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Médecins Sans Frontières Spain-OCBA (Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens) is
looking for:
MIDWIFE/SRH REFERENT
(Based in Barcelona)
GENERAL CONTEXT
Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which offers
assistance to populations in distress, to victims of natural or man-made disasters and to victims of armed
conflict, without discrimination and irrespective of race, religion, creed or political affiliation.
The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by 23 sections and offices
worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and
organizational and support departments in Barcelona and decentralised in Nairobi, Dakar and Amman. The
field operations are guided and supported by 5 Operational Cells, the Emergency Unit and other
departments supporting operations, including the Medical Department.
The MSF Medical Department of the Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens (MSF-OCBA) is composed of two
units: the medical-operational and the technical referent advisors units. OCBA also has an agreement with
the Brazilian Medical Unit, which provides ad hoc support according to a Plan of action1. The Medical
director is in charge of the overall management and of the department with the support an assistant and of
the heads of the two units, both of them playing also the role of deputies of the medical director and an
assistant2. The technical advisor unit is formed by referent advisors of different areas and specialties3; one
paediatrician and one epidemiologist are decentralized in Dakar; mobile positions managed by the medicaloperational unit are devoted to support the field program implementation.
MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION
The successful applicant will be a referent advisor in technical and strategic midwifery matters for OCBA.
Her/is mission will be to contribute through her/is expertise to the improvement of care provided to
patients in MSF projects in this domain. S/he will be based in Barcelona and give support in this area to the
polyvalent medical staff in the cells, the teams in the field and operations department in general at HQ
level. S/he will be responding to the needs and requests of OCBA missions, in close coordination and team
work with the Gyn-Obs referent and other referents of linked areas, with the responsibility to cover
effectively all the technical support needed in the OCBA portfolio in this domain.
The close coordination with other referent advisors will contribute to a more transversal, integrated and
holistic support to the cells and the field. The work will be carried out in the framework of the Strategic
plan 2014-2017, the operational policy and OCBA annual plans as well as the Medical department plans.
Her/is duty should always be framed on best international practices and standards.
PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANISATION The Midwife referent advisor will be hierarchically and
functionally accountable to the MSF-Spain OCBA Medical Director, until the head of the Advisors unit has
been recruited, who will then be the direct line manager. Functionally linked and supporting Medical
polyvalent (TESACO/ Desk HQ), Medical Coordinators and hands-on advice to colleagues in the field
(missions), as the rest of the referent advisors of the Medical department.
While in the field, he/she works under the regular hierarchical and functional structures of the missions,
while keeping communication with the Medical Department.
1
This unit is a referent for Chagas disease, Dengue & other emergent diseases. Since 2014 is also working in Other situations of violence
2
Recruitment of the head of the advisors unit is still pending
3
By November 2014, the Medical Referent Advisor positions are: Hospital management; Pharmacy management; Pharmacy quality assurance and
procurement; Diagnosis-Laboratory; Vaccination & Hygiene; Nutrition; HIV-AIDS & TB; Mental Health; Tropical & Neglected Diseases; Haemorrhagic
Fevers ,Learning &Telemedicine, Gynaecology-Obstetrics, Paediatrics, Health Promotion/Anthropology; and Epidemiology.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND TASKS
The successful applicant will be the referent advisor in Midwifery, being the medical focal point in regard to
technical and strategic matters of this domain, in close collaboration and coordination with the
Gynaecology-Obstetrics Referent and Surgical advisor. Based in Barcelona, her/is main responsibility is to
provide timely and effective support to the polyvalent medical staff in the cells and the teams in the field of
midwifery.
Specific key subjects to manage
- Packages of SRH OPD (ANC, PNC, FP)
- Maternity waiting homes
- Community based approaches
- BeMONC
- Sexual violence Care
S/he is the Midwife advisor to field missions/cells polyvalent medical staff, concerning any technical
problem / questions that arise from the field while providing midwifery care services. The overall
responsibility will be to contribute through his/her expertise to the improvement of care of patients in
MSF projects in the domain of women and maternal health.
S/he conducts field visits / supports when needed (including emergencies) / requesting and providing
systematically a report, including program assessment and recommendations related to Midwifery
issues;
When visiting the field, s/he works close together with the mission team to identify together the areas
to reinforce and improve, listening carefully to the concerns expressed by the field team, provide
training and agree with them on a plan of action to improve with adapted and realistic
recommendations.
S/he will provide the fields missions/cells with adapted support according to the needs and requests,
providing direct an immediate response or/and searching actively for the needed answers through
research (literature review, seeking advice of specialist in the matter) to provide the best available
solutions, based always in good practices and international standards.
S/he will give follow up support directly or with the help of other technical advisors (i.e. Gynae&Obs,
Surgery, Health Promotion) to accompany and support closer the efforts of the team in the field, also as
a way to better understand the challenges and adapt the technical advices accordingly.
S/he provides support to enhance quality of care in the missions through protocols and guidance
concerning technical program set up and clinical procedures, as well as through follow up visits.
Participates in the follow up, monitoring & evaluation of the quality implementation of the Midwifery
component.
S/he, together with the Gynae Obs Referent and other colleagues of the Medical department, follow
the implementation of the RH core package of activities to contribute to the reduction of maternal
mortality and morbidity, including emergencies with special focus on the midwifery components;
She/he will work on adapted packages and protocols for emergency and conflict settings as mentioned
in the strategic plan of MSF OCBA 2014-2017.
Participation in discussions on design, development, implementation, review and modification of
specific projects, together with the cell and other referents of the medical department.
Actively will participate in the planning and implementation of assessments and will be involved in the
development of proposals for potential operational interventions;
S/he will work alongside a team of other referents, and other medical colleagues specialized in relevant
fields for maternal care. (i.e. HIV, laboratory, nutrition, malaria);
Contributing to the transversal analysis of our projects and capitalizing on experience through strategic
documents, technical recommendations and guidelines;
S/he will receive data and reports from the field regarding midwife activities, to contribute together
with Gynea Obs Referent in its analysis, providing timely feedback to support the quality of care in MSF
OCBA SRH and participate in its dissemination by preparing presentations in an adapted format
(presentations in the field / HQ/external);
S/he will remain updated on scientific knowledge and evidence published in her/is area of expertise to
ensure a relevant support to the field.
With the Gynea Obs Referent, s/he will explore new avenues for appropriate women’s health care
projects, -in particular in relation to the midwifery part of the area-, background research, designing
and revision of guidelines, collaborating with operations in the implementation and adaptation of
strategies and policies.
S/he will produce together with the Gynaecology-Obstetrics Referent the reports needed of their
activities throughout the year.
Reports regularly to the line manager on the development of her/is activities, orally and in writing if
requested. Gives regular updates to the rest of the medical department team.
Briefing and debriefing of expat midwife workers (or other pertinent expatriates/field workers) to
discuss and orient in main responsibilities, guidelines policies, data collection and reporting, together
with other referents. Absorbs the concerns expressed by the colleagues coming from the field and
makes effective use of the lessons learned proceeding to realize the necessary adjustments.
In case there is a MIO in the domain, s/he will provide technical and functional support and coordinate
with the MIO to make sure the support is provided timely and effectively.
S/he contributes to the definition of priorities in operational research, suggests ideas and participates
in the follow up and supervision of operational research activities in midwifery.
S/he will prepare presentations and participate in colloquiums and seminars on Midwifery subjects,
supports the HHRR department and the learning unit in the recruitment, matching and development of
midwifery staff.
Medical department development and networking:
As referent advisor of the Medical department, h/she participates in all activities organized by the
Medical department, including weekly, monthly and process revision meetings, as in other ad hoc
relevant reunions;
S/he is participating and contributing to MSF OCBA medical department activities through providing
proposals concerning the enhancement of the quality and relevance of Midwifery services;
Participates in the development of the plan of action of the department and contributes to review and
update protocols, guidelines and policies in her/is field of expertise, including its preparation and
dissemination in OCBA missions and in the MSF movement.
S/he will promote together with Gynea Obs Referent, the development of Midwife & GynaecoObstetric programs within MSF OCBA, identifying key priorities issues which need to be invested in
(operational research, key midwifery related questions).
Informs and updates colleagues of the medical department on the evolution of the current midwifery
issues on a regular basis.
Keep a regular communication and exchange with the other technical advisors/cells/departments in
order to contribute to enhanced transversal work and better support to the field.
S/he participates in OCBA training initiatives and technical international meetings with the SRHWG
when needed / required, contributing to the development of competences and skills of the MSF HHRR
in her/is technical area.
Collaborate when requested and approved by her/is line manager with specific dossiers with other
departments and services (HHRR, Communication, Fundraising, Logistics, etc.).
S/he liaises regularly with key relevant actors related to midwifery (academics, researchers, institution
developing programs or policies related to this field) to inform or get informed on recent / ongoing
developments in and outside of MSF (programs, research, initiatives, introduction of new tools) and use
those info to feed internal discussion on midwifery and women’s health to promote innovation;
Follow up and keep updated on the scientific literature in the women and maternal health domains
that interest MSF OCBA (Cells med/ Field missions/ Med Dept.)
Selection Criteria:
Education, Experience and desired attributes
Midwife -with certified speciality degree in Midwifery
Very good knowledge of midwifery in contexts of low income countries
Education and /or experience in Sexual Violence and Community based approaches will be a valuable
asset.
ALSO provider training and being instructor will be a valuable asset
A minimum of 2 years programme experience in different MSF projects (different contexts) or with
relevant medical organization working in low income countries and/or humanitarian settings
Fluent in French and English. Knowledge of other languages (Spanish, Arabic, and Portuguese) is an
asset.
Knowledge in computer: Excel, Word and PowerPoint programmes.
Others
Training and communication skills highly appreciated.
Ability to provide answers to required matters in a simple way, practical and adapted to MSF field
conditions.
Willing to travel abroad, including conflict settings
Competences:
Commitment to MSF’s Principles
Cross-cultural Awareness
Behavioural Flexibility
Analytical Thinking
Strategic Vision
Results and Quality Orientation
Service Orientation
Initiative and Innovation
Teamwork and Cooperation
Conditions:
Position based in Barcelona at the MSF headquarters office with regular field visits (estimated to up to
50 % of time)
Full time job
Permanent position: Minimum commitment of 3 years
Annual gross salary: 35,608.10 € (divided in 12 months payments) + secondary benefits, based on MSF
OCBA reward policy
Applicants should send their CV and covering motivation letter under the reference “MIDWIFE. REFERENT”
to:
Médicos Sin Fronteras - Dpto. RR.HH.
[email protected]
Closing date: 9th January 2015. Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates.

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