Diaspora Junior - Somali-Finish- Paediatrician - Burao

Vacancy: Pediatrician Specialist

                                            Terms of Reference 

I. General Information 

Position: Junior Pediatrician doctor

Position type:Diaspora Participant

Date of Issue: 02.01.2024

Beneficiary Institution:  Burao Hospital

Duty Station: Hargeisa  

Stream/Band: Stipend commensurate with degree and experience

Duration of Assignment: 12 months (with possible extension).  

Deadline for Applications:  21.01.2024

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 its progress towards improving health outcomes in close partnership with the Ministry of Health Development in Somaliland. 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 new phase of the MIDA FINNSOM Health project aims to strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for women and girls whilst providing mentoring and training opportunities for local health professionals. The project will give particular attention to gender mainstreaming strategies by promoting women´s participation as MIDA experts, their participation in trainings as local staff, and women´s and girls´ access to quality SRHR services as project beneficiaries. The project will target regional and district hospitals in Borama, Berbera, Buroa, Lasanod 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. The project will also continue to support Hargeisa Group Hospital. 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 and knowledge of Hospital staff to provide quality pediatric services. These results will be achieved by improving the skills and knowledge of hospital staff to care for infants and children and to provide preventive care. Under the overall guidance of the Hospital Director, the Pediatric Specialist will have the following duties and responsibilities:

1.       Interprets test results, discusses treatment and medication, and advises patients and the general public on issues pertaining to child health care. Explains diagnoses to local medical students and residents;

2.       Educates patients on the prevention of diseases under five years of age and administers medical care.

3.       Carries out daily ward rounds in the hospital department of paediatrics with other medical doctors and nurses, health professionals, medical students, and residents working in that department.

4.       Attends to children’s needs, particularly during the first years of life.

5.       Performs procedures and provides on-the-job training to local staff and students in paediatric emergencies.

1.       Carries out diagnostic tasks, completes treatment documentation and records medical histories.

Conduct routine check-ups on patients.

7.       Admits and discharges patients.

8.       Participates in case studies and weekly presentations, as appropriate.

9.       Is on-call for shifts and emergencies.

10.   Participates actively in existing health sector coordination mechanisms and liaises with health sector stakeholders to contribute to 1) addressing the unmet needs in childl health, 2) optimizing the allocation of available resources, 3) developing clinical protocols, guidelines, and standards.

11.   Complete sporadic rotational assignments to lower-level facilities (some in rural areas) to provide training and follow-up supportive supervision to local practitioners providing child health care.

12.   Performs any other tasks required by the line manager.  

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 submit 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. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge. 

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:

• Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery
• Pediatrics resident for a known university

Years of work experience in what area(s):

• Worked as a medical doctor
• Proven working as junior professional with the at least a year as doctor

Languages needed:

• Fluent in English.
•  Somali.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Good communication skills.
• Ability to operate as part of a team, but also independently, depending on the situation.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems.
• Ability to find innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Excellent patience.
• Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.
• Ability to transfer knowledge and skills.

VI: Monthly Stipend

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by MIDA FINNSOM Health project phase V based on degree and years of relevant experience.

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 21.01.2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.

While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcome to apply. Women are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM Health Project, Phase V.