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Job Title:    Occupational Therapist / Physiotherapist

Organisation: AVSI Foundation

Duty Station: 
Uganda

About US:

AVSI Foundation is an international non-governmental organization founded
in 1972 with a mission to promote the dignity of the person through development
cooperation activities. Since 1984, AVSI has been present in Uganda, reaching
80 districts across different regions delivering development and humanitarian
interventions in the sectors of Education, Protection, WASH, Livelihoods,
Social Protection, Psychosocial/Mental health, Food security and Nutrition,
Urban Development, Energy, Environment and Health.

About Project:

Spina Bifida is one of the most common congenital birth defects,
affecting 1 in every 1,000 live births globally. It is more common in low
income countries due to lack or late start of intake of folic acid, and reduced
likelihood of termination of the pregnancy following early detection. Children
with Spina bifida may develop complications, such as feacal and urinary
incontinence, urinary tract infection, pressure wound and physical
dysfunctions. AVSI supports children with Spina Bifida and/or with
Hydrocephalus (SB/H) to access surgeries and appropriate post-operative
care/rehabilitative services. The project’s aim is to improve the quality of
lives of children with Spina bifida and hydrocephalus in Northern Uganda
through early identification and referral of clients for surgery, provision of
quality rehabilitation services, community sensitization, lobbying and advocacy
for inclusive development programs for all this category of children.

Job Summary:  The
Occupational Therapist will support children with Spina Bifida and
Hydrocephalus in northern Uganda. You will be responsible for assessment,
treatment and follow up of children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus (SBH)
in Gulu and neighbouring districts, and will work from the Rehabilitation
Center at the Gulu Regional Referral Hospital. .

Key Duties and Responsibilities:  

·       
Identify,
and assess children with Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus in collaboration with
the physiotherapist and social workers in the northern region. Develop a
treatment plan, compile the patients file, and treat patients following the
treatment plan made together with the physiotherapist and social workers, and
trains parents and children on clean intermittent catheterization and bowel
management.

·       
Mobilize
and assist in the CURE clinic visits on a bi-monthly basis, and follows up on
children referred to CURE hospital; establish and maintain relations with other
partners involved in the management of SBH.

·       
Refer
children for assistive devices, educational support, and parents for IGA
activities to relevant other AVSI programs and other organizations.

·       
Carry out
community outreaches to sensitize local leaders, health workers, and community
members on SBH and identify new clients; and carry out home visits to children
with SBH who miss their clinic appointment.

·       
Set up a
parents’ support group and facilitate monthly meetings of the PSG and train
parents in identified areas

·       
Monitor
and evaluate the results of the treatment and report to colleagues and
Programme Manager.

·       
Any
other duties within your area of competence, as requested by your Supervisors.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

·       
The ideal
candidate must hold a diploma in the field of occupational therapy obtained
from a recognized institution

·       
Five years
of working experience with children living with physical disability. Previous
experience working with children with spina bifida and hydrocephalus would be
an added advantage.

·       
Knowledge
of any other local languages (especially in Northern region of Uganda) is of
added value

How to Apply:

All candidates should send their application letters, accompanied with
updated Curriculum Vitae indicating 3 work-related referees, plus copies of
relevant certificates, should be addressed to: The AVSI Country Representative,
AVSI Foundation, P.O. Box 6785, Kampala, Uganda and sent to hr.kampala@avsi.org
indicating the e-mail subject as ‘Application for Occupational
Therapist/Physiotherapist.

NB: Only short listed candidates will be
contacted. AVSI Foundation is an equal opportunities employer and has a
functional Child Protection Policy by which all AVSI staff and Associates must
abide.

Deadline: Tuesday, 19th
January 2021

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