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.

Job Overview

Under the guidance of Health manager, the Senior Medical Officer shall be responsible for ensuring that effective, efficient and quality clinical Services are provided at the respective health facilities where he/ she shall be stationed. He/ She shall be responsible for ensuring that medicines and medical supplies are available for effective service delivery. The medical officer will work in collaboration with other officers in Community Health and Reproductive health to ensure that there is on-going provision of services that are safe for the beneficiaries both at the community level and health facility. He/ she shall also give oversight and guidance to the health workers on proper management of medical conditions according to the Ministry of Health guidelines.

Key Outputs

•Quality Clinical service for patients provided. This will include services at OPD, IPD, Theatre, and Maternity units.
•High risk cases identified, reviewed, and referred appropriately.
•Ward or health unit activities organized and managed.
•Discipline enforced.
•Staff performance appraisal done timely.
•Activity reports submitted timely.

Roles and Responsibilities

•Provide comprehensive evaluation and delivery of health services to persons of concern according to ministry of health guidelines and protocols and UNHCR public health strategy.
•Coordinate integrated service delivery at the health facilities including, but not limited to; mental health, NCD’s, Nutrition, HIV care and RH including coordination of consultancy and outreach visits.
•Conduct daily ward rounds for IPD patients and attend to all emergencies both medical and surgical while on duty.
•Ensure adequate health team coverage of the clinics and rationale prescription and use of medicines and medical supplies.
•Monitor availability of supplies and promptly alert the clinical services and health managers.
•Coordinate clinical audits, chart reviews and mortality audits as part of continuous learning and improvement of activities.
•Identify training needs and provide just-in-time training and mentorship for the multi-disciplinary health care teams.
•Promptly evaluate patients for referral and follow up to ensure services are accessed at the point of referral.
•Support the implementation of emergency reproductive health services including basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care.
•Coordinate with district health authorities and other agencies to avoid duplication of services in the settlements and to optimize health outcomes through increased access to life saving interventions.
•Actively participate in mobilizing and educating the community to adopt health promoting behaviors.
•Ensure consistent and timely collection, utilization and reporting of community health and facility based health data.
•Represent the health program and maintain effective and cordial relationship with district health authorities and other district officials, UN agencies, Community leaders and other NGO’s.
•Conduct disease surveillance activities and manage outbreaks. 

Qualifications

•Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) from a recognized university.
•Must be registered with Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioner’s council.
•Must possess a valid practicing license.
•Not less than three years’ experience in clinical work in humanitarian setting.
•Good track record of clinical management of common ailments and surgical skills.
•Knowledge of grants management.
•Working contacts within health sector, including district health care authorities and other NGO’s.
•Fluency in English and any other relevant local language.
•Strong analytical orientation and sound judgment.
•Proactiveness, resourcefulness, punctuality, responsibility.
• Excellent administrative/management skills.
•Excellent presentation and communication skills.
•Solid understanding of the social, economic and political context of a refugee setting.
• Dedication to the IRC principles and demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with persons of different national and cultural background
• Proficiency in current office software applications (MS- word, excel, PowerPoint).

Working Environment:  
Regional Referral Hospital-base work environment, computer shall be provided depending on availability for report writing.