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

Under the leadership of the Country Director (CD), the Programs Liaison develops relationships with host governments, local hospitals and businesses, NGOs, and religious institutions to prepare for the ship’s field service. The role ensures that the hospital and support operations run smoothly and effectively by garnering logistical support and service commitments from key partners.

This position also serves as the medical focal point for the Country Engagement Team (CET) in the case of illness or injury and acts as the medical reviewer for the Day Crew Recruitment Team.

This is a roving position, with the initial deployment based in Ghana for the first six months.

How You’ll Contribute
To perform this role successfully, the individual must be able to carry out each essential duty with competence and professionalism:

Programs – Hospital Logistics

  • Coordinate with the Ministry of Health to ensure Mercy Ships’ medical personnel are recognized and authorized to provide care.
  • Coordinate with pharmaceutical authorities to facilitate import of medications (controlled and non-controlled) for shipboard pharmacy.
  • Coordinate with local health entities to fulfill requests for pharmacy, laboratory, and radiology services.
  • Identify local hospitals, clinics, ambulance services, and medical evacuation options for emergency use by team members.
  • Establish contacts and contingency plans for infectious disease outbreak response at the ship or Mercy Ships’ off-site locations.

Day Crew Recruitment

  • Identify and coordinate tuberculosis (TB) testing methods and screening processes in collaboration with Crew and Occupational Health Team.
  • Oversee TB screening and follow-up of positive cases, in-country when possible.
  • Review Day Crew personal health history (PHH) forms and assist in medical review process.
  • Address medical questions arising from interviews or PHH data.
  • Confirm local vaccination policies and coordinate in-country vaccination for day crew.
  • Perform visual acuity tests for potential day crew ship drivers.
  • Upload all clinical data of recruited day crew into the Sea Care electronic health record system.

Team Medical Focal Point

  • Become familiar with and implement the Medical Response Plan (MRP) in case of illness, injury, or emergencies.
  • Conduct biannual checks of the CET first aid/medical kit and restock as needed.

Other Responsibilities

  • Adhere to all safety, security, and data protection policies.
  • Upon vessel arrival, engage with onboard colleagues for proper handover and publish a handover report.
  • Perform other duties as assigned to support the field service and team success.

 

Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, and Requirements)
The following requirements represent the knowledge, skills, and abilities essential for successful performance in this role:

  • Strong alignment with Mercy Ships’ mission, vision, and values.
  • Ability to contribute to a team-oriented, cross-cultural community.
  • Strong Christian commitment.
  • Deep understanding of African culture with demonstrated cultural sensitivity.
  • Must be able to live and work in one or more host nations.
  • Excellent networking and interpersonal skills; strong written and verbal communication.
  • Strong administrative and organizational skills; ability to work under pressure with keen attention to detail.
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks independently with limited supervision.
  • Demonstrated initiative, sound judgment, and problem-solving capabilities.
  • Service-oriented mindset with a flexible, collaborative approach.
  • Willingness to support cross-functional tasks outside core role as needed.

Education and Experience
The following qualifications are representative of the education and experience typically required for this role:

  • Licensed Practical Nursing diploma, Associate or Bachelor of Nursing degree, or higher-level medical degree.
  • One to two years of cross-cultural project management experience in less developed nations.
  • At least six (6) months of Mercy Ships experience preferred, ideally ship-based.
  • Fluency in English required; International B2 level of French strongly preferred if working in a Francophone country.
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to drive manual transmission preferred.
  • Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Teams, SharePoint).
  • Willing to complete the following trainings, if not previously completed or up to date:
    • Sea Care
    • First Aid & CPR
    • Data Protection

Note: Successful completion of Mercy Ships’ Onboarding Program, Country Engagement Training, and Security Training will be required within the first year or as offered.