Senior HIV / TB / NCD Advisor (Medical Doctor) - South Africa Medical Unit

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian aid organization that assists in more than 80 countries to populations in distress, victims of natural or manmade disasters, and victims of armed conflicts without discrimination and irrespective of origin, religion, creed, or political affiliation. 

Senior HIV / TB / NCD Advisor (Medical Doctor) - SAMU -  Western Cape

The Southern Africa Medical Unit of MSF (SAMU) is pleased to announce that we are recruiting an HIV/TB/NCD Senior Medical Adviser and NCD/Diabetes referent.  Please follow the recruitment instructions in the link below to be considered for this exciting opportunity.  If this is not for you, please share with your networks.

Background:

MSF provides care for chronic diseases, in particular HIV, TB, and NCDs in many countries. Some projects have a specific focus on one or more of these chronic diseases, often with innovative approaches and associated research and advocacy objectives, while in most there is a degree of integration of their care. Increasingly integration of chronic disease care is seen as a priority, including in conflict settings where disruption to care means projects are faced with many people in need of continuity of their medications.

The post-holder together with the whole SAMU team provides support to these projects and to related innovation and advocacy efforts. This position will have a specific technical and strategic focus on NCDs, in particular on diabetes and hypertension, and will also engage with HIV and TB support along with the other advisers.

Purpose:

The position is responsible for providing technical and strategic support to MSF projects and other MSF units in chronic diseases (NCD/HIV/TB) and will represent MSF in various internal and external platforms on NCD related issues, with a focus on diabetes and hypertension. A variety of other domains are relevant to the position including: epidemiology and  public health, operational research and M&E, laboratory diagnostics, drug supply chain, pedagogy,  reproductive health and key population needs. 

Department: South Africa Medical Unit.(SAMU)

Position Level: 9 on MSF SnA salary grid

Reports To: Head of South Africa Medical Unit

Reporting Structure:

The job holder is part of a four person senior adviser team and reports to the SAMU director and  will not line manage positions.

Accountabilities (Output and Key Actions)

Output 1:

To perform visits to MSF projects dealing with  NCD and HIV/TB, with objectives including:

Key Actions:

• Evaluation of operational strategy and technical aspects of the HIV/TB/NCD activities and provide clear recommendations in line with MSF guidelines and policies 
• Provide general technical support (including trainings, monitoring and research, and review of protocol and practice) according to the needs
• Evaluation of TB/HIV/NCD activities and support to implementation of improved management (including organisational, strategic and technical support) 
• Support for the implementation of specific clinical and programmatic activities
• General support for organization of services (especially for programs involved in decentralisation), including flow of patient, data collection, rationalization of care, adherence support... 
• Support for integration of TB/HIV/NCD care implementation in  projects where this is not the main focus

Output 2:

To work together with  other MSF medical referents  on specific dossiers linked to HIV, TB, NCD services (operational research, developing tools for field support, data collection support, advocacy agenda, etc.). 

Key Actions:

• Lead or contribute/involve in research papers from concept note to the publication of the paper with specific department of HQs
• Lead of contribute on developing toolkits of specific activities to support implementation
• Contribute to the conception and development of relevant  advocacy and access agendas

Output 3:

Build extensive network in the area of diabetes and other NCDs- to keep MSF up-to-date and develop common policy and advocacy objectives.

Key Actions:

• Participate in MSF NCD technical Working Group and other NCD platforms.
• Collaborate with other international organisations  and civil society and advocacy groups.
• Identify and build networks with relevant expertise in NCD related areas outside MSF.
• Participate in different international and national conferences linked to NCDs and other SAMU core thematic.

Knowledge, Skills, Experience

Essential:

• Minimum experience:  Medical Doctor/Senior Manager
• University degree in Medicine and registration as a Medical Doctor
• Post–graduate qualifications in general practice/family medicine, adult internal medicine, infectious diseases, tropical medicine and/or public health
• Good communication skills
• Knowledge of MSF guidelines and policies
• Willingness and ability to travel 
• Demonstrable commitment to humanitarian issues
• Proven clinical and programme management experience in diabetes care and in NCD/chronic disease care in general.
• 2 years MSF or similar field experience in projects with vertical or integrated HIV, TB, and NCD activities
• Fluent in English   
• Knowledge of French (depending on countries supported)

Desirable:

• Proven clinical and programme management experience in HIV/AIDS and TB/DRTB.
• Experience and interest in advocacy and access to medicines.
• Experience in NGO working environment.
• Proven experience in field/ operational research.  

Competencies:

• Self-motivated, uses initiative  
• Accurate and meticulous  
• Tolerant and patient
• Systematic and organized
• Sensitive to diversity and cultural issues 
• Attention to detail
• Ability to work in a team
• Willingness to work beyond official working times 
• Adhere and Commitment to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust, and Empowerment
• Adhere to the MSF Behavioural Commitments

Working Relationships (Internal and External):

Internal: The whole of SAMU team members.

External: MSF projects, country and regional teams, and headquarter medical and operational management, other medical referents in related areas and Medical Units of OCB (MEMU, BRAMU, Luxor, etc...). Where relevant, and on demand, projects of MSF WACA and other sections may also be supported by the position.

Key Challenges: 

The Senior HIV/TB/NCD advisors are mandated to assess and propose solutions.  The work will be at the invitation of the field and the recommendations may or may not be taken up.  Also, due to staff turnover of decisions makers at field level keeping up the momentum is imperative.

Key Decision Making:

The incumbent makes decisions in collaboration with the staff and management of the projects (see above) and also within the SAMU team ensure effective support of the field and achievement of medical programming, innovation, and advocacy objectives.

Remuneration and resources:

• Resources needed such as working space, computer, internet, stationery, and other resources will be made available
• Position Level: 9 on MSF SnA salary grid
• Basic Salary: R53 375,39
• 13th Cheque in November
• 100% Medical aid contribution
• 10% additional pension allowance
• Transport allowance
• Cell Phone Allowance
• 12 Months Contract - Renewable 

Deadline for applications: 19th of November 2024

Start date: February 2025

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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MSF values diversity and is committed to create an inclusive working environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, colour or ethnic and national origins, religion or belief, or sexual orientation, and all other diversity characteristics.