Qualified Midwife- Diaspora Expert

IOM Bari, Puntland Post Date: 15-08-2024
Apply Before: 03-09-2024

About the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing a “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Through the IOM Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) Programme, Somali diaspora professionals have supported institutional capacity building, service delivery, and policy development of health and education institutions across Somalia since 2015.

The MIDA FINNSOM PHASE III – Health & Education project contributes to strengthening the Health and Education sectors in Somalia towards achieving specific priorities in the Education Sector Strategic Plan (ESSP) and the Essential Package for Health Services (EPHS), as prioritized and outlined by the government. The project aims to do so by engaging and enhancing the role of qualified Somali diaspora experts willing to temporarily return to their country of origin. In particular, through assignments within key ministries and public institutions (including hospitals and universities), Somali diaspora experts contribute to addressing gaps and enhancing strengths in the planning and delivery of health and education services, coherently with the needs identified through the dedicated baseline assessment conducted during the inception phase of the project. Furthermore, a component of the project is devoted to contributing to the creation of stable and sustainable access to employment opportunities in the health and education sectors for local experts and interns, who will work in close coordination with the Somali diaspora experts - therefore reaping long-term benefits of knowledge transfer, competencies sharing, and skills development.

III. Duties & Responsibilities

The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS), through the technical assistance provided by the IOM MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education project, seeks to build the skills of its qualified midwives.

Under the overall guidance and direct supervision of the Director of the Hospital and closely working with the maternity department in-charge/Obstetrician and gynecologist, the qualified midwife will carry out the following duties and responsibilities:

1. Provide consultation services for patients seeking services including but not limited to pregnant and lactating women and girls, adolescent girls and other females of reproductive age.
2. Conduct skilled birth attendance and management of the mother and baby in the peripartum period.
3. Monitor the patients during the postpartum and be available for questions or concerns.
4. Assess the knowledge and skill level of the local midwives at the hospital and provide on-the-job training, mentoring, lectures, and supportive clinical supervision as needed to equip the staff with enhanced knowledge and skills to provide quality maternal and new-born health services.
5. Ensure that all medical and nursing staff implement standard clinical protocols.
6. Carry out daily ward rounds with medical doctors and other health professionals.
7. Develop clinical protocols, guidelines, and standards.
8. Lead/participate in conducting maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response.
9. Oversee the implementation of quality assurance activities to improve maternal and neonatal care at the hospital.
10. Conduct monthly/quarterly maternity performance review including data review with an aim to address challenges and build on achievements.
11. Inculcate a culture of innovation and continuous improvement among the maternity leading to provision of quality maternal and neonatal care services at the hospital.
12. Remain on-call for shifts and emergencies.
13. Make ethical decisions related to consent and confidentiality. Keep the patients and caretakers updated on their conditions and management at all times.
14. Participate in team meetings and other meetings and training as management requests.
15. Perform any other tasks required by the line manager.

IV. Requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section III, the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education project is requiring the following deliverables to be submitted throughout the assignment. These are the standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of the assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities.
3. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the expert to the supervisor at the end of the assignment.
4. Exit interview: An exit interview will be conducted to ensure that a proper exit plan has been put in place to sustain the achievements, upon completion of the assignment.

V. Qualifications

Level of Education: Minimum: BSc midwifery; Desired: MSc

Years of work experience in what area(s): Minimum 5 years of working experience as a midwife

Languages needed: Fluent in Somali. Arabic language will be an advantage.

General Skills / Other Requirements:

1. Experience in clinical teaching.
2. Good communication and interpersonal skills.
3. Ability to operate as part of a team and independently.
4. Ability to use Microsoft Office programs (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) and web-based management systems.
5. Ability to identify innovative approaches to problems in a challenging environment.

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by the MIDA FINNSOM III, Health and Education project, based on degree and years of relevant experience.

How to apply

All applications must be sent via email to: midasomvacancy@iom.int with the following reference as a subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – as mentioned in the vacancy announcement. For further inquiries about the MIDA FINNSOM project and positions, you can reach out to Hassan Siraji at hsiraji@iom.int and cc Saara Parkkali at sparkkali@iom.int.

To be considered, applicants must provide a cover letter, CV, and the contact information (email and phone number) of two professional references by the closing date of this vacancy. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. The closing date of this application is 03.09.2024, at 12.00 PM EAT.

While this project is geared toward the Somali-Finnish diaspora, members of other Somali diaspora communities are also welcomed to apply. Females are highly encouraged to apply and participate in the MIDA FINNSOM III Health and Education Project.

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance—including evacuation due to a medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.

Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.

Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Somalia, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.