Emergency Medical Officer in DR Congo

Lubumbashi

Organization: UNV - United Nations Volunteers
Location: Lubumbashi
Grade: Mid level - International Volunteer - Internationally recruited Volunteer
Occupational Groups:
- Medical Practitioners
- Humanitarian Aid and Coordination
- Emergency Aid and Response
- Medical Doctor
Closing Date: Closed

UN VOLUNTEER DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENT CODR000272--Medical Officer The United Nations Volunteers (UNV) programme is the UN organization that promotes volunteerism to support peace and development worldwide. Volunteerism can transform the pace and nature of development and it benefits both society at large and the individual volunteer. UNV contributes to peace and development by advocating for volunteerism globally, encouraging partners to integrate volunteerism into development programming, and mobilizing volunteers.In most cultures volunteerism is deeply embedded in long- established, ancient traditions of sharing and support within the communities. In this context, UN Volunteers take part in various forms of volunteerism and play a role in development and peace together with co-workers, host agencies and local communities.In all assignments, UN Volunteers promote volunteerism through their action and conduct. Engaging in volunteer activity can effectively and positively enrich their understanding of local and social realities, as well as create a bridge between themselves and the people in their host community. This will make the time they spend as UN Volunteers even more rewarding and productive.

General Information

Country of Assignment Congo, Democratic Republic

Host Institute UN Organisation Stabilisation Mission in the DRC

Volunteer Category International Specialist

Number of Volunteer 1

Duration Until 30-06-2018

Duty Station Bukavu

Assignment Place Non-Family Duty station

Assignment Place Remark

Assignment is non-family

Living Conditions

The Democratic Republic of Congo is the second largest country in Africa, and as a result is quite diverse.

Living conditions therefore vary between MONUSCO duty stations, with all usual amenities present in the capital Kinshasa, but only very basic conditions in remote duty stations in the provinces, where, for instance, there may be no guarantee of public power supply nor running water. The ability to live and work in difficult and harsh conditions of developing countries is essential. Accommodation is very expensive in both Kinshasa and Lubumbashi. Supermarkets exist in the large towns (e.g. Bukavu, Kisangani), but consumer items are generally very expensive (as everything is imported). For food, local markets offer a much cheaper alternative.

All MONUSCO duty stations are considered non-family duty stations, except for Kinshasa, Lubumbashi and Entebbe which are now

considered family duty stations, and most are currently under UN Security Phase III (“relocation phase”: internationally-recruited staff are temporarily concentrated or relocated to specified sites/locations). In addition to insecurity related to the relatively volatile political situation as well as various conflict situations, certain places are subject to increasing street and residential crime, including in Kinshasa and Goma.

Some degree of medical service is provided in all MONUSCO duty stations. Certain vaccinations are mandatory for MONUSCO personnel to enter the DRC, while others are compulsory for all other incoming persons. It is possible for incoming MONUSCO 31 Jul 2017 Page 1 of 6 personnel, including UN Volunteers, to be asked to provide proof of some or all vaccinations, though this is unlikely. All UN Volunteers must ensure that they are up-to-date with all appropriate vaccinations, which should be clearly and properly endorsed in

the International Certificate of Vaccination (“carte jaune”). Malaria is present virtually throughout the DRC, and it is therefore

recommended to take prophylaxis.

The unit of currency is the Congolese Franc. The US dollar is the other preferred currency. It may be impossible to exchange

traveller’s checks away from the capital city. Credit cards are usually accepted in major hotels only in Kinshasa. In larger towns and

cities (e.g. Kinshasa, Goma, Bukavu, Kisangani), UN Volunteers are recommended to open US Dollar bank accounts, while in other

places, banks may be absent (including ATMs) and VLA payments will be processed in cash. UN Volunteers have the possibility to

send part of their allowances to a bank account abroad.

In addition to French, there are four major spoken languages in DRC, namely Lingala, Kikongo, Tshiluba and Swahili.

Assignment Details

Assignment Title Medical Officer

Organizational Context & Project Description

The United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the DR Congo (MONUSCO) was established in 1999 under the auspices of

the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). – http://monusco.unmissions.org.

Sustainable Development Goals 16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

UNV Focus Area Peace building

Task description

Within the terms of the organization’s delegated authority, and under the direct supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO), the

UN Volunteer will undertake the following tasks:

Clinical Duties:

Undertake day-to-day clinical duties, e.g. walk-in clinic, emergencies, pre-placement and periodic medical examinations,

immunizations, etc; Participate in addressing work environment and occupational health issues;

Handle medico-surgical emergencies

Organize and deliver Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation and first aid training to United Nations Organization Stabilization

Mission in the DR Congo staff;

Management of the Nursing facility (12 beds including 2 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds);

On call for emergencies when and as required;

Shift work as required by CMO ( Chief Medical Officer)

Manage day-to-day mission medical support operations by ensuring availability of supplies and proper functioning of medical

equipment;

Ensure that appropriate training programs are implemented in order to maintain and develop the medical capabilities (e.g.

health education, HIV/AIDS prevention, first aid and Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation.

Medico Administrative Duties:

Liaise with UN-Military Medical Units in the mission and host-nation medical facilities;

Follow the United Nations established policies and procedures regarding medical clearances, sick leave and medical

evacuations;

Deputize for a more senior Medical Officer during his/her absence.

31 Jul 2017 Page 2 of 6 General:

Work implies frequent interaction with the following: Staff at large; staff within work unit, Staff Counsellors, Senior

Management throughout the organization and Military Physicians;

When working with (including supervising) national staff or (non-)governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners

(IPs), the incumbent is strongly encouraged to set aside dedicated time for capacity development through coaching,

mentoring and formal and on-the-job training;

Perform other related duties as may be required.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are required to:- Strengthen their knowledge and understanding of the concept of volunteerismby

reading relevant UNV and external publications and take active part in UNVactivities (for instance in events that mark International

Volunteer Day)- Be acquainted with and build on traditional and/or local forms ofvolunteerism in the host country- Reflect on the type

and quality of voluntary action that they areundertaking, including participation in ongoing reflection activities- Contribute

articles/write-ups on field experiences and submit them for UNVpublications/websites, newsletters, press releases, etc.- Assist with

the UNV Buddy Programme for newly-arrived UN Volunteers- Promote or advise local groups in the use of online volunteering,

orencourage relevant local individuals and organizations to use the UNV OnlineVolunteering service whenever technically possible.

Results/Expected Outputs

Well-coordinated emergency medical and medico-administrative work in the field;

Commitment on improving his/her skills and to continue learning from others during the course of his/her assignment;

Deadlines, and confidentiality of documents / information are respected at all time;

Improved coordination between the civilian medical and military components in the mission with reduced risks of

miscommunications or misunderstandings.

The development of capacity through coaching, mentoring and formal on-the-job training, when working with (including

supervising) national staff or (non-) governmental counterparts, including Implementing Partners (IPs);

Age, Gender and Diversity (AGD)perspective is systematically applied, integrated and documented in all activities throughout

the assignment;

A final statement of achievements towards volunteerism for development during the assignment, such as reporting on the

number of volunteers mobilized, activities participated in and capacities developed.

Conditions of Service for International Specialist:

The contract lasts for the period indicated above with possibility of extensions subject to availability of funding, operational necessity

and satisfactory performance. However, there is no expectation of renewal of the assignment.

A UN Volunteer receives a Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) which is composed of the Monthly Living Allowance (MLA) and a

Family Allowance (FA) for those with dependents (maximum three).

The Volunteer Living Allowance (VLA) is paid at the end of each month to cover housing, utilities, transportation, communications

and other basic needs. The VLA can be computed by applying the Post-Adjustment Multiplier (PAM) to the VLA base rate of US$

1,587. The VLA base rate is a global rate across the world, while the PAM is duty station/country-specific and fluctuates on a

monthly basis according to the cost of living. This method ensures that international UN Volunteers have comparable purchasing

power at all duty stations irrespective of varying costs of living. The PAM is established by the International Civil Service Commission

(ICSC) and is published at the beginning of every month on the ICSC website http://icsc.un.org.

For example, kindly enter the link Calculator

In non-family duty stations that belong to hardship categories D or E, as classified by the ICSC, international UN Volunteers receive

a Well-Being Differential (WBD) on a monthly basis.

Furthermore, UN Volunteers are provided a settling-in-grant (SIG) at the start of the assignment (if the volunteer did not reside in

the duty station for at least 6 months prior to taking up the assignment) and in the event of a permanent reassignment to another

duty station.

31 Jul 2017 Page 3 of 6 UNV provides life, health, permanent disability insurances as well as assignment travel, annual leave, full integration in the UN security framework (including residential security reimbursements).

UN Volunteers are paid Daily Subsistence Allowance at the UN rate for official travels, flight tickets for periodic home visit and for the

final repatriation travel (if applicable). Resettlement allowance is paid for satisfactory service at the end of the assignment.

UNV will provide, together with the offer of assignment, a copy of the Conditions of Service, including Code of conduct, to the

successful candidate.