Rehabilitation Field Specialist – Gaza Emergency

JOB CONTEXT:

The Palestine mission is part of the Mashriq regional programme, which covers Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. – HI in 2023 has been implementing a mix of humanitarian and development projects in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, including a long-term rehabilitation project in Gaza. HI is also the coordinator of the Rehabilitation Platforms in Gaza and in the West Bank.

The new conflict between Hamas and Israel in October 2023 has created a major humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip. Around 70,000 Palestinians have been injured and several thousand among them have suffered from amputations or permanent impairments.

In Gaza, HI has launched some light rehabilitation activities in IDP shelters through trained volunteers and has provided more than 1,000 people with assistive devices. HI is planning to scale up substantially its response in the coming months, hiring more local physiotherapists, providing emergency rehabilitation also in homes, supporting hospitals and launching prosthetics and orthotics services. HI is also the lead of the Rehabilitation Task Force in Gaza.

In the West Bank, HI is supporting two local rehabilitation centres to provide rehabilitation services and will start soon to support a third center. HI is also the lead of the Rehabilitation Task Force in the West Bank.

We’re looking for a Rehab Specialist for a 6 to 12 month mission, based in Jerusalem or Ramallah with potential visits to Gaza.

YOUR MISSION:

The Rehab Specialist will report to the Deputy Country Manager and will have the functional management of the Emergency Rehab Technical Senior Officers, Officers and Rehab Project Managers.

The Rehab Specialist will interact with internal stakeholders (Area Manager, Project Managers, Technical officers, Regional Technical Unit, MEAL department, Deputy CM ) as well as external actors (partners, local authorities, other rehabilitation actors, health structures, health NGOs).

The Rehab Specialist will have 4 main responsabilities:

• Mission 1 : Expertise Contribute to the regional strategies in line with the global strategies Ensure technical support to projects in line with the global technical frameworks and standards in his/her sectorial scope Ensure technical learning from projects Control & monitor the technical quality and the relevance of HI’s activities in the Programmes under his/her scope Ensure compliance of the technical proposition with nexus stakes Contribute to the development of research and innovation projects in the region when relevant, in his/her sectorial scope Contribute to the Technical Divisions professional channel facilitation within the program
• Mission 2 : Influence Contribute to the local external prestige and influence of HI’s expertise in his sectorial scope
• Mission 3 : Business development. Ensure the development of major opportunities or new projects in the region under his sectorial scope
• Mission 4: Emergency preparedness and response responsibilities Contribute to the support or implementation of emergency preparedness actions of the programme(s) and, during an emergency, adapts his/her working modality to contribute to an effective HI humanitarian response

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE POSITION:

Jerusalem: In normal times, the security is relatively stable most of the year, with some days of mass demonstrations and isolated acts of violence, in particular during key religious holidays and anniversaries of important historical events. There are several opportunities for social and cultural life. In the current crisis, there is a heightened risk of violence and an increasing number of Israeli checkpoints. Life in Jerusalem is relatively stable and international staff have some opportunities for social life and daily trips.

West Bank: In normal times, the security is relatively stable in Ramallah and Bethlehem, but overall unstable in Hebron and the Northern West Bank, with regular episodes of Israeli armed incursions, settler violence, and Palestinian attacks. In the current crisis, the number of incursions and violent incidents has increased considerably and most towns and villages are isolated from each other due to the closure of all Israeli checkpoints for Palestinians. Life in Ramallah is relatively stable and international staff have some opportunities for social life and daily trips.

Gaza Strip: In normal times, the security is unpredictable, with long calm periods followed by short bouts of armed confrontation. Security rules are tight with controlled movement. Systems for hibernation and evacuation are in place. In the current crisis the whole population is at constant risk due to frequent airstrikes. HI’s team has relocated to Rafah governorate. HI has setup a solid system with for security management, although the risks will remain high as long as the war continues.

In normal times, touristic and cultural trips are possible across all Israel, in Jerusalem, and some pre-authorised sites of the West Bank. 

In normal times, living conditions in Jerusalem are excellent, with all modern comforts and a quality of services similar to European countries. 

• You hold a diploma of physiotherapist or occupational therapist
• You have at least 3 years of experience in emergency Rehabilitation response in conflict-affected context
• You master standards and norms of rehabilitations services in emergency
• You’re fluent in English (Arabic would be an asset)
• You have a strong and proven ability to manage stress
• A previous experience with HI in rehabilitation projects is considered an asset
• A past experience in Middle Eastern countries is preferable

At HI, the conditions offered are up to your commitment and adapted to the context of your mission.

6 to 12 months International contract starting asap

• 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 2757 € gross/month upon experience
• Perdiem: 775,24€ net/month – paid in the field
• Hardship : 250€
• Paid leaves: 25 days per year;
• R&R: 5 days /3 months

o   Position unaccompanied

o   Housing: Collective taken in charge by HI