CONTEXT
The OCB (Brussels Operational Center) medical department provides strategic direction and technical leadership, committed to remaining at the forefront of healthcare innovations. He shares responsibility for operational choices and responsiveness and is involved in supporting our project teams by jointly developing medical-operational strategies adapted to the context and defining levels of care. Made up of multiple specialists based on a network of units around the world, we work closely with operations, other OCB departments and the MSF movement.
Providing quality health care to the populations we work with was and remains a priority for MSF, with a focus on safe, effective and person-centered care. It is recognized that this is a complex and multidisciplinary pathway, particularly in humanitarian medical services.
In a spirit of mentoring and exchange, as a Mobile Implementation Agent (MIO) for improving the quality of healthcare, you will provide practical technical support to activity managers, medical referents of projects and other relevant functions in the countries where MSF works, to improve patient safety, the effective use of evidence-based quality improvement (QI) methods, and access to knowledge and to tools. This work will be carried out in accordance with MSF protocols, standards and procedures.
You are placed under the hierarchical responsibility of the referent responsible for improving quality and patient safety (QI&PS), based in Brussels.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Provide targeted quality improvement and patient safety support to all project staff, in collaboration with the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Lead, as well as with the heads of medical operations in the country and headquarters/RST.
Direct support to countries within the framework of projects
- Support understanding of the concepts and practices of evidence-based quality improvement cycles: identifying quality issues, setting priorities, investigating causal factors, multidisciplinary ownership, encouraging necessary behavioral changes, monitoring and adjustment to correct actions or reinforce improvements.
- Encourage the use of service quality assessment and monitoring tools and the Quality Improvement Project Overview (QuIPO)
- Support understanding of patient safety prevention, recognition, incident response (including minimizing ongoing harm, reporting and learning) and the importance of establishing a no-blame culture nor shame.
- Consider project-level governance for quality improvement and patient safety in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
- Provide guidance for the development and support the implementation of context-specific and properly prioritized quality of care improvement plans and strategies, in close collaboration with project management teams, coordination, QI&PS and relevant referents. The level of support will be tailored to needs, existing level of awareness and specific concerns.
- Provide on-site coaching and support for the implementation of quality practices, including encouraging behavior change, in projects and coordination.
- Provide on-site and remote support and strengthen the skills of key project managers (activity managers, hospital coordinators, quality focal points, if present) through training, workshops, organization a network of peers (community of practice), etc.
- Collaborate with project managers on handling and reporting patient safety incidents.
- Assess the overall learning environment and staff access to the latest guidance and tools (in collaboration with L&D focal points, project managers and coordination managers) and provide advice and support on way to improve this environment. This may include the use of telemedicine, access to “Up to Date”, request for articles, use of “Tembo”, awareness of the respective knowledge bases and advice on other possibilities of ‘learning.
- Submit a report within one month after each project visit, including objectives, achievements and recommendations.
- Regular monitoring of project visits to ensure and support quality improvement plans (where possible and agreed).
Provide healthcare quality assurance technical support to projects as needed.
Promote a positive patient safety culture and contribute to organizational learning:
- Participate in the development of tools for evaluating and maintaining patient safety with the QI & PS referent
- Report and address PHI, where appropriate, without blaming or denigrating them.
- Model the principles of no blame and no shame in all interactions.
- Support, where appropriate, for training or training of trainers in QA and MS
EXPERIENCES
Training and experiences
- Doctor of medicine or paramedical diploma (nurse, midwife)
- Minimum 3 years of experience with MSF in project management or supervision positions (medical coordinator, project medical referent, nursing activity manager, medical activity manager).
- At least 3 years of post-qualification work experience, including in a hospital setting
- Experience in training and supervising adult learners.
- Experience and engagement in quality improvement and patient safety activities are an asset.
SKILLS
- Good communication skills: active listening, clear and effective communication, sense of diplomacy.
- Ability to quickly establish and maintain positive working relationships
- Ability to analyze and synthesize multiple data
- Rigorous, organized, able to set priorities and work within deadlines.
- Strong cultural sensitivity and ability to adapt
LANGUAGES
- Oral and written proficiency in English and French
- Spanish and/or Arabic are an asset
TERMS
- Expected start date: November 1st, 2023
- Location*: Abidjan (Ivory Coast), Beirut (Lebanon), Brussels (Belgium), Cape Town (South Africa), Nairobi (Kenya) or Rio (Brazil); but mainly on the ground.
- Mobility up to 70-80% on project sites
- Type of contract: Fixed-term contract – Full-time
- Contract duration: 12 months
- Salary according to the MSF-OCB field grid
- The contractual conditions will be established according to the station, administrative/legal constraints and in compliance with MSF’s job scales and salary policies.
- No family mission
- Adhere to MSF’s principles and our managerial values: Respect, transparency, integrity, responsibility, trust and accountability.
- Adhere to MSF behavioral commitments
*The final result depends on local legal restrictions (residence, work permit, etc.) and the agreement with the MSF entity hosting these locations. Due to administrative constraints, given the duration of the contract, candidates may already need a permanent right and/or a valid work permit to work in some of the mentioned locations.
Deadline for submission of applications: 10/29/2023
How to apply
How to apply?
Please send your CV and cover letter to [email protected] mentioning “Healthcare Quality improvement MIO” in the subject of your email.
Only the preselected candidates will be contacted.
The position is only open to candidates with prior experience with MSF (“Médecins Sans Frontières”)!
No MSF experience? Consult all our job offers at the office : https://www.msf-azg.be/en/at-the-office
MSF values diversity and is committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of disability, gender identity, marital or civil partnership status, race, color or ethnic and national origins, religion or their beliefs, or their sexual orientation.
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