NATIONAL CONSULTANT: Clinical Coordinator-Obstetric Fistula

The Position:

Clinical Coordinator-Obstetric Fistula

The consultant will report to the SRH Programme adviser,

How you can make a difference:

UNFPA is the lead UN agency for delivering a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person's potential is fulfilled.  UNFPA’s strategic plan (2022-2025), reaffirms the relevance of the current strategic direction of UNFPA and focuses on three transformative results: to end preventable maternal deaths; end unmet need for family planning; and end gender-based violence and harmful practices. These results capture our strategic commitments on accelerating progress towards realizing the ICPD and SDGs in the Decade of Action leading up to 2030. Our strategic plan calls upon UN Member States, organizations and individuals to “build forward better”, while addressing the negative impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on women’s and girls’ access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights, recover lost gains and realize our goals.

In a world where fundamental human rights are at risk, we need principled and ethical staff, who embody these international norms and standards, and who will defend them courageously and with full conviction.

UNFPA is seeking candidates that transform, inspire and deliver high impact and sustained results; we need staff who are transparent, exceptional in how they manage the resources entrusted to them and who commit to deliver excellence in programme results.

Job Purpose:

Obstetric fistula is a common morbidity that affects women of reproductive age in South Sudan, where an estimated 60,000 obstetric fistula survivors need treatment. However, comprehensive programs to prevent and treat it are lacking. In addition, the fistula survivors are scattered throughout the country and with a limited number of health care workers trained on providing clinical and nursing care services. State governments have also continued to struggle with competing priorities and therefore making it difficult for the national coordination of the fistula programmes. 

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - a mandated UN agency to improve maternal and newborn health and wellbeing- has identified and focused on obstetric fistula eradication as a maternal health priority in South Sudan for over two decades.  Since 2006, UNFPA has supported fistula treatment campaigns directly and through its partners. These surgical camps have been the only opportunity to provide services to the women living with obstetric fistula in South Sudan. 

This year, UNFPA in partnership with the National Ministry of Health, and the State Ministries of Health will continue to strengthen the national Systems for Obstetric Fistula Prevention, Treatment, and Social Reintegration in South Sudan in line with UNFPA’s goal to end Fistula by 2030.

You would be responsible for:

• Liaise with the hospital management to oversee all fistula program activities in the hospital, including maintenance of fistula facilities, proper use of medicine and supplies.
• Liaise with professional associations like SSAOG, SNAMA and OF national expert team to promote OF management programme.
• Provide technical leadership to the core team to ensure quality holistic care for fistula patients including clinical care rehabilitation and psycho-social support as appropriate
• Conduct screening, clinical examination, routine laboratory tests and development of the complicated obstetric fistula patients to re-establish their clinical conditions and fitness to undergo surgical operations.
• Provide repair and reconstruction surgery to obstetric fistula patients and provide the necessary post-operative follow up care and further management.
• As a lead surgeon, promotes and maintain high standards of surgical treatment by advising and supervising the fistula surgical team and other support staff.
• Coordinate with partners to support OF treatment and training of OF surgical teams both at the OF treatment facilities
• Ensure that the medical/surgical care is in accordance with accepted ethical guidelines and the FIGO standards
• Collaborate with Implementing Partner project staff on outreach and awareness activities as needed as the treatment is based on scientific knowledge and acquired experience.
• To ensure that individual patients files are maintained correctly, with reference to the medical/surgical notes and treatment plan and work with relevant MOH departments to maintain proper records of fistula programme activities through the National Fistula database and included as part of DHIS2 reporting as appropriate.
• Develop and enhance relationships with strategic partners, donors, local authorities including Ministry of Health and community leaders to maximize support for the fistula health program,
• As appropriate represent UNFPA in relevant expertise international and regional conferences, seminars, workshops and meetings and share national OF scientific papers, research, and policy briefs 
• Work alongside the national obstetricians and gynaecologists and provides knowledge and skills transfer as well as establishing medium to long-term mentorship mechanisms.
• Debrief the Country Office and Ministry of Health at both national and state levels on outcomes and lessons learnt from the obstetric fistula programme.
• Provide a detailed report on the outcomes of the operation/treatment of each fistula survivor.
• Other related tasks to the scope of work as determined by the UNFPA Representative.
   

Qualifications and Experience: 

Education:  

<Education Requirements>

Knowledge and Experience: 

• Medical Doctor with Postgraduate Degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, and/or Surgery with at least 5 years of professional experience in the field and with specialised training on obstetric fistula management, with 3 years of professional experience in treating obstetric fistula.
• Proof/evidence of his training and/or certification to independently conduct OF surgical treatment.
• Vast experience of handling obstetric fistula cases/patients 
• Field experience in the countries with similar problems of obstetric fistula cultural backgrounds as South Sudan is a strong asset.
• Ability to work in a pressured environment with strict deadlines and scarce resources.

Languages: 

• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Knowledge of Arabic is an added advantage. Working knowledge of another UN Official Language, an asset

Required Competencies: 

Values:

•  Exemplifying integrity, 
• Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system, 
• Embracing cultural diversity, 
• Embracing change

Core Competencies: 

• Achieving results,
• Being accountable,
• Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
• Thinking analytically and strategically,
• Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,

Functional Competencies:

• Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
• Job knowledge/technical expertise
• Adaptation/application of knowledge in different contexts
• Integration in a multidisciplinary environment

Managerial Competencies (if applicable):

• Providing strategic focus
• Engaging internal/ external partners and stakeholders
• Leading, developing and empowering people/ creating a culture of performance
• Making decisions and exercising judgment

Compensation and Benefits

This position offers an attractive remuneration package including a competitive net salary plus health insurance and other benefits as applicable.

UNFPA Work Environment:

UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, diversity, integrity and healthy work-life balance. We are committed to ensuring gender parity in the organization and therefore encourage women to apply. Individuals from the LGBTQIA+ community, minority ethnic groups, indigenous populations, persons with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are highly encouraged to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities in terms of appointment, training, compensation and selection for all regardless of personal characteristics and dimensions of diversity. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion is at the heart of UNFPA's workforce - click here to learn more.
 

Disclaimer:

Selection and appointment may be subject to background and reference checks, medical clearance, visa issuance and other administrative requirements. 

UNFPA does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process and does not concern itself with information on applicants' bank accounts. 

Applicants for positions in the international Professional and higher categories, who hold permanent resident status in a country other than their country of nationality, may be required to renounce such status upon their appointment.