SOMALIA
MEDICAL COORDINATOR (Merca)
Reference MDM_COM-SOM
Sixteen years of conflict has led Somalia to a state of chronic humanitarian emergency. The political context is very volatile: relocation of the TFG in Somalia in June 2005, rise of ICU in Mogadishu in June 2006 and extension of its influence throughout South and Central Somalia, conflict between the ICU and the TFG backed by the Ethiopian troops since December 2006. The public services, including health system, are unable to meet the increasing need of the population.
The country is divided into three zones, the Somaliland in North West, the Puntland in North East and the South and Central Zone. The general population of Somalia is estimated at 7 502 654. Few reliable health data are available and can be summarized as follows:
· Infant mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 120
· Under five mortality rate (per 1000 live births) 224
· Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live birth) 1600
The South and Central Zone (SCZ) of Somalia is divided into 11 regions. The Lower Shabelle region with a population of 850 651 has the second highest population (after Benadir/Mogadishu) of the South and Central Zone.).
A series of shocks have been affecting this region for the last 10 months. The renewed armed conflict in Mogadishu since the end of October 2007 and civil insecurity has resulted in recent waves of population displacement and influx of displaced populations (IDP) estimated at 256 000 people as of December 2007 (UNHCR figures) into temporary settlements especially in Afgoye and Merka. Current estimates are approximately of 25,000 IDP[1]s in Merka.
In 2005, the drought in the Horn of Africa has alerted MDM. Following contacts missions in this region (in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia), MDM has concluded that it would be relevant to meet people’s basic needs like primary health care in order to support their copping mechanisms, especially in South Central Somalia as the population’s needs are mainly linked to the absence of state and social services for 15 years. In 2006 in Ethiopia, MDM has started operation in the Somali region of Ogaden (Kebri Dehar) with Action Contre la Faim in order to reinforce the capacities of the health centers and prevent malnutrition. In Kenya, as the needs are quite well covered by other actors, MDM is not going to start operation at the moment.
As for Somalia, MDM decided first to set up an office in Nairobi in order to gather all the information needed and to coordinate its actions with the other actors already present in Somalia. Médecins du Monde wants to resume operation in Somalia and Puntland in September 2007.
The general objective of the program is to improve access to basic health services and reproductive health care for the vulnerable populations (IDPs and women) and to reinforce the regional epidemic preparedness and response plan in Merca, Lower Shabelle Region and South Somalia.
In order to achieve this objective, MDM wants to focus in the following areas of work: firstly, the intervention would focus on reinforcing the primary healthcare available by establishing two health centres within Merca town accessible to vulnerable and displaced populations. Then, because of the priority nature of maternal health in Somalia and in particular in this region, the proposed project will focus on improving accessibility and offering quality treatment to young women and mothers throughout their lives by reinforcing the existing structures.
Lastly the intervention should not neglect work on improving epidemic surveillance and response to any epidemics (cholera) linked to displaced populations.
The expatriate team is composed by a Coordination team: 1 General coordinator, 1 Administrative Coordinator, 1 Logistic Coordinator/Security Officer and a team in Merca (Base): 1 Field coordinator, 1 medical referent, 1 Midwife coordinator.
The national team is composed by 9 people in Nairobi Office and 32 people in Merca.
The Medical Coordinator is part of the medical team, under the hierarchical responsibility of the Field Coordinator. In collaboration with the midwife coordinator, she/he supervises the work of the medical team in Merca. In collaboration with the midwife coordinator, she/he is in charge of the implementation of the medical aspects of the project and of its technical supervision.
His essential duties are:
- Technical supervision of the implementation of the OPD
- Epidemiological and nutritional surveillance
- Organize the training and updating of medical staff (OPD staff and outreach workers) & other medical staff in Merca
- Awareness and outreach campaigns
- Representation and reporting
Departure: ASAP
Duration: 6 – 12 months
Status: volunteer
Monthly Allowance: 915 Euros + Daily subsistence
Profile:
ü Medical Doctor or Nurse
ü Experience in primary health care prevention
ü Experience in epidemic preparedness and response plan
ü Ability to work in and supervise a team, to negotiate with clan and religious leaders, local authorities and Ministries under great pressure (meaning in a country where it’s almost impossible to fire a staff without consequences for the security of the expat)
ü Significant experience in a sensitive security context/civil war context
ü Fluency in English – French would be an advantage
ü Basic Computer literacy
ü Interest in public health
ü Good team member
ü Willing to live and work in a group and to spend time between the office and the health facility (may be not allowed to walk in the street and/or to go out of the office)
ü Acceptance to work with armed guards
ü Acceptance for women of wearing a scarf, long skirt and long shirt
ü Knowledge of Muslim culture is an asset
[1] “Nutrition Update report – October and November 2007 - FSAU