Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) seeks to recruit a Leader for the MSF Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance
Descriptif de l’offre
Position: Leader for the MSF Task Force on Antibiotic Resistance (ABR)
Location: Any MSF Operational Centre location (Geneva, Brussels, Paris, Amsterdam or Barcelona).
Contract: Full time
Duration: 1 year renewable
Starting date: ASAP
Deadline for the application: 24 May 2018
I. MSF INTERNATIONAL
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international, independent, medical humanitarian organisation that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, healthcare exclusion and natural disasters. MSF offers assistance to people based only on need and irrespective of race, religion, gender or political affiliation.
MSF International is the legal entity that binds MSF’s 21 sections, 24 associations and other offices together. Based in Geneva, MSF International provides coordination, information and support to the MSF Movement, as well as implements international projects and initiatives as requested.
II. POSITION BACKGROUND
Antibiotic resistance is a rapidly growing global problem. WHO and public health leaders now consider antibiotic resistance (ABR) as a major global public health concern. MSF is increasingly confronted with ABR in many of our projects, while realising that we are only aware to a limited extent of the issue, as our microbial laboratory surveillance and diagnostic capacity in the field is still very limited. In most projects, the attention to ABR and what it entails is still fairly narrow, although varied progress has been made in projects across the five operational centres (OCs). This includes enhancing infection prevention and control measures, increasing access to microbiology labs and improved antibiotic stewardship.
In response to the challenge of ABR and recognising an inter-sectional, multi-disciplinary approach and political commitment was needed by MSF, the MedOp platform (composed of the medical and operational directors of the Operational Centres) decided to create a specific task-force on ABR in 2015. This task-force was requested to develop a detailed roadmap to improve the capacity to prevent, detect and manage ABR in MSF projects. In 2016 a finalised roadmap was presented and approved, and the mandate of the MSF ABR task-force was renewed to guide the implementation of the plan over a period of 4 years. Three main topics were identified as priorities in the roadmap: (1) Antibiotic stewardship and rational antibiotic prescription, (2) Diagnostic tools and ABR surveillance, (3) and IPC (Infection/ Prevention/Control). For these 3 topics, specific subgroups of the TF were created. To achieve the scope and ambition of this project, a position was created to lead the task force, starting in May 2017. Since then, there has been a focus on building a multi-disciplinary approach and developing resources (tools, policies and guidelines) to support implementation of the three ‘pillars’. In March 2018 the MedOps platform with the ABR TF Steering committee reviewed progress against initial ambitions. This has resulted in a review of priorities, a decision to build more synergistically on the individual strengths and different approaches of each OC and a recognition of the critical need to develop the necessary human resource and training strategies to reach our operational ambitions. MSF’s political, strategic and advocacy ambitions relating to ABR also need to be better defined and require substantial development.
This current post replaces that which was first filled from May 2017 to April 2018.
III. PLACE IN THE ORGANISATION
The ABR task force Leader is a full time position for the duration of the task force mandate. The TF leader will report to the MedOp platform, through a nominated Medical Director and Operational Director.
IV. OBJECTIVES OF THE POSITION
The objectives of the position of ABR task force leader are to:
- Coordinate the intersectional implementation of the ABR roadmap through strong management of the ABR Taskforce
- Lead development of an MSF advocacy strategy based on MSF’s field experience and ambitions, identifying the key issues and approaches for MSF, in collaboration with the MedOps and Access Campaign.
V. MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
The overall tasks of the ABR task force Leader will be to:
- Provide leadership and coordination to coordinate the three technical pillars and drive understanding and implementation of the ABR roadmap objectives in all OCs, including the necessary training and human resources approaches
- Further develop the key political and strategic objectives agreed with the MedOps platform
- Liaise with relevant external stakeholders as required to further the objectives of the TF.
The main activities of the positions will be as follows:
- Revise (at least annually) and assure implementation of the ABR TF action plan.
- Support the leaders of the 3 subgroups (IPC, lab and diagnostics and AB stewardship) and liaise with relevant existing working groups (diagnostics, pharmacists, critical care, paediatrics etc.) to assure a multi-disciplinary approach.
- Organise regular meetings of the ABR TF subgroup leaders and OC operational focal points
- With the above, advocate for relevant people and resources in the OCs to achieve the ABR TF strategic ambitions
- Oversee the development of appropriate resources (tools and guidelines etc.) in coordination with the sub group leaders and MSF guidelines team
- Coordinate relevant operational research
- Develop communication approaches to explain and promote the ABR strategy to the field
- Map current progress and challenges on ABR in key field projects
- Identify opportunities to optimise and capitalise on experience and results and maximise the use of resources across the movement, including regional approaches.
- Develop an active network inside MSF, including AC, Epicentre, Luxor, SAMU, etc. as necessary to progress specific ABR advocacy and research objectives
- Lead development of training and HR strategies to support the operational ambitions in ABR
- Carry out relevant field visits and act as spokesperson on ABR as needed.
- Report as requested on progress to the MedOp, through the Steering Committee (DirOp/DirMed and AC Dirmed).
VI. PROFILE REQUIREMENTS
- MSF experience in senior role;
- Project management expertise +++
- Proven leadership and implementation skills;
- Medical or paramedical background;
- Excellent organisational skills;
- Some experience in the field of ABR preferred;
- Dynamic personality with ability to prioritise;
- Good written and oral communication skills;
- Ability to travel as needed to the field, within Europe and US;
- Fluent in written and oral English, French would be an asset.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
En signe de professionnalisme, ne postulez que si vous remplissez toutes les conditions et si vous avez ou pouvez obtenir un permis de travail qui vous permet d’être employé dans ce pays.
