Medical Officer Honiara

Do you want to make a real contribution to the success of our country internationally?

THE OPPORTUNITY

DFAT is seeking a suitably qualified Medical Practitioner to lead a small medical team operating a clinic in Honiara, Solomon Islands commencing in May 2020. The clinic provides primary care medical services to Australia’s diplomatic mission in Honiara. The successful candidate will work closely with DFAT’s Canberra-based Medical Unit, and a Registered Nurse who will also reside in Honiara. You will advise the Ambassador and the Principal Medical Officer in Canberra on local health matters.

This position will be offered for an initial period of 18 months with a possible extension for a further 18 months, to a maximum of three years. 

DFAT is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.  Please refer to our Workplace Diversity internet page  for further information.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE

Our ideal candidate will:

• Have emergency clinical skills.
• Have the ability to deliver high quality general practice services, including a willingness to be on call after hours and respond to emergencies.
• Have knowledge of, or experience in, tropical medicine and aeromedical evacuations
• Display flexibility and adaptability, professional and personal, to adapt to varied and difficult environments.
• Work well in a team and be a key leader in DFAT’s Honiara medical clinic team, assisting develop the medical services to meet DFAT’s needs.
• Have high level oral and written communication skills and the ability to consult and liaise with expatriate and local medical personnel.
• Have high order interpersonal skills, including sensitivity, tolerance and tact and the ability to gain confidence of staff and families at all levels.
• Have proven ability to deliver primary health care with overseas or remote area experience highly desirable.
• Be available to take up this position in May 2019 for an initial period of 18 months.

PROFESSIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Required:

• Current unrestricted APHRA registration as a Medical Practitioner is essential.
• Recent experience in General Practice.
• FRACGP or FACRRM preferred.
• Training or higher qualifications in Advanced Life Support, adult, paediatric or both, or Emergency medicine, or Intensive Care.
• Willingness and ability to achieve security clearance at NV2 level.

Preferred:

• Experience in remote or rural practice settings highly regarded.
• Experience in tropical medicine and travel medicine, aeromedical evacuation and aviation medicine, underwater medicine, and obstetrics, are all considered advantageous.

Certified copies of tertiary qualifications and other appropriate documentation must be presented on request.

KEY DUTIES

The key duties of the position include:

• Provide primary and basic emergency medical care and treatment for the staff and families and other patients who have access to the clinic in Honiara, in concert with the DFAT Registered Nurse.
• Advise the Ambassador and the Principal Medical Adviser in Canberra, on local health matters.
• As part of a team, liaise with local medical personnel and institutions and arrange referral of patients where appropriate or medical evacuation where necessary.
• Keep quality medical records, and manage privacy and security requirements. Supervise the maintenance of equipment and ensure the supply of essential pharmaceuticals.
• Provide statistical information on the incidence of sickness and conditions treated amongst the staff.  Report on the prevalence of local disease to the Principal Medical Adviser.
• Perform medical examinations of fitness for employment, pre-posting, superannuation, workers compensation and retirement purposes as required.

• Assist with consular cases where medical issues are present.

WHAT WE DO

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) helps make Australia stronger, safer and more prosperous by promoting and protecting our interests internationally and contributing to global stability and economic growth.

We provide foreign, trade and international development policy advice to the Government, and work with other government agencies to coordinate Australia’s pursuit of our global, regional and bilateral interests.  We have a dedicated and professional workforce.  Staff are highly skilled at their work, which includes developing and implementing policy, negotiating international agreements, delivering high quality international development assistance, providing professional corporate management support and delivering high quality consular and passport services to Australian travellers.

DFAT is the lead agency managing Australia's international presence, including a network of over 100 overseas posts in five continents.

WHO WE ARE

We are a motivated and professional team with a wide variety of qualifications and backgrounds. We welcome people with experience outside government including from the private and not-for-profit sectors.  We value people with ideas, the ability to present them persuasively, and the drive and skill to see them adopted. We take pride in our reputation for acting with integrity and discretion.  DFAT is committed to providing an inclusive and diverse workplace where all employees are valued. We appreciate the experiences, skills and perspectives of all individuals. We actively encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds.  Please refer to our Workplace Diversity internet page  for further information.

WHAT WE OFFER

• A diverse and inclusive workplace with a unique opportunity to practice medicine in a developing world environment.
• An attractive remuneration package including salary ($165,578.00) employer superannuation contributions, accommodation and utilities, removal expenses, education and / or reunion provisions for dependents, medical cover while overseas, overseas allowance, hardship allowance, mid-term leave fare and at least four weeks annual leave plus additional hardship leave.  The department supports Continuing Medical Education (CME), including paid leave and financial support for CME activities.
• A generous base salary reflecting the candidate’s relevant skills. The base salary has a 15% on-call loading applied ($24,836.70). The salary band also provides for qualification allowances (as per DFAT Enterprise Agreement) $15k for RACGP or ACRRM or FAFOEM, and $15k for approved qualification in tropical medicine. The salary is taxable in Australia.
• Other remote living allowances may also apply, but vary with salary, family composition and cost of living.
• Accompanying family supported subject to clearance processes.

HOW TO APPLY

Submit an application via the DFAT website at http://www.dfat.gov.au/careers/ by Monday 28 October 2019 at 2:00pm AEDT.  Your application will need to provide

• your personal details
• a 1000 word pitch telling us how your skills, experience and qualifications makes you the best candidate for this opportunity
• details of your professional experience and qualifications
• details of referees.

Please note that this process captures all the information needed for your application.  Separate resumes will not be accepted.

Genuine applicants only please.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates must be Australian citizens.

This is a security-designated position. Prior to engagement selected candidates will be required to obtain an Australian national security clearance at Negative Vetting Level 2. Ongoing employment with the department requires the successful candidates to maintain a security clearance. Loss of a security clearance at any time will lead to termination of employment.

A face-to-face interview is a critical part of the security clearance process.  This interview will be conducted in Australia, preferably in Canberra.  If you reside overseas, please be aware that you will be required to travel to Canberra at your own expense to undertake the security clearance interview.  Interviews cannot be conducted by video link or Skype. 

Depending on the role into which you are placed, you may be required to obtain and maintain a Working with Vulnerable People/Children registration (or equivalent).

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Candidates’ attention is drawn to the department’s policy on recruitment or promotion to specialist positions.  This position is categorised as “professional specialist”.  If you are recruited to this position, you will be required to remain in your area of specialisation for the duration of your employment with the department, unless you are successful in a subsequent merit-based selection process.

DFAT employees are expected to adhere to the APS Values and Code of Conduct and the DFAT Values Statement.

WHO TO CONTACT

For position-specific information, please contact Dr Andrew Crossman, A/g Principal Medical Adviser on (02) 6261 9789.

Queries about the selection process should be directed to the DFAT Recruitment Team via recruitment@dfat.gov.au or phone (02) 6261 9811.

Advancing the interests of Australia and Australians internationally