Nurse Midwife

Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin)

International Health NGO

Location: Sudan (Adilla, South Darfur)
Closing date: 31 Mar 2008

Job Description

Programme: Phc to Host and Idp Populations Of Adilla Locality In South Darfur
Responsible To: Medical Coordinator
Working With: Project Officer, Phc Nurses, Medical Coordinator
Location: Adilla– South Darfur-Sudan
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 9 Months with Possible Extension (Subject To Funding)
Allowance: £12,113 - £16562 per annum dependant on relevant experience, an annual cost of living allowance of £4,646, insurance cover, accommodation and return flights.

Context & Programme Summary:
- Merlin Northern Sudan
- The goal of the Sudan mission is to address humanitarian and health crises within Sudan, with particular focus on Darfur (Western Sudan) while increasing capacity of local structures to deliver effective and quality primary health care services.

- Over two million people are now thought to have been displaced since the commencement of hostilities in the Darfur region, many of whom continue to be in acute need of emergency assistance. These needs are further exacerbated by seasonal rains & food shortages due to interruptions of agricultural cycles. Developments at the peace process level may initiate population returns in certain areas, while other areas continue to experience displacement.

- Merlin has been working in Darfur since late 2004, and currently runs 3 projects across South Darfur. Merlin's primary health care interventions provide quality services through both static and outreach mobile clinic services. Activities increase community-level access to health care by establishing static primary health clinics in former mobile clinic locations, and starting new mobile sites where population movements indicate severe need. The programme will also extend health education: Merlin believes that preventive health care has significant impacts on health status. This is embedded in a context where Merlin collaborates closely with Sudan's Ministry of Health and other government agencies for material and human resource support for projects. The focus for 2008 will be the continuation of the primary health care provision within the areas we're already supporting with the addition of nutritional support on a CTC basis.

Key Responsibilities

Programme:
- Implement TOT courses to train for Village Midwives, in undertaking safe motherhood initiatives including ANC, safe delivery, management of complications, post natal follow up, STI diagnosis and treatment and health education relevant to maternal health.
- Work with local staff to train health workers on reproductive health including,
- STI services, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, counseling for gender based violence and referral links with support agencies for psycho-social management of GBV victims.
- Implement standard protocols and guidelines for SMI and RH in collaboration with MoH and Merlin staff (such as syndromic case management of STDs, referral of obstetric emergencies, medical response to survivors of sexual violence, counseling, antenatal, delivery, post natal and family planning services)
- Develop and implement a supervision system for health workers and village midwives to support implementation of all SMI and RH activities.
- Strengthen referral services between communities and primary and secondary health facilities to promote SMI and RH access and utilisation of services.
- Ensure ongoing supply of drugs and consumables according to the protocols prescribed by MoH and supported by Merlin.
- Attend meetings with the MoH and UN agencies for program development of services for RH and SMI at district level.
- Participate in community meetings for women's groups, community leaders and village midwives in camps to promote more community participation in planning and delivery of appropriate services for SMI, RH and GBV management.
- Develop a strong monitoring system for SMI and RH activities during the emergency phase that will form the basis of a comprehensive M&E system.
- Support the development of new projects for Merlin Health programs in collaboration with the Medical Officer and Country Medical Co-ordinator.

Reporting:
- Write internal monthly and donor reports as required by Merlin management
- Provide regular reports and database information to MoH counterparts and UN agencies and other stakeholders as relevant to the health activities supported by Merlin.
- Document all operational research and relevant findings for field based health programs for Merlin.

Person Specification

Essential:
- Qualified Nurse- Midwife with field based experience in public health preferably in emergency relief programs.
- Significant experience in training of trainers / health workers
- Experience with sexual and gender based violence issues and activities
- Experience in implementation and monitoring of maternal health programs.
- Experience in multi-cultural, multi-national work settings
- Knowledge and experience of MISP (Minimum Initial Service Package)
- Knowledge of IEC and experience of community mobilization
- Willingness to live in team accommodation and be prepared to travel frequently.
- Previous experience of working and living in insecure environments
- Report writing skills
- Planning and organisational skills

Desirable:
- Previous experience of working in Sudan.
- Knowledge of mainstreaming gender issues into programmes
- Ability to speak and understand Arabic
- Counseling skills

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note: this is an unaccompanied position.

Vacancies Contact

To apply for this vacancy
Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk. Completed application forms should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating clearly I the subject filed the job title, country and reference number (if any).

Reference Code: RW_7CDKP2-53