Medical Liaison Officer - Project Survivors of Torture - Palermo

Panoramica

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) was founded in 1971 in Paris by a group of journalists and doctors.

We provide medical assistance to people affected by conflicts, epidemics, natural disasters, or exclusion from healthcare. Our teams consist of tens of thousands of healthcare professionals, logistics staff, and administrative personnel, all united by our Charter and guided by medical ethics and the principles of impartiality, independence, and neutrality. We are a non‑profit, self‑governed organization based on an associative structure.

MSF hasidentifiedmigrant and refugee survivors of torture andill-treatment(SoT) among the most vulnerable and neglected people.

For this reason, since 2020, MSF hasdevelopedin the Palermo metropolitan areaa program specifically aimed at this target population through a multidisciplinary model of care (medical, psychological, and socio-legal support).

From October2023 twomemorandumofunderstandinghave been signed with the AziendaOspedalieraUniversitariaPoliclinico (AOUP) \"PaoloGiaccone\" and the University of Palermo with the aim of strengthening theSoTprogram in both clinical and research components.

Responsabilità

Reports to (Hierarchical): Project Medical Coordinator

Reports to (Functional): Project Medical Coordinator

Main Purpose

Ensure quality of care as part of a multidisciplinary team across the entire patient pathway—from initial assessment through follow-up to discharge—applying evidence-based medical practices and MSF guidelines, and integrating a trauma-informed approach throughout.

Accountabilities

• Participate in the collection and analysis ofepidemiological data,checking its validity and informing the line manager or about any problemofcomplication of thepatientsillness,medical errorandmonitorsthe properfunctioning of the department,equipmentor material.


• Ensure ongoingtrainingof the medical/paramedical multidisciplinary teamin order tooptimizethe quality of care.


• Knows and ensures allMSF medical protocols are followedand implemented, checking universal precautions arefollowed at all timesand reducingbio-hazard risksand improvinginfection control.


• Ensuresprofessional confidentiality is respected.


• Ensuregood communicationwith involved health facilitiesand external medical stakeholders

MSF Section/Context Specific Accountabilities

• Implements the strategy for identification and management of SoT cases,with the support of the Project Medical Coordinator andMental Health Specialized Activity Manager(MSAM), in collaboration with National Health System staff and other service providers.

• Monitor the multidisciplinary medical team conductingfirst need assessments,according to a trauma-informed approach.

• Monitorandfollowsuppatients’medicalsafe referrals.

• Ensures MSF medical protocols are understood, followed, and implemented in line with a trauma-informed approach, whilemaintainingstrict professional confidentiality.


• Keep updated mapping ofrelevantstakeholders,and establishes andstrengthens the networkingwith the different medicalspecialties(AUOP, ASP,etc),with particular attention to the physiotherapy referral pathway, integrating trauma-informed care approaches.Ensure informationsourcesaccuracy andits availabilityon regular basis.


• Participates in coordinationmeetings with hospital departments and involved health facilitiesto strengthen referral systems.Write meeting minutes.

• Contributes to the collection ofred flags within their area of responsibility and reports them for inclusion in the project logbook.

• Implements and standardizes theassessment and management of chronic pain, ensuring consistent, high-quality, and evidence-based care across the program.

• Provide health sessionsas part of the patient’s engagement strategy and if the patient requires it.

• Participates in thecollection and analysis of epidemiological data,recording medicaldatabase, verifying its accuracy, and reporting any complications, medical errors, or system issues to the line manager.

• Lead and follow-up the development and implementation ofa hybrid data management system, ensuring clear differentiation betweenSoTand non-SoTinterventions, promoting data quality over quantity, and enabling effective cross-departmental data analysis, while aligning with NHS systems and constraints.

• Contributes tothepreparation of the monthly,quarterlyand annualmedical report, in coordination with the Project Medical Coordinator.

• Supports the Project Medical Coordinator in organizingtrainingsand provides updates on the needs of NHS staff, MSF staff, and other organizations working with survivors of torture.

• Contribute to the writing ofmedical case reportsand/or reserches conducted at project level.

• Participates in multidisciplinary meetings and leadsmedical meetingsin the absence of the Project Medical Coordinator.

• Attends monthly team supervision meetings andparticipatesin case discussions and reviews.

• Ensures thatfirst-aid kitsin the office are regularly updated and compliant with applicable legal standards;monitorsthe availability of basic medications for staff, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen.

Note:This role does not demand direct patient case management or “prise en charge”.

Qualifiche

Education

• Medical Doctor diploma(Essential)


• Tropical Medicine diploma(Desirable)

Experience

• 2years experience minimum as Medical Doctor or in clinical work (can be within medical training)(Essential)


• Experience in tropical medicine, or post-registration experience in PublicHealth,obsand gynae, infectious diseases, HIV/AIDS/STDs, TB, generalpractice or general medicine(Desirable)


• Experience in migration contexts(Highly considered)


• Knowledge of Italianand localNHS system(Desirable)


• Experience with MSF or other NGOs(Desirable)


• Dataanalysis skills(Desirable)


• Epidemiology experience(Desirable)

Languages

• ItalianC1(Essential)


• EnglishB2(Desirable)

Knowledge

• Strong computer literacye.g.Word,Excel(Essential)

Competencies

• Commitment


• Flexibility


• Adherence to MSF principles


• Willingness to achieve goals and quality


• Stress management


• Teamwork and cooperation

Conditions

Contract: Fixed-term contract of 12 months, Full-time. Level II of CCNL. Candidates must have a valid work permit to work in Italy.

Gross Annual Salary : Min €35.008,10 - Max €42.010 depending on the MSF experience of the selected candidate.

Duty Station: MSF officeand other health facilitiesin Palermo

Benefits:

• Health coverage is provided through the Italian National Health Service (SSN), complemented by supplementary private health insurance (Sanimpresa) for contracts lasting 90 days or longer. This coverage includes medical expenses, illness and hospitalization, permanent disability, and death benefits.


• Staff members are entitled to a meal voucher worth €5 for each working day on which they have worked at least 4 hours, for the entire duration of the contract.


• Accommodation: MSF may provide accommodation in the form of shared housing (collective accommodation). Employees are required to contribute to the accommodation costs, with the amount varying according to the duty station.


• MSF covers the cost of one round-trip ticket at the beginning and end of the contract

MSF Italy is an inclusive employer that fosters diversity and engages systematically to ensure that equal employment opportunities are provided without regard to age, race, creed, religion, sex, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin or any other legally recognized status entitled to protection under applicable laws.