Background

UN field personnel are exposed to various health and security hazards that may result in disease; psychological trauma and life threatening injuries. Dedicated, effective primary health, occupational health and emergency medical services may mitigate negative outcomes of trauma, injuries and health complications providing better chances for saving lives as well as for faster and better recovery.
 
The UN Joint Medical Service Physician, is part of the UN common services of the UN country team in Sierra Leone administered by UNDP.
 
The UN Clinic Physician will attend to the UN Joint Medical Service on a full time basis and provide medical services to staff members and their dependents. In addition, he/she will facilitate medical evacuations to other higher medical facilities within and outside the country. The UN Clinic Physician is responsible for the day to day running of the UN Joint Medical Service and he/she manages the UN Clinic staff and physical assets (equipment and inventories), ensures consistent delivery of high quality medical services to the UNCT. The UN Physician will also be responsible for medical examinations of staff, a responsibility he/she will share with other designated UN Physicians.
 
Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Deputy Country Director, Operations and the technical supervision of Medical Services Division, MSD, the UN Clinic Physician, will provide clinical services including medical consultations and emergency care, and supervise the work of the other staff. The incumbent will promote proactive occupational health policies and best practices and procedures in the medical services in conjunction with administration and in collaboration with MSD with the objective of optimizing the health and well-being of UN staff and dependants in Sierra Leone. This will include outreach to staff and dependents in the areas of preventative health. The clinic Physician is expected to take part in the HIV work in the UN work place as outlined in UN Cares and UN Plus. S/he is part of the emergency response team and will as such work closely with DSS in implementing Casevac, Medevac, and Mass Casualty Response. This will be done in collaboration with the External Medical Emergency Response Teams present.
 
S/he is expected to be located in Freetown but moving to other locations in Sierra Leone, based on expressed need by agencies’ Human resource officers and in consultation with the MSD.

Duties and Responsibilities

Functions / Key Results Expected:

Clinical Duties:

  • Respond to acute emergencies in line with international protocols such as advanced trauma life support management and advanced cardiac life support. or Pre Hospital Trauma life support;
  • Be able to do triage, primary stabilization and keep a critically ill patient alive in a casualty stabilization center for up to 48 hours;
  • Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations and immunizations;
  • Provide health education;
  • Participate in addressing work environment and occupational health issues;
  • Undertake medical examinations for both International and National staff including their  dependents;
  • Diagnose and recommend treatment to all staff visiting the dispensary on a daily basis;
  • Be on call during and outside office hours to observe and treat emergencies in the UN Clinic. Undertake house calls when required;
  • Attend to medical emergencies and arrange for hospital appointments and transportation when needed;
  • Recommend medical evacuation when required.
Medical Administrative Duties:
  • Liaise with other host-nation medical facilities;
  • Follow the United Nations established policies and procedures regarding medical clearances, sick leave and medical evacuations;
  • Responsible for all paper work and reporting procedures for medical evacuations in line with UN Rules and procedures;
  • Ensure proper follow up on all cases;
  • Application of terms of reference in UNDP Personnel/Administration manuals for rules and regulations regarding UN clinic operations;
  • Responsible for establishing good relations with reliable hospitals, private medical facilities and blood banks;
  • Ensure that proper medical records are kept in a strictly confidential manner;
  • Provide evaluation from the clinical point of view of problematic claims for medical insurance.
Supervisory Administration:
  • Manage day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of supplies and proper functioning of medical equipment;
  • 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 CPR);
  • Responsible for regular reporting on clinic activities, medical facilities available locally and other statistical information as may be required;
  • Responsible for the supervision and distribution of work for the nurse(s) and other staff of the UN Clinic.
Coordination of UN Cares Activities:
  • Planning and organization of training of focal points and peer educators;
  • Arranging the dissemination of UN policies on HIV/AIDS;
  • Conducting an education and information campaign;
  • Organizing Annual awareness events on HIV/AIDS in Sierra Leone.
Emergency Medical Response:
  • Arrange for briefings and information releases to staff at large on health-related issues;
  • On demand, arrange emergency supplies at the UN Clinic;
  • Participate in the deliberations of nationwide health related issues.
Impact of Key Results

The key results have an impact on the general well-being of all UN staff in the country. They relate to the medical assessment of cases and on the suggested course of treatment, referral, etc. The services rendered and the decisions taken can have a direct and vital effect sound physical and mental health of UN staff in Sierra Leone.

Competencies

Core Competencies:

  • Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
  • Promotes the vision, mission and strategic goals of UN/UNDP;
  • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
  • Demonstrates good oral and written communication skills;
  • Demonstrates ability to manage complexities and work under pressure, as well as conflict resolution skills.

Functional Competencies:

Professionalism:

  • Knowledge of clinical, occupational and tropical/travel medicine;
  • Shows pride in work and in achievements;
  • Demonstrates professional competence and mastery of subject matter; is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results;
  • Is motivated by professional rather than personal concerns;
  • Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges;
  • Remains calm in stressful situations;
  • Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.
Communication Skills:
  • Speaks and writes clearly and effectively;
  • Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others and responds appropriately;
  • Asks questions to clarify, and exhibits interest in having two-way communication;
  • Tailors language, tone, style and format to match audience;
  • Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
Team Work:
  • Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals;
  • Solicits input by genuinely valuing others’ ideas and expertise;
  • Is willing to learn from others; places team agenda before personal agenda;
  • Supports and acts in accordance with final group decision, even when such decisions may not entirely reflect own position;
  • Shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings.
Planning and Organizing:
  • Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies;
  • Identifies priority activities and assignments;
  • Adjusts priorities as required;
  • Allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work;
  • Foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning;
  • Monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.
Accountability:
  • Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honours commitments;
  • Delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards;
  • Operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules;
  • Supports subordinates, provides oversight and takes responsibility for delegated assignments;
  • Takes personal responsibility for his/her own shortcomings and those of the work unit, where applicable.
Credibility:
  • Actively seeks to improve programmes or services;
  • Offers new and different options to solve problems or meet client needs;
  • Promotes and persuades others to consider new ideas;
  • Takes calculated risks on new and unusual ideas;
  • Thinks “outside the box”;
  • Takes an interest in new ideas and new ways of doing things;
  • Is not bound by current thinking or traditional approaches.
Client Orientation:
  • Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view;
  • Establishes and maintains productive partnerships with clients by gaining their trust and respect;
  • Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions;
  • Monitors ongoing developments inside and outside the clients’ environment to keep informed and anticipate problems;
  • Keeps clients informed of progress or setbacks in projects;
  • Meets timeline for delivery of products or services to client.
Commitment to Continuous Learning:
  • Keeps abreast of new developments in own occupation/profession;
  • Actively seeks to develop oneself professionally and personally;
  • Contributes to the learning of colleagues and subordinates;
  • Shows willingness to learn from others;
  • Seeks feedback to learn and improve.
Technological Awareness:
  • Keeps abreast of available technology;
  • Understands applicability and limitation of technology to the work of the office;
  • Actively seeks to apply technology to appropriate tasks;
  • Shows willingness to learn new technology.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

  • A Masters Degree in Medicine, from an accredited University and currently licensed to practice within home country or other national jurisdiction;
  • Valid certification in Advanced Trauma Life support, Advanced cardiac Life support OR Pre hospital trauma life support is required;
  • Certification in HIV care OR VCCT is desirable.

Work Experience:

  • At least five (5) years progressive experience and practice in general medicine in developing countries or countries in conflict, of which at least two years in Trauma and Emergency care;
  • Surgical, ICU, aeromedical or anesthetic experience is an advantage;
  • Experience in Tropical Medicine,
  • Previous UN medical system/international medical experience or military medical experience with priority in international tasks is highly desirable;
  • Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.) is expected;
  • Formal training in CPR and, preferably in BCLS and ACLS or equivalent emergency medical care.

Language Requirements

  • Fluency in English is required;
  • Knowledge of another UN Language is an asset.