Project Medical Referent-Msf Italy-Palermo-Survivors Of Torture

Participates in defining, planning and monitoring medical activities and programs in the project in accordance with MSF's protocols as well as coordinates human and material related resources needed in order to ensure the quality of care provided by MSF.

Context specificities
In 2020 MSF OCB has handed over the responsibility for the implementation of their operations in Italy to MSF Italy, with the mandate to focus on migration. In Palermo, MSF has been running a Survivor of Torture (SoT) project since 2021 with a service for the rehabilitation of survivors of torture and intentional violence. The overall objective of the intervention is to reduce morbidity and mortality among migrants and refugees by providing those who have experienced torture and other serious forms of intentional violence with access to dedicated care services based on their needs. The ultimate goal of the project, through a multi-year program (lasting a minimum of 3 years), is the creation in Palermo of a centre of national and international significance dedicated to torture survivors, integrating a comprehensive clinical component of primary and secondary/tertiary care, with a teaching and research component. This meant to be achieved through the signing of two separate memorandum of understanding with the Policlinic (AOUP) "Giaccone" and the University of Palermo. The model of care developed with the ASP of Palermo in 2021 and 2022 and revised in 2023 will be started to be developed within the "Giaccone" Polyclinic, maintaining the multidisciplinary and integrated approach among the different professional figures - medical and non-medical, MSF and AOUP - involved in the care of patients.

Quality of care:

• Ensuring that MSF medical guidelines are followed, in collaboration with the mental health and

sexual reproductive referents and in coordination with the Deputy Medical Coordination.

• Leading the design and implementation of a multi-year medical strategy for the rehabilitation of

torture survivors, ensuring it aligns with international and national best practices (e.g., Istanbul
Protocol, national guidelines, etc) and taking into consideration the long-term sustainability of
medical activities through collaboration with health institutions and national health services with
support of Deputy MEDCO.Developing specific SOPs for multidisciplinary services addressed to
SoTs within AOUP "Giaccone", to be sistematically revised and adapted to the context and needs.

• Overseeing the quality of medical care provided, including general medical consultations, pain

management, trauma-focused mental health support and specialized secondary and tertiary care
referrals.

• Referring patients in need to AOUP Forensic Medicine Unit and ensuring a proper follow-up,

including the medical-legal certificate issuance.

• In case of need/absence of other MDs providing medical assessments and follow up consultations

as a member of the multidisciplinary team responsible for the survivors of intentional violence’s
rehabilitation process, .

• Ensuring medical data are properly collected trough the electronic medical record system and the

medical monthly SITREP is done through the support of the Data officer.

• Overseeing a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework to assess the impact of medical

interventions on patient recovery and reintegration.

• Contributing in research projects on medical and psychosocial rehabilitation for torture survivors

and to scientific advancements in the field, in coordination with the Deputy Medical Coordinator.

Team management:

• Supervising and managing the team working in the SoT service under his/her direct supervision

mantaining the multidisciplinary approach and checking on its implementation.

• Leading the medical meetings and establishing clinical review committees to continuously improve

treatment protocols and adapt to evolving patient needs.

• Ensuring the development of a capacity building plan for healthcare professionals, training national

staff (MSF and MoH) on the medical and psychological consequences of torture.

Partnership and networking:

• Contributing to building the partnership and strengtehn the collaboration with Migration Clinic of

AOUP, that is provinging health care to the SOT patients.Facilitating relationship with the SoT
patients’ NHS GPs and with the medical personnel of AOUP Giaccone “Ambulatorio di Medicina
delle Migrazioni”.

• Liasing with the MoH medical directors and medical team, advocating for the model of care to be

put in place.

• Supporting initiatives focused on public sector capacity building and targeting trainees (e.g.

specialist doctors, psychologists in training, ...), in collaboration with the Project Coordinator.

• Ensuring health education and orientation to local health services are provided by MSF trough an

outreach strategy in place.

• Contributing in raising the awareness about the violence and trauma suffered by migrants and

refugees in countries of origin, transit, and arrival and the gaps related to their general protection
and access to dedicated health services and reception facilities.

• Representing the medical component of the center at professional networks and building

partnerships with health institutions, NGOs and human rights organizations to enhance referral
pathways and improve survivors’ access to healthcare, in collaboration with the Project Coordinator.

Education:

Medical doctor;

Experience:

Languages:
Essential mission/local language (Italian) and English.

Knowledge:

Essential computer literacy (word, excel and internet)

Competencies:

Contract: Fixed-term contract of 12 months with potential extension. Full-time. Level I of Italian CCNL of Commerce.

Gross Annual Salary: Salary will be commensurate with the experience of the selected candidate.

Desired starting date: 01/05/2025

Location: Palermo, Italy

Deadline for applications: 01/04/2025

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Applicants not invited for interview within 2 weeks from the closure of the vacancy may consider their applications unsuccessful.