For more than 40 years, Médecins du Monde, a campaigning medical organisation committed to international solidarity, has been caring for the most vulnerable populations at home and abroad. It has continued to highlight obstacles that exist in accessing health care and has secured sustainable improvements in health-for-all policies. 

Those working for this independent organisation do not solely dispense care and treatment but condemn violations of human dignity and rights and fight to improve matters for populations living in precarious situations. 

MdM currently works in more than 30 countries across all continents where it focuses on 5 priority areas: emergency and crisis, sexual and reproductive health, harm reduction, migrants and displaced populations (health rights), health and environment. 

Yemen is currently facing a complex humanitarian crisis as the conflict has exacerbated existing chronic vulnerabilities. Consequently, Yemen is considered as one of the worst humanitarian crisis. The country is affected by many outbreaks such as cholera, diphtheria, dengue fever and malaria. Additionally, the country will likely be very severely affected by the Covid-19 outbreak. Although numbers are still relatively low, it is suspected that cases are widely under reported. Treatment capacities are alarmingly low, and the epidemics could take its toll on the country.

The blockade imposed on the country since 2015 has the effect of suffocating the population, particularly by causing disruptions in the supply of food products; an increase in the price of basic consumer goods, including petrol, which reduces travel options and affects the provision of healthcare services; and finally, the disruption of agricultural and pastoral cycles.

Presently, MdM intervenes in the northern part of Yemen in the governorates of Sanaa, Amanat Alasima and Ibb. MdM strategy is based on 2 key axes:

• To provide primary healthcare services, including OPD, vaccination, nutritional care, sexual and reproductive health through direct support to 11 health facilities
• To provide mental healthcare and psychosocial support (MHPSS) in specific healthcare institutions and via a network of CHVs trained in detection and community awareness-raising

In addition, since 2019, MdM is operating in southern Yemen in 5 health facilities, in Lahj and Abyan governorates. A package of services similar to those existing in the North is provided by the MoH with the support of MdM team. Activities are overseen from Aden.

MdM intends to continue developing its presence in the south in 2021 along two axes:

• Expanding its operational presence in new health facilities in needs of support
• Developing new projects aiming at providing assistance to migrant populations from the Horn of Africa who cross Yemen on their way to Saudi Arabia.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Under the supervision of the desk manager, you have the overall responsibility for the strategic leadership and direction of the Yemen mission. In particular, you develop and strengthen programmes and partnerships, you represent MdM with authorities and stakeholders, you secure funding, you ensure proper management of resources and you supervise security and safety of teams and assets.

You directly supervise a team of seven coordinators and one access and liaison officer.

Your main responsibilities are the following:

Mission management

• Elaborate and share a continuous analysis of the socio-political and humanitarian context
• Take the lead in defining the operational and advocacy strategy together with the coordination team and the desk officer
• Provide guidance and support to the different departments
• Develop and maintain relationships and networking with authorities
• Develop and maintain collaboration with partners
• Ensure adequate means are available for the running of the programmes
• Ensure internal rules and contractual obligations are respected
• Contribute to the yearly budget framework and its revision, justify consumption and anticipate amendments
• Monitor expenditure and budget compliance, report concerns to the administrative coordinator and develop mitigation plans

Security

• Ensure the overall security of the mission
• Be the final decision maker with national political and security authorities
• Validate movements of expatriates inside the country
• Identify and change when needed the security phase of the mission
• Monitor the security situation in collaboration with the operations manager
• Analyze and anticipate security evolutions and regularly update security guidelines
• Report to the desk manager and the rest of the team any security incident or dangerous development
• Ensure a national security plan is regularly updated and implemented
• Define, adapt and implement safety rules, guarantee their application by all the team

Representation

• Ensure interactions, information sharing and collaboration with other humanitarian actors, especially medical organizations with similar programmes
• Represent MdM with the authorities and ensure regular communication with stakeholders at central level
• Undertake donor prospection and propose alternative sources of funding
• Establish and develop regular contacts with funding partners

Programme design and coordination

• Define the operational strategy in collaboration with the coordination team and headquarters, propose needs assessments, reorientations or new activities when needed
• Provide guidance to the team for adherence to the strategy
• Supervise the preparation of project proposals, reports and other documents requested by donors, ensure the quality and accuracy of documents submitted

Team management

• Define the general organisation of the mission, propose changes when needed
• Ensure security and programme briefings for staff newly recruited
• Facilitate communication within the team, engender team dynamics
• Support the medical coordinator in the management of medical operations
• Make sure performance appraisals are conducted and annual action plans established in collaboration with the HR coordinator
• Ensure recruitments are done based on code of ethics and internal regulations
• Develop a capacity building plan in collaboration with the HR Coordinator

Communication and advocacy

• Ensure visibility and public messages on programmes are in line with the operational strategy
• Be the spokesperson for MdM in Yemen with local and international media in coordination with headquarters
• Act as focal point for communication and advocacy activities in collaboration with the desk manager and the humanitarian advocacy officer
• Provide the desk manager with monthly situation reports