Health Cluster Sub-National Co-Coordinator (Local Staff Only) – to replace vacant position

[ENG]

CONTEXT

Medecins du Monde (MdM), an international humanitarian organization, has been actively engaged in Ukraine since the onset of the war, mobilizing substantial resources to respond to the urgent needs of affected populations.

In 2022, Medecins du Monde France re-established its operational base in Ukraine and began delivering comprehensive Primary Health Care (PHC) services. These include targeted support in Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), Gender-Based Violence (GBV) prevention and response, and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS).

MdM France’s activities are concentrated in areas along the frontline—a critical zone separating communities under Ukrainian government control from those under temporary military control of the Russian Federation. These regions face heightened vulnerability due to ongoing hostilities, displacement, and limited access to essential health services.

MdM France approach emphasizes community-based care, coordination with national health actors, and integration of protection-sensitive programming to ensure equitable access to health services for all affected populations.

 MdM-France remains deeply committed to strengthening health cluster coordination in Southern Ukraine by leveraging its technical expertise in Primary Health Care (PHC), Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH), and Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS). As part of a comprehensive health response, MdM-France advocates for the needs of the most vulnerable populations, identifies gaps in service delivery, and proposes practical, context-sensitive solutions in collaboration with national stakeholders—including local NGOs, frontline health workers, and the Ministry of Health.

In addition to facilitating coordination among local and international health actors, MdM-France promotes innovative approaches to improve access to quality healthcare in isolated and hard-to-reach areas. These include telemedicine initiatives implemented with local partners and harm reduction strategies tailored to the needs of conflict-affected communities.

Job Summary
 The Sub-National Health Cluster Co-Coordinator will support the Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator in leading coordination efforts, conducting needs assessments, adapting strategies, mobilizing resources, and supporting the implementation and monitoring of the Joint Incident Management System and advocacy functions.  The co-Coordinator will also ensure that the voice of NGO partners is effectively represented within the Sub-National Health Cluster.

 Main Responsibilities

- Build and maintain meaningful and consistent relationships with all relevant
   stakeholders, including health authorities, local NGOs, UN agencies, and other partners.

- Provide interpretation and translation support as needed to facilitate inclusive
   coordination.

- Maintain regular contact with officials from the oblast Departments of Health (DOH), in collaboration with the Sub-National Cluster Coordinator.

- Ensure that information management activities are designed and implemented to enhance the effectiveness of the health response across various domains.

- Guarantee timely and accurate reporting to and from the national cluster to strengthen coordination and accountability.

- Support the drafting of key information products, reports, and updates.

- Participate in and facilitate Area-Based Coordination meetings held twice per month.

- Organize and manage monthly coordination meetings between  the
   Odessa/Mykolaiv/Kherson subnational cluster and oblast health authorities (including CDM and NHSU).

- Represent the health cluster in Kherson and provide updates during Area-Based
    Coordination and General Coordination meetings.

- Engage in inter-cluster coordination mechanisms in Kherson oblast, contributing to
    the identification of critical issues requiring multi-sectoral responses.

- Submit reports on an ad hoc basis as requested.

- Ensure timely sharing of meeting minutes with the Sub-National Health Cluster
   Coordinator and archive them in the designated shared folder.

- Regularly update relevant sections of the bi-weekly internal report (including
   achievements and next steps), twice per month.

- Supervise the integration of cross-cutting issues (e.g., gender, protection, disability
   inclusion) into the health cluster’s response and implementation plans, with attention to local adaptation. This includes monthly partner briefings and follow-ups.

- Actively participate in gap analysis and priority setting to reinforce complementarity among partner actions and avoid duplication.

- Serve as a focal point for receiving and escalating NGO concerns to relevant entities  or individuals.
 
Qualifications and Selection Criteria

Essential Qualifications

•             University degree in Public Health, Medicine, Social Sciences, or a related field.

•             Minimum 2 years of experience in humanitarian health programming or 
                coordination, preferably in Ukraine or similar contexts.

•             Proven experience working with NGOs, UN agencies, or government health
               authorities.

•             Strong understanding of the humanitarian coordination architecture, including the Cluster Approach.

•             Excellent communication, facilitation, and interpersonal skills.

•             Fluency in Ukrainian and English (written and spoken).

Desirable Qualifications

•             Experience in Primary Health Care, NCDs, SRH, GBV, or MHPSS programming.

•             Familiarity with WHO coordination tools and reporting systems.

•             Knowledge of local health systems and actors in Southern Ukraine (Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odesa).

•             Experience in inter-sectoral coordination and advocacy.

•             Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under pressure.

Reporting Lines

•             Hierarchical Management:

The staff member assigned to the Sub-National Health Cluster will be employed and managed by Medecins du Monde France (MdM-Fr). MdM-Fr will oversee all administrative and organizational aspects, including:

•             Security protocols

•             Internal training

•             Duty of care

•             IT resources

•             Leave management

•             Performance management

•             Functional Management:

The Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator for the South (Odessa/Mykolaiv/Kherson) will serve as the functional line manager. The co-Coordinator will carry out all cluster coordination tasks under the guidance of the Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator.

• Specific roles, responsibilities, and deliverables will be delegated in alignment with the Health Cluster’s workplan and will be updated regularly to reflect evolving needs and priorities.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT  

• Type of contract: Labour contract (fixed-term)
• Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)  
• Starting date: ASAP  
• Rhythm: part-time, 50% employment with MdM   
• Location: Mykolaiv, Ukraine with regular field visits to intervention sites (Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odesa regions) 
• Category: 7 
• Salary for full-time employment: 90 575,2 UAH, plus food and transport allowances