Medical Evacuation Coordinator

Organizational Context

The WHO Country Office in Ukraine collaborates with national authorities to enhance health standards, aligning with SDGs and WHO's 14th General Programme of Work. It supports healthier populations, addresses health emergencies, and protects the vulnerable through Universal Health Coverage. The office facilitates WHO activities at the country level, implementing the European Programme of Work and providing technical expertise.

Job Purpose

This role supports the Ministry of Health (MoH) and partners in Ukraine to manage and institutionalize the MEDEVAC-Cycle, a critical initiative responding to war-induced medical service collapse. The objective is to strengthen the MoH's capacity for patient triage, evacuation, and return, reducing reliance on external support. The position contributes to developing operational procedures, enhancing national EMS systems, and ensuring the sustainability of MEDEVAC operations. It involves coordinating third-party providers, planning logistics, and documenting processes to build institutional memory and ensure smooth handover to national entities, ultimately improving health emergency response and patient care.

Responsibilities

Provide technical guidance to the Ministry of Health (MoH) and implementing partners on the MEDEVAC-Cycle, including developing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), patient flow protocols, and quality assurance mechanisms. Coordinate MEDEVAC activities with regional consultants to ensure consistent objectives and messaging. Support the institutionalization of the MEDEVAC Coordination Unit within the national EMS system. Coordinate third-party providers for smooth operations of the MoH MEDEVAC Coordination Unit. Oversee the development and delivery of training programs for EMS staff, including critical care transport. Plan procurement and logistics for medical supplies and patient transport equipment. Document MEDEVAC-Cycle processes for institutional memory and handover. Conduct assurance activities, including technical and financial spot checks of implementing partners. Ensure timely monthly reporting from partners. Support the drafting of visibility materials and donor communications. Prepare technical briefings for WHO, MoH, and donors. Follow up on bilateral discussions with MoH Ukraine, EU institutions, and other stakeholders.

Work Experience

Essential: Minimum of two years of experience in the health sector in Ukraine, with demonstrated experience in critical patient care, critical care transfers, and emergency health operations. Desirable: Prior experience with WHO, UN agencies, health cluster partners, or recognized humanitarian organizations; knowledge of the MEDEVAC-Cycle in Ukraine.

Skills

Organizational, analytical, and evaluation skills; knowledge of donor agreements and reporting; understanding of UN financial rules; working knowledge of information management systems; excellent interpersonal skills; ability to work under pressure; tact, discretion, and diplomacy; clear and concise written communication skills.

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