For more than 30 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 40 countries across all continents where it focuses on 4 priority areas: caring for the health of migrants and displaced persons, promoting sexual and reproductive health, combating HIV and reducing the harm and risks associated
with drug use, crises and conflicts.
MdM France has been present in Bulgaria since 2004 (a Roma health mediator programme in Sliven, with a specific focus on sexual and reproductive healthcare), and is recognized on local and national level.
MdM France is also currently implementing another project in Bulgaria, to provide information and orientation for migrants, asylum seekers and refugees on their basic rights, with a major focus on access to healthcare. Within the framework of this project, we seek:
4 SOCIAL WORKERS – SOFIA WITH FREQUENT TRAVELS IN BULGARIA
FULL TIME POSITION, BULGARIA
START PERIOD: 25th APRIL 2016
Purpose of the Position:
The Social workers will ensure the link between the health care facilities and the migrant community.
She/he will raise awareness on migrant access to health care and will provide technical support in order to facilitate communication between the medical professionals and the migrant community.
This position is located in Sofia, and requires frequent travels to Elhovo and Haskovo Region.
Main responsibilities:
1. Preparation and program planning of informative sessions regarding access to healthcare, hygiene and interculturality
2. Implementation of the informative sessions (outreach activities in detention centres: and open centres for migrants, as well as in Zhenski Pazar) and orientation to relevant health, social, and educational services
3. Preparation of the informative documentation
4. Coordination of the activities with relevant stakeholders involved in the healthcare system at the local level
5. Ensure proper monitoring of the activities
Main activities:
Under the direct supervision of the Field Coordinator, and the overall supervision and guidance of the Regional Coordinator, he/she will fulfil the following tasks:
A/ Preparation and program planning of informative sessions regarding the migrants’ access to healthcare, collective and private hygiene, and intercultural mediation
• Elaboration of the informative strategy by the social workers team
• Organization of the awareness activities regarding the target population (migrants / asylum seekers / refugees / health professionals / community leaders) and the location (detention centres / open centres / Zhenski Pazar)
B / Implementation of the informative session and orientation to relevant health, social, and educational services
• Regular informative sessions (once a week) in both Reception and registration centres and detention centres, as well as in Zhenski Pazar, are provided towards migrants on specific topics (migrants’ access to healthcare, principles of general hygiene and essential health issues)
• Informative sessions (once every two months) are provided in both Reception and registration centres and detention centres towards health professionals, on specific topics (migrants’ health and intercultural mediation)
• Training sessions (4 hours) regarding the use of the IOM Health booklet in two selected pilot centres
• Awareness sessions (once a month) on the health of migrants towards community leaders
• Supportive care (accompanies, informs, clarifies, explains) regarding the contacts between the General Practitioners and/or other medical experts and the patient
C / Preparation of the informative documentation
• Implementation of specific workshop in order to build specific documentation and lexicons with migrants and health professionals that would be consistent with the real needs in order to improve access to healthcare and communication
• Follow-up of the documents’ realisation
D / Coordination of the activities with relevant stakeholders involved in the healthcare system at the local level
• Regular communication and information towards the directors of the facilities, the health professionals working in the centres and the other NGOs working in the centres
• Participation to the advocacy activities implemented in order to facilitate the access to general practitioners (GPs)
E / Ensuring proper monitoring of the activities
• Regular administration of specific questionnaires towards migrants with online application tools
• Follow-up of the use of the IOM Health booklet by health professionals in the two selected pilot sites
• Regular reporting on activities
Requested Competence:
• Secondary school education
• Fluency in written and spoken Bulgarian language, as well as Farsi, Urdu or Arabic language is mandatory
• Completed specialized training course for social workers or Diploma from a Medical College would be an asset
• Knowledge about the health and social legislation, and knowledge about the relevant policies of the Republic of Bulgaria would be an asset
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written with outstanding interpersonal skills with proven ability to work in harmony within a team
• NGO experience is an asset
• Extremely flexible and ability to cope with stressful situations
• Fluency in written and spoken English language and would be considered an asset.
Application
If you are interested, please send your CV to MdM at
fieldco.migrants.bulgaria@medecinsdumonde.net, clearly mentioning the position title in the subject line of your email, those applicants who will not specify the job title in their email’s subject will not be entertained.
Last date for CV submission is April, 18th, 2016.
