Lao People's Democratic Republic (the): Executive Director at Lao Friends Hospital for Children

Lao Friends Hospital for Children (LFHC) is a 45-bed acute pediatric hospital situated in Luang Prabang Lao PDR. It is funded and run by Friends Without A Border (FWAB), a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to providing world-class compassionate health care to children in the remote areas of Southeast Asia. The hospital operates under a Memorandum of Understanding with the Luang Prabang Provincial Health Department, and opened in early 2015 on the same campus as the Luang Prabang Provincial Hospital.

LFHC offers emergency, inpatient, outpatient, a 20-bed neonatal unit, a thalassemia clinic, a development clinic, outreach and surgical services to babies and children from Luang Prabang and the remote areas of Northern Lao. It currently provides free high-quality care to over 1,500 outpatients and 200 inpatients per month. Limited on-site medical imaging, pathology and pharmacy services together with a home care program complement the clinical activities. Approximately 20 doctors, 50 nurses, 20 paramedical professionals and a supportive team of 30 members are employed at the hospital.

Together with the provision of clinical services, a major goal of this hospital is to promote the clinical learning and professional development of the local Lao staff such that key positions within the hospital are progressively filled by a well-trained and dedicated local workforce. Doctors and nurses from district hospitals, students from the local University of Health Science and residents from the Lao pediatric residency program all study and train at LFHC contributing to a dynamic learning environment.

Position Summary:

The Executive Director (ED) will provide leadership and strategic direction for the hospital ensuring that it functions effectively and achieves its aims and objectives; namely the provision of world-class medical care, education of staff, and community disease prevention. To achieve this, the ED will work closely with representatives of the Luang Prabang Provincial Health Department and Hospital developing a harmonious working relationship that promotes the integrated delivery of compassionate and quality health care to children in the Luang Prabang Province. An applicant must have a medical degree and clinical training as a physician.

The ED will liaise with the FWAB Board developing strategic priorities, building and monitoring budgets, and providing the Board with information on a regular basis. The ED will also liaise with the FWAB Board and staff to coordinate local and international fundraising, including grant applications and management of the local Friends Gallery. Additionally, the ED will be the face of the hospital within the community and will participate in government and private sector meetings and coalitions to gain a better understanding of the hospital’s environment.

The ED should be able to provide clinical backup and supervision to volunteer and staff doctors and, therefore, should be able to manage inpatients, outpatients, emergency patients, and neonates in a resource-limited setting. Minimum two-year contract.

Qualifications and Attributes:
Essential:

1. A Medical Degree from an internationally recognized university
2. Registration to practice clinical medicine in the applicant’s home country
3. Recent clinical experience in the practice of acute pediatric medicine
4. A higher qualification in pediatrics and/or a close related pediatric subspecialty field
5. Management and budgeting experience in a health care setting
6. Demonstrated high quality communication, leadership, team building and organizational skills
7. Commitment to providing compassionate and nurturing care to patients
8. Willingness to work with donors and community businesses for the purpose of fundraising, if necessary.

Highly desirable:

1. A higher qualification in a health or management field
2. Experience working in a developing country in a low resource setting
3. Experience in grant writing and health program design

Salary and Benefits:

Housing allowance; travel allowance (R/T to home country once a year); health insurance; and salary competitive and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Luang Prabang is an amazing and lovely place to live and work.

Please email a cover letter and CV, and three references from past employers to: hr@fwab.org with the subject line “Executive Director.”

For specific enquiries regarding this position, email to Nicole@fwab.org.*
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviewing.*