MOBILE IMPLEMENTER OFFICER (POCUS, OBSTETRICS)

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association. Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

The MSF movement is built around six operational directorates. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona and decentralized in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other departments supporting operations, including the Logistics & Supply Chain Department.

GENERAL OBJECTIVE AND CONTEXT

The vision of Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) integration in MSF is to ensure that clinicians, both national and international, have the knowledge, guidance, and access to proper and selective use of this diagnostic tool as part of the comprehensive management of patients, in remote and low-resource settings.

OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

• To help define and then deploy the strategy for POCUS emergency obstetric training, project implementation, longitudinal learning, evaluation and follow-up for projects in the French speaking Sahel region.
• Directly serve as the Facilitator for the implementation – combining technical ultrasound expertise (image acquisition and interpretation) with medical/clinical expertise (development of appropriate clinical care based on ultrasound results).
• Indirectly serve as the technical mentor for other POCUS OB Facilitators deployed in field sites conducting POCUS Emergency OB implementation or follow-up.
• To directly support, advise and supervise field teams in the clinical management effected by obstetric ultrasound use. This includes direct feedback for management of complex clinical cases, linking with external Telemedicine experts, and ensuring additional context-specific POCUS training with longitudinal implementation.
• To advise and support medical coordinators and project teams towards longitudinal, sustainable, and responsible integration of high-quality POCUS OB utilization in all relevant MSF projects in the country.
• Oversee the transformational impact of POCUS through high-quality implementation of ultrasound to change clinical care on a project, regional and international level.
• Advocate with local medical teams for appropriate usage of telemedicine platform and where appropriate, provides training to clinicians on how to use MSF telemedicine platform for ultrasound cases.
• To serve as a technical referent on all ultrasound-related telemedicine cases within the Sahel. Liaise with the POCUS, Radiology, Cardiology experts on telemedicine, as well as the Clinical Case Coordinators, regarding specific ultrasound cases. To actively feedback to MSF and telemedicine the necessary changes needed to improve the program.
• To contribute to the evolving ultrasound program within MSF including integrating POCUS appropriately into clinical guidelines and providing evidence-based updated information for clinical care WGs in MSF.

MAIN RESPONSABILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND TASKS

1. Regional level – SAHEL POCUS OB trainer

• In collaboration with the Cell, identify and prioritise project sites across all sections in the region to implement longitudinal POCUS implementations, which fit operational strategies and objectives.
• Once projects are identified, liaise with MedCos and project medical leadership (MTL/PMR) to perform a detailed needs assessment and, if training is appropriate, create an adapted curriculum based on potential impact on clinical outcomes. Discuss findings and recommendations with field medical leadership, MedCo, and pertinent HQ (cell health advisors, technical referents).
• Help providing Field (MedCo) and HQ (cell) budget and coordination details for longitudinal POCUS implementation, including equipment to be procured (international and local procurement).
• For each project chosen for POCUS implementation, lead the development, training cycles, and then evaluation of POCUS deployment in that project, including ongoing longitudinal learning/integration/evaluation.
• Identify and select trainees in collaboration with the project PMR/MTL/MAM and works with him/her to ensure that the conditions required are in place for the implementation of the training (e.g. rosters, materials, etc.).
• Together with the POCUS referent, evaluates the longitudinal POCUS implementation projects under his/her responsibility, their impact and adjusting the strategy if necessary, mapping it for each OC by reporting these recommendations at project, coordination, and HQ level as an annual Strategy Map. Ensures that OCs are translating these evaluation outcomes into their budgets and annual planning cycles within the region, by liaising with MedCOs and Cells/HQ.
• Integrate POCUS implementations with relevant other MSF Learning activities (ALSO).

2. Project level – Training Cycle Implementation

• Manages and deploys the longitudinal OB POCUS implementations across the region.
• Delivers field-based POCUS implementation cycles for MSF clinicians (primarily national staff), in collaboration with medical managers, tailoring curriculum and scope of OB POCUS learning to each project’s specific clinical needs.
• Longitudinal trainee supervision – supervises the trainees by reviewing/grading their scans, updating data of qualified clinicians, and soliciting their feedback for ongoing training needs, to improve image and case documentation quality, and follow up.
• Where appropriate, supports the referent in organizing formal MSF Training-of-Facilitators (TOF) and mentors local clinician colleagues to become validated POCUS trainers.
• In areas where a formal TOF is not yet possible/warranted, remotely support, lead and promote ongoing on-site training activities if delivered by other local in-site Focal Point POCUS leaders.
• Organize use of online learning for advanced trainees, and follow-up online certification of candidates, where available.
• Submit summary training reports to line managers of trainees, as well as field medical leadership, MedCo and HQ after each implementation done, and discusses results, recommendations and longitudinal follow-up.
• Identifies, appoints, functionally manages POCUS Focal Points in each project and/or location (longitudinal technical supervision and mentoring of clinicians filling this volunteer position).
• Where this has been enabled within the MSF project set up, liaises with POCUS Focal Points and data team to encourage integration and tracking of POCUS data into HIS/HMIS/DHIS or POCUS MMR report, or alternative system for data tracking and recording.
• Ensures proper usage and maintenance of POCUS equipment in project locations under his/her responsibility.
• Provide on-site training to clinicians on daily cleaning/maintenance of ultrasound equipment and basic malfunction problem-solving to project biomeds, including when to contact the POCUS team for further help.
• Liaising with country biomed specialists or logistics managers, project POCUS focal points, HQ POCUS and imaging advisors, and ultrasound supplier to facilitate and expedite machine transport to/from the field for repair.
• Integrate Telemedicine training for clinicians relating to POCUS use.
• Advocate with local medical teams for appropriate usage of telemedicine platform (including sharing TM login/password, NS use of laptop, and protected time to post/follow cases).
• During his/her longitudinal trainee supervision, promotes proper usage of MSF telemedicine resources and platform for ultrasound cases.
• Serve as support specialist on telemedicine platform to follow all ultrasound cases within the region to assure quality of support from Clinical Case Coordinators and imaging specialists.

SELECTION CRITERIA

• Certified licensed medical doctor with extensive knowledge in Obstetrics and Gynaecology or OBGYN specialist or Midwife (or similar mid-level provider).
• Previous experience with MSF is compulsory.
• POCUS training completion certificate from MSF (or comparable) and TOF is required or having prior experience as MSF OB trainer.
• Minimum 3 years working experience with extensive experience in performing and reporting/interpreting ultrasound within the field of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Experience teaching Point-of-Care-Ultrasound to clinicians.
• Knowledge of MSF Clinical Guidelines and Point-of-Care-Ultrasound Advanced competency.
• Availability to work in the French speaking Sahel region.
• Fluency in French essential, local language desirable, with willingness to develop fluency in additional relevant language to regional scope of activity.
• Essential computer literacy (Word, Excel and internet).

CONDITIONS

• Homebased with frequent field visits (up to 80% of the time).
• Full-time work.
• Commitment: minimum 1 year.
• Annual gross salary: IRP2 level 4 (divided in monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward policy. Subjected to local conditions.
• Practical working conditions are as per the MSF-OCBA guideline.
• Starting date: ASAP.

How to apply

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter:

https://careers.msf-applications.org/job-invite/7620/

Closing date: December 14th, 2022, 23:59 CET (Central European Time).

MSF is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, race, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. We are committed to achieving a balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply.

All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. MSF provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. MSF does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo reference checks.

Médecins Sans Frontieres, as a responsible employer, under article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position.