Consultant Ophthalmologist – Eritrea, The Fred Hollows Foundation Ethiopia

About the job

• Do you want to do work that really matters? Help us end avoidable blindness
• Consultant Role based in Asmara, Eritrea
• Closing Date: 7th January 2024

ABOUT THE FRED HOLLOWS FOUNDATION

The Foundation is an international development organisation working to prevent blindness and restore sight. We continue to carry on the legacy of Professor Fred Hollows, who believed every person had the right to quality eye care, no matter where they live. The Foundation is known around the world as an organisation that works with purpose and determination. With a reputation for excellence, we are well known for making change happen.

The Foundation has grown to work in more than 25 countries throughout Africa, South Asia, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific, as well as Australia. The Foundation has restored sight to more than 3 million people worldwide. We have an ambitious five-year strategic plan that aims to take us even closer to realizing our vision of a world in which no person is needlessly blind, or vision impaired and Indigenous Australians exercise their right to sight and good health.

We are also proud to announce we were awarded the Employer of Choice Award (Public Sector and NFP) at the 2022 Australian HR Awards. The Foundation is also endorsed and in partnership with The Life You Can Save.

To find out more about our work, please visit our website https://www.hollows.org

Orotta College of Medicine and Health Sciences , in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, is seeking to engage a Consultant Ophthalmologists to strengthen the Eritrean eye health service delivery & Ophthalmology residency training systems. You will support eye health workers to develop their surgical, clinical and management skills, as well as complete surgery when required.

THE OPPORTUNITY

The Consultant Ophthalmology Surgeon will strengthen the Eritrean eye health system by supporting training programs at Orotta College of Medicine & Health Sciences Department of ophthalmology as well as contributing to the service delivery systems at all level.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Key areas of accountability include:

1. Support the development of collaborative, quality, sustainable systems for eye care education in Eritrea in your role as faculty at the Asmara College of Health Sciences.

• Support curriculum review processes as required to ensure curriculums are of high standard.
• Support the internship of students for courses, and the residency ophthalmology training needs of the students.
• Undertake administrative requirements of the ophthalmic components of the course such as preparation of training schedules and lecture notes, examinations and marking as per the need.
• Deliver classroom and practical (clinical as well as wet lab) education and training for the ophthalmic components of the course.
• Implement course resource needs and ensure they are included in planning process.
• Generate a co-operative environment and provide assistance and support for all staff and students.
• Support the head of department in order to maintain a high standard, effective and efficient teaching courses.

2. Support the delivery of eye health services at Berhan Ayini National Referral Eye Hospital (BENREH) by providing training in other clinical services

• 40-50% of LOE is assigned to providing quality training and skilled surgical service delivery at Berhan Ayini Hospital.
• Provide expert training for cataract surgery, including training in manual small incision cataract surgery where required.
• Provide training for TT surgery and assist with training of all eye care cadre as required.
• Provide clinical and surgical service delivery as required.

3. Contribute to the quality and reputation of eye health education and services in Eritrea

• Role model to a high standard of The Foundation’s legislation, policies, procedures and values.
• Lead by example through practices like punctuality, respect and commitment to your work.
• Through teaching and clinical work, support the development of a patient centered approach to eye health services in Eritrea.
• Treat patients with respect and ensure they receive high quality eye care.

4. Demonstrate accountability and flexibility through teamwork and leadership

• Where problems arise, work with the members of The College and The Ministry of health to find innovative solutions.
• Proactively contribute to the development of the divisional strategy.
• Generate a co-operative team environment and provide assistance and support for eye clinic staff.
• Constructively contribute and collaborate with all colleagues
• Delivery high quality work that supports The Foundation’s global operating environment

5. Fulfil reporting responsibilities

• Provide a written report of academic activities at the end of each semester outlining activities, achievements, and challenges, to the head of ophthalmology department and the dean of the college.
• Regularly reporting to Hospital medical director regarding service delivery and practical service at the national referral hospital.
• As required, contribute to the maintenance of the MOH patient data systems for eye Monitoring & Evaluation.
• As required, contribute to quarterly reporting requirements accountable to the head of ophthalmology services and endorsed by the Dean.

ABOUT YOU

• Minimum of three years MD residency in Ophthalmology Surgery from a reputed institution.
• Registered with the national medical council for practicing ophthalmology
• Experience in teaching including working as a trainer for cataract surgery.
• Experience as a trainer for cataract surgeries, including small incision cataract surgery
• Commitment to patient centred, quality services, and data collection and analysis to provide the evidence for services
• Training in other relevant ophthalmic subspecialties
• Understanding of working and training conditions in developing countries and the flexibility to work in challenging contexts is highly desirable
• Excellent interpersonal and communications skills and a commitment to collaboration
• The ability to bring energy and enthusiasm to the development of eye health services in Eritrea
• Having one subspecialty, preferably on Retina but other specialty is also possible
• Individual research work and publications.
• Previous experience in a leadership role.
• Experience working and training in developing countries and challenging contexts.