Medical Escorts – Doctors (on-call basis subject to need)

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) is the UN Migration Agency. With 174 member states it is committed to the principle that humane and orderly migration benefits migrants and society. Established in 1951 and now active in over 400 field locations worldwide, IOM works with partners, government and civil society to:

1. Assist in meeting the operational challenges of migration and mobility
2. Advance understanding of migration issues
3. Encourage social and economic development through migration; and
4. Uphold the human dignity and well-being of migrants and mobile populations.

IOM is committed to a diverse and inclusive environment. External candidates are eligible to apply to this vacancy.

IOM’s Regional Office for the East and Horn of Africa supports and monitors the following countries: Burundi, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda. Through a team of specialists, the Regional Office supports the development, implementation, monitoring, reporting and evaluation of projects and initiatives undertaken by country offices and regional programmes.

In Kenya, IOM has since significantly diversified its programming since 2005. IOM currently implements interventions within the areas of emergency and post-conflict response, preparedness and response, disaster risk reduction, livelihoods, healthcare, and psychosocial assistance, assisted voluntary return of migrants, immigration and border management, migration and development, resettlement and repatriation, family reunification, counter human trafficking, assistance to vulnerable migrants, and labour migration. This sometimes involves movement of vulnerable persons who require special travel arrangements during movement such as in relocation, repatriation, or resettlement.

Under the overall guidance of the Regional Health Assessments Program Coordinator for Sub – Saharan Africa, the direct supervision of the Chief Nurse, Mobile Unit and technical supervision Regional Medical Movement Cordinator the incumbent will act as medical escort for refugees with significant medical conditions requiring special travel arrangements for the duration of their travel to final destinations in the US, Australia, Canada, and other countries.

III. RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

In particular, the incumbent will: –

1. Review all files of refugees/migrants known to have significant medical conditions and discuss the findings with the IOM physician.
2. Complete all logistical and administrative procedures required before travel as advised.
3. Ensure that special services (i.e., medications, oxygen, stretcher, others) needed are available and confirmed before departure.
4. Provide all necessary medical care and support to designated beneficiaries(s) – patients during the journey and accompany these persons to an agreed handover point.
5. Identify themselves to airline staff on check-in and again on boarding the carrier.
6. Extend general in-flight and on-the-ground support to all passengers travelling under the auspices of IOM as circumstances require.
7. Ensure all clinical observations and interventions are documented in provided forms as they happen.
8. Accommodate any changes in routing or schedule imposed by the carrier or condition of the patient.
9. Comply with standard IOM requirements for duty travel and entitlements.
10. Assume other duties as assigned, which may include meetings or briefing of national health or quarantine officials on arrival, the purchase of goods or equipment at the destination, or assisting in the shipping or return of such equipment, emergency admission processing or other unpredicted activity relevant to successful escorting.
11. Ensure that designated patients are handed over to a responsible entity overseas and that unescorted onward travel connections are completely understood by the passenger, accompanying family members, or continuing non-medical escorts, and partner agencies.
12. Upon handover of the migrant(s) to the receiving party, obtain the signature from the receiving party to Migrant Handover Notification filled in and signed by the medical escort.
13. Ensure handing over is done as per previously agreed protocol or as necessitated in case of an emergency in communication with the Chief Nurse, Regional Medical Movement Cordinator or other relevant higher authority directly concerned with the movement.
14. Complete and submit the Escort Movement Report to the IOM Mission and the relevant MHD Unit involved within one week after the completion of duty.
15. Return the IOM medical escort bag once duty is complete, with inventory of all medications or supplies used during the journey within one week of duty completion or earlier as instructed.

V. EDUCATION, EXPERIENCE AND VISA REQIREMENTS

• University Degree in Medicine and Masters in any Emergency Health related with valid license to practice medicine in Kenya.
• At least five years of clinical experience with thorough knowledge of emergency medicine:
• distinct advantage to ER specialists and specialists in emergency pulmonology, cardiology; neurology and paediatric medicine including mental health specialists (psychiatrists).
• Current BLS and ACLS or equivalent certification required.
• Possession of any valid USA, Canadian, Australia and/or a Schengen Visa is a must

IV. COMPETENCIES

The incumbent is expected to demonstrate the following values and competencies:

Values

• All IOM staff members must abide by and demonstrate these five values:
  Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Encourages diversity and inclusion.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on issues of importance.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and fairly treated.

  Core Competencies – Behavioural indicators

• Teamwork: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
• Delivering results: Produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
• Managing and sharing knowledge: Continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Encourages and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

VI. SKILLS

• Proficiency in computer skills, especially in MS Office products (Excel, Outlook, Word etc.).
• Gender sensitivity and respect for cultural diversity

VII. LANGUAGES

Required

Fluency in English and Knowledge of languages spoken in East Africa is required. Working knowledge of French; and/or any other UN Official language is advantageous.