Medical Doctor (National)

Program Description (Background)

International Medical Corps (IMC) has operated in Nigeria since 2013, delivering an integrated humanitarian response across Northeast and Northwest states (Borno, Yobe, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano), where conflict, displacement and widespread food insecurity have created one of Africa’s largest and most protracted emergencies. IMC provides a comprehensive package of primary and secondary healthcare services, including treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health services, and outbreak surveillance and response to diseases such as cholera, diphtheria, measles and Lassa fever. Alongside health interventions, IMC implements large‑scale nutrition programs, offering screening, outpatient and inpatient treatment for severe acute malnutrition, community‑based malnutrition surveillance, targeted supplementary feeding and maternal/infant nutrition education. The organization also strengthens food security and livelihoods through general food distributions and cash transfers for internally displaced persons, addressing crisis‑level food shortages and disrupted livelihoods.

As part of the Core Group Partners Project, Kano States, International Medical Corps, in partnership with national NGO, Community Support and Development Initiatives (CSADI), plays an active role in Nigeria’s Polio Eradication Initiative by protecting children through key health interventions including polio vaccinations, outbreak response (OBR), active case surveillance and Routine Immunization (RI), strengthening surveillance on priority zoonotic diseases. IMC strategies rely heavily on community engagement (through Volunteer Community Mobilizers (VCM) and community informants), capacity building and coordination with other stakeholders across the project sites.

IMC, its sub-partners, will implement an integrated and harmonized service delivery approach for planning, quality spot checks and field activities across polio, maternal and child health (MCH), nutrition, and global health security (GHS), collaborating with government and a range of partners to unify and strengthen interventions. CGPP will coordinate with key partners including UN agencies, national and international NGOs, and Government agencies across MCH, nutrition, GHS, and polio. Drawing on regularly updated Partner and Services Mapping, IMC and its sub‑partner will prioritize a complementary and synergistic implementation of the CGPP project components, alongside the humanitarian and development efforts of key partners.

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

The National Medical Doctor is responsible for overall patient care including promotion of the health and safety of patients by conducting thorough triage, careful history taking, physical examination, essential laboratory/radiology investigations, diagnoses, treatment, and referral as well as education of patients and their care giver.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Provide high quality clinical care to patients based on history, appropriate physical exam, available laboratory, imaging tests, and formulary for treatment of acute and chronic conditions.
• Based on the area of assignment, conduct daily rounds on patients, initiate case discussions, monitor and document patient progress with any changes in management and prognosis and ensure adequate handover in case physicians' responsibilities are assigned to an inpatient facility.
• Advise if further testing and/or advanced care is required and initiate the referral process.
• Initiate regular case discussions as part of hands-on training.
• Identify gaps in staff training and provide didactic and/or hands-on training as needed.
• Advocate to supervisors for other necessary training of the team staff working and provide necessary training.
• Utilize given data collection tools and provide training to other staff as needed.
• Collect and analyze medical service data to monitor and improve the quality of care for patients and services.
• Ensure standard precautions of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures are always implemented and adhered to as per MoH and international standards.
• When applicable, participate in a 24-hour health service delivery system at the clinic/facility/hospital as per shift schedules.
• Adhere to international protocols and standards related to patient assessment, diagnostic and medical prescription of drugs.
• Manage and supervise other clinical staff as directed by supervisor; participate in hiring process if needed.
• Provide health education to patients and community members concerning their diagnoses, healthy diets, physical activity, hygiene promotion, and disease prevention (such as need for vaccination, smoking cessation, etc.)
• Adhere to administrative directives with regards to work schedules, record keeping, patient communications, re-stocking of essential drugs, consumables, and other medical supplies.
• Always maintain patient privacy and confidentiality.
• Immediately report any violation of IMC Code of Conduct, including patient safeguarding.
• Conduct outreach health services in case assigned by the supervisor.

Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed in this document are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and not necessarily comprehensive.

Job Requirements

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Typically, a medical degree (primary care physician) with a valid license to practice and be board certified or equivalent (board eligible).
• Typically, 2+ years of relevant clinical work, post graduate medical experience after graduating from medical college, work in low-resource settings preferred.
• Experience in programs relating to primary health care, maternal and child health, obstetrics/gynecology, communicable and non-communicable diseases and emergency/outbreak response is preferable.
• Previous NGO experience preferable
• Excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.
• Excellent communications skills, both oral and written.
• Excellent self-motivation skills.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and excellent decision-making skills.
• Extremely flexible and can cope with stressful situations.
• Able to work effectively with various personalities and cultures.
• Ability to relate to and motivate local staff effectively.
• Able to work with limited resources.
• Able to deploy to emergencies on short notice.
• Fluency in local languages, fluency in English and other international language is preferred.

Additional Technical or Language Requirements Fluency in Hausa/Kanuri is a vital, practical requirement for Medical Doctor in Borno. It builds trust, ensures accurate medical histories, and helps explain treatments and medications to patients who may not speak English.

Ethical Conduct at International Medical Corps

As part of a global, humanitarian team dedicated to saving lives, easing suffering, and building self-reliance, International Medical Corps staff are responsible for adhering to our Code of Conduct and Ethics and for knowing and abiding by International Medical Corps policies and standards. All staff play a vital role in preventing violations of our Code of Conduct and Ethics, including conflicts of interest, fraud, corruption, and any kind of exploitation or abuse. International Medical Corps is also committed to providing a safe and healthy work environment free of harassment, bullying, and other misconduct, enabling staff to build and maintain professional, respectful working relationships. International Medical Corps prioritizes safeguarding the populations with whom we work from exploitation, neglect, or abuse of children and adults at risk, and/or any form of trafficking in persons. International Medical Corps is committed to engaging members of crisis-affected communities to participate in meaningful ways in a crisis response, including making informed decisions about the assistance they receive, mitigating potential risks, and holding us accountable for the commitments we make. All staff are expected to support International Medical Corps’ culture of accountability toward our stakeholders, particularly the crisis-affected communities and individuals we serve. As part of International Medical Corps’ commitment to a speak-up culture and as one of the primary ways we collectively hold ourselves accountable for complying with the ethical principles and standards of conduct outlined in the Code of Conduct and Ethics, all staff are required to report suspected or actual misconduct or violations of organizational policies. Our Code of Conduct and Ethics and Whistleblower Policy prohibit any form of retaliation against whistleblowers or individuals who report a concern in good faith. Staff who violate these protections may be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or contractual relationship with International Medical Corps.

Equal Opportunities

International Medical Corps is proud to provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, disability or status as a veteran.