Chief Medical Officer – Switzerland

Job title: Chief Physician

Job title: VN2024506

Place of work: Geneva, Switzerland

Classification: Specialist staff, salary group P5

Type of appointment: Limited to one year with possibility of extension

Estimated start date: As soon as possible

Deadline for entries: 27 August 2024

Context:

IOM is the leading organization in the field of migration and has more than 20,000 staff in over 580 locations worldwide working on humanitarian and development programs.

Under the direct supervision of the Director of Personnel Health and Welfare and the overall supervision of the Deputy Director General for Management and Reform, the Chief Medical Officer is responsible for all activities of the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Department of the organization.

The Chief Medical Officer (CMO) is responsible for ensuring that the health needs of the IOM workforce are addressed through appropriate strategies.

The CMO is responsible for policy guidance, standard setting and quality assurance and provides medical oversight of the activities implemented by the organisation in relation to occupational health and safety, aimed at maintaining and improving the highest standards of health for personnel.

Core functions / responsibilities:

OVERALL DIRECTOR OF IOM MEDICAL SERVICES

1. Direct and supervise the OHU offices and ensure that allocated resources are managed effectively.
2. Oversee health surveillance of IOM personnel worldwide; report and analyze regular morbidity and mortality statistics based on OHU tool datasets.
3. Review decisions regarding work adjustments, ability to work, and rotation based on medical assessments, monitoring of care, and follow-up of chronic conditions for which treatment has already begun.
4. Support and monitor operations to implement programs to mitigate health risks to personnel.
5. Lead and supervise the Occupational Safety Representative in the development and implementation of the Occupational Safety Framework.
6. Ensure that occupational safety policies are consistent with the health unit’s objectives and policies.
7. Medical evacuations and medical travel:
8. Authorize and monitor medical evacuations worldwide.
9. Support regional and country offices in the development and implementation of medical evacuation plans and capabilities.
10. Support for regional and country offices:
11. Providing guidance and advice to regional and country offices on public health issues.
12. Support IOM regional and country offices in identifying key health risks at duty stations that may affect IOM staff.
13. Advise and support regional and country offices in establishing agreements with local health providers, including hospitals, evacuation service providers, pharmacies, etc., to ensure staff access to good health structures while keeping costs under control.
14. Health education and promotion:
15. Develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive strategy to prevent and control health hazards in the workplace.
16. Develop, plan and monitor health education and promotion programs to create a healthy work environment.

STRATEGIC PLANNING

1. Develop strategic planning and vision for the Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) department according to the evolving needs and priorities of the organization.
2. Ensure that OSH has a comprehensive strategy linking OSH service provision, capacity building and compliance, and provide guidance and implement actions on OSH issues.
3. INTERNAL CONNECTION AND COORDINATION
4. In collaboration with the Staff Welfare Unit, you advise and inform HR partners and managers on employee health policies and support mechanisms.
5. Act as medical advisor to the Department of Human Resources Management (DHR) on work-related illnesses and accidents, to the IOM Staff Pension Committee (SPC) on disability benefits, and to the Insurance Unit Manila (IOM) on reimbursements, billing justifications, health promotion programs, etc.
6. Advise human resource policymakers on health issues and make policy proposals directly related to this area.
7. Coordinate the management of complex and sensitive insurance and/or medical cases with independent medical experts.
8. Ensure that the medical aspects of health and indemnity insurance plans are properly applied and suggest improvements to existing benefits and coverage.

EXTERNAL REPRESENTATION AND CONNECTION

1. Represent IOM in relevant occupational health and safety forums.
2. Collaborate with similar services within the wider UN family to harmonize the provision of occupational health and safety services and identify best practices.
3. Work with colleagues in other UN and international organizations to coordinate IOM’s response to common health threats in collaboration with UN medical directors, local health providers and other national health authorities.
4. Perform other tasks as requested.

Required qualifications and experience:

Training

• Master’s degree in medicine, general medicine, internal medicine or a related field from a recognized academic institution with at least ten years of increasingly responsible clinical experience in medicine, general medicine, internal medicine or a related field; or
• Completed university degree in the above-mentioned fields with twelve years of relevant professional experience.

Experience

• Experience with occupational safety and health databases such as EarthMed or Cority is desirable;
• Experience in occupational medicine, public health and travel medicine is desirable.
• Emergency training (Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support, MIMMS or equivalent) is an advantage.

skills

• Strong decision-making and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in managing multidisciplinary teams including healthcare professionals, nurses and administrative staff.
• Strong negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for interacting with employees, management and external stakeholders.

Languages

The official languages ​​of the IOM are English, French and Spanish. All staff must be fluent in one of the three languages.

Fluency in English (oral and written) is required for this position. Good knowledge of another official UN language (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian and Spanish) is an advantage.

The required language skills will be specifically assessed during the selection procedure, which may include written and/or oral assessments.

Notes

Accredited universities are those listed in the UNESCO World Higher Education Database (https://whed.net/home.php).

Required skills:

Values – All IOM employees must uphold and live by these five values:

• Inclusion and respect for diversity: Respects and promotes individual and cultural differences. Promotes diversity and integration.
• Integrity and transparency: Maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with the organization’s policies/rules and standards of conduct.
• Professionalism: Demonstrates the ability to work calmly, competently and with commitment, using careful judgment in dealing with daily challenges.
• Courage: Demonstrates willingness to take a stand on important issues.
• Empathy: Shows compassion for others, makes people feel safe, respected and treated fairly.

Core competencies – Behavioral indicators level 3

• Cooperation: Develops and promotes effective collaboration within and between units to achieve common goals and optimize results.
• Deliver results: Creates and delivers high quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner. Is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed results.
• Manage and share knowledge: Continuously strives to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
• Accountability: Takes responsibility for achieving the organization’s priorities and takes responsibility for own actions and delegated work.
• Communication: Promotes and contributes to clear and open communication. Explains complex issues in an informative, inspiring and motivating way.

Leadership skills – Behavioral indicators level 3

• Guide: Provides clear direction, leads by example, and demonstrates ability to execute the organization’s vision. Helps others recognize and develop their leadership and professional potential.
• Empower others: Creates a supportive environment where employees can perform at their best and reach their potential.
• Building trust: Promotes shared values ​​and creates an atmosphere of trust and honesty.
• Strategic thinking and vision: Works strategically to achieve the organization’s goals and communicates a clear strategic direction.
• Humility: Leads with humility and is open to admitting one’s own shortcomings.

The IOM competency framework can be found at this link.

https://www.iom.int/sites/default/files/about-iom/iom_revised_competency_framework_external.p df

The competencies are assessed in a competency-oriented interview.

Other:

Internationally recruited specialists are required to be mobile.

Any offers made to the candidate in connection with this vacancy are subject to confirmation of funding.

This selection process may be used to fill similar positions in different duty stations. Recommended candidates who are supported by the Appointments and Postings Board will remain eligible for appointment to a similar position for a period of 24 months.

The above list of NMS countries includes all IOM Member States not represented in the ‘Professional Personnel’ category.

Recruitment is subject to confirmation that the candidate is medically fit for employment, accreditation, any residency or visa requirements, and a background check and security clearance. Subject to certain exceptions, vaccination against COVID-19 is generally required for individuals recruited on or after 15 November 2021. This will be verified as part of the medical clearance process.

The application deadline is 23:59 local time in Geneva, Switzerland, on the respective application closing date. Late applications will not be accepted.