The ALIMA SPIRIT: ALIMA’s purpose is to save lives and provide care for the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion or politics, through actions based on proximity, innovation, and the alliance of organisations and individuals. We act with humanity and impartiality in accordance with universal medical ethics. To gain access to patients, we undertake to act in a neutral and independent manner.

Our CHARTER defines the VALUES and PRINCIPLES of our action:

1. Patient First – Patient centred medical care

2. Revolutionising humanitarian medicine through research

3. Responsibility and freedom: encourage decision-making by those closest to patients

4. Commitment to a dynamic of continuous quality improvement

5. Creating a climate of trust among colleagues

6. Collective intelligence

7. Environmental liability

 ALIMA promotes and defends the principles of fundamental human rights. ALIMA has a zero-tolerance approach to those guilty of acts of gender-based and sexual violence as well as to inaction in the face of alleged or proven acts of violence. Protecting the people who benefit and are impacted by our intervention is our top priority in everything we do. Anyone working with ALIMA is committed to:

• Respect the charter, the code of conduct, institutional policies including the policy of protection against abuses of power and gender-based and sexual violence, the policy of preventing corruption and fraud; 

• Report any violations to policies, framework documents and proceedings to a superior, and ensure referral.

 CARING - INNOVATING - TOGETHER:

Since its creation in 2009, ALIMA has treated more than 7 million patients. Today ALIMA works in 12 countries in Western and Central Africa. In 2020, we developed 41 humanitarian medical response projects to meet the needs of populations affected by conflict, epidemics and extreme poverty. All of these projects support national health authorities through nearly 357 health structures (including 45 hospitals and 312 health centers). We work in partnership, especially with local NGOs, whenever possible to ensure that our patients benefit from the expertise wherever it is, whether in their country or the rest of the world. In addition, to improve the humanitarian response, we are carrying out operational and clinical research projects, particularly in the field of the fight against malnutrition and haemorrhagic viral fevers. ALIMA is also leading operations in response to the covid-19 pandemic across all of our missions.

ALIMA’S TEAM: More than 2000 people currently work for ALIMA. The field teams, as close as possible to the patients, receive their support from the coordination teams generally based in the capitals of the countries of intervention. These receive support from the 4 desk teams and the emergency and opening service team based at the operational headquarters in Dakar, Senegal. The Paris and New York teams are actively working on fundraising as well as representing ALIMA. The rest of the ALIMA Galaxy includes individuals and partner teams who work on behalf of other organisations such as medical NGOs BEFEN, ALERTE Santé, SOS Médecins / KEOOGO, AMCP, research organisations PACCI, INSERM, Universities of Bordeaux or Copenhagen, the NGO Solidarités International and many others.

COUNTRIES WHERE WE WORK: Mali, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Guinea, Ethiopia, Haiti, Mauritania & Sudan.

THE WORK WE DO covers: Primary and Secondary Health Care, with a main focus on children and women - including treatment and prevention of acute malnutrition, maternal health, mental health, response to epidemics (Ebola, Cholera, Measles, Dengue, Lassa Fever), surgery, displaced populations, and gender based violence, Covid 19.

ALIMA in Ethiopia

ALIMA has been operating in Ethiopia since 2022, providing healthcare, nutrition, and emergency response in regions affected by conflict, instability, and climate-related crises.

The organization initially focused on the Afder zone in the Somali Region, where limited healthcare infrastructure and recurring droughts have led to severe malnutrition and a shortage of medical personnel. ALIMA delivered integrated health and nutrition services to support vulnerable communities in Hargele, Elkare and Barey woredas. This ECHO funded project was closed at the end of the funding cycle in October 2024.

In 2024, ALIMA expanded its work to the Tigray region, which had been heavily impacted by instability and conflict. The organization is implementing a CDCS funded program addressing healthcare, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in targeted woredas. A base has been established in Mekelle, and activities are being rolled out to improve access to essential services for affected populations.

To ensure continuity and scale up its impact, ALIMA has also proposed to ECHO an extension of its programs in both Afder and Tigray, aiming to strengthen healthcare systems, enhance nutrition support, and improve overall community resilience.

The main activities to come will consist of :

In the short-term: prepare and launch in collaboration with the Ministry of Health a project contributing to the reduction of morbidity and mortality of communities affected by the drought.

In the mid-to-long term: ensure the follow-up of the first project, develop partnerships with key stakeholders (MoH, civil society, research institutes…), conduct new assessments in areas with acute humanitarian needs and launch new activities. 

LOCATION OF POSITION:  Addis Ababa, with frequent visits to project areas 

FUNCTIONAL AND HIERARCHICAL LINKS

• Reports to the Medical Coordinator (hierarchical and technical manager) 

• In collaboration with the Medical Coordinator (MEDCO), he/she is the technical referent of the project's referent physicians on the mission 

• Collaborates with the Field Project Coordinators, and Coordination Team

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3: As part of his/her duties, the incumbent will visit programs and come into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or a certificate of good character will be required. In situations where a criminal record check or character reference is not possible, a declaration of honour will be requested.

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

The Deputy Medical Coordinator assists the Medical Coordinator (MEDCO) through the tasks and responsibilities delegated to him/her. He/she collaborates with the MEDCO to, among other things, define, manage and coordinate the entire medical part of the mission in order to ensure good quality medical treatment is offered to the beneficiaries of the program while improving their general health and living conditions. He/she takes over all the responsibilities of the medical coordinator in the his/her absence.

Contributes to the analysis, reflection and definition of the medical objectives of ALIMA projects in the country

1. Data collection

The Deputy MEDCO ensures that data collection tools are properly used in the mission: 

• Regularly follows up with the project's Medical Activiy Manager (MAM) on the collection of data from all ALIMA activities and medical projects in the country.

• Contributes to the quantitative evaluation of local health resources (human resource, structures, equipment...) and qualitative evaluation (maintenance needs, actors' skills, protocols, and organisation).

• Contributes to the implementation of a health information system adapted to the context.

• Contributes to the collection of indicators data for monitoring the health status of the population. 

• Takes into account the opinion of local health actors.

• Participates in exploratory missions to deepen the analysis of a situation, the interpretation of its effects on the health of the population to assist in decision making as well as in the research and development of operational strategies.

  Contributes to the analysis, interpretation and proposals for action

• Interprets the data collected and describes the evolution of the phenomenon(s) affecting the population, the health status of the population and the performance of the care activities under the responsibility of ALIMA.

• Shares with the field teams its interpretation and emphasises their role in the evolution of the results.

• Discusses with the MEDCO the adaptation of means or strategies to improve the ALIMA response in existing projects.

• Writes regular, well-reasoned reports on the objectives, results of activities, and adaptations of ALIMA projects for local authorities, capital coordination, field teams, and headquarters.

• Regularly reports and discusses with the MEDCO the evolution of the health status of the population, in particular those to whom ALIMA services are offered.

• Contributes to the drafting of proposals for medical interventions.

• Responds to requests for clarification and takes into account the comments made in the drafting of the final project.

• Contributes to the elaboration of the budget with the coordination team by identifying the medical means necessary for the implementation of the projects.

• Participates in coordination meetings.

• At the request of the MEDCO, the Deputy Medical Coordinator represents the association to third parties on medical matters, ensuring the good public image of the organisation and respecting the interests of the mission.

• If necessary, in the event of differences of opinion on medical diagnostic or therapeutic practices between the medical authorities and the ALIMA teams, he/she reports the case to the medical coordinator and makes proposals.

• Maintains regular contact with local institutions and authorities, and other NGOs in the country, for better coordination of the deployment of ALIMA projects and programs.

Implementation of ALIMA programs

• Participates in the organisation of the medical activities implementation according to the project description, including:

  • Timely planning

  • Provision of material and human resources

  • Provision of diagnostic and therapeutic procedures

  • Compliance with good practices

• Controls the implementation, proper use and maintenance of diagnostic, clinical and therapeutic tools necessary for patient care supports the monitoring of consumption and the management of the pharmacy.

• Ensures that the comfort and safety of patients and health care personnel are respected, in support of the project coordinator, referring physician and the medical activity manager.

• Follows and trains healthcare providers on quality of care indicators.

• Assess the risks for staff, patients and accompanying persons.

• Ensures compliance with staff and patient protection measures.

• He/she ensures that the skills of the medical staff are updated according to the evolution of the technical platform and the protocols made available to the mission.

• He/she reports to the MEDCO on the need to adapt the infrastructures to the needs of the medical activity.

• He/she ensures that medical ethics are respected and remains attentive to any questions about the restrictions and limits of the practice of care in the project environment (including abuse and medical errors).

• He/she evaluates the quality of services offered in the referral facilities.

• Documents treatment side effects and transfusion accidents; and discusses them with the health care teams of each project and with the MEDCO.

Team health

In collaboration with MEDCO:

• Participates in developing and implementation of the staff health policy for the country.

• Develops the medical evacuation SOP

• Participates in the analysis of psychosocial risks including validating and application of modalities of the staff health policy (organisation, necessary means, protocols, SOP ...)

• Ensures high quality of care is provided in the health setting (in-house or outsourced).

• Ensures that the medical confidentiality of the care provided is respected.

• Ensures that policies for the prevention of occupational diseases are effective (vaccination, medical certificates, medical monitoring of specific projects, contraindications to certain activities, etc.)

• Ensures that preventive measures for PSEA's are implemented and that personnel are properly cared for in the event of an accident.

• Oversee briefings (including filling out "health forms") and debriefings (including mental health) for all expatriates and seconded staff. 

• Identifies and evaluates available referral health structures (including mental health).

• Informs insurance in case of need for medical evacuation.

• Defines and ensures the availability of emergency kits and other inputs related to staff health.

• Ensures smooth coordination in case of medical evacuation.

 Other

• Regularly informs his/her direct supervisor (MEDCO), the coordination team of the evolution of the situation and gives medical feedback (activities, statistics, impact on the functioning of the health centers);

• Be part of the networking of stakeholders including health clusters, and his/her medical counterparts in other NGOs. 

Implementation of prevention measures against abuse of power, gender-based and sexual violence: 

• Participates in training and awareness sessions.

• Implements abuse prevention standards.

• Ensures that team members complete training and awareness sessions and follow abuse prevention rules.

• Helps create and maintain a nurturing and protective environment.

This job description is not exhaustive and may be modified as the mission evolves.

●   Contract term: 10 months (renewable, based on funding availability and performance)

●        Position to be filled: ASAP

Salary:  as per the organization scale

NB: this offer is contingent upon the securing of pending donor fund

Job Requirements

Education  

• Physician or nurse with a Master's degree in public health, project management, epidemiology or any other medical field)

Experiences 

• 3 years’ experience in a similar position with a medical INGO

• Experience on emergency context

• Experience in preparing proposals and donor reports

Skills 

• Strong knowledge of health services management 

• Experience in team management and supervision 

• Autonomy and quick decision making at the medical level 

• Understanding of issues related to NGO emergency response

• Knowledge of the different phases and requirements of project management 

• Good resistance to stress and good understanding of risky environments

• Computer and statistical skills.

• Monitoring and evaluation 

• Database management in Excel

• Strategic vision

• Management 

• Surveys (SMART, CAP...) Monitoring and evaluation 

Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently and quickly

• Analytical and critical thinking skills

• Discretion, Organizational skills, rigor and autonomy

• Calm, excellent stress management and composure

• Proactivity and initiative to anticipate and remedy potential problems.

• Ability to adapt, diplomacy and patience

• Strong listening skills

• Ability to work in a team

• Can work under stress & available on request

• Collaborative and patient

• Ability to prioritize and work under pressure

Languages spoken by the candidate

●     Oral and written fluency in English and Amharic is essential

• Knowledge of other local language is an asset

How to Apply

To apply, If you are interested, please send your application composed of a none-returnable CV and cover letter (merged in one file) with cover letter subject line mentioning Addis- Deputy Medical Coordinator - M/F through THIS LINK

Applications are processed in the order of arrival. ALIMA reserves the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if an application is accepted. Only complete applications will be considered.

Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

NB: Only shortlisted applicants will be communicated, and the selection process includes a technical test and an interview.