Terms of Reference

Vacancy: Emergency Medical Expert

I. General Information

Post/Title: Emergency Medical Expert

Position Type: Diaspora Expert

Date of issue: 14 November 2023

Duty Station: Hirshabele state, Jowhar General Hospital

Duration of Assignment: 12 months

Deadline for applications: 4 December 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 health workforce.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of Hospital director, the diaspora professional will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Assess and stabilize patients who arrive in the emergency department with acute illnesses, injuries, or other medical emergencies. This involves performing comprehensive physical examinations, ordering and interpreting diagnostic tests, and implementing appropriate treatment plans.
2. Responsible for providing immediate medical care to individuals who have been injured or are suffering from health problems as a result of floods. This includes assessing and triaging patients based on the severity of their conditions, providing initial stabilization, and initiating appropriate treatment
3. A member of a multi-disciplinary team which provides and coordinates comprehensive emergency services to all patients affected by floods, Outpatient and Inpatient Department Services.
4. Disease Prevention and Control: Floods can lead to the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera, typhoid fever, and hepatitis. Implementing preventive measures to control the outbreak of such diseases. This may include administering vaccinations, providing clean water and sanitation facilities, and educating the affected population about proper hygiene practices.
5. Triage: prioritize patients based on the severity of their condition and allocate appropriate resources and medical attention accordingly. This involves making quick and accurate assessments to ensure that the most critical patients receive immediate attention.
6. Diagnosis and Treatment: diagnose and treat a wide range of medical conditions, including but not limited to heart attacks, strokes, trauma, respiratory distress, severe infections, and allergic reactions. develop treatment plans, prescribe medications, and provide appropriate interventions to stabilize patients
7. Conduct Skills and knowledge transfer facilitation to all health professionals including Medical doctors, Nurses and community health workers working in the site of the emergency
8. Train and supervise Doctors, Medical Students, Nurses and community Health workers.
9. Propose and/or implement health promotion activities in communities affected by floods.
10. Perform routine examination of all patients and conduct training sessions on prevention and treatment of disease related the flooding to the health staff in the region.
11. Report and formulate clear recommendation with priority interventions and priority areas.
12. Advise Hirshabele Ministry of health and policy makers on communicable diseases and containment strategies.
13. Rotating through the different Hospitals in the Hirshabele State that are affected by floods.
14. 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. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 in Emergency Medicine Specialization

Area of Study:

Medicine, Emergency Medicine Specialty

Years of work experience in what area(s):

More than 5 years

Languages needed:

• Fluent in Somali.
• Good verbal and written command in English

General Skills / Other Requirements:

• Ability to work long hours, often under pressure.
• Proven ability of doing TOT and Demonstrate ability to identify, manage, lead and direct risk outbreak situations to partners and stakeholders.
• In depth knowledge of medical examination procedure, methodologies, and diagnostics.
• Capacities to communicate with colleagues and staff in a clear and concise manner.
• Have compassion and good bedside manners.
• 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. VII: Security and insurance modalities

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.

Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.