Terms of Reference

Vacancy: Gynecologist/Obstetrician (Gyn/Obs)

I. General Information

Post/Title: Gynecologist/Obstetrician (Gyn/Obs)

Position Type: Diaspora Expert

Duty Station: Bay Regional Hospital

Duration of Assignment: 12 Months

Deadline for applications: 10th September 2023

II. Background Information

About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.

The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project – contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted toward contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts – therefore reaping long-terms benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing and skills development.

III. Duties and Responsibilities

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human services (MoHHS), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and education project, seeks to build the skills of its Gyno/obstetricians.

Under the guidance and supervision of the Director of the Hospital, and with the MoHHS Coordinator and MoHHS M&E Specialist overseeing the running of the tasks, the Gynecologist/obstetrician will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Perform his/her professional duties, according to the Ministry of Health and local Hospital guidelines, ensure national standards are maintained and adhere to universal precautions.
2. Interpret test results, discuss treatment and medication, and advise patients and the general public on issues pertaining to reproductive and maternal health, according to the Hospital guidelines.
3. Transfer skills and knowledge in explaining diagnoses to staff of the department, local medical students, internship students and residents.
4. Educate local medical students and interns attached to the host institution, as well as patients.
5. To perform pre-operative assessments for gynecological and obstetric patients, emergency triage and resuscitation (when appropriate).
6. Public advice on maternal health-related matters.
7. To perform caesarian sections and other types of gynecological surgeries according to good clinical practice.
8. Support pregnancy complications, provide basic/emergency obstetric and newborn care (B/EMONC), conduct cesarean sections and other gynecological surgeries as indicated, and train local personnel and students on C-sections on the job.
9. To provide a protocol of treatment in GBV cases.
10. Provide patients with information on disease detection, prevention, and reproductive health.
11. Provide patients with information on family planning methods, conduct STI screenings on female patients, and recommend and deliver therapy or other medical care.
12. Provide obstetric care including antenatal and postnatal care.
13. To conduct ward rounds and out-patient consultations according to good clinical practice.
14. To admit and discharge patients with appropriate instructions for further follow up and out-patient care.
15. Carry out diagnostic tasks, complete and duly file treatment documentation.
16. Admit and discharges patients with appropriate instructions for further follow up and out-patient care.
17. Refer patients to specialists, based on their needs.
18. Participate in case studies and weekly presentations, write, file and disseminate relevant notes.
19. To be on-call for night shifts and emergencies.
20. Actively participate in existing health sector coordination mechanisms and liaises with health sector stakeholders to contribute to: 1) addressing the unmet needs in reproductive health; 2) optimizing the allocation of available resources; and 3) developing clinical protocols, guidelines, and standards.
21. Perform any other tasks required by the Hospital.
22. Ensure that all documentation meets local medico-legal requirements, and that statistical data is collected, using the health monitoring system, and to incorporate information in regular reports.
23. To ensure all documentation meets local medico-legal requirements and that statistical data is collected, using the health monitoring system, and to incorporate information in regular reports.

IV: Requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Heath and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution that staff will benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the supervisor, MoHHS coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist, and IOM project team. This work plan can be revised during the assignment to reflect on new developments or changes.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor, MoHHS Coordinator, MoHHS M&E Specialist, and IOM project team. At the end of the assignment, the participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.

V: Qualifications

Level of Education:

Master’s degree, with gynecology/obstetric specialization

Area of Study: Gynecology obstetric

Years of work experience in what area(s): More than 5 years

Languages needed:

• Fluent in English.
• Fluent in Somali.
• Arabic language will be an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours, often under pressure.
• Have excellent practical and management skills.
• Capacities to communicate with colleagues and staff in a clear and concise manner.
• Have compassion and good bedside manner.
• Have a drive to teach and learn throughout their career.
• Good interpersonal and cross-cultural skills.

VI: Subsistence Allowance

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on degree and years of relevant experience.