Diaspora Junior - Qualified Midwife - Gabiley

Position: Diaspora Junior - Qualified Midwife

Position type: Diaspora Junior

Date of Issue: 13.06.2024

Beneficiary Institution:  Gabiley District Hospital 

Duty Station: Gabiley 

Deadline for Applications:  5 July 2024 

II. Background Information  

About the MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase V Project 

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) FINNSOM Health project, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health institutions across Somaliland since 2008. 

The project is currently in its fifth phase (2022-2025), building on lessons learned from the previous phases, and continues to contribute towards improving health outcomes in Somaliland, in close partnership with the Ministry of Health Development. Through the short-term deployment of diaspora health professionals, the objective is to transfer their skills and knowledge to the local staff in targeted institutions. Local professionals will remain an integral part of this project to contribute to sustainable outcomes in the health sector in Somaliland and to benefit from the knowledge and skills exchange with the diaspora professionals. 

The current phase of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health for women and girls whilst providing mentoring and training opportunities for local health professionals. The project will also give particular attention to improving gender balance during recruitment. The project will target regional and district hospitals in Borama, Berbera, Buroa, and Erigavo as well as some district-level health facilities in underserved areas of Zaylac, Badhan, Ainabo, Odwayne, Buhodle, Sheikh, Arabsiyo, Gabilay, Baligubadle and Salahley, under the leadership of the Ministry of Health Development. MIDA FINNSOM Health project is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. 

About Somaliland Ministry of Health Development

The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development (MoHD), headquartered in Hargeisa, comprises six main departments: (1) Administration & Finance; (2) Public Health; (3) Reproductive & Child Health; (4) Human Resource Development; (5) Planning & Policy; and (6) Health Facilities & Medical Services. (7) Mental Health Services

III. Duties & Responsibilities  

The Somaliland Ministry of Health Development, with support from IOM under the framework of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V, seeks to strengthen the capacity of Hospital staff and students to provide quality SRHR services. This will be achieved through the provision of services, on-the-job training, and mentoring of the Qualified Midwife that will be placed at the Gabiley District Hospital. Under the overall guidance of the Hospital Director, the Qualified Midwife will have the following duties and responsibilities: 

1. Perform tests to obtain information about patients’ medical conditions. 

2. Study patients’ history and health assessment. 

3. Monitor the patient postpartum and be available for questions or concerns. 

4. Tend to the health and well-being of patients. 

5. Assess the knowledge and skill level of the local midwife at the hospital and provide on-the-job training, mentoring, lectures, and supportive clinical supervision as needed to equip the staff with enhanced knowledge and skills to provide quality maternal and new-born health services including 

1. Comprehensive and basic emergency care.

2. Prenatal care and counseling. 

3. Family planning services. 

4. General health and lifestyle choices.

6. Provide on-the-job training, mentoring, and supportive supervision to local nurses.

7. Ensure that all medical and nursing staff implements standard clinical protocols. 

8. Carries out daily ward with medical doctors and health professionals.

9. Carries out diagnostic tasks and complete medical check-ups.

10. Develop clinical protocols, guidelines, and standards.

11. Perform any other tasks required by the line manager.

12. Gain trust and the confidence of each patient. 

13. Observe and record the condition of patients. 

14. Respond quickly to emergency calls. 

15. Provide on-the-job training and mentoring to the health staff particularly nurses and midwives in order to perform their risks and neonatal care. 

16.  Be on-call for shifts and emergencies.

17. Make ethical decisions related to consent and confidentiality. 

18. Review patient history, diagnostic and lab data and report any abnormalities. 

19. Participate in team meetings and other meetings and training as management requests. 

The MoHD Project Coordinator, the MoHD M&E Specialist, and IOM program officer will support this assignment through interaction with the qualified expatriate and beneficiary institution.

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project: 

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. 

2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoHD coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.  

3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHD Coordinator, MoHD M&E Specialist and IOM M&E officer. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment. 

4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment. 

V. Qualifications

Level of Education:

• Minimum: BSc midwifery; Desired: MSc 

Years of work experience in what area(s):

• Minimum 5 years of working experience as a nurse (including 2 years working in midwifery) 

Languages needed:

• Fluent in English.

• Fluent in Somali. 

• Arabic language will be an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Experience in clinical teaching.

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.

• Ability to operate as part of a team and independently

• Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems.

• Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.

VI: Monthly Stipend

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V.

VII: Security and Insurance Modalities

Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.

Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somaliland, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.

All applications must be sent to Email: [email protected]   with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement.

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 5 July 2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.

While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. 

We highly encourage the participation of women in MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase V.