Emergency Pool Mobile Medical Coordinator

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 70 countries to populations in distress, to victims of natural or manmade disasters and to victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed or political affiliation.  

MSF Operational Centre Brussels is looking for a: 

Emergency Pool Mobile Medical Coordinator (m/f/x) –  

MSF Belgium

Context  

Within the Operations Department of MSF-Operational Centre Brussels (MSF-OCB), our Emergency Pool (E-pool) has as primary function to intervene directly and quickly with relevant medical activities in crisis situations such as conflicts, epidemics and natural disasters while guaranteeing the quality of interventions. It is also tasked with the monitoring and identification of crises that may arise.  

The E-Pool consists of emergency coordinators and specialists based in Brussels as well as an E-Pool mobile team composed by 25 to 30 emergency responders – the Emergency Pool Mobiles (eMobiles) - coordinating emergencies and implementing activities in the countries of MSF intervention. 

The eMobiles travel at short notice to any context where the E-Pool is leading interventions, and they undertake successive several short-term assignments between 6 weeks to 3 months though exceptionally, postings may extend beyond 3 months. In between assignments, they focus on briefings, debriefings, report writing, trainings or work on specific transversal topics and tools. 

In close collaboration with the Emergency Coordinator (EmCo) in the country of intervention and the E-Pool in Brussels, the E-Pool Mobile Medical Coordinator (eMobile MedCo) has the critical responsibility to identify emergencies, prepare and lead assessments, launch emergency interventions and is responsible for the design, implementation and monitoring of the medical operational strategy needed to meet the immediate health-related needs of populations in precarious situations. The eMobile MedCo is responsible for the planning and coordination of all medical activities and needed resources in the mission, according to MSF’s charter, policies, guidelines, and ethical principles with consideration of international and national laws, to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients and their communities as well as to improve the health condition and humanitarian living conditions of the target population. 

Priority will be given to assignments in emergency interventions on MedCo positions, but other positions such as Deputy MedCo or Project Medical Referent (PMR) could also be covered to support more directly the project. During emergency assignments the eMobile MedCo reports directly to the EmCo in the country of intervention and the Medical Officer for the intervention in the headquarters in Brussels.  

Main responsibilities 

As eMobile MedCo, you:  

Ensure high quality and timely integrated health and humanitarian needs assessments during exploratory and emergency missions. 

Design and review medical emergency responses and strategies tailored to the context and identified needs and lead the implementation of the health emergency interventions.  

Identify health staffing needs for emergency interventions and ensure rapid recruitment, induction and training of new locally hired medical staff. 

Oversee pharmacy set-up and management and responsible for timely, accurate, quality medical orders.  

Support and coach the PMRs in projects (briefing, debriefing, regular check-ins etc.) 

Provide briefing/debriefing of all medical staff supporting the implementation of any of the projects (other eMobiles, Mobile Implementation Officers, activity managers, …) 

Ensure consistent monitoring and analysis of medical indicators to enhance the effectiveness and quality of medical emergency interventions.  

Are responsible to ensure regular data collection of all medical activities carried out in the projects, following guidance set out by the E-Pool HQ medical team and the medical department and tailored to the operational and advocacy needs. 

Are responsible for staff health at program level (locally hired staff and international mobile staff). 

Provide regular reporting on the mission’s evolution from the medical perspective and is responsible for the medical library in the country of intervention. You also inform the medical field staff of all materials available, and keeps all medical documents updated on the digital desk. 

Represent MSF at local level (national medical authorities) and keeps regular contact with other counterparts in the mission (NGOs, local organizations, donors) to broaden the medical-humanitarian situation analysis, strengthening the impact of the medical interventions and supporting advocacy actions to raise humanitarian awareness.  

Close emergency interventions when appropriate, including coordinating the handover of medical activities to other actors and ensuring the proper archiving of medical files at the end of an intervention.  

REQUIREMENTS 

Education and Experience 

• A degree in medicine or other paramedical studies is essential
• MSc in public health or epidemiology experience is considered an important asset.
• Diploma or experience in tropical medicine is an asset
• Minimum of 2 years of international MSF experience as Project Medical Referent, Deputy MedCo, or MedCo.
• Essential experience in at least two humanitarian emergency interventions 

Competencies 

• Strong technical skills related to primary health care, maternal and child health, sexual and reproductive health, outbreak interventions including the organisation of vaccination campaigns, malnutrition and emergency preparedness and response are essential.
• Strategic vison 
• Dynamism, rigor and reactivity
• Resistance to stress, ability to adapt to different contexts. 
• Leadership (able to set priorities, make choices and assume decisions) 
• Diplomacy and negotiation skills
• Experience in supervising, capacity building, coaching and training is considered a strong asset.
• Strong networking skills
• Strong communication skills - both written and oral 
• Flexibility 
• Autonomy  

Languages 

• French and/or English essential
• An additional language such as Arabic /Spanish or Portuguese is an asset 

Other 

• Availability to travel to any country on short notice  

CONDITIONS 

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible
• Location: Mainly carried out in the countries of intervention (all contexts, including High Insecurity Contexts) - Based in the country of residence in between assignments
• Mobility: in MSF projects when needed
• Contract type: Fixed term contract – Full-time
• Contract duration: 12 months (extendable)
• Salary as per MSF international salary grid 
• The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established according to the official residence of the selected candidate and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids
• Medical insurance 100% covered as per international package; 45 paid leaves; Accomplishment bonus of 1.5-month salary upon completion of 12-month contract.
• No family position.
• Adherence to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment 
• Adherence to the MSF Behavioural Commitments  

Deadline for applications:  23th of March 2025 

How to apply? 

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button on the vacancy page    

➢ You will be directed to the online application form for this position     

➢ It should take 5-10 minutes to complete. Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter in English or French ready to upload (preferably in PDF format)   

Position only open to candidates with previous MSF experience!  

No MSF experience? Check out other job offers on our website.  

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.  

MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation.  

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