MIDA FINNSOM is looking for toxocologist expert – Hargeisa Somaliland

I. General information

II. Background information

About MIDA FINNSOM Health Phase IV Project

The past decades have seen continued migration from various African countries, causing “brain drain” that has debilitated various public sector systems across the continent. Implemented by IOM, Migration for Development in Africa (MIDA) projects seek to utilize the skills and knowledge of Africans living in the diaspora to rehabilitate public sector systems in their countries of origin. Through Phase IV of the Institutionalizing Health Care Improvement through Temporary Returns of Somali Diaspora Health Professionals program (publicly known as MIDA FINNSOM Health), IOM and Somali diaspora health and support professionals will continue to support the rehabilitation and development of the public health sector in Puntland and Somaliland. MIDA FINNSOM Health is funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland.

About Somaliland

After the collapse of the central Somalian government in 1991, the local government in Somaliland declared independence from the Federal Republic of Somalia. However, to this day, Somaliland’s self-proclaimed independence remains unrecognized by any other country or international organization. As such, the Government of Somaliland does not have direct access to entities like the World Bank or IMF, forcing it to independently develop its own infrastructure without the support of the major international and regional financial institutions. Somaliland is bordered by Ethiopia, Djibouti, the autonomous Puntland region of Somalia, and the Gulf of Aden. The capital is Hargeisa.

III. Duties & responsibilities

Contextual information: Somaliland Ministry of Health and assistance from the IOM MIDA FINNSOM Health project, seek to build the capacity and knowledge of staff at the ministry of health development To improve Toxicology services, Ministry of Health seeks a qualified Toxicologist expert who can both provide services and on-the-job training and supportive supervision to local staff. The incumbent is responsible for improving the quality of Toxicology related policies and paperwork and advise senior management on the subject. Under the overall guidance of Director General Ministry of Health the Toxicologist expert will be responsible for the following duties and responsibilities:

• Advocate for Ministry of Health Development(MOHD) in establishing One Health Approach systems in the country
• Collaborate closely with line Ministries such as Environment, and Agriculture to work closely with Ministry of Health on One Health approach.
• Liaise with WHO, FAO and OIE to support Ministry of Health initiatives on one health approach
• Advise   MOHD on legal aspects of food safety and chemical safety,
• Facilitate efforts of Ministry of Health on chemical safety management, provide advice and technical support to MOHD and related Ministries for the implementation of the chemical safety in order to promote and protect human health,
• Provide support to MOHD in developing and implementing chemical safety strategies and programs to identify  and protect populations at risk, particularly vulnerable population which may include adopting science-based health guidelines relating to exposure to chemicals such as pesticides, setting targets for pesticides exposure reduction, where appropriate legislation, public education with participation of health and other involved sectors
• Strength the chemical safety actions in MOHD and identify gaps and risks for regulatory, advocacy and awareness raising for the reductions of chemical hazards and poisoning.
• Share knowledge and information relevant to chemical exposure and its  health effects,
• Advice needs to capacity building and technical support necessary at national level,
• Create in Somaliland register of poisoning death cases, snake bites, scorpion stings.
• Explore possibilities of creating poison control center in the General Hospitals,
• Recognize the immediate common risks to the populations especially herbals which are widely used in the country as therapy and which causes unintentional poisonings to children due to lack of sensitization of the populations,
• Plan a risk minimization strategy using communication tools which are common to Somaliland population,
• Explore possibilities of linking Somaliland MOHD with WHO collaborating Centers in Toxic vigilance and pharmacovigilance.
• Assist MOHD as requested by the Minister.

Comply with security regulations and protocols:

The IOM Hargeisa International Program Officer and the National Program Officer (M&E) will technically support this assignment from Hargeisa through interaction with the qualified Somali expatriate and beneficiary institution.

IV. Target Outputs

(measurable Results )

V: Mida finnsom health requirements

Besides the specific outputs mentioned in section IV, MIDA FINNSOM Health is requiring the following steps/actions to be undertaken throughout the assignment. These are standard requirements for all assignments under this project:

1. Transfer of skills: The main responsibility of the qualified Somali expatriate—which he/she will be measured against—will be to ensure continuous and systematic transfer of knowledge and skills as related to the assignment. It will have to be agreed with the beneficiary institution which civil servants will have to benefit from this knowledge.
2. Work plan: A work plan must be developed with the Supervisor during the first week of assignment to provide clear and time-bound activities to successfully implement the outputs of the assignment. This work plan will be shared with the IOM Hargeisa National Program Officer. This work plan can be revised during the midterm review to reflect new developments or changes in strategy.
3. Midterm Review: There will be a midterm review of the assignment between the incumbent and the beneficiary institution to discuss progress of the assignment and feedback on performance.
4. Quarterly and Final Reports: Quarterly progress reports will be submitted by the incumbent to the Supervisor and to the IOM Hargeisa National Program Officer. At the end of the assignment, the Participant must also provide a final report covering the duration of his/her assignment.

V: Qualifications

VI: Monthly stipend

The monthly stipend amount will be determined by MIDA FINNSOM Health based on degree and years of relevant experience.

VII: Security and insurance modalities

Health insurance—including evacuation due to medical emergency—will be provided by the project. However, experts will be requested to provide a recent medical certificate stating that they are physically fit and able to work in a hardship area in Africa.Please note that IOM, according to the contract, will not be responsible for the security of the qualified Somali expatriates. The host beneficiary institution will be responsible for the security of the individual.Before leaving the country of residence or upon arrival in Nairobi or in Somaliland, the qualified Somali expatriate will receive a pre-service briefing including security advice and cultural background.

VIII: How to apply

All applications must be sent to  midahargeisa@iom.int.  With the following reference as subject in your e-mail: APPLICATION – Toxicology expert HargeisaAs part of the application, applicants must provide a cover letter and CV before the closing date of the vacancy in order for each candidate to be considered.Shortlisted candidates will be informed of the status of their application.