CHIEF OF UNIT, MEDICAL

Organizational Context

This position is within the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in Kabul. The Chief of Unit, Medical reports to the Chief Medical Officer for clinical matters and the Chief of Service Delivery for administrative matters. The role is crucial for overseeing medical services and staff welfare within the mission.

Job Purpose

The Chief of Unit, Medical is responsible for supervising and coordinating the Joint Medical Services (JMS), Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), and Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit. This includes managing medical support activities, implementing emergency plans, overseeing budgets, procuring medical supplies, and ensuring the availability of resources. The role involves providing day-to-day supervision of medical staff, evaluating performance, and acting as a liaison with UNHQ on health-related matters. Additionally, the position involves undertaking clinical duties, providing health education, managing infection control, and participating in occupational health initiatives, all while ensuring adherence to UN policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

Managerial responsibilities include supervising and coordinating the Joint Medical Services (JMS), Medical Emergency Response Team (MERT), and Staff Counselling and Welfare Unit. This involves managing medical support activities, mass casualty and evacuation plans, and relationships with external healthcare providers. The role requires budget preparation and financial control, procurement of medical supplies and equipment, and ensuring their availability and proper functioning. The Chief of Unit acts as a liaison with UNHQ, advises on local health conditions, and ensures the implementation of directives from the Medical Director. They manage interfaces between various medical and welfare units, senior management, and external medical entities, while ensuring a safe working environment and establishing training programs. Clinical duties encompass direct patient care, referrals, health education, and participation in occupational health issues. Medico-administrative duties include managing medical clearances and evacuations.

Work Experience

A minimum of seven years of progressive clinical experience is required, with at least five years combining clinical and management experience. Experience in the UN medical system or international medical settings is mandatory. Knowledge of occupational and tropical/travel medicine is desirable.

Skills

Professionalism, Planning & Organizing, Managing Performance, Judgement/Decision-making. Experience in managing JMS and MERT, and implementing MOUs between UN entities is highly desirable. Understanding of UN rules and regulations is required.

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