General
Description of assignment title
Dentist
Assignment country
Afghanistan
Expected start date
01/03/2024
Sustainable Development Goal
16. Peace, justice and strong institutions
Volunteer category
International UN Volunteer Specialist
Host entity
UNAMA
Type
Onsite
Expected end date
31/12/2024
Number of assignments
1
Duty stations
Kabul
Details
Mission and objectives
UNAMA was established in 2002 as a Political/ Peacebuilding Mission, exceptionally directed and supported by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO).
Context
The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) was established by the Security Council Resolution 1876 of 26 June 2002 as a Political/ Peacebuilding Mission, exceptionally directed and supported by the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). The recent UNAMA strategic review indicates a continued commitment to a UN field presence, which is to be the cornerstone of engagement in supporting Afghans across the country. The UN Joint Medical Services (JMS) provide timely and reliable, client-oriented, cost-efficient, and prompt medical care to all UN personnel from participating UN entities including UNAMA, and the Agencies, Funds, and Programmes. The JMS aims to protect and promote staff health, sustain, and improve their working capacity, contribute to a safe and healthy working environment, and encourage the adaptation of work to the capabilities of staff, taking account of their health status. Given the current heightened security situation in the mission area, we are seeking to establish a dental unit within the JMS that will be effectively and efficiently managed by an experienced dentist.
Task description
Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) or his/her designated representative, the UN Volunteer Dentist will: Clinical work • Attend the dental unit located at the JMS clinic, on a full-time basis. • Undertake day-to-day dental consultations of UN personnel at the JMS clinic. • Refer to and follow up with higher specialists in or outside the county, all complicated cases or cases not covered at the JMS dental clinic. • Provide on-call services outside office hours to respond and attend to dental emergencies due to trauma, including conducting triage to prioritize emergency treatment. • Provide dental prophylaxis for UN personnel. • Support and participate in pre-deployment visits, pre-placement, and periodic medical examinations for eligible personnel. Capacity building • Oversee other staff (e.g., nurses) working in the dental unit and dedicate time for capacity development through coaching, mentoring, and formal on-the-job training. • Conduct health education on topics related to dental care. Managing dental supplies • Ensure the dental chair is clean and properly functioning for easy manipulation by the operator and to reduce the risk of injury to the patient. • Ensure proper functioning of dental equipment and instruments. • Ensure optimal and rational use of resources while respecting medical ethics. • Maintain adequate stocks of medication and dental supplies through timely requests to the mission pharmacist. • Assist in managing the procurement of dental equipment, medication, and supplies locally and by UN system contracts. Infection control • Develop infection control guidelines/standards for the dental unit. • Ensure infection control standards are implemented in the dental unit. • Supervise instrument sterilization. Reporting • Prepare and submit reports on all activities, to the CMO and/or his/her designate on a weekly and monthly basis.
Eligibility criteria
Age
27 – 80
Nationality
Candidate must be a national of a country other than the country of assignment.
Requirements
Required experience
5 years of experience in medical as a dentist is mandatory. • Experience working in the UN or other international development organization is desirable. • Have a valid license to practice as a dentist in your home country is required. • Knowledge and certification in the following areas of medicine are highly desirable, as this experience will ensure stabilisation and referral of medical and trauma emergencies: o Basic Life support (BLS). o Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS). o Advanced Trauma life Support (ATLS).
Area(s) of expertise
Health
Driving license
–
Languages
English, Level: Fluent, Required
Required education level
Bachelor degree or equivalent in Health, Dental health, and Dental surgery
Competencies and values
• Accountability • Adaptability and flexibility • Creativity • Judgement and decision-making • Planning and organising • Professionalism • Self-management
Other information
Living conditions and remarks
Afghanistan is a hardship duty station with a volatile security. Living and working conditions for UN volunteers in UNAMA are similar to the living conditions of all other internationally recruited staff members. UN volunteers are provided with safe accommodation in an extensive compound in Kabul with good infrastructure and amenities. The mission has one compounds in Kabul: UNOCA (UN Operational Complex in Afghanistan) . There are number of security measures to be compiled with, such as the minimum Operational Residential Security Standards or MORSS before moving into any accommodation. The UNAMA Security section provides these guidelines during the initial security briefing upon arrival in the mission area. Summer in Afghanistan is hot and dry but winter is the opposite – cold and wet. Therefore, both summer and winter clothing and comfortable boots with insulation are necessary. Most common consumer articles are available in Kabul (and in the regions).
Inclusivity statement
United Nations Volunteers is an equal opportunity programme that welcomes applications from qualified professionals. We are committed to achieving diversity in terms of gender, care protected characteristics. As part of their adherence to the values of UNV, all UN Volunteers commit themselves to combat any form of discrimination, and to promoting respect for human rights and individual dignity, without distinction of a person’s race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.
Note on Covid-19 vaccination requirements
Selected candidates for certain occupational groups may be subject to inoculation (vaccination) requirements, including against SARS-CoV-2 (Covid-19) in line with the applicable host entity policy