Health Cluster Sub-National Co-Coordinator (Ukrainian Nationals only) – to replace a vacant position in Medicos del Mundo

[ENG]

CONTEXT

Medecins du Monde (MdM), an international humanitarian organization, has been actively engaged in Ukraine since  2014, 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 oblasts  along the frontline,  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 health coordination efforts in the southern region of Ukraine (Mykolaiv, Kherson, Odessa) the responsibilities entails 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 

Partnership and Coordination:  (Stakeholder management and facilitation) 

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

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

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

• Organize and manage monthly coordination meetings between the Odessa/Mykolaiv/Kherson subnational health 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. 

Information Management & Reporting  

• 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. 

• 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. 

Inclusivity& Cross-Cutting Integration 

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

• 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, including monthly partner briefings and follow-ups. 

Analysis, Prioritization & Partner Representation  

• 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 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 Ukrainian health systems and health 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 

MdM-France is the employer and hierarchical manager. This means MdM-France is responsible for all HR and duty-of-care aspects of the role, including contracting and administration, induction and internal training, IT and working tools, leave management, performance management, and compliance with MdM security procedures. 

At the same time, the role is functionally managed by the National Health Cluster Coordinator (WHO). This means that the National Health Cluster Coordinator provides the technical direction for cluster coordination work, including priorities, expected deliverables, quality standards, and alignment with the national Health Cluster workplan and WHO coordination requirements. 

Day-to-day, the staff member carries out all coordination tasks under the guidance of the Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator, who is the primary focal point for weekly planning, tasking, and follow-up at sub-national level. 

To avoid confusion and ensure smooth delivery: 

• Work planning and daily/weekly priorities are agreed with the Sub-National Health Cluster Coordinator, in line with national guidance. 

• Technical validation and orientation of cluster outputs (e.g., reporting, information products, key messages) is provided through the National Health Cluster Coordinator. 

• HR matters, security decisions, leave and performance appraisal remain under MdM-France, with structured input collected from the functional line manager. 

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT   

• Type of contract: fixed-term labour contract  

• Duration: 6 months (with possibility of extension)   

• Starting date: 5th April, 2026   

• Rhythm: full time  

• Location & duty station: Mykolaiv City with regular field trip to Kherson, 
  Mykolaiv, Odesa regions)  

• Category: 7-A 

• Salary for full-time employment: 97 821 UAH gross, plus food and transport allowances