PROJECT MEDICAL REFERENT – Belgian Projects

CONTEXT 

MSF's purpose in Belgium aims to address, through a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach, the health needs and key social determinants of most vulnerable populations, including migrants and undocumented people, resulting from widespread conditions of social exclusion and exacerbated by restrictive policies, while proactively engaging and promoting institutional change through advocacy. As part of its objectives, the Belgium project also intends to respond to specific emergencies.  

The Belgium project is therefore focusing on populations that are:  

• On a migration journey within Belgium and the EU (extra-territoriality)  

• Invisible and outside the existing social system and hence extremely vulnerable  

Through:  

• Ensuring provision of a multidisciplinary, and multi-partners response.  

• Addressing a fluid and changing environment and being able to respond quickly to emerging needs.  

• Ensuring documentation, analysis, communication, and advocacy  

As Project Medical Referent, you will implement the medical strategy of the country of intervention in close collaboration with the Medical Coordinator and the Medical Department. You will be responsible for planning all medical activities in the operation, according to MSF’s charter, policies, and ethical principles. This is to ensure the delivery of quality medical care for patients and their communities, and to improve the health and humanitarian living conditions of the target population. 

The current activities consist of: 

• Mobile activities carried out with an outreach team (MD, nurse, IPC, HP, MH) in unaccompanied minor (UAM) shelters and squats.  

• 2nd medical opinion consultations in the closed centers throughout Belgium.

MAIN PURPOSE

Participates in defining, planning and monitoring medical activities and programs in the project in accordance with MSF's protocols as well as coordinates human and material related resources needed in order to ensure the quality of care provided by MSF

RESPONSIBILITIES

• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and the rest of team, the Medical Coordinator and MoH partners, defines, implements and monitors medical activities, according to MSF project plans, standards and protocols.  Participates in exploratory missions, situation assessments (defining medical operational priorities when needed) and the development of the project policy, annual plan, budget review and project proposal and reports to donors. Ensures regular contact with MoH and other local medical actors
• Is responsible for the medical data collection, analysis and reporting to the Medical Coordination in the capital in order to ensure a proper monitoring of the program
• Provides technical support to medical personnel in the field through self-knowledge and policies, ensuring compliance with the protocols of MSF medical activities.
• Coordinates, supervises, coaches, supports and evaluates the medical team members’ performance to improve the medical components of the project and ensure compliance with MSF protocols and standards as well as MoH protocols.
• Plans and supervises, in close coordination with the Project Coordinator, the associated processes (recruitment, training, induction, performance evaluation, development and internal / external communication) of the medical staff of the project in order to ensure both the sizing and the amount of knowledge required and improve staff capabilities.
• Supervises an efficient management of the MSF field pharmacy and medical equipment, in collaboration with the Logistics department and project biomedical service and in consideration of program directions and protocol changes. Monitors consumption and preparation of medical orders to provide drugs, medical materials, medical devices and consumables at all circumstances and avoid stock shortage.
• Implements the health policy for international and national staff, providing all prophylactic and preventive necessary measures, structures and emergency plans, managing any medical evacuation in order to ensure MSF staff health. 

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Redefine the outreach strategy and ensure an increased mobile approach of the outreach team through continuous monitoring of the needs in the country through exploratory activities and medical patrols in the cities.
• Empower the outreach team in planning autonomously their activities and interventions. Coordinate with logistics and ops to ensure security of the team.     
• Ensure data collection, reporting, monitoring and evaluation of the outreach activities in order to monitor impact and pertinence. 
• Support the medical team (MD, nurse) in specific medical dossiers: adolescent health, violence (SGBV and torture), TB, medicolegal certification…
• Represent MSF to local medical authorities and other key stakeholders and partners in the country (NGOs, civil society organizations, local organizations, authorities) in order to broaden the context analysis and to strengthen the impact of the medical intervention. 
• Ensure continuous monitoring of the epidemiological context, and propose, in collaboration with the Medical Coordinator, when deemed relevant, ad hoc interventions.
• Regularly review the medical strategy to ensure alignment with evolving needs.
• Ensure onboarding, accompaniment, and support of medical staff in the project.
• Foster a respectful and productive collaboration between ops, med, and advocacy colleagues. 
• Support the IPC focal point in the implementation of IPC/EH interventions in squats and informal shelters. 
• Participate in regular exchanges with the other MSF migration projects for mutual growth and cross-fertilization.
• Report the medical activities and analyze the log frame indicators quarterly and annually together with the medical team.
• Support the Manager of the Detention Activities in the objectives of the program (training and support of volunteer MDs, support strategy joint psycho-medical consultations, develop advocacy program, refine data collection, develop SOPs regarding specific situations…)
• Support the Mental Health Activity Manager in the objectives of the Mental Health strategy for the Belgian project (group activities, focus on UAM, support to activities in closed centers, capacity building of other actors…)
• Support the HP Supervisor in aligning the HP activities with other departments and refine HP strategy for 2025 (places of intervention, subjects, collaboration with partners, mobility and explo’s…)  

REQUIREMENTS

Education 

• Medical doctor or paramedical degree. Desirable specialization or training in Tropical Medicine or related studies (for OCB, OCBA, this is essential too)

Experience

• Essential 2 years working experience related to the diploma/degree and previous experience in MSF in the field 

Languages

•  Very good knowledge of English and French (both written & spoken)  

• Fluency in Dutch is an asset  

Competencies

• Behavioural Flexibility 

• People Management & Development 

• Results and Quality orientation

• Teamwork and Cooperation

• Commitment to MSF’s Principles

CONDITIONS

• Expected starting date: ASAP

• Location: BRUSSELS BELGIUM 

• Contract type: CDD contract

• Contract duration: until 31st of December 2025 (renewable based on ARO)

• Salary according to MSF-OCB HQ grid

• Meal Vouchers - Hospital Insurance (DKV) – Pension Plan – 100% reimbursement for public transportation costs

• Adhere to the MSF principles and to our managerial values: Respect, Transparency, Integrity, Accountability, Trust and Empowerment

• Adhere to the MSF Behavioral Commitments

Deadline for applications: 22/04/25

How to apply?

➢ Submit your application via the 'Apply here' button    

➢ Thank you in advance for having your CV and motivation letter in English ready to upload (preferably in PDF format)

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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