International Orthodox Christian Charities

Position Code (IOCC-OC-2024-01)

International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) is an international non-governmental development and relief organization, working worldwide to alleviate suffering and need and share God’s gifts of food, shelter, economic self-sufficiency, and hope.

IOCC seeks an Optometrist (Consultant) to provide services for refugees with impairments and disabilities in refugee camps in Jordan, particularly provision of assistive devices (i.e., glasses), follow up with cases requiring visual assistance and rehabilitation services, and overall support to IOCC’s facilities and operations.

OVERVIEW

In consultation with IOCC management and under the supervision of the Senior Field Coordinator and in coordination with the Project Manager, the Optometrist (Consultant) will be responsible for visual diagnosis, liaising with vendors and distribution of glasses, training for assistive device recipients, follow up with cases of potential visual impairments, community awareness raising, and caregiver workshops through IOCC’s project activities in Azraq Refugee Camp and potentially other sites (refugee camp and/or host community) in Jordan.  The Optometrist (Consultant) will support the day-to-day running of IOCC’s facilities and operations and support implementation of activities, as requested.  The Optometrist (Consultant) will also be required to make regular visits to IOCC’s office in Amman and potentially to other project sites throughout Jordan, as needed.

KEY DUTIES:

• Ensure timely implementation of assigned project activities, following the set work plan, meeting deadlines set by IOCC and funding agencies;

• Support – and, as requested, oversee – the training and daily work of volunteers/community-based rehabilitation workers (CBRWs) and others in screening and assessment of potential impairments and disabilities;

• Review screening and assessment forms to support the CBRWs in identifying cases in need of visual diagnosis in Azraq Refugee Camp;

• Conduct visual diagnosis of IOCC’s beneficiaries in Azraq Refugee Camp (or other locations, as requested);

• Diagnose visual issues, including (but not limited to) nearsightedness; farsightedness; eye diseases, such as glaucoma; and other impairments or disabilities;
   
• Prescribe eyeglasses, contact lenses, and medications, as appropriate, for individual cases;

• Support or, as assigned, lead the procurement process for visual support and services for refugees in Azraq Camp;

• Coordinate with suppliers and order appropriate glasses or visual-related assistive devices or support services;

• Coordinate with IOCC’s selected supplier(s) in delivering diagnosis forms and visual aids, arranging for ophthalmologist visits, overseeing provision of prescriptions for and distribution of prescribed medications, managing referrals and logistics for surgeries, and following up on other services;

• Check each visual aid prepared by IOCC’s supplier to ensure that the aid is appropriately prepared for each individual beneficiary;

• Distribute visual aids and ensure that each aid is adapted and properly fits;

• Provide training and follow-up support (including follow-up appointments and adjustment of aids, if needed) to patients and parents/caregivers on use and maintenance of visual aids;
   
• Conduct home visits and follow-up to IOCC’s beneficiaries, when requested;
   
• Conduct and organize follow-up appointments for beneficiaries and support visual aid maintenance and repair, as necessary;
   
• Provide expertise and recommendations for cases in need of more extensive treatment and support the referral process to other actors who can provide needed services or treatment;
   
• Lead community awareness sessions – including preparation of all materials – on vision loss, impairments, and disabilities and related topics

• Lead workshops to support caregivers of those with vision impairments and disabilities in Azraq Camp, particularly in development of home-based support plans;

• Ensure proper, smooth, and complete referral process of cases in need of specialized services and/or surgeries, in coordination with IOCC’s selected ophthalmologist, including coordinating visits to Azraq Camp, arranging appointments, providing support for consultations, and related tasks;
   
• Train CBRW’s on vision loss and impairments, as well as working with those with visual impairments;

• Ensure that IOCC’s visual clinic in the camp is maintained at a high quality and address any clinic issues that may arise in coordination with relevant IOCC staff;

• Collect data and maintain thorough documentation of relevant indicators for project implementation, as well as for beneficiary selection;
   
• Maintain organization of relevant project case files and be able to easily and quickly respond to inquiries on individual cases or the files as a whole;

• Complete and submit by deadline monthly indictor tracking for relevant indicators;

• Provide recommendations to IOCC management on current and future program activities;

• Aid in a variety of tasks necessary for the successful implementation of the assigned projects in a timely and organized manner;

• Represent IOCC and project activities during visits from donors and others, as necessary and requested;

• Represent IOCC in coordination mechanisms through active participation and engagement and sharing of notes and action items with relevant IOCC staff;

• Participate in regular meetings with management, program, finance, and monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) staff, as needed;

• Other responsibilities and tasks, as assigned.

TIMEFRAME

February 2024 to July 2024 with potential extension

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge and Skills: Organization; computer skills (particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook); inter-personal communication skills; advanced written communication; data collection, sorting, and analysis; fluency in Arabic and English.  Experience working with persons with disabilities (PWDs).  Experience working with refugees and knowledge of issues impacting refugees a plus.  Experience working with non-governmental organizations (NGOs) also a plus.

Competencies:  Ability to build strong personal and organizational relationships across a wide range of stakeholders, including internal and external staff, other organizations, local communities, project beneficiaries, and other contacts; a true team player; sensitivity to cultural conditions and practices; adherence to procedures, regulations, local laws, and other requirements in implementing and maintaining IOCC projects; ability to think strategically, analyze issues, and make appropriate recommendations.

Experience:  A minimum of three years’ experience, working in a hospital, clinic, or practice directly with patients.  Experience working with NGOs, a plus.  Experience working in non-traditional work environments, such as a refugee camp, a plus. Experience working with vulnerable populations, such as refugees, a plus.

Certifications:  University/College degree required.  Valid driver license preferred.  The consultant must be an authorized licensed optometrist in Jordan.  The consultant must have a valid license to practice optometry from the Ministry of Health.  The consultant must agree that IOCC may use his/her license as a part of the process for obtaining or maintaining registration of IOCC visual clinic, if required or requested.

Must be willing and able to go to Azraq Refugee Camp (or other field locations, if needed) on a daily basis with the potential for work in IOCC’s office in Amman, as well.

WORKING CONDITIONS / REQUIREMENTS

• Primary work location is Azraq Refugee Camp with regular trips to IOCC’s office in Amman, as well as project sites throughout Jordan, as necessary;
• Awareness of local security situation and conditions;
• Professional personal dress, behavior, speech, and conduct in accordance with IOCC policies.