Ward Supervisor Training Coordinator – MSF Academy for Healthcare

CONTEXT

The MSF Academy for Healthcare is an intersectional training initiative that focuses on strengthening the skills and competencies of healthcare workers in MSF projects, with the aim of having a long-term impact on the quality of care in the countries where MSF operates.

Our project teams are currently present in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, Mali, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Tanzania and soon in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Emphasis is placed on MSF’s locally hired staff, particularly in the countries with the greatest gaps in human resources for health (HRH) capacity (e.g. nursing staff in MSF-supported hospitals). Beyond MSF projects, the Academy also liaises with health authorities to achieve joint recognition of its training programs and to support governmental programs. Our objective is to maintain a uniform educational approach in all our projects: competency-based learning; on-the-job training with the presence of strong tutors or clinical mentors; while striving to achieve appropriate accreditation for all training, often in collaboration with partner teaching institutions. The Academy has a growing “global team”, consisting of the director, deputy director, resource manager and 3 project managers as well as a strong technical team of medical experts and learning science experts to support our projects, and a group of distance-learning clinical mentors. There are strong country teams in each country where a training program is run. The global team has around 26 staff, and the project-based teams have around 70 staff. Discover more on MSF Academy for Healthcare.

Under the governance of the MSF Academy for Healthcare, MSF conducted 2 years ago a strategic consultation via the Medical Directors’ platform to identify critical training needs across its operations. The absence of a dedicated training program for Ward Supervisors (WS) was highlighted as a significant gap. The MSF Academy’s Program Board initiated a comprehensive needs assessment to guide the design of a targeted training initiative for WS. A competency framework with clear learning objectives has been developed to align the training with practical, on-the-ground needs.  Achieving success will rely not only on the quality of the training program execution but will also be dependent on firm commitment and active involvement of direct managers (NAM and MWAM or Head nurse), project teams, on support from country coordination and HQ. The implementation of this training program will require a special care, through a hospital-based dynamic involvement approach that will be tailored to the specific context. It will be piloted in at least one or two different settings to reach effectiveness, providing valuable insights for refining the program’s content and implementation method before broader roll-out. With this pilot, the MSF Academy is laying the groundwork for a transformative initiative that will redefine the role of WS and elevate the quality of patient care in MSF facilities.

As Ward Supervisor Training Coordinator, you support the development and implementation of the Ward Supervisor (WS) training program. You supervise and work closely with the Ward Supervisor content developer to design and refine training materials, including six curriculum modules divided into multiple units. Each unit will feature theoretical content, session plans, facilitator guidelines, logbooks, practical delivery tools, and formative tests tailored to the specific needs of project training. You conduct regular project visits, including support for the launch of new projects, with an estimated stay of up to 6 weeks per visit, for a total of approximately 5 months per year.

You take a lead role as the reference point for the pilot project's implementation and evaluation, following the Implementation Steps framework - a comprehensive guide for program rollout. Additionally, you identify opportunities for collaboration within MSF projects and exploring potential integration with other MSF Operational centers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Development of the WS training package with the WS content developer and the MSF Academy team

• Collaborate in the creation of the WS training package based on comprehensive needs assessments
• Tailor the training curriculum to meet the specific needs identified for each project

Pilot the project implementation and evaluation  

• Support the implementation of the training program, coordinating with the MSF Academy team

• Organize workshops with key project stakeholders to secure their commitment to the program's 4 strategic pillars. Conduct complementary assessments, including needs assessments through interviews and observations with WS, organizational diagnoses to evaluate ward structures and workflows, and competency gap assessments to identify skills gaps and refine training objectives

• Oversee the implementation of the training program and provide hands-on support 

• Ensure the program’s evaluations are conducted in accordance with the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) framework. Design and implement robust monitoring systems to track progress, ensure accountability to stakeholders, and incorporate feedback for continuous improvement

Recruitment, training, and support to MSF Academy project staff 

• Recruit and prepare project staff (=mentors and healthcare trainers) to effectively deliver the training program to the WS

• Mentor and support project staff throughout the program's implementation, providing guidance on best practices

• Ensure that project staff are equipped with the tools and knowledge to successfully deliver the training program

Explore and develop partnerships for the program

• Foster collaboration between project teams, hospital staff, and the MSF Academy project coordinator to increase the program’s effectiveness
• Work with MSF entities such as the MCHub, PMU (e.g., WOW), and other relevant departments to strengthen the program
• Cultivate strong relationships both within the MSF Academy and across the wider MSF movement, including direct involvement with HMUs and indirect collaboration with groups such as NCWG and SRH, to ensure a unified, integrated approach
• Deliver regular reports on the current ward conditions, WS performance, progress on strategic objectives, and highlight areas requiring attention

Program expansion and strategic planning 

• Leverage insights from the pilot project to develop strategies for expanding the training program and increasing its impact in line with MSF’s organizational priorities

• Post-pilot, refine and adapt the training content based on feedback and lessons learned

• Implement refined programs by managing and organizing additional projects, ensuring consistency and quality of delivery  

• Conduct regular project visits to monitor progress, assess program effectiveness, and provide on-site support. 

• Collect and analyze feedback from project teams to continually improve and adjust the training program as needed

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• A degree in nursing or midwifery, along with a degree or certification related to healthcare management, is mandatory
• A degree or certification in pedagogy is an asset
• Tropical medicine background is an asset
• At least 3 years of experience in MSF projects in a supervision, manager or coordination role in MSF health facilities
• International MSF experience in a variety of contexts is a strong asset
• Experience in teaching, mentoring, or tutoring is an asset
• Experience in team coaching is an asset
• Experience in hands-on clinical mentorship / preceptorship or as a tutor, coach or trainer as well in supporting staff with e-learning and/or distance training activities is an asset
• Experience of needs assessment, competency-based training, and organizational development processes is an asset

Competencies

• Good communication skills: active listener, clear and effective communication, sense of diplomacy and pedagogy
• Proven training, coaching and mentoring skills, eager to teach in a cross-cultural environment
• Ability to build and positive working relationships (internally and externally)
• Good team player with flexibility, creativity, and empathy
• Good networker
• Capacity to work within agreed timelines and to prioritize activities/tasks
• Very organised and solution oriented
• Readiness and flexibility to be in frequent contact with project staff
• Ability to work autonomously
• Strong intercultural awareness and adaptability

Languages: 

• Proficiency in English and French, both written and spoken is mandatory

CONDITIONS

• Start of contract: As soon as possible 

• Location*: Brussels (Belgium), Dakar (Senegal) 

• * Other location/s where there is an MSF entity within maximum 2 hours difference from the Brussels time zone could be exceptionally discussed

• Mobility: At least 40% of mobility per year 

• Position type: Open-ended – Full-time

• Salary according to MSF salary grid

• The contractual terms and conditions will be established according to the place of work, legal constraints and in respect of MSF standard function and salary grids

• Adherence to MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust, Empowerment 

• Adherence to the MSF Behavioural Commitments 

Deadline for applications: 17th of March 2025

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button    

➢ 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) 

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Position only open to candidates with previous experience with MSF. No MSF experience? Check out other job offers 

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