Infection Prevention & Control Clinical Mentor – Beirut/Nairobi & Dakar (m/f/x) – MSF Belgium

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that provides assistance in more than 60 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.

Infection Prevention & Control Clinical Mentor – Beirut/Nairobi & Dakar (m/f/x) – MSF Belgium

MSF is looking for an enthusiastic IPC specialist with an IPC degree and experience in clinical mentorship and/or pedagogy to complete our Antimicrobial Stewardship mentoring team. Join us to promote the value of clinical mentoring, IPC and AMR in our programs and around the world.

CONTEXT

As part of the ambition to fight antibiotic resistance in MSF projects, OCA (Operational Center Amsterdam) and the MSF Academy have developed a project to train IPC (Infection Prevention & Control) supervisors/managers and AMS (Antimicrobial Stewardship) focal points in MSF projects from all operational centers. The project is partnering with BSAC (British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy), a respected international organisation to develop the curriculum content in collaboration with OCA and transfer into an e-learning format. The IPC and AMS courses are provided in both French and English. Clinical mentoring is provided to each participant, alongside the course, to facilitate learning integration and transfer to the working practice.

It provides access to an international recognized Diploma course aiming to improve both the technical and managerial competencies of MSF national staff working as the focal points for IPC and AMS. Each course is structured in 5 modules, corresponding to a total of 160 hours of learning, including clinical mentoring.

Key to the success of this project is the development and implementation of an efficient strategy for the clinical mentorship, that is led by the MSF Academy, based on its existing experience in this field. The MSF Academy for Healthcare is an initiative that has been created with the aim to increase the quality of healthcare provided by our staff to the patients we assist in the missions. The Academy has a growing portfolio of learning projects addressing specific objectives of different categories of healthcare staff in MSF. All these projects are chosen in line with overall MSF operational and medical priorities. More information on the MSF Academy and its activities can be found on www.msf.org/academy.

The AMR (Antimicrobial Resistance) project is implemented by the MSF Academy for Healthcare, in close coordination with all the MSF Operational Centers and under the management of an MSF Academy project manager. The AMR Learning mentorship team consists of seven clinical mentors, with IPC and/or AMR expertise, coordinated by a clinical mentoring coordinator, working together with the project manager and the MSF Academy team.

The “Infection Prevention & Control Clinical Mentor” is a new and exciting role that is directly linked to the MSF ambition to develop and implement the AMR training program. The purpose of the role is to provide support to participants of an online learning course for MSF practitioners working in the field of AMR, in particular AMS and IPC.

Currently we are looking for 2 Infection Prevention & Control Clinical Mentors, one based in Beirut and the other based in Dakar.

The selected applicant will first undergo the IPC training on the Tembo training platform and will then be trained in clinical mentoring. Mentees are shared among the mentors according to the mentors’ field of expertise, language and availability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Provide individual mentoring & tutoring support to learners (75%)

a. Remotely via phone/online calls and chats, e-mails (2h/week/learner):

• Build a quality mentoring relationship with each learner by establishing a mentoring mutual agreement and following up on individual development plan, based on learners’ self-assessment in the different competency areas of his/her job and on the context’s opportunities and constraints.
• Lead and guide the learning of the learners, based on the curriculum, resources and learning activities made available on Tembo, including readings, forums and learner journal.
• Create or adapt and curate additional resources depending on the learner’s specific needs.
• Assist the learner to orientate themselves in the course (where to find the information on Tembo Learning Management System (LMS): means of communication, assessment system and criteria, course calendar; referring to the AMR clinical coordinator or Tembo helpdesk for specific issues, etc.).
• Assure good progress in the completion of the course learning activities in view of the specific needs and situation of the learners, identity and solve obstacles throughout the course.
• Assess the outcome of the learning (refine/tailor assignments, give feedback on assignments, quizzes, and case studies).

b. Face-to-face

• Field visits at the learner’s place of work (1 visit / cohort possible according to learner needs and opportunity).

2. Prepare and facilitate group training activities (20%)

• Prepare and facilitate interactive live group sessions, webinars and journal clubs (3/module).
• Encourage peer-learning and learning community building through creating and moderating discussion forums on Tembo LMS, group chats etc.
• Follow up on buddy system and group works.

3. Administration, monitoring and evaluation (5%)

• Participate in teams meeting.
• Collect data and report on learners’ scores, participation, progress, satisfaction, obstacles.
• Debrief and share proactively with other clinical mentors and the AMR clinical mentoring coordinator to improve the learning experience.

4. Assessment of the learning (transversal)

• Participate in the definition of the assessment marking criteria.
• Evaluate and certify the competencies developed, thanks to the detailed assessment plan set.
• In addition to self-assessment, give feedback on the accomplishment of tasks and performance, the mode of operation and the evolution of the participant learning through the review and output assessment.

5. Representation & promotion of AMR, Clinical mentoring and MSF academy

• Interact with all key stakeholders around the projects to assure good planning & good learning conditions for the learners.
• Share experience and provide technical expertise in the field of AMR & clinical mentoring with the contracting office team and any other stakeholders, collaborating closely with the clinical mentoring coordinator and in line with the subject matter experts recommendations (AMR or IPC Referents & Advisors). Engage in the relevant meetings of the contracting office.
• Participate in the promotion of the MSF Academy learning programs and approaches.
• Participate in AMR and/or IPC as well as clinical mentoring community of practice.

REQUIREMENTS

Education & experiences

• A Medical or paramedical background degree with a master’s or postgraduate degree in IPC or Antimicrobial resistance related areas
• Minimum 2 years of proven practice in an IPC managerial role in order to support clinical application of training
• Experience of working in MSF field locations is highly preferred
• Experience in hands-on clinical mentorship / preceptorship or as a tutor, coach or trainer as well in supporting staff with e – learning and/or remote training activities is an asset
• Experience of working in African, Middle East or Asian countries

Competencies

• Excellent communication skills, eager to transmit in an intercultural environment
• Ability to work autonomously
• Very organised and solution-oriented
• Empathic problem solver
• Readiness and flexibility to often be in contact with participants (weekly basis as an average).

Languages

• Ideally fluent in both English & French
• For Beirut, oral and written proficiency in English mandatory; French is a strong asset
• For Dakar, oral and written proficiency in French mandatory; English is a strong asset
• Arabic is an asset

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: As soon as possible
• Locations*:
  • 1 position based in Beirut (Lebanon); Nairobi (Kenya) can be discussed
  • 1 position based in Dakar (Senegal)
• Contract type: Open-ended contract – Full time
• 1 to 2 field visits per year
• For Beirut or Nairobi: The contractual terms, conditions and salary will be established based on the station, on administrative / legal constraints and in respect of MSF function grids and salary policies
• For Dakar: Local contract (Senegalese law); Salary according to MSF Dakar grid and conditions
• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

* The final outcome depends on local legal limitations (residency, work permit, etc.) and on agreement with the hosting MSF office in the location.

Deadline for applications: 9 March 2023

How to apply

How to apply?

Please, send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] and mention “IPC Clinical Mentor” in the subject of your email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

MSF values diversity and is committed to create 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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