Physical Therapist – Technical Officer

Job Description

Position: Physical Therapist – Technical Officer

Responsible to: PM.

Location: Hargeisa

Closing date: 11th August 2024

NGO PRESENTATION

Created in 1982, Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is an independent and impartial international aid organization working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. Working alongside people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, our actions are focused on responding to their essential needs, improving their living conditions and promoting respect for their dignity and their fundamental rights. HI was the co-winner of the Nobel Peace Prize in 1997 for its role in the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and was awarded (October 2016) a prize by the Office of the Presidency in Somaliland for services to Persons with Disabilities.

Humanity & Inclusion started in Somaliland in 1992 by setting up a rehabilitation center in Hargeisa. HI’s strategy in Somaliland is to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and to engage development actors to promote inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable people at local and national level.

Humanity & Inclusion (HI) is currently planning to implement 22 months humanitarian aid project in Somaliland for IDPs in Togdheer; “Rehabilitation, Inclusive Humanitarian Action (IHA), MHPSS & Stimulation Therapy in Crisis-Affected Sub-Saharan Africa (RIMSCASSA) for vulnerable groups, Phase 2.

JOB CONTEXT

There is a significant shortage of trained healthcare professionals and a lack of rehabilitation professionals. Infrastructure damage, including hospitals and clinics, further exacerbates the challenges in delivering adequate rehabilitation services.

HI established Hargeisa Rehabilitation Centre (HRC) in Somaliland in 1992, providing rehabilitation services such as physiotherapy and mobility devices. Gradually, HI phased out its support to HRC and it was taken over by Diversity Action Network (DAN) in 2006. This cooperation involved technical and financial support from HI to DAN through HI-DAN joint projects from the donors.

Diversity Action Network (DAN) and SRCS are the only physical rehabilitation service providers in Somaliland. DAN’s main activities include providing rehabilitation services, such as physiotherapy and mobility devices (also known as Assistive Technology – AT), in Hargeisa. Additionally, DAN supports and supervises 3 small satellite P&O / physiotherapy units at remote regional hospitals in Boroma, Burao and Erigavo, offering basic physiotherapy services and P&O and mobility device repairs.

The orthopedic workshop assesses, prescribes, fits, user-trains, and follows up on different mobility and orthopedic devices. Five orthopedic technician assistants work at the workshop in Hargeisa, including one trained in TATCOT (Tanzanian Training Centre for Orthopedic Technologists) at a certificate level. The other 4 were initially trained by HI, DAN and MoHD in Somaliland.

DAN’s physiotherapy services include basic physiotherapy such as: Clubfoot treatment clinic for children with cerebral palsy. Adult physiotherapy for patients with stroke, post-fracture and trauma complications, muscle weaknesses, joint stiffness, back pains, etc.

The regional units in Borama, Burao, and Erigavo, each employ two Rehab Workers who provide basic rehabilitation services. In Borama and Erigavo, the rehab services are based within the general hospitals, while in Burao, they operate outside the hospital premises. The rehab workers undergo a six-month training program covering the fundamentals of rehabilitation theory and practice, enabling them to administer basic therapy and fabricate simple orthopedic devices such as crutches. Annually, DAN attends to between 1200 to 1700 new patients, including first-time visitors and about 700 returning service users.

YOUR MISION

This mission is requested to primary support DAN’s rehabilitation start in upgrade their skills based on assessment of gaps and development of capacity building plan, agreed upon with DANs’ team.

The Physiotherapy Technical Officer (TO) is under the direct line management of the Project Manager and will work closely with the MEAL officer and DAN’s team and for supporting quality implementation of project.

This position is a dynamic one and will give an opportunity to engage both at Centre based and community level.

The TO contributes to the implementation of HI mandate and ten-year strategy in his/her home country. He/she contributes to the implementation of projects by providing technical expertise and by ensuring that the quality and impact of the project(s) concerned are optimized. The TO works in close collaboration with the program’s technical team

Stakes of the post

· Ensure technical quality of activities: Develop, deliver training to Physiotherapist of DAN and HI based on an agreed upon action plan.

· Plan HI’s internal project evaluation to go deeper on: Assistive Devices provision out of Hargeisa center; rehabilitation services provided by PT assistant out of Hargeisa center with a focus on services provided to children with neuro conditions

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POSITION

Mission 1: Providing guidance and technical support to the projects in accordance with the technical frameworks and general standards of his/her sectoral scope

a) Provide appropriate technical guidance and support to project team.

b) Ensure project(s) activities are implemented in accordance with internal quality and technical standards and

c) Propose adjustments or improvements as necessary.

d) Adapt project documentation as required, in accordance with global technical standards and norms.

e) Contribute to the regular reporting of technical activities of its scope (collection and analysis of technical data collected in conjunction with the project team and the MEAL team.

f) Where appropriate, coordinate and collaborate with the project’s technical partners as delegated by the Specialist or Project Manager.

Mission 2: Providing project-based technical learning

a) Ensure global and field technical specialists get the information they need and collaborate with technical divisions

as needed.

b) Collect the elements necessary for capitalization exercises or scientific documentation.

c) Contribute to technical learning under the responsibility of the specialist or project manager, based on best

practices.

d) Responsible for the technical learning of projects based on lessons learned and good practices

e) Adjust activities to audit recommendations as appropriate.

f) Implement recommendations to improve the technical quality of projects.

g) Ensure the technical quality and relevance of project activities implemented within their area of expertise; conduct

h) self-evaluation of their project and participate in evaluation cycles under the supervision of the PM.

i) Taking ownership of norms and standards anticipates and prepares for nexus adjustments.

j) Propose research and study topics.

k) Oversee data collection for research activities.

l) Contribute to the terms of reference for evaluations.

Mission 3: Contributing to the animation of his/her sector

a) Contribute to technical recruitment.

b) Contribute to or lead the technical training required in his or her field.

c) Contribute to the skills upgrading plan for professionals in its sector and may be a third-party assessor.

d) May contribute to the development of a local talent pool within his/her sector (conducts technical interviews of

e) candidates and makes recommendations, identifies training and coaching needs).

f) Assists in coordinating technical professional development and facilitating a community of practice, in

g) collaboration with the technical division. Conducts technical trainings for staff as appropriate.

h) Contribute to the design and collection of operational data to ensure adequate monitoring of activities or ad hoc

i) data collection activities, and ensure appropriate measurement of project completion in his/her area of expertise.

j) Ensure that data processing is established and carried out in accordance with the rules and principles set by the

k) IM/MEAL and by the technical councils of the sector of expertise.

Mission 4: Contribute to ensure the technical influence of HI on its perimeter

a) Contribute to the outreach of HI expertise: can represent HI technical expertise by delegation in relevant local,

b) regional and international networks and with local partners.

c) Contribute to the outreach of HI expertise: can represent HI technical expertise by delegation in relevant local,

d) regional and international networks and with local partners.

e) Where appropriate, coordinate and collaborate with the project’s technical partners as delegated by the Specialist

f) or Project Manager.

g) Relay and contribute to advocacy messages within its scope of work.

h) Write new project content for the continuity or expansion of the project within its technical scope.

i) Contribute to the writing of new proposals for new opportunities within its technical scope

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION

Ø Security

Somaliland: Security situation in Hargeisa is overall under control, despite some periodic but rare outbreaks (last serious incident was in 2008). Most activities are currently implemented directly by HI. Non-Somali staffs are limited in numbers and operate under tight security rules, including movement restrictions.

In South Central is highly volatile and unpredictable. HI intervention in South Central Somalia is only confined to Mogadishu with very small activities (capacity building to government authorities and other humanitarian agencies). Non-Somali staffs are limited in numbers and operate under tight security rules, including movement restrictions.

Ø Accommodation

Hargeisa: At the Mansoor Hotel in Hargeisa or in Ambassador Hotel, in a small bungalow with sufficient space and amenities: 1bedroom, bathroom and 1 living room which contains kitchen, TV and a sofa.

Mogadishu: Individual accommodation in a secure compound shared with Polish Humanitarian Action (PAH). The guest house is pleasant, HI has two accommodation room which are self-contained and the other spaces are shared with PAH expatriates. There is a cook and possibility to go to AMISOM compound within the airport for a meal and shopping

Ø Accessibility/Transport

Somaliland: Most areas are accessible in Somaliland, although some require police escort and are in remote areas with underdeveloped infrastructure.

Mogadishu: there are travel standard operating procedures (SoPs) / guideline and movement outside PAH compound will be only through HI’s transport and has to be validated by the country manager.

Use of public transport is strictly prohibited both in Hargeisa and Mogadishu.

Ø Isolation/ Social Life: Conservative country, with very limited access to cultural or sports activities. Curfew is imposed after 9pm and no access to alcohol. Travel bags are be controlled at airport, so there is a need to be very careful while packing.

Skills and Qualifications
YOUR PROFILE

· You hold a Physical Therapy Degree

· You have at least a 3 years’ experience as a Physical Therapy trainer (preferably in the humanitarian sector)

· You’re fluent in Somali and in English

· You’ve a good knowledge of international core standards and guidelines related to physical rehabilitation

· You demonstrate excellent pedagogical and communication skills

CONDITIONS:

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission. https://hi.org/en/join-the-team

· 6 months international contract starting from September 2024

· The international contract provides social cover adapted to your situation:

o Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals.

o Pension scheme.

o Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution.

o Repatriation insurance paid by HI.

· Salary from 2346 euros gross/month upon experience.

· Per diem: 600 USD net/month – paid in the field

· Hardship: 500 € net/month paid with your salary.

· Paid leaves: 25 days per year.

· R&R: according to the level of the mission Specific 5 days every 6 weeks

· Position: Unaccompanied

· Housing: Individual taken in charge by HI.

How to apply
Only online by joining a CV and cover letter via the following link:

https://apply.workable.com/j/C6E58E4C15

Applications will be processed on an ongoing basis, don’t wait for applying!
Only successful candidates will be contacted.