Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) MENA Needs Assessment Focal Point

Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is an international humanitarian organization that delivers impartial medical care to people affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from health care in over 70 countries.

MSF has been working continuously in Lebanon since 2008. Today our operational teams work all over the country delivering quality, free of charge medical care to those who need it.

MSF Lebanon Branch office is part of the MSF international movement. Our team is composed of 20 full time employees based in Beirut and Cairo working together in the areas of international field recruitment, communications and medical operational support.

From Lebanon and Egypt, we work regionally and contribute globally to MSF’s medical humanitarian response.

The Middle East Medical Unit (MEMU), based in the MSF Lebanon branch office is part of the MSF international movement. The MEMU is composed of team members with a variety of medical backgrounds, holding regional and global portfolios, supporting MSF operations with a focus on antimicrobial resistance.

1. BACKGROUND

Infection, prevention and control (IPC) is one of the pillars in MSF approach to antibiotic resistance, which is one of the components the organization is continuously thriving at adapting and improving. Effective IPC measures lead to preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and hence prevent harm caused by infection to patients and health workers. While each year hundreds of millions of patients are affected by HAIs, this problem usually receives public attention only when there is an outbreak or epidemic, as with the recent SARS-CoV-2, and previously with the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa. Although often hidden from public attention, the endemic, ongoing problem is very real, and no institution or country can afford to ignore it; constant action at all levels of the health system, from policymakers to facility managers, health workers and those who access health services, is needed. 

 Therefore, and aligned with the MSF vision and objectives, the MEMU is seeking a consultant to map and explore the gaps and needs related to IPC learning targeting healthcare professionals in the context of the Middle-East region

2. Objectives

Assess the gaps and needs in Infection Prevention Control (IPC) learning material targeting health professionals in the MENA region, and explore the interest/appetite in an Arabic/English language IPC course adapted to the regional context reality.

3. Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Develop an assessment plan including methodology (tools to use, audience to target, etc.) 

• Identify gaps in availability and access to resources/material needed for a quality implementation of IPC measures in conflict/protracted crisis/low resources settings in the countries of operations of MSF in the region (Lebanon, Jordan, Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Egypt) through relevant sources such as respective private and public health actors/academics and other external/internal stakeholders 
• Assess whether there will be a need and demand/interest for IPC learning opportunities based on the local knowledge gathered for the respective countries and what role can MSF play in covering a potential gap.
• Recommend the way forward for MSF in increasing the IPC knowledge in the region (best format, resources needed, target audience, next steps, partners for certification in the countries of focus or beyond, etc.) /Support build a strategy/project roadmap 

The consultant will work closely with the MEMU and will link internally with other MSF entities as needed. 

4. REQUIREMENTS

Essential requirements:

 A university degree in medical, para-medical or any other relevant university degree (HR, management...) coupled with an experience in a healthcare setting. 

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in developing and carrying out needs assessment for educational purposes and curriculum/training development, or equivalent

Desirable requirements:

• Post-graduate degree/training in public health, management and/or related areas relevant to the functions of the position

Competencies:

• Ability to work independently
• High communication skills
• Ability to act professionally and flexibility to engage with government/authority representatives, public and private institutions
• Demonstrable understanding of and commitment to humanitarian issues and to the aims and values of MSF