Author-Coordinator/Medical Writer Clinical Guidelines at Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)

OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION

The Medical author-coordinator for the Clinical guidelines:

• Coordinates the development and maintenance of the content quality of MSF Clinical Guidelines. They ensure the Clinical Guidelines are scientifically sound and up to date, consistent with other MSF international guidelines, and relevant and adapted to the MSF operational environment;
• Writes and revises relevant text and/or chapters for the MSF Clinical Guidelines;
• Provides input to other MSF international guidelines and tools, as requested;
• Contributes to continuously improving the methodology (processes, tools, etc.) used by the IGP (and non-IGP) author-coordinators.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Project management - Planning

• Generate an annual plan of updates in collaboration with the Editor of the Clinical guidelines and the Pharmacist for the Essential drugs; and in coordination with other IGP members and MSF Intersectional Medical platforms leaders , taking into consideration the annual plan of updates of the other MSF guidelines;
• Adjust planning, in coordination with the IGP manager and editor of the Clinical Guidelines, if new evidence or recommendations relevant to the guideline emerge and/or based on user feedback.

Writing

• Conduct proactive literature search, external guidelines review, etc. to support content with up to date scientific evidence, or if lacking, on a consensus of internal and/or external experts;
• Write draft updates maintaining consistency and in compliance with the Guide to producing MSF guidelines, request and integrate input from relevant MSF and external experts, as well as references, illustrations, etc.;
• Coordinate closely with the editor of the Clinical Guidelines throughout the writing and revision process e.g. provide regular updates on content changes, consider and integrate feedback;
• Prepare a discussion document to present to the IGP manager and the Head IMQPP department in case of lack of agreement between the different collaborators (Author-coordinator, Editor, Pharmacist, Pediatrician and MSF, and external, experts) on a certain topic. Document and integrate the decision taken;
• Finalize the text, considering the feedback of the Editor, Pharmacist, Pediatrician, MSF, and external experts and the Head IMQPP department, and submit to the editor of the Clinical Guidelines for a final check prior to translation and publication.
• Support translation process by identifying which references are available in French, Arabic and/or Spanish and responding to translator’s content questions, where agreed with Editor.

Project management - Coordination

• Coordinate the input of MSF and external experts e.g. regular e-mail communication, attendance of Intersectional Medical Platform or specific ad-hoc meetings when invited;
• Manage requests for revision of texts within the Clinical Guidelines from Intersectional Medical Platform’s and other MSF stakeholders, and facilitate consensus-seeking and decision-making on content;
• Coordinate with other authors working on international guidelines, relevant working group members and managers of product catalogues (Spinco etc.) for coherence.
• Coordinate with editors, other authors, and translators on consistent terminology across MSF public guidelines;
• Create systematic mechanisms for transfer of feedback from MSF and external experts to the wider IGP team, under the coordination and support of the IGP manager;
• Discuss the production and strategy with the IGP Manager on a regular basis and with the Head of department on a yearly basis;
• Disseminate key relevant findings of literature research, external guidelines review, etc. to IGP authors and MSF experts;
• Provide input to other MSF international guidelines and tools, as requested, and agreed with IGP manager. 

Project management - Documentation

• Collect and store requests for updates of the Clinical Guideline (from Intersectional Medical Platforms, IGP members, field staff, spontaneous contacts);
• Track and ensure references are used and cited correctly;
• Ensure permissions are received and stored for all illustrations, images and photos that are not from an MSF source;
• Archive documents, references, conclusions around key topics used for the updates, to help answer any future questions related to the Clinical guidelines;
• Make use of the IGP IT tools in place (CMS system, word, share point, excel, etc.) for writing, storage of changes and documentation.  
• Be a proactive IGP team member
• Proactive participation in all relevant meetings and provide regular information on the progress of activities;
• Contribute to the annual IGP plan of action and multi-year plans;
• Participate in the budget forecast, midterm reviews and reporting;
• Participate to the transversal projects of the international guidelines.

Job requirements
Qualifications

• Medical Doctor
• Medical editorial capacity
• Demonstrated skills in conducting literature review, critically assessing and documenting scientific evidence

Work experience

Medical editorial experience

• Experience in medical guidelines development and production would be an asset

Project management experience

• Project experience with MSF or other international organisations working in similar contexts.

Specific skills

• Strong commitment to MSF values
• Quality driven
• Eye for detail
• Problem solving
• Excellent technical writing
• Excellent English speaking and writing skills, French, Spanish or Arabic language skills is an advantage
• Strong interpersonal, communication and organisational skills
• Ability to work collaboratively with different stakeholders (remotely)
• Ability to work and report independently
• IT literacy