Medical Officer

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.

Goma and Uvira a non-family assignment

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks: Clinical Duties: • Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, emergencies, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations, immunizations, etc; Participate in addressing work environment and occupational health issues; • Undertake Occupational health and disease preventive measures, staff training and take necessary actions on disease prevention. • Handle medico-surgical emergencies • Organize and deliver Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and first aid training to United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo staff; • Management of the UNOE clinic/Hospital including emergency response, admission and management until patient is transferred to higher level. • On call for emergencies in the duty station. • Shift work as required by CMO ( Chief Medical Officer)

Medico Administrative Duties: • Liaise with UN-Military Medical Units in the mission area and host-nation medical facilities; • Follow the United Nations established policies, guidelines and procedures regarding medical management, medical clearances, sick leave, medical evacuations, repatriations and other related medico administrative functions. • Deputize the senior medical officer in the field office during his/her absence.

Supervision of the Administrative requirements: • Manage day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment; • Manage medical supplies, medicines and medical equipments and assets of the field office as per UN standards in liaison with the Mission pharmacist. • Ensure that appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities (e.g. health education, HIV/AIDS prevention, first aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation. • Under take necessary supervision of the UN Medical facilities in the mission area including COE inspections, periodic health risk assessment and reporting, Occupational and Environmental health assessment, reporting and trainings.

General: • Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff at large; staff within work unit, Staff Counsellors, Senior Management throughout the organization and Military Physicians; • When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring and formal and on-the-job training; • Perform other related duties as may be required.

Professionalism Client Orientation Team work Communication Respect for diversity and gender Planning and Organizing

at least 3 years in related field

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential.

Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.