Physical Therapist Trainer – Somalia Somaliland

Humanity & Inclusion is an independent and impartial aid organisation working in situations of poverty and exclusion, conflict and disaster. The organisation works alongside people with disabilities and vulnerable populations, taking action and bearing witness in order to respond to their essential needs, improve their living conditions and promote respect for their dignity and fundamental rights.

Since its creation in 1982, HI has run development programmes in more than 60 countries and responded to numerous emergencies. Today, we have a budget of approximately 255 million euros, with 4794 employees worldwide.

At Handicap International-Humanity & Inclusion, we truly believe in the importance of inclusion and diversity within our organisation. This is why we are engaged to a disability policy to encourage the inclusion and integration of people with disabilities.

Please indicate if you require any special accommodation, even at the first interview. For more information about the organisation: www.hi.org

JOB CONTEXT:

Somalia is classified as a fragile state, with some of the world’s low health indicators, primarily due to civil war and the destruction of its public health system.  The country is in the process of recovery from a civil war and other man-made and natural disasters, including disease outbreaks, recurrent droughts, and floods, which are exacerbated by global climatic changes and have further crippled the public health systems.  These challenges have led a large proportion of preventable NCD morbidities and deaths in Somalia, causing disabilities and fatalities. NCDs, including injuries, account for 40% of Somalia’s deaths and disabilities.  

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

• Provide appropriate technical guidance and support to project team.
• Ensure project(s) activities are implemented in accordance with internal quality and technical standards and
• Propose adjustments or improvements as necessary.
• Adapt project documentation as required, in accordance with global technical standards and norms.
• 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.
• Where appropriate, coordinate and collaborate with the project’s technical partners as delegated by the Specialist or Project Manager.

Responsibility 2: Providing project-based technical learning

• Ensure global and field technical specialists get the information they need and collaborate with technical divisions as needed.
• Collect the elements necessary for capitalization exercises or scientific documentation.
• Contribute to technical learning under the responsibility of the specialist or project manager, based on best practices.
• Responsible for the technical learning of projects based on lessons learned and good practices 
• Adjust activities to audit recommendations as appropriate.
• Implement recommendations to improve the technical quality of projects.
• Ensure the technical quality and relevance of project activities implemented within their area of expertise;
• Conduct self-evaluation of their project and participate in evaluation cycles under the supervision of the PM taking ownership of norms and standards anticipates and prepares for nexus adjustments.
• Propose research and study topics.  
• Oversee data collection for research activities.
• Contribute to the terms of reference for evaluations.

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

• Contribute to technical recruitment.
• Contribute to or lead the technical training required in his/her field.
• Contribute to the skills upgrading plan for professionals in its sector and may be a third-party assessor.
• May contribute to the development of a local talent pool within his/her sector (conducts technical interviews of candidates and makes recommendations, identifies training and coaching needs).
• Assists in coordinating technical professional development and facilitating a community of practice, in collaboration with the technical division. Conducts technical trainings for staff as appropriate.
• Contribute to the design and collection of operational data to ensure adequate monitoring of activities or ad hoc data collection activities and ensure appropriate measurement of project completion in his/her area of expertise.
• Ensure that data processing is established and carried out in accordance with the rules and principles set by the IM/MEAL and by the technical councils of the sector of expertise.

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

• Contribute to the outreach of HI expertise: can represent HI technical expertise by delegation in relevant local, regional and international networks and with local partners.
• Where appropriate, coordinate and collaborate with the project’s technical partners as delegated by the Specialist or Project Manager. 
• Relay and contribute to advocacy messages within its scope of work.
• Write new project content for the continuity or expansion of the project within its technical scope.
• Contribute to the writing of new proposals for new opportunities within its technical scope

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

·        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.

·        Accommodation

Hargeisa:  At the Mansoor Hotel in Hargeisa or in Ambassador Hotel, in a small bungalow with sufficient space and amenities: 1 bedroom, 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

·        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.

·        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.

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:
• Unemployment insurance benefits for EU nationals.
• Pension scheme.
• Medical coverage with 50% of employee contribution.
• 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.