Chief Migration Health Officer at International Organization for Migration (IOM)

Classification : Professional Staff, Grade P4

Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension

Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible

Applications are welcome from first- and second-tier candidates, particularly qualified female candidates as well as applications from the non-represented member countries of IOM. For all IOM vacancies, applications from qualified and eligible first-tier candidates are considered before those of qualified and eligible second-tier candidates in the selection process.

For the purpose of this vacancy, the following are considered first-tier candidates:

1. Internal candidates

2. External female candidates:

3. Candidate from the following non-represented member states:

Antigua and Barbuda; Botswana; Cabo Verde; Comoros; Cook Islands; Cuba; Fiji; Gabon; Guinea-Bissau; Guyana; Holy See; Iceland; Kingdom of Eswatini; Kiribati; Lao People's Democratic Republic (the); Latvia; Luxembourg; Marshall Islands; Micronesia (Federated States of); Montenegro; Namibia; Nauru; Palau; Saint Kitts and Nevis; Saint Lucia; Saint Vincent and the Grenadines; Samoa; Sao Tome and Principe; Seychelles; Solomon Islands; Suriname; The Bahamas; Timor-Leste; Tonga; Tuvalu; Vanuatu

Second tier candidates include:

All external candidates, except candidates from non-represented member states of IOM and female candidates.

Context:

Under the overall supervision of the Chief of Mission (CoM) and direct supervision of Head of

Programme and Policy Development and technical supervision of the Regional Health Assessment Programme Coordinator (RHAPC) and in coordination with the Regional Migration Health Specialist for the Region, the successful candidate will be responsible for the development, implementation and management of the Health Assessment and other health programmes.

Core Functions / Responsibilities:

Health Assessment Portfolio

1. Organize and supervise the migration health assessment process to fulfil the technical requirements of the resettlement countries in the areas of: • Medical examinations; • Imaging; • Laboratory testing; • Vaccinations; • Tuberculosis (TB) management; • Treatment and referrals; • Pre-departure procedures and medical movements; • Documentation, certification and information transmission; and, • Other technical areas as may be required.
2. Ensure that the infrastructure and equipment of HAP premises meet professional standards of quality and safety and are sufficient and adequate for provision of the services.
3. Ensure that human resources and HAP organizational structure are sufficient and adequate for the planned levels of health assessments and that the staff has necessary qualifications and skills. Establish a sufficient network of external human resources, such as consultants and medical escorts, to support health assessment process and travel assistance. In coordination with the Human Resource Unit, ensure that all medical personnel maintain valid licenses to practice.
4. Ensure that the regulatory government authorities are informed about IOM’s health activities and that the IOM medical facilities have obtained approval to provide health assessments and related services.
5. Establish and maintain efficient, client-centered procedures and ensure high level of integrity at all stages of HAP process, including client information and appointment system, payment, registration, pre- and post-test counselling, examination, testing, treatment and referrals, submission of health assessment results, pre-departure and other procedures. Establish and maintain a system, enabling clients to provide feedback.
6. Establish and maintain a system of quality improvement for each service area. Undertake quality control activities on a regular basis practice observation, regular supervisory visits to all facilities/teams involved in the health assessment operations. desk audits and use of self-assessment tools. Use data analysis and web reporting system to monitor performance indicators. Ensure implementation of the global IOM Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs); create and implement country-specific SOPs for each service area. Ensure proper reporting and management of incidents according to the Guidance Note for Incident Management.
7. Incorporate additional public health interventions in the HAP context. Such interventions may include surveillance for communicable diseases, outbreak preparedness and response, health education and health promotion, public health services for host communities, liaison with public health institutions and other activities.
8. Supervise health- and non-health staff as well as external consultants, involved in the health assessment process; ensure that performance evaluations for health staff are completed in a timely manner. Ensure that all staff are aware of the IOM Standards of Conduct under Article 42, and continuously reinforce these standards. Informs in due time the CoM and the IOM Ethics Committee of any issues regarding staff misconduct.
9. Establish the HAP staff development strategy and ensure that the appropriate plan is implemented. Within that plan, apart from attendance to external educational events, initiate, organize and deliver various professional in-house trainings.
10. Liaise with external service providers to negotiate agreements in coordination with the Resource Management Officer (RMO). To the extent possible, exercise quality control over outsourced services and take corrective measures if necessary.
11. Liaise with relevant partners at government level, immigration health authorities of the receiving countries, as well as other international UN and non-UN agencies, NGOs, donor community and national partners.
12. Maintain confidentiality and security of migration health data in accordance with the IOM Data Protection Principles.
13. Organize systematic collection, processing and analyses of migration health data. Ensure data quality. Provide periodic, as well as ad-hoc reporting to MHD, for MH activities.
14. Oversee the financial aspects of the health programmes in close coordination with the mission's finance staff: supervise budget preparation and ensure monitoring of MH projects, suggest adjustments and cost-effective solutions, and review financial reports.
15. Provide oversight and coordinate procurement of medical equipment, vaccines, medications and other medical supplies in coordination with the resource management unit.
16. Organize and supervise activities of mobile medical teams, if applicable.

Other health activities

1. In coordination with the HoO/CoM, reinforce partnerships and liaise with the Migration Health (MH) sector with Ministry of Health, health institutions and academia, as well as other relevant leading agencies. Incorporate multi-sectoral approaches to partnerships, as well as capitalize on IOM strengths across all service areas within the overall framework of IOM’s 12-point Strategy adopted by IOM Members States (June 2007).

2. Conceptualize, develop and implement appropriate migration health related projects that may benefit migrants, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and host communities as well as conflict/natural disaster affected population in coordination with relevant Units, the Regional Thematic Specialists (RTSs) and other colleagues.

3. Facilitate the integration of health assessment activities into the overall migration related programming of the Country Office through close collaboration with the various and units at the Country Office level.

4. Advise IOM colleagues on the link between the Health Assessment Programme with the two other core MHD programme areas - Health Promotion and Assistance to Migrants, and Migration Health Assistance to Crisis-Affected Populations.

5. Identify opportunities for expanding migration health activities and programmes by informing embassies and consulates of IOM’s migration health work and lobby for IOM MHACs becoming panel sites for MHA, responding to announcements for call of proposals by drafting project concept notes and/or proposals and liaising with UN agencies and Ministry of Health to identify project development opportunities.

6. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience:

Education

1. University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, pediatrics, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology; and minimum of nine (9) years of relevant professional experience of which at least three (3) years managerial responsibilities; or
2. University degree in Medicine from an accredited academic institution with preferred specializations: internal medicine and its subspecialties, pediatrics, anesthesiology, emergency medicine, family medicine, obstetrics and gynecology plus Master’s Degree in Community or Public Health, Medical Specialization in Infectious Diseases, Tropical Medicine or other related fields from an accredited academic institution with seven (7) years of relevant professional experience of which at least three (3) years managerial responsibilities.

Experience

• Minimum of four (4) years, post-graduation, (post internship) of continuous clinical experience, preferably in a multidisciplinary hospital setting or at IOM/similar international clinic context;
• Experience in Migration Heath Assessment;
• Demonstrated progressive experience in health programme management;
• Experience in project development, management and report writing;
• Experience in migration health emergency response is an asset; and,
• Experience in establishing partnerships with government institutions, health institutions and other partners.

Skills

Knowledge of the broad range of Health migration related subject areas dealt with by the Organization.

Languages

IOM’s official languages are English, French, and Spanish.

For this position, fluency in English is required (oral and written). Working knowledge of French and/or Spanish an advantage.

Proficiency of language(s) required will be specifically evaluated during the selection process, which may include written and/or oral assessments.