Senior Medical Officer (P-4)

Principal Functions

Under the general direction of the Head of Health and Safety Branch and in accordance with the OPCW Core Values of Integrity, Professionalism and Respect for Diversity/Gender Equality, the Senior Medical Officer performs the following duties;

 

1. Healthy staff, physically and mentally capable of performing their duties:
   
   
   1. Conduct pre-employment, periodic, special and discharge medical examinations on Secretariat staff according to specified medical standards and schedules;
   2. Conduct a medical surveillance program for staff at risk of exposure to harmful substances;
   3. Provide a range of specific preventative health programs, including flu vaccinations, lectures, presentations, fitness programme and facilities, and web based health resources;
   4. Provide consultation and advice (and, where required, treatment or referral) for staff regarding health and safety issues related to their work;
   5. Monitor and report on patterns of sickness absence in the Secretariat, and provide individual absenteeism counselling to assist those who require it;
   6. Collaborate with HRB on mental health and wellness programmes.

 

2. Staff who have the knowledge, skills, and equipment needed to work with minimized risk to themselves or their colleagues:
   
   
   1. Establish and support medical professional development programs for clinical staff to ensure safe practice and to meet the required standards of professional registration bodies;
   2. In conjunction with Talent Development (HRB) and INS, conduct medical induction training for all OPCW staff, ensuring the achievement of minimum health standards relevant to their work;
   3. Conduct other specialized medical training, including of staff with specific medical functions (paramedics and nursing staff) on elements of toxicology relevant to their work, and contribute to the medical component of Inspector initial or refresher training; Review and monitor health and medical related training provided by external sources for OPCW staff;
   4. Provide advice and support to staff from other functional units who deal with administration of staff health, issues, including insurance, disability assessments and sick leave;
   5. Provide advice and assistance to Inspectorate Equipment Store, regarding health aspects of equipment procurement, usage and procedures;
   6. Incorporate the principles of risk management into all applicable Medical Section Activities.

 

3. A working environment in which risks are actively managed, and in which there is prompt and effective response to incidents, accidents, or illness:
   
   
   1. Perform a baseline health risk assessment of OPCW facilities, including mitigation of identified risks
   2. Assess and respond to concerns raised by staff concerning health aspects of their workplaces;
   3. Determine and supervise “return to work’ programs for staff members who have been on sick leave, and coordinate provision of rehabilitative services after occupational accidents or illness;
   4. Provide a travel medical service for staff on official travel, incorporating destination specific health advice, immunizations, prophylactic medications and the purchase/maintenance of travel medical kits;
   5. Ensure the availability of a first aid service for response to accidents and illness in OPCW premises through the conduct of initial and refresher first aid training, and the maintenance of first aid kits;
   6. Contribute to the medical aspects of any investigation/remediation of accidents occurring in OPCW premises.

 

4. Inspection activities accomplished with minimal risk, in accordance with the OPCW’s health, safety and medical requirements;
   
   
   1. In cooperation with the Inspectorate Medical staff, implement a risk assessment and management program for OPCW inspections, incorporating pre-employment medical reviews, written generic and site specific health plans, and post-inspection medical reviews;
   2. Prepare medical documentation packages for all inspection teams, including certification of fitness for duty, individual confidential medical summaries, and medical administrative records;
   3. In cooperation with the Inspectorate Medical staff, ensure availability for medical advice and review regarding injuries and illness of staff on inspections;
   4. Provide supervision and technical guidance to ES on all aspects of management of pharmaceutical stores used in support of inspection activity;
   5. Where necessary travel with and provide direct support or advice to inspection teams in special circumstances (e.g. engineering reviews, technical visits, optimization activities, investigations of alleged use, etc);
   6. Attend operational briefings/planning sessions to ensure that health and medical aspects of inspection activities are addressed;
   7. Provide medical advice in the event of field incidents.

 

5. Availability of a defined health, safety, and medical component in the OPCW’s International Co-operation and Assistance and other outreach programs;
   
   
   1. Collate and provide health and medical information on request in response to external requests;
   2. In cooperation with the Inspectorate, support the ICA Division regarding health and medical aspects of requests for assistance by Member States, and delivery thereof;
   3. Support other functional units in health and medical aspects of their outreach activities;

 

6. Efficient and effective operation of the Health and Safety Branch:
   
   
   1. Verify current professional registration for all clinical staff;
   2. Ensure that medical staff participate in an ongoing CPD program that maintains professional registration, medical skills , professional development, and continuing education;
   3. Adopt/develop and maintain policy and procedural documentation to guide implementation of the OPCW’s health and safety program, ensuring ready availability of current documentation for all staff members;
   4. Acquire and maintain suitable equipment (including software) to support Medical functions;
   5. Acquire and manage appropriate pharmaceutical items to support Medical Section functions not otherwise specified;
   6. Provide budgetary advice (according to RBB principles) to Head, HSB regarding Medical Section expenditures;
   7. In cooperation with Head, HSB, conduct annual strategic planning of Medical Section and HSB activities;
   8. Supervise and manage Medical Section staff activities according to the Medical Section/HSB strategic plan, via regular progress review, and with a focus on assessment of performance via results;
   9. Develop and maintain a clinical governance programme for all medical functions in the organisation;
   10. Run periodic emergency medical drills to test preparedness.
   
   

   Knowledge and Experience

   Education

   Essential

   A University level degree in medicine with current medical registration.

   An advanced qualification in occupational medicine.

   
   

   Desirable

   Postgraduate qualification in family medicine is highly desirable.

   
   

   Required Certification

   Must have current registration as a medical practitioner in the incumbent’s home country.

   
   

   Experience

   Essential

   A minimum of 7 years of recent practical experience as a registered medical practitioner in occupational medicine with an advanced degree, or a minimum of 9 years’ experience with a first level university degree.

   
   

   Desirable

   Experience in chemical defence medicine or in occupational medicine in the chemical industry will be an advantage;

   Knowledge of/experience with the Dutch healthcare system will be an advantage.

   
   

   Skills and Abilities (key competencies):

   1. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with an ability to articulate complex medical information or processes at various levels in the organisation
   2. Strong problem solving and planning skills in order define and maintain medical processes
   3. Understanding of medical software systems and basic MS Office software
   4. Ability to maintain patient confidentiality, whilst providing essential management information to line departments
   5. High attention to detail and accurate reporting
   6. Personal qualities should include the ability to work harmoniously in a multi-cultural environment.
   
   

   Language Requirements

   Fluency in English is essential and a good working knowledge of one of the other official languages (Arabic, Chinese, French, Russian, and Spanish) is desirable. Ability to communicate in Dutch would be an asset.