Medical Officer

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. 

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development - bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kasese and Kampala. The IRC will be moving into additional/new locations in refugee settlements in Kryandongo and Zombo.

The IRC is currently implementing its health and nutrition program in West Nile and Acholi focusing on providing primary health care services to refugees in their settlements. Similar services will be extended to the new locations starting January 2020.

Job Overview:
Under the supervision of the Health Manager, the medical officer shall be responsible for the day today delivery of clinical services in IRC-Palabek settlement health facilities; inclusive of maternal and child health, nutrition, expanded program on immunization as well as ensuring functionality of both laboratory and pharmaceutical services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
•S/He shall conduct daily ward rounds for the patients in the in-patient wards and attend to all medical and surgical emergencies while on duty.
•S/He shall provide daily comprehensive evaluation and delivery of health services to clients/patients according to ministry of health guidelines and protocols and the WHO public health strategy.
•S/He shall promptly evaluate patients for referral and follow up to ensure that services are accessed at the points of referral.
•S/He shall coordinate clinical audits, patient chart reviews and mortality audits as part of continuous learning and improvement of the delivery of health services. 
•S/He shall monitor availability of medicines and medical supplies at the settlement facilities and promptly alerts the Health Manager on short falls and needs for re-stocking.
•S/He shall ensure adequate daily health team coverage of the clinics and rational prescription and use of medicines and supplies.
•S/He coordinate integrated service delivery at the settlement Health facilities that includes, but not limited to maternal child health, non-communicable diseases, nutrition, HIV care and reproductive health services.
•S/He shall ensure consistent and timely collection, utilization and reporting of facility-based health data.
•S/He shall Identify training needs and provide just-in-time training and mentorship for the multi-disciplinary health care teams.
•S/He shall actively participate in education talks that inform the community to adopt health promoting behaviors.
•S/He shall represent the IRC in meetings/workshop to maintain effective and cordial relationships with District Health authorities and other district officials, community leaders and other NGOs.