Project Medical Referent – South West Project/Dschang – Cameroon – H/F

CONTEXT

Cameroon is facing a complex emergency situation in the North West and the South West Regions of the country. The crisis has led to significant displacement of the population. It is estimated that the majority of the displaced are from the North West region. The affected population have a challenge in accessing humanitarian intervention notably health and nutrition amongst other needs.

Four years after the unilateral declaration of independence pronounced by Cameroonian separatists, the anglophone crisis in Cameroon’s Northwest and Southwest regions (NWSW) is experiencing volatile and unpredictable dynamics.

Since the outbreak of the conflict in October 2017, the attacks against the governmental forces have multiplied and have become also more and more complex. This has been highlighted by the strategies and means used by the belligerents (more elaborated IED, RPG, among others). Furthermore, there has been a gradual fragmentation of the security landscape, leading to more and more clashes between the different factions of the separatist groups.

As for the Lebialem Division, which is located in the Southwest region, it is controlled by a single group, the Red Dragons of Lebialem. If we look at the security incidents reported by INSO from January 14 to March 24, 2022, out of 275 incidents reported in the two English-speaking regions, there were 78 reported in the Southwest (28.4%), of which only one was in the Lebialem Division (0.4%). ALIMA and DEMTOU Humanitaire believe that the NSAG’s control of the area, which led to the exodus of a large number of State representatives, could justify this relatively low number of security incidents.

Since 2017, the crisis affecting the NWSW regions of Cameroon has significantly disrupted the health system in these regions. The crisis has impacted basic social services including health and education

Overall, access to beneficiaries remains very limited in the Southwest region, and in the Lebialem Division more particularly, due to high insecurity, recurrent lockdowns, ghost towns and to the closure of certain roads for both short and long periods of time. Besides, humanitarian workers and humanitarian activities as well as basic infrastructure (such as schools and health centers) have become targets for the NSAG’s attacks. Nonetheless, given the fact that the Lebialem Division is currently under the control of only the Red Dragons of Lebialem, negotiations for humanitarian access might be easier to maintain than in other divisions of the SW, where several armed groups are operating.

In the North West (NW), ALIMA intends to implement a project with two interventions: a short-term emergency intervention and a COVID 19 response and mitigation. Whereas the exploratory mission will help the organisation understand the exact medical needs of the population on the ground, the second one will aim at strengthening strategies in addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities in the NW shall include training of health care workers as well as mitigating the affected population’s access to primary health care, obstetric & gynaecological, paediatrics and nutritional interventions. The project targets Internally Displaced Persons, the host community and other population at risk.

Mission Location: Cameroon, South West/Dschang

MISSION ET OBJECTIVES

The Medical Referent of the ALIMA NOSO Project is the ALIMA representative and responsible for the implementation of program/medical activities in Bali, Batibo and Santa districts.

In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, and Mission Coordination team, define and plan the project objectives and priorities, the risks and constraints and calculating human and financial needs.

Cultivate the relationship with the MoH stakeholders in order to implement efficiently and ensure the goals as well as to improve targeted population’s health conditions and humanitarian situation.

TASKS & RESPONSABILITIES

Management lines:

• Direct Manager: Project Coordinator
• Functional Manager: Medical Coordinator

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

The Medical Referent of the ALIMA Owo Project is the ALIMA representative and responsible for the implementation of program/medical activities in Ondo and other LGAs if needed. He/She is the linkage between field team, researchers, coordination and community.

In close collaboration with the Project Coordinator, Medical Coordinator, and Mission Coordination team, define and plan the project objectives and priorities, the risks and constraints , and calculate human and financial needs. Cultivate the relationship with the FMCO/MOH stakeholders in order to implement efficiently and ensure the goals as well as to improve targeted population’s health conditions and humanitarian situation.

1. Definition of the project’s medical objectives and intervention strategies

2. Organising, analysing and effectively managing the project’s medical activities

• Compile and analyse medical/program data for reports (medical sitrep…) to the medical coordination and project coordinator on project’s evolution and propose corrections if needed.
• Compile and share details regarding research data with the research team as per the protocols while adhering to information protection mechanisms.
• Ensure a quality of data collection and epidemiological surveillance system, in agreement with the medical coordination,
• Supervise full implementation of safety and health protocols, reporting to the Medical Coordination and Project Coordinator on risky behaviours,
• Contribute to the operation and running of INTEGRATE, SPP research projects where appropriate by providing clinical advice on the relevance of research projects and attending research team meetings.

3. Supervision and training of the project’s healthcare human resources

4. Implementing the project’s staff health policies

5. Participation in the prevention of abuse of power and sexual and gender-based violence (PSEA)

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

• You have a medical diploma (a paramedical diploma would be essential), Master’s degree in clinical research, Epidemiology, public health
• You have at least 4 year’s experience in medical Practice, previous experience in humanitarian context and experience of team management and supervision.
• You have experience in experience combining hospital and OPD activities
• You have analytical and organisational skills, a critical mind and the ability to put forward proposals, as well as the ability to work as part of a team in a multicultural context.

LANGUAGE:

A strong command of both spoken and written English is essential for this position;

CONDITIONS

• Contract term: Contract under French law; contract length: 6 months, renewable.

• Position to be filled: ASAP

• Salary: depending on experience + per diem

  ALIMA pays for:

• Travel costs between the expatriate’s country of origin and the mission location

• Accommodation costs

• Medical cover from the first day of the contract to a month after the date of departure from the mission country for the employee and his/her family

• Evacuation of the employee