Department: Health
Location: Duty station can be negotiated based on the candidates desired station between Hassaka and Damascus however, frequent travels to all targeted locations is mandatory)
Reports to: Health Coordinator
Coordination With: Health Governance Specialist, Health Specialists, Program Manager, Liaison Officer.
Contract Type: Fixed, Full-time
Duration: One year, extendable based on performance
Background
Un Ponte Per (UPP) supports strengthening of medical education systems in Northeast Syria through partnerships with universities, health technical institutes, and national regulatory bodies. UPP aims to enhance institutional capacities, improve the quality of medical education, and support institutions in advancing toward national accreditation in line with Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) and Ministry of Health (MoH) standards.
To achieve this, UPP seeks a Medical Education Specialistto lead institutional capacity assessments, guide accreditation processes, support curriculum reform, strengthen teaching quality, and coordinate the rollout of a 9month postgraduate course in collaboration with national authorities and academic institutions.
Purpose of the Position
The Medical Education Specialist is responsible for supporting targeted medical education institutions, including one Health Technical Institute (Hassaka Health Institute) and two universities with medical faculties advance their accreditation pathways, strengthen institutional quality, and implement targeted improvement plans. The role also leads the design, coordination, and implementation of a 9month postgraduate course in partnership with MoH, CHSST (Centre for Health Strategic Studies and Training), and potentially MoHE.
A. Institutional Capacity Assessment & Accreditation Support
• Review and update existing institutional capacity assessments conducted by UPP Health Department team members.
• Conduct additional assessments as needed to evaluate governance, academic quality, infrastructure, teaching capacity, and student services.
• Support institutions in understanding and meeting national accreditation criteria and regulatory requirements.
• Develop targeted quality improvement plans for each institution, aligned with national standards and accreditation pathways.
• Provide technical guidance to university leadership and faculty management on accreditation processes, documentation, and compliance.
• Facilitate coordination between institutions and relevant authorities (MoHE, MoH, CHSST, DoH in Hassaka and Aleppo).
B. Curriculum Development & Academic Quality Enhancement
• Lead or support the review, revision, and upgrading of curricula to align with national standards and international best practices.
• Support institutions in improving absorption and discharge capacity, including student intake systems, academic progression, and graduation requirements.
• Promote modern teaching methodologies, competencybased education, and studentcentered learning approaches.
• Support improvements to the teaching and learning environment, including classroom setup, simulation labs, and digital learning tools.
• Provide capacity building to teaching boards, including training on Teaching methods, assessment methods, and academic governance.
C. Coordination & Stakeholder Engagement
• Maintain close collaboration with:
o University management and faculty leadership
o Health Technical Institute leadership
o Directorates of Health (Hassaka and Aleppo)
o Ministry of Health (MoH) including Centre for Health Strategic Studies and Training (CHSST)
o Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE)
o Other relevant academic and regulatory bodies
• Participate in technical meetings, working groups, and coordination forums related to medical education and accreditation.
• Ensure alignment of UPP’s interventions with national policies and institutional priorities.
D. Implementation of the 9Month Postgraduate Course
• Lead coordination with MoH, CHSST, and potentially MoHE for the design and approval of the postgraduate course.
• Lead development of the course curriculum integrating efforts from different internal and external specialists.
• Ensure the curriculum meets national standards, accreditation criteria, and workforce needs.
• Support the hosting institution in preparing for course delivery, including teaching capacity, facilities, and administrative readiness.
• Oversee publication and promotion of the course through local channels to ensure adequate uptake.
• Support and supervise admissions processes, ensuring transparent and meritbased selection.
• Coordinate the contracting of national and international trainers and lecturers, ensuring quality and compliance.
• Oversee logistical and financial arrangements required for smooth course delivery.
• Monitor course implementation and provide ongoing technical support to the institution.
E. Quality Assurance & Monitoring
• Develop or adapt tools for monitoring institutional progress toward accreditation.
• Track implementation of quality improvement plans and provide regular feedback to institutions.
• Document progress, challenges, and recommendations for continuous improvement.
• Contribute to donor reporting, internal learning, and strategic planning for medical education programming.
F. Internal Collaboration & Capacity Strengthening
• Work closely with the Health Governance Specialist to ensure alignment with broader health system strengthening efforts.
• Collaborate with other specialists in the Health Department to integrate efforts in advancing the medical education plans.
• Coordinate with the Program Team, including Project Managers and Liaison Officer, to ensure smooth implementation and compliance with donor requirements.
Education
• Advanced degree in Medical Education, Health Professions Education, Public Health, Medicine, or a related field.
• Additional training in accreditation systems, curriculum development, or academic quality assurance is an asset.
Experience
• Minimum 2-3 years of experience in medical education, academic quality assurance, or institutional accreditation.
• Proven experience working with universities, health technical institutes, or regulatory bodies.
• Experience in curriculum development, faculty development, and academic governance.
• Experience coordinating with ministries (MoH, MoHE) or national accreditation bodies is highly desirable.
• Experience in humanitarian or lowresource settings is an asset.
Skills & Competencies
• Strong understanding of national accreditation frameworks and quality standards.
• Excellent skills in curriculum design, academic assessment, and faculty development.
• Strong coordination, negotiation, and stakeholderengagement skills.
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and reportwriting abilities.
• Ability to work across multiple institutions and manage complex partnerships.
• High cultural sensitivity and ability to work in diverse environments.
Languages
• Fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken).
Travel Requirements
• Frequent travel to institutions in Hassaka and Aleppo Governorates and occasional travel to Damascus for coordination.
Safeguarding & Ethics
• Adhere to UPP’s safeguarding, PSEA, child protection, and confidentiality policies.
• Promote ethical academic practices and uphold integrity in all institutional engagements.
To apply, please include the job title in the email subject line
Medical Education Specialist
نصيحة لحمايتك
ننصح بقراءة طريقة التقديم بعناية و التقيد بتعليمات التقدم للوظائف و المناقصات.