Medical Assistant

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNMISS was established in 2011 under the auspices of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO); subsequently, UNMISS mandate has been renewed through resolutions 2057 (2012), 2109 (2013), 2155 (2014), 2187 (2014), 2223 (2015), 2241 (Dec. 2015), 2304 (2016) and 2327 (2016), 2392 (Dec. 2017), 2406 (Mar. 2018), 2459 (Mar. 2019), 2514 (Mar. 2020), 2567 (Mar. 2021), 2625 (Mar. 2022).

Under the guidance / direct supervision of the Medevac Coordinator and Infectious Diseases and Public Health and the general guidance of the Chief Medical Officer and Deputy Chief Medical Officer, the UN Volunteer will be responsible for:

Medical Assistant in Medical Evacuation Coordination Centre • Assisting with the coordination of the Medevac and Casevac cases and arrange the transfer of the patients; liaise with Level III and level IV Hospitals to ensure the smooth transfer and admission of UNMIS patients. • Assisting with medical evacuations and referrals with referring Doctors and receiving hospitals within and outside of South Sudan; ensuring that there is ground transportation on arrival at the airport to move the patients to the next destination. • Liaise with other medical facilities in and outside of South Sudan to ensure smooth admission process, effective patient management and follow-up with the focal persons. • Ensure that all paper works required for medevacs, referrals and repatriations are obtained and fully approved by the appropriate parties; Prepare fax to Medical Services Division New York to obtain approval for medevacs and repatriations. • Arrange appointments for mission personnel to meet medical Specialists. • Participate in administrative matters pertaining to medical evacuations • Coordinating receipt of bodies for the purpose of autopsy and keeping records. • Maintain a comprehensive, secure filing system for medically evacuated, referred, or repatriated patients.

Infectious Diseases & Public Health duties • Plan and organize activities and tasks related to health promotion and wellness targeting UN personnel, including uniformed personnel and contractors. • Increase public awareness on prevention and control of prevalent communicable diseases (CDs) and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), including to promote healthy lifestyle and benefit of good nutrition. • Contribute to UNMISS emergency preparedness and response plan including public health emergencies, disease outbreaks and other crisis through outbreak investigation, disease surveillance, active case finding and contact tracing. • Disseminate Information, Education and Communication (IEC) materials (leaflets, brochures, posters, power point presentation) that are culturally appropriate. • Consult medical professionals and personnel for information on relevant health education services. • Investigate the root causes of illness and disease by gathering and analyzing data from observations, interviews, surveys, and biological samples. • Present and explain their findings to medical professionals and policymakers as necessary.

• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management

the discipline of Public Health or Environmental Science is required. • Qualifications and experience in community health and tropical health are an asset. • Experience in a UN mission an advantage. • valid national driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 over rough terrain • Experience in a UN mission or large international organization an asset. • Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word etc.) and other IT applications and office technology equipment. • Have a valid driver’s license and proven ability to drive manual gear 4x4 vehicles. • Have affinity with or interest in humanitarian relief, post-conflict situations, volunteerism as a mechanism for durable development, and the UN System. • Sound security awareness. • Solid computer skills, including full proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word); other IT applications and office technology equipment.

Living conditions vary between UNMISS duty stations. Each duty station where UNMISS has a field presence has basic residential camp facilities, which includes running water and electricity. Candidates should be aware that accommodation may be austere with the possibility of water shortages and power blackouts. On arrival in Juba accommodation will be on a share basis. Ablutions will also be shared. As the accommodation situation improves single unit accommodation, with an attached ablution, should become available in all locations. Hard wall accommodation is available in Juba.

All UNMISS duty stations apart from Entebbe, Uganda are considered non - family duty stations. The security level of UNMISS duty stations is classified by the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) who will brief on arrival. A number of locations in South Sudan are prone to conflict.

Primary health care services (preventive and curative) are provided in 11 United Nations Owned Equipment (UNOE) Level-I clinics, 21 Contingent Owned Equipment (COE) Level-I clinics, 4 COE Level-II medical facilities within the mission area and the establishment of contractual agreements for Level-III and Level-IIII care outside the mission area. The 4 Level-II facilities available in Juba, Bor, Malakal and Wau, run by the Troop Contributing Countries (TCC), take referrals from the Level-I clinics and provide hospital-based care.

The climate is tropical with a rainy season in many areas, which should normally span from around April to October. Ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions is essential.