Country Engagement Team Programs Liaison
Summary:  
Description:  

Who We Are

Mercy Ships is a global faith-based charity that uses hospital ships to bring life-changing surgeries and transformational medical training to people in some of the most challenging contexts along the African coast. For over 40 years, Mercy Ships has been delivering lasting hope and healing through safe surgical care, while working alongside partners and stakeholders to strengthen local healthcare systems in more than 55 countries. Since the inception of this dream by founders Don and Deyon Stephens in 1978, Mercy Ships has served more than 2.7 million direct beneficiaries without regard for race, gender, or religion.

 

The Opportunity

Do you have a heart for the hurting and a desire to invest your talents and experiences into a mission with eternal significance? For every transformative surgery that takes place onboard one of our Mercy Ships, there are dozens of men and women being used of the Lord to prepare through their vocational gifts and talents!

 

Mercy Ships is seeking a Programs Liaison to serve on-site in our Ghana office. In this position you'll have the opportunity to support Africa Service Center initiatives of Mercy Ships to ensure continued delivery of hope to those in need through development of relationships with the host government, local hospitals, local businesses, NGOs, and religious institutions to collaborate on programmatic activities and garner commitment for different services in support of vessel operations.

 

How You’ll Contribute

  • Share Mercy Ships' vision and provide programmatic and logistical support for the following teams within the International Programs Department during Assessment, Advance and potentially other aspects of the Country Engagement Cycle: Direct Medical Services (DMS); Education, Training and Advocacy (ETA); Program Design; and Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Development (MELD).
  • Under leadership of the Country Director (CD) and ETA Director, develop relationships with the host government, local hospitals, local businesses, NGOs, and religious institutions to collaborate on programmatic activities and garner commitment for different services.
  • Travel regularly to help Mercy Ships achieve the aims of one or more Country Engagement Plans (CEPs) under the supervision of the CD(s).
  • Remain flexible and willing to perform additional responsibilities that may be outside the primary scope to keep the CEPs on track for success.
  • Continue building relationships with local partners, especially those who are integral to the success of the field service and overall CEP.
  • Coordinate with the host government (Ministry of Health) for the fulfillment of the protocol agreement: recognition of medical personnel, medication import licenses, legal age of consent etc.
  • With guidance from hospital leadership and ship operations, coordinate with local health providers to fulfill requirements for the pharmacy, lab, and radiology services on board the vessel.
  • Coordinate with Human Resources Team Lead to facilitate TB screening for day crew candidates.
  • Identify local hospitals and/or clinics, ambulances and Medi-vac services that can be utilized by crew in case of an emergency or health concerns not supported by the ship.
  • Identify key contacts and potential care arrangements in case of an infectious disease outbreak on board.
  • Once vessel arrives, engage with relevant colleagues on board to provide handover; publish handover report as reference to be used throughout the field service.

 

The Ideal Candidate

  • Supports Mercy Ships’ Vision, Mission and Values
  • Able to live in and contribute to a communal environment, requiring stable and healthy interpersonal skills.
  • Willing and able to travel frequently between Mercy Ships locations, with a primary work location in a host nation.
  • Must possess excellent understanding of African culture and able to demonstrate high cultural sensitivity.
  • Takes initiative, exercises sound judgment, and has the ability to analyze and solve problems effectively.
  • Maintains a strong customer service mindset, including a positive attitude and professional approach.
  • Excellent organizational, administrative, and time management skills.
  • Possesses outstanding people skills, strong networking ability, and excellent written and verbal communication skills.

 

Education & Experience

  • One to two years cross-cultural experience working in developing nations and managing projects in the field, preferably with Mercy Ships.
  • A good understanding of Mercy Ships programs, including DMS and ETA, preferred.
  • Work experience in global/public health preferred.
  • Fluency in English is required, and International B2 level of French is strongly preferred.
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to drive manual transmission vehicle preferred.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Outlook, Word, Excel, and Power Point.
  • The following are to be completed within a year of starting the role:
    • Mercy Ships Onboarding program.
    • Country Engagement Team training program.

Pour your God-given talents into a mission with eternal return on investment -- join the Mercy Ships Crew, today!

This is a paid position. To explore our many Mercy Ships volunteer opportunities, please visit us at: https://www.mercyships.org/get-involved/volunteer/