Project Medical Coordinator (PMC)

Job Description

Position: Project Medical Coordinator

Responsible To: Project Coordinator/Country Health Director

Location:Buner-KPK

Merlin International Profile

Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.

Context and Background

Merlin has been operational in Pakistan since 2005, providing life saving activities for the most vulnerable communities in Kashmir, Baluchistan, FATA and KPK provinces. Merlin first became operational in Pakistan following the 2005 earthquake in Kashmir, and has since responded to a number of emergencies including the Yemyin Cyclone in 2007 and Ziarat quake in 2008 in Baluchistan, and the IDP crisis from 2009 onwards, affecting various districts of KPK. Merlin also responded to the catastrophic floods in 2010 and 2011. Since 2008 Merlin has also been implementing a large-scale development project focusing on malaria control in is currently working in collaboration with the Pakistan Ministry of Health and the Global fund to implement the Government’s control programme across 14 districts of the country.

Currently Merlin is operational in two Provinces (KPK and Sindh) and 7 districts implementing integrated health and nutrition programmes.

Merlin’s main objective in Pakistan has been to improve the health status of the population most affected by natural disasters, diseases and conflict. Merlin is committed to longer-term programming in Pakistan and plans to continue to operate to meet the health needs of the Pakistani population.

Over all responsibilities

Technical Project Management

--Co-ordination of all health activities within the project areas in close collaboration with the other members of the Merlin health team and the district representatives of Ministry of Health.

--Conduct the full oversight for implementation of the project medical activities, including changes of project direction or priorities in collaboration with the Country Health Director, PC and Country Director.

--Prepare the project health protocols and data collection forms and ensure the team is fully conversant with and trained in use of protocols.

--Assist in the establishment of further health facilities under the direction of the Country Health Director.

--Constant assessment of the medical needs of the community and guiding of activities to prioritise the same.

· Ensure that the medical stocks are sufficient and the drugs are stored and used correctly including emergency preparedness stocks.

· Strengthen referral services between communities and primary and secondary health facilities

· Provide technical support to the medical team in the field sites, including participation in evaluation and impact analysis of current projects.

· Quality control of medical logistics with senior logisticians on the project

· Responsible for timely preparation and approval of all medical orders.

· Co-ordination and support of medical staff members

· Developing links and support integration of the program interventions across the field sites.

· Promote correspondence between teams in the different field sites through regular coordination and meetings.

· Ensure project indicators and goals are achieved and reported on.

Monitoring and Evaluation

--Constant assessment of the medical needs of the community and guiding of activities to respond to their needs.

--Prepare monthly project reports including data analysis, for inclusion in the monthly situation report.

--Ensure that the Country Health Director receives regular activity reports and statistics.

--Responsible with the Project Officer/coordinator for encouraging the community participation in health activities.

--To be responsible for ensuring that notifiable diseases and outbreaks are reported to the WHO and MoH and CHD.

Human Resources

--Recruitment and supervision of Merlin national medical staff with the coordination of HR and in accordance with the Merlin HR policy and designation of responsibilities identify and implement requisite medical staff training

--Responsible for training of all medical staff to ensure the maximum use of their skills and their full and effective participation in medical activities whilst conforming to Merlin and MoH protocols.

--Responsible for national staff health within the project areas including first aid provisions, medical evacuation and general monitoring of staff welfare with the CHD.

--To be responsible for ensuring the national project medical staff is working according to their job descriptions and following the office timings and policies of Merlin

--Co-ordination and representation with the MoH, NGO’s, UN and other key representatives at district level.

Other

--Be prepared to undertake other tasks as requested by the Country Health Director / Country Director/PC.

Personal/Professional Requirements

Essential

--Qualified doctor with at least four years post qualification experience.

--Qualification in public health or primary health care is essential.

--Excellent management and personnel skills to enable the motivation, encouragement and participation of Merlin national staff.

--Strong organisational management skills and able to build good team spirit

--Ability to cope well under stressful conditions.

--Ability and flexibility to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with MoH representatives.

--Ability to travel to all field sites and to offer close supervisory support to both ex-patriate and national Merlin medical staff.

--Excellent communication skills, with good spoken and written English.

--Good computer skills – ability to use data analysis software including Excel and Epi Info.

--Prepared to live with harsh living conditions e.g. tented accommodation in the winter with poor communications.

Advantageous

--Previous experience within a humanitarian aid organization.

--Ability to remain calm and to be diplomatic.

--Good organizational skills with good leadership skills.

--Experience in epidemiological analysis.

--Strong community and outreach experience

--Knowledge and experience of trauma healthcare