About Cardno ID

Cardno is a global provider of integrated professional services which enrich the physical and social environment for the communities in which we live and work. Our team of multidisciplinary specialists has more than 70 years’ experience in designing, developing and delivering sustainable projects and community advancement programs.

Cardno ID (International Development) manages a number of donor-funded programs in the Asia Pacific region. We engage in international development as a holistic, multidisciplinary and integrated process. Strengthened by our geographic and market diversity, we are committed to providing innovative and integrated solutions that create opportunities for significant, lasting change in emerging economies. Partnering with multilateral and bilateral donors, private clients, governments and communities to develop sustainable solutions to complex challenges, we work with local counterparts to achieve meaningful impact.

About the Program / Location

The Indo-Pacific Centre for Health Security (CHS) was established in 2017 to implement the Australian Government’s Health Security Initiative (HSI) for the Indo Pacific Region. CHS has since been absorbed by DFAT’s Global Health Division.

The Initiative, which is funded through Australia’s overseas aid program, aims to inform evidence-based planning, help prevent avoidable epidemics, strengthen early detection capacity, and support rapid, effective national and international outbreak responses. It does this by accelerating research on new drugs and diagnostics, expanding partnerships at the national, regional and global level to strengthen human and animal health systems, and deepening people-to-people linkages that build national and regional health security capacity.

Cardno International Development is supporting the implementation of several activities delivered as part of the HSI across the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Commencing in 2021, Australia is assisting 18 countries in Southeast Asia and the Pacific to access safe, effective and affordable COVID-19 vaccines through the Regional Vaccine Access and Health Security Initiative (VAHSI).The Republic of Nauru faces significant health issues.

There is a general picture of early death and high rates of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease and diabetes. Endemic infectious diseases continue to pose a threat to health security with, for example, regular outbreaks of dengue fever. Tuberculosis is a persistent issue. Chronic diseases worsen vulnerability to communicable diseases.

The high rates of non-communicable and persistent infectious diseases are set within the context of a population with high expectations of access to quality health care services. Overseas Medical Referrals place a high burden on the Government’s budget. Air links mean that Nauru is only a flight or two away from emerging regional and global health threats, including COVID-19. Low health system capacity limits Nauru’s ability to respond to acute public health events and increases vulnerability to threats to its health security.

Australia has an enduring interest in promoting the health of the people of Nauru. Australia is working with Nauru to strengthen its health services and systems and to tackle NCDs. DFAT provides support to Nauru’s health sector through bilateral, Pacific regional and global programs. All investments are guided by the Partnerships for Recovery: Australia’s COVID-19 Development Response 2020-2022 which focuses on three areas: health security, stability and economic recovery. Nauru receives assistance for COVID vaccination through DFAT’s CHS, including VAHSI.

In response to COVID-19, Australia has provided Nauru with testing cartridges, medical equipment, PPE, vaccine supplies, priority equipment and is seeking to continue technical advice via a COVID-19 Adviser supporting the Nauru COVID-19 Taskforce. Nauru’s ability to tackle NCDs and the strength of its health system underpin Nauru’s COVID-19 response. However, COVID-19 has constrained the Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ (MHMS) ability to push forward non-COVID reforms and initiatives, with MHMS resources and effort diverted to respond to the pandemic.

Objectives of role

The role of the Senior Clinical COVID-19 Response Adviser in Nauru is to provide ongoing clinical support and guidance for the care and treatment of COVID-19 patients and to build capacity of health workers, with a focus on critical care.

Minimum requirements

• Medical degree in a relevant discipline and specialist qualifications desirable.
• Evidence of current registration with a recognised national health professional regulatory Board.
• Proven experience working as an accredited critical care doctor or registered nurse in the acute care setting or equivalent experience in health facilities.
• Proven experience supporting senior government officials, working in a multi-disciplinary context, to bring together cohesive, implementable policy and program initiatives.
• Excellent command/highly proficient in spoken and written English.
• Experience of working in the Pacific is preferred.

To learn more about this exciting role, please view the position description attached and to apply to the role, please refer to our new website to access further details on the role including an outline of the key responsibilities and primary outputs.

We thank all applicants however due to anticipated volumes of applications only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

How to apply?

We welcome your interest in this position, click the ‘apply’ button to submit your application.

For any queries regarding the positions please email [email protected] using the subject line: Senior Clinical COVID-19 Response Adviser - Nauru enquiry via EthicalJobs.