PAEDIATRIC ADVISOR (BASED IN AMMAN)

MEDECINS SANS FRONTIERES – OCBA (Operational Centre Barcelona-Athens) is looking for a:

PAEDIATRIC ADVISOR BASED IN AMMAN MSF OCBA HUB (MIDDLE EAST UNIT)

GENERAL CONTEXT

Médecins Sans Frontières is an international independent medical-humanitarian organization, which aids 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.

MSF is a civil society initiative that brings together individuals committed to the assistance of other human beings in crisis. As such MSF is by choice an association.

Each individual working with MSF does it out of conviction and is ready to uphold the values and principles of MSF.

The MSF movement is built around five operational directorates supported by MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together worldwide. MSF OCBA is one of those directorates. The operations are implemented by field teams and the mission coordination teams; together with the organizational units based in Barcelona, Athens and decentralized 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.

MAIN OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

The successful applicant will be an advisor in technical and strategic paediatric matters for OCBA. Her/his mission will be to contribute through her/his expertise to the improvement of care provided to patients in MSF projects in this domain. She or he will give support in this area to the polyvalent medical staff in the cells, the teams in the field and operations department. S/he will be responding to the needs and requests of OCBA missions, in close coordination and teamwork with the other Paediatric Advisors based in Barcelona and Dakar, both with the responsibility to cover effectively all the needs in the OCBA portfolio.

This is a 100% FTE role (open to negotiation) shared with 2 paediatric referents based in Barcelona and Dakar. Together, they will work in close coordination with the advisors of other technical areas of the medical department to contribute to transversal, integrated and holistic support to the cells and the field.

PLACEMENT WITHIN THE ORGANIZATION

The Paediatric Advisor will be hierarchically accountable to the Head o Middle East Unit. Functionally, s/he will be accountable to the Head of Medical Specialties Unit, which in turn is directly accountable to the MSF-Spain Medical Director. S/he will be supporting Medical polyvalent (TESACO/ Desk HQ) and Medical Coordinators (missions), Head of Medical Operations, in collaboration and coordination with the rest of the technical advisors of the Medical Department.

While in the field, s/he works under the regular hierarchical and functional structures of the missions, while keeping communication with the Medical Department.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES, FUNCTIONS AND TASKS (SHARED WITH THE OTHER PAEDIATRIC ADVISORS)

• S/he provides support to enhance quality of care in Middle East, and potentially East African missions, through protocols and guidance concerning technical program set up and clinical procedures, as well as through follow up visits.
• S/he support specific dossiers relevant to the area, as per missions’ requests, such as antimicrobial stewardship and antibiotic resistance, palliative care and neonatal care, as well as others if needed.
• S/he works towards developing a regional network with other MSF and external care providers to enhance paediatric and neonatal strategies and technical capacity.
• S/he contributes to the validation of required MSF OCBA protocols related to neonatal & paediatrics. As well as revision of neonatal, paediatric and nutrition guidelines for OCBA
• S/he contributes to the planning of paediatric activities within MSF by participating in the International Paediatric Platform (IPP) discussions and meetings.
• S/he supports and participates in the MSF Paediatric Days, with next edition taking place in Amman in November 2025.
• S/he supports the neonatal and paediatric trainings development and roll-out, in coordination with the LU.

• S/he contributes to the definition of priorities in operational research and participates in the follow up and supervision of operational research activities in paediatrics.

• S/he contributes to the transversal analysis of our projects and capitalizing on experience through strategic documents, technical recommendations, and guidelines.
• S/he uses field data and reports to contribute to its analysis, providing timely feedback to support the quality of care in MSF OCBA paediatric programs.
• S/he conducts field visits / supports when needed (including emergencies) / requesting and

providing systematically reports, including program assessments and recommendations.

• S/he participates actively in the planning and implementation of assessments and will be involved in the development of proposals for potential operational interventions.
• S/he participates in the briefing and debriefing of IMS (International Mobile Staff) involved in paediatric/neonatal activities to discuss and orient in main responsibilities, guidelines policies, data collection and reporting, together with other referents.
• S/he assists the HR department for technical validation of the paediatricians/paediatric-related positions.  

This role will be responsible for supporting paediatric (including neonatal and nutrition) activities in countries supported by the Operational Cell based in Amman’s office, potentially others in East Africa and emergencies. Each paediatric advisor covers their specific missions, although the workload should be balanced among them, and support might be susceptible to change with time.

MEDICAL DEPARTMENT DEVELOPMENT:

• S/he participates in all activities organized by the Medical Department, including weekly, monthly and process revision meetings and development of the plan of action of the department.
• S/he will promote the development of paediatric programs within MSF OCBA, identifying key priority issues which need to be invested in (operational research, key paediatric questions).
• S/he keeps regular communication and exchange with other technical advisors/cells/departments to contribute to enhanced transversal work and better support to the field.
• S/he collaborates when requested and green lighted by her/is line manager with specific dossiers with other departments and services (HHRR, Communication, Fundraising, Logistics, etc.).
• S/he liaises with key external actors related to paediatrics (academics, researchers, institution developing programs or policies related to paediatrics) to inform or be informed on recent / ongoing developments in and outside of MSF (programs, research, initiatives, introduction of new tools) to feed internal discussions on paediatrics and promote innovation.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Education, Experience, and desired attributes

• Medical doctor with paediatrics certified specialty degree
• Very good general knowledge of paediatrics in different domains, including tropical paediatric diseases and nutrition programmes.
• Postgraduate studies or experience in Neonatology or paediatric Infectious Diseases is an asset.
• Education and /or experience in public health will be an asset.
• A minimum of 2 years of experience in different MSF projects (different contexts) or with relevant medical organization working in low-income countries and/or humanitarian settings
• Fluent in English, and knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
• Excel, Word, and PowerPoint program literate

Competencies

•           Commitment to MSF’s Principles

•           Cross-cultural Awareness

•           Behavioural Flexibility

•           Stress Management

•           Analytical Thinking

•           Results and Quality Orientation

•           Service Orientation

•           Planning and Organising

•           Teamwork and Cooperation

Others

• Availability to travel on short notice.
• Flexibility with working hours.

CONDITIONS:

• Position based in Amman MSF hub (Middle East Unit).
• Full time job
• Commitment: One Year contract with possibility to extend.
• Annual Gross Salary: level 4A (divided in 12 monthly payments) + secondary benefits based on MSF OCBA Reward Policy. Subjected to local conditions.
• Travel frequently to the projects (up to 30%).
• Starting date: 1st of June 2025.

To apply, please submit your application (CV and cover letter) following the link

 Closing date: 24th of April 2025.

Replies will only be sent to short-listed candidates

MSF OCBA is a people-focused humanitarian organization that offers a diverse, collaborative, and inclusive work environment. We believe this approach enhances our work and we are committed to equity in employment. We embrace diverse backgrounds of people working together to exhibit their passion in action for the social mission of MSF.

 Médecins Sans Frontières, as a responsible employer, under article 38 of “Ley de Integración Social del Minusválido de 1982 (LISMI)” invite those persons with a recognized disability and with an interest in the humanitarian area to apply for the above-mentioned position