Paediatrics Advisor
20 hours per week (50%)
based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands
Note: This post is shared with a Paediatrician that has served in the role for 22 months
The overall purpose of Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is to preserve life and alleviate suffering while protecting human dignity and seeking to restore the ability of people to make their own decisions. MSF accomplishes this through the provision of medical aid and a personal commitment to act as witness to events surrounding populations in danger. This work is essentially performed in periods of crisis, when a situation is no longer held in balance and the very survival of a population may be threatened. The underlying basis for realising its objectives is respect for medical ethics, humanistic ideals, human rights, and international humanitarian law.
The Public Health Department (PHD) of the MSF Operational Centre Amsterdam (OCA) supports the overall purpose of MSF, providing medical and public health leadership for the organisation. The department is responsible for providing strategic direction and integrated advice on medical and public health issues to the field and headquarters. The PHD plays a key role in developing and maintaining the medical humanitarian identity and image of MSF-OCA, and in continuing to develop and improve intervention strategies so as to be relevant and effective.
The department is made up of a group of generalist Health Advisors (based in Amsterdam and Berlin) and medical and public health specialists (e.g., epidemiology, HIV/TB, laboratory, mental health, nutrition, pharmaceutical and medical supply, surgery/anaesthesia, water/sanitation, etc. based in Amsterdam) so as to provide expert support in a range of fields. The Manson Unit, a medical unit based in MSF-UK, focuses on support to tuberculosis and epidemiology, including longer-term direct field support to overcome implementation challenges.
The strategic vision for MSF-OCA includes a renewed focus on treatment and prevention of the major childhood killers: respiratory infections, diarrheal disease, malaria, and malnutrition. Neonatal care is an often forgotten part of paediatrics, which accounts for significant mortality and morbidity. Our investment in neonatal and paediatric care includes attention to both primary and secondary care.
PARAMETERS OF THE POST
Position within the organisation
The Paediatrics Advisor reports hierarchically to the Coordinator of Medical Specialists, Public Health Department in Amsterdam. The Paediatrics Advisors work in close collaboration with Health Advisors and relevant Specialists on strategic and technical support issues and are responsible for support to selected missions.
Objective of the post
The overall aim of this post is to provide support and impetus to strategic planning, implementation and operational research relating to paediatrics in MSF-OCA projects.
Key outputs expected:
Provide Paediatric specialist support to MSF-OCA in order to successfully implement the strategic plan. This will include:
- Continuously review progress in paediatric services against the MSF-OCA strategic plan and the topical annual action plan
- Identify constraints and implementation challenges in paediatrics in MSF OCA and recommend measures to overcome them
- Assist Health Advisors and Operations Managers in development and implementation of paediatric services
- Provide quality and timely technical support to field staff (medical coordinators and doctors at project level) concerning “specialist” and non-routine paediatric questions
- Support field teams in the use and analysis of routine program monitoring information on paediatric services
- Oversight and analysis of neonatal and paediatric outcomes so that quality of care can be evaluated effectively
- Coordinate ETAT trainer pool and plan field-level trainings together with MSF’s training unit
- Propose a strategy on special drug formulations and paediatric dosing, in collaboration with the PHD Pharmacist
- Contribute to operational research within MSF-OCA on essential neonatal and paediatric questions
- Advocate on paediatric policy and quality of care issues to MSF-OCA operations and other relevant staff
- Develop further networks to enhance MSF-OCA expertise and support for field implementation
Candidate Criteria
Education and experience
- Medical doctor with specialization in Paediatrics
- Strong clinical experience in managing neonatal and paediatric patients in tropical/resource limited settings
- Relevant field experience with a humanitarian organisation is an asset
- Proven analytical skills, policy development experience, and strategic thinking
- Proven interest and experience in technical expertise development and operational research
Capacities and skills:
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Willingness to spend up to 30% of time in the field
- Strong interpersonal skills: stimulating, innovative, able to mobilise/motivate and coach people
- Able to work under time pressure on various projects at a time
- Fluent English essential; French desirable
WE ARE OFFERING
- A part-time appointment 50% (20 hour work week) for a period of (preferably) three years in Amsterdam
- Note: there is flexibility for the post holder to work part-time in a clinical practice alongside of the advisor job
- A gross salary, with a current salary range between €3,018 and € 4,312 (based on a fulltime appointment), depending on relevant professional work experience
- A challenging position within a stimulating, professional environment in a major international organisation
- Attractive benefits (premium free pension scheme, 30 holidays)
INFORMATION AND APPLICATION
If you are interested in this post and would like additional information, please contact Debbie Price (Coordinator of Medical Specialists) phone +31 (0) 20 520 8724
If you are interested in this position and believe that you fit the profile and meet the requirements, please send your application letter together with your CV before 10 April 2013 to officejobs@amsterdam.msf.org mentioning ‘Paediatrics Advisor’ for the attention of Ms Jaline Wijkhuizen (Personnel Officer HQ). Please also mention where you read about this vacancy.
