Medical Advisor

INTERSOS is an independent humanitarian organization that assists the victims of natural disasters, armed conflicts and exclusion. Its activities are based on the principles of solidarity, justice, human dignity, equality of rights and opportunities, respect for diversity and coexistence, paying special attention to the most vulnerable people.

Terms of reference

Job Title: Medical Advisor

Code: SR-00-9311

Duty station: 70% field/different missions, 30% home-based/HQ or hub based

Starting date: 01/09/2024

Contract duration: 12 months

Reporting to: Head medical unit

Supervision of: Medical coordinators/medical focal points

Functional supervision: Head medical unit

Type of Duty Station: Non-family duty station

General context of the project

• Developing country/regional medical strategies
• Approve/validate the technical component of all project proposals containing health and nutrition components.
• Approve/validate the technical component of all key reports for donors containing health and nutrition component.
• Ensure the implementation of standard and/or national protocols
• Supervise the start-up, progress and quality of medical activities with regular visits and contacts with on-site technical staff
• Develop SOP and tools in order to standardize and facilitate field technical work and improve supervision and analysis
• Representing INTERSOS at the international H&N fora
• Participate in the recruitment process of medical expat personnel and the evaluation and development of expat / national staff
• Provide technical support to other department and other dossier

General purpose of the position

The Medical Advisor is part of INTERSOS Medical Unit, participates in defining, planning, and monitoring medical activities and programs in both the HQ (30%) and the field (70%), in line with INTERSOS medical strategy.

Main responsibilities and tasks

The Medical Advisor, in collaboration with INTERSOS Medical Unit and the Programs Department, plays a pivotal role in planning, executing, and overseeing health and nutrition initiatives in line with established work plans and internal protocols. Here’s a more detailed responsibilities:

• Recruitment and Coordination: He/she participate in recruiting expatriate technical staff and provide coordination, support, and supervision to medical coordinators in the field.
• Proposal Design: He/she contributes to designing the technical aspects of project proposals aimed at international donors and private foundations.
• Data Management: He/she support the medical unit, and collaborate with the MEAL advisor and IT, in developing a proper data collection tool to ensure effective program monitoring.
• Staff Training and Supervision: He /She supervises, coordinates, and trains health staff in the field to enhance their performance, ensure protocol adherence, and implement the program strategy effectively.
• Field Visits and Monitoring: He/she conduct monitoring field visits to gain insights into the operational context, supervise activities, and coordinate with medical coordinators.
• Mission Support: He/she support the establishment of new missions and participate in emergency missions when needed.
• Needs Assessments: He/she leads or supports in-depth needs assessments and exploratory missions in both new and existing intervention areas.
• Vacant Position Coverage: He/she temporarily fills vacant medical coordinator positions for up to eight weeks under request to the supervisors.

It’s important to note that while these tasks represent the core responsibilities of the Medical Advisor, they may also take on additional duties as required by the organization and the head of medical unit.

Required profile and experience

Education

• Degree in medicine or other paramedical studies (only nurse). Desirable specialization in Tropical Medicine or a degree in Public Health

Professional Experience

• Minimum 4 years of relevant work experience as Medical focal point in the humanitarian sector, especially in fragile and unstable environments

Professional Requirements

• Managerial Skills: Proven experience in managing and supervising teams, including recruitment, training, and capacity building of medical staff. Experience in remote management and team coordination is highly desirable.
• Technical Expertise: In-depth knowledge of public health, nutrition, and medical standards in humanitarian settings.
• Proposal Development: Ability to contribute to the design of technical aspects of project proposals, including needs assessments, program design, and budgeting for health and nutrition interventions.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Proficiency in medical data collection, analysis, and reporting. Experience in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks to ensure program quality and impact assessment.
• Emergency Response Skills: Capability to support emergency missions, conduct rapid assessments, and develop medical strategies in response to emergencies.
• Coordination and Networking: Strong interpersonal and networking skills to coordinate with internal departments, external stakeholders, donors, and other NGOs. Experience in representing organizations in health and nutrition clusters
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to contribute to the development of long-term strategie

Languages

• Proficient knowledge of English and French is required. Spanish as added value

Personal Requirements

• Strong organizational and problem-solving
• skills with analytic approach
• Strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to establish effective working relations with staff, beneficiaries, and other stakeholders
• Ability to take initiative and work autonomously
• Ability to achieve results effectively, considering the need for speed, scale, and quality
• Ability to integrate and work well within multiethnic and multicultural teams
• Ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships
• Ability to work in austere and hostile environments