International Office Coordinator

FOR THE CONSULTANCY CONTRACT OF:

1. Duty Station of the Consultancy: Ministry of Public Health, Beirut, Lebanon

1. Duration of Consultancy: 1 September 2024 till 31 August 2025

1. Nature of the consultancy: Category B consultancy

1. Project Context and Scope:  

For many years, Lebanon has maintained its status as a prominent center for nurturing and advancing highly regarded medical professionals. This enduring tradition of delivering quality education has given rise to a noteworthy global dispersion of Lebanese medical graduates. These healthcare experts not only exhibit a strong inclination toward achieving medical specialty board certifications, participating in research, and affiliating with prestigious universities, but a substantial number also hold leadership positions within renowned medical departments, research facilities, and institutions.

However, despite their impressive worldwide achievements, there remains a significant challenge of 'brain drain', with many professionals seeking opportunities abroad. This has led to Lebanon having one of the highest rates of emigration among medical graduates in the MENA region and, indeed, globally.

Recognizing the invaluable contributions of its medical diaspora, the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) in Lebanon is taking steps to establish an International Office. The aim of this office is to ensure that the extensive expertise, resources, and potential of the Lebanese medical diaspora are harnessed to support the nation's healthcare objectives, particularly in alignment with the National Health Strategy launched in January 2023.

A tripartite agreement has been established between the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) of Lebanon, the Australian Lebanese Medical Association (ALMA), and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This partnership aims to enhance coordination and collaboration between MoPH and the Australian medical diaspora through projects aiming at strengthening the health sector.

MoPH will provide office space and guidance, while IOM will leverage its expertise in diaspora engagement to support local resilience efforts. ALMA will contribute technical expertise and fund this position.

The coordinator will act as the primary liaison between ALMA and MoPH, ensuring the smooth implementation of shared projects. The role involves coordinating project activities, managing communications, and ensuring timely reporting on project progress and challenges.

1. Organizational Department / Unit to which the Consultant is contributing: Public Health Unit

1. Category B Consultants: Tangible and measurable outputs of the work assignment:

The consultant will need to perform the below tasks related to project coordination, communication and liaison, monitoring and reporting, and project management:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of the Lebanese medical diaspora and their affiliations worldwide.
• Organize regular engagement sessions and webinars to ensure the diaspora remains informed about Lebanon’s health priorities and ensure collaboration and information sharing.
• Facilitate collaboration between local health institutions and the diaspora for knowledge exchange and capacity-building.
• Coordinate diaspora contribution in the fields of medical education and academia by organizing training sessions and workshops as needed.
• Direct diaspora attention and efforts towards areas where public health interventions, projects, and research are mostly needed.
• Support the development and implementation of new projects as needed.
• Provide feedback loops, ensuring diaspora-initiated projects resonate with the needs of Lebanon’s health sector.
• Work with the diaspora to identify potential sources of funding and technical assistance.
• Collaborate with diaspora associations for fundraising campaigns and events, ensuring funds

are directed towards priority areas.

• Develop and implement monitoring frameworks to track project progress.
• Organize and attend meetings between MoPH, ALMA, and IOM.
• Coordinate the work in the International Office with involved stakeholders and ensure alignment with project objectives.
• Work with the MoPH and IOM to create a governance structure for the International Office, including the creation of an Advisory Board.
• Facilitate the implementation of joint projects between ALMA and MoPH and IOM.

1. Performance indicators for the evaluation of results:

• Quarterly report on the contribution of diaspora to the specific goals of the National Health Strategy including project milestones, outcomes, and challenges.
• Quarterly newsletters detailing the progress and achievements of the collaboration are prepared and disseminated.
• Levels of participation and engagement from the diaspora measured through number of webinars and engagement sessions.
• Track project milestones, deadlines, and budget using the needed project management tool.

1. Education, Experience and/or skills required:

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, international relations, health administration, project management or a health related field.
• Proficiency in project management tools and software.
• Having experience in diaspora engagement, international development, or healthcare management is an advantage.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to collaborate with diverse stakeholders and work independently and as part of a team.
• Familiarity with the Lebanon’s healthcare system and National Health Strategy.
• Fluency in English and Arabic is required.

1. Travel required

No

1. Competencies

Values

• • • Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
    • Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
    • Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

Core Competencies – behavioural indicators

• • • Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
    • Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action-oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
    • Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
    • Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
    • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.