represented groups in the positions offered.