Field Medical Coordinator

Duration: 6 months (subject to funfing)

Start date: To be confirmed

The MENTOR Initiative is the world’s leading non-profit organisation dedicated to the control of malaria and other vector borne diseases in emergency settings, operating across countries in west, central, and eastern Africa and the Middle East. The organisation directly delivers large scale disease control interventions to the most vulnerable communities caught up in emergencies, and in parallel, also works to build the technical and operational capacity of local and international partners on the ground, to incorporate medium and long term disease control systems into their operations and country strategy.

Overall Job Purpose

The Field Programme Coordinator (FPC) is responsible for all the community health aspects of MENTOR’s operational response with emphasis on support to MENTOR supported Community based Healthcare Workers (CHWs) and health posts. Under the technical line management of the Health Programme Coordinator (HPC), he/she guarantees the quality management of the MENTOR programme in the area and contributes to the impact of the program as per donor agreements and logical frameworks through extensive monitoring and evaluation. His/her specific competence/specialization in regards to Maternal and Reproductive Health will be used to give technical and practical support to the health programs in the mission.

Technical support to health posts

• In close collaboration with the HPC and the FPC / Training referent, organise and prepare training sessions (initial and refresher) for clinical staff in the supported health facilities. The curricula for these trainings will cover case management of frequent pathologies in the target area including care-taking of referred (severe) cases from the MENTOR supported Community Health Worker network. Elaborate and distribute tools (decision making trees) to facilitate differential diagnosis for the clinical staff. Ensure participation of the District Medical team in training sessions.
• Coordinate and participate in regular supervisory visits to the supported health posts with the specific objective of ensuring the provision of quality care to patients.

Technical support to CHW network including Female Focal Points

• As required and in close collaboration with the Health Program Coordinator (HPC) and the Base Coordinator, assist with the recruitment of new Community Health Workers (CHWs) as well as Female Focal Points (FFPs) in the areas of his/her responsibility. This includes identification as well as training and equipping the CHWs and FFPs.
• With the assistance of a team of locally recruited programme supervisors and in close collaboration with the HPC, organise and implement onsite technical training and oversee general performance of CHWs and FFPs
• Supports with the preparation and/or update of training modules for MENTOR medical supervisors, CHWs/FFP, health facility staff and team members from partner agencies as required. Participates in the trainings as required to ensure adequate quality and efficiency.

Drug supplies:

• In close collaboration with the concerned FPC, Logistics Coordinator, Base Coordinators and the Health Program Coordinator, responsible for overseeing proper management of the MENTOR stock of drugs and small medical equipment for the targeted health facilities and CHWs.

• In close collaboration with the FPC / pharmaceutical referent, carry out spot-checks and ensure clear storage and labelling of drugs and medical supplies from different donor sources for accountability purposes.

• In order to avoid stock ruptures at health facility and CHW level, organise for regular supplies of drugs based on consumption records and rational usage of the drugs provided.

• In collaboration with the Base Coordinator, responsible for secured and efficient service of the pharmacy

Data Management

• Ensures that Health Facility and CHW-data from all MENTOR Base are collected and correctly entry by data clerk. Carries out effective first analysis and review of data to identify areas in need of correction before send to HPC.

Referral services

• In collaboration with the HPC, set up required mechanisms in order to ensure efficient referral mechanisms. In addition to facilitate the physical transport of patients referred by CHWs, this includes filling in of referral documents to allow for efficient care-taking at referral level and tracing of referred patients.
• Organise for the participation of health facility staff and/or District/Regional level MoH coordination staff in supervisory visits of the MENTOR supported CHW network and health facilities.
• Organise for regular internal and external technical meetings to coordinate and follow up on efficiency of referral mechanisms.

Prevention

• In close collaboration with the Health Programme Coordinator, the IEC referent and the Senior Base Coordinator, the FPC ensures that prevention activities are fully integrated, using the MENTOR IEC approach, into the support to health facilities and CHWs: General IEC (provision of sensitisation tools at clinic level etc), LLIN distribution, Indoor Residual Spraying campaigns (IRS) etc.
• In close collaboration with the Health Programme Coordinator and the Senior Base Coordinator, organises Mass Drug Administration campaigns across the areas for which he/she is responsible.

Reporting / Proposal writing

• Prepare monthly reports on the progress in health facility support activities and relevant indicators for MENTOR line management and the National Health authorities. This include timely provision and entry of monthly data.
• As required, advise and assist the Country Director in the drafting of proposals.
• Assist the Country Director and the Health Programme Coordinator with technical aspects of writing donor reports so that these are prepared and submitted in a timely manner, as per the grant agreements.
• Participate in the elaboration of regular internal situation reports (‘sitreps’) for subjects directly related to his/her responsibilities.

Representation

• In close collaboration with the Senior Base Coordinator, ensure close collaboration with other health NGOs working in the target areas.
• Represent The MENTOR Initiative at district/regional level medical / technical meetings with the government, NGO partners and donors when required.
• Stimulate positive interaction and keep good relations with all partners.
• Collaborate with staff from the National Health Structure at regional level on the implementation of the programme activities.
• Collaborate with all stakeholders in the health sector at regional level on the implementation of national policies including cost recovery policy.

Other

• As required, recruitment and training of locally employed programme supervisors.
• Respect MENTOR’s Security Guidelines and advise the Senior Base Coordinator immediately on security issues encountered.
• Follow and implement all existing financial, administrative and logistical procedures as well any new procedures and guidelines as communicated by the Senior Base Coordinator.
• Includes the possibility of transfer to another similar post in another MENTOR country programme within the period of this contract agreement.
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the Country Director and agreed with the MENTOR Programme Manager at HQ level.

Job requirements

• At least 1 year field experience as Field Medical Coordinator or similar position
• Familiarity with NGO working environments and standard procedures
• Solid prior experience working in complicated security contexts an advantage
• Organized and good coordination / management skills
• Excellent communication skills
• Fluency in French
• English language skills considered as an advantage
• Proven capacity to train others
• Flexible and willing to learn