The Medical Liaison Officer is responsible for identifying, medically screening, referring, preparing and following up patients in Lebanon who may be eligible for admission to the MSF Reconstructive Surgery Program in Amman. The position ensures the completeness and quality of medical files, supports admission preparation and maintains continuity of care following discharge.

The role also strengthens referral pathways across Lebanon through networking, health-service mapping, partner coordination, program representation and capacity-building activities. All responsibilities are carried out in accordance with MSF medical protocols, admission criteria, confidentiality requirements and the security framework of the MSF Lebanon mission.

Functions

Identify and medically screen potential candidates for the reconstructive surgery programme.
Ensure that referred patients meet the programme’s admission criteria and are medically stable for travel and treatment.
Prepare complete, accurate and high-quality medical files for review by the Validation Committee.
Coordinate additional medical examinations and investigations required for case validation or admission.
Participate virtually in Validation Committee discussions and respond to requests for additional information.
Coordinate patient admission preparation with the Network and Planning Coordinator, Admission Manager and relevant MSF teams.
Brief patients and caretakers regarding MSF, the treatment pathway, the code of conduct and living arrangements in Amman.
Ensure regular post-discharge medical follow-up and continuity of care in Lebanon.
Maintain accurate and updated records of referred, postponed, admitted, discharged and follow-up patients.
Develop and maintain referral networks with public hospitals, the Ministry of Public Health, NGOs, health facilities, humanitarian actors and community networks.
Map health facilities, specialised surgical services, referral pathways, access barriers and gaps in reconstructive care.
Support collaboration and partnership development with relevant health and humanitarian actors.
Strengthen partners’ understanding of MSF eligibility criteria, referral procedures, medical documentation and follow-up requirements.
Represent the programme in meetings and external engagements when delegated and supported by the Network and Planning Coordinator and Medical Coordinator.
Monitor and report changes in medical needs, access constraints, conflict-related injuries and available health services in Lebanon.
Submit regular activity, medical-case and networking reports.
Apply MSF medical protocols, universal precautions, infection-prevention measures, professional ethics and confidentiality standards.

Specific activities:

1. Patient identification and screening

Identify potential patients through hospitals, NGOs, health actors and community-based referral networks.
Conduct medical consultations and preliminary clinical assessments.
Verify eligibility against the programme’s medical and surgical admission criteria.
Assess the patient’s medical stability and fitness for travel, admission and surgery.
Conduct medical fitness screening for caretakers when required.
Serve as the medical focal point for referral consultations with the Ministry of Public Health, public hospitals and humanitarian partners.
Work toward identifying and submitting approximately 10–15 eligible patients per month, depending on programme needs and capacity.

2. Medical-file preparation and validation

Complete the MSF referral and medical assessment forms.
Collect relevant medical history, clinical findings, photographs and supporting documentation.
Obtain the required investigations, including laboratory tests, X-rays, electromyography, videos and other diagnostic examinations.
Coordinate complementary investigations requested by the surgical, anaesthesia or Validation Committee teams.
Verify the accuracy, quality and completeness of each medical file before submission.
Submit files through the established MSF validation process.
Participate virtually in Validation Committee meetings when required.
Respond promptly to requests for clarification or additional medical information.
Update the status and documentation of postponed cases and cases requiring further information.

3. Admission preparation

Maintain an updated pool and waiting list of validated patients.
Share patient availability with the Admission Manager to support monthly admission planning.
Prepare admission forecasts according to requested numbers, surgical specialties, programme capacity and waiting-list priorities.
Contact selected patients and confirm their availability and readiness to travel.
Identify social or family circumstances that could affect the patient’s treatment or stay in Amman and communicate them to the relevant team.
Collect and share patients’ and caretakers’ visa information with the Admission Transit Responsible.
Ensure that medical files are complete and available to the Admission Manager before travel.
Coordinate the medical, administrative and logistical components of the referral process with the relevant teams.

4. Patient and caretaker briefing

Explain the purpose of the MSF Reconstructive Surgery Programme and the expected treatment pathway.
Brief patients and caretakers on the programme’s code of conduct.
Explain living conditions and accommodation arrangements in Amman.
Clarify the patient’s and caretaker’s responsibilities during treatment.
Provide appropriate explanations about the patient’s medical condition and proposed treatment.
Confirm that the patient and caretaker understand the information provided and have realistic expectations regarding treatment.

5. Follow-up and continuity of care

Organise follow-up consultations according to instructions provided by the treating team at discharge.
Monitor surgical progress, wounds, complications, pain and general health status.
Coordinate physiotherapy, mental health and other post-discharge care as required.
Facilitate access to appropriate local health services when additional care is needed.
Communicate relevant clinical updates to the Network and Planning Coordinator and treating teams in Amman.
Maintain regular contact with patients under follow-up.
Document completed consultations, missed appointments, loss of contact, treatment refusal and default from care.
Keep an accurate and updated database of discharged patients, postponed cases and patients requiring additional medical information.
Escalate complications or urgent medical concerns through the established MSF referral and communication channels.

6. Networking, mapping and representation

Establish and maintain communication with the Ministry of Public Health, hospitals, NGOs, health facilities, humanitarian organisations and community networks.
Conduct regular mapping of health facilities, surgical services and potential referral sources.
Identify gaps in reconstructive surgery, rehabilitation, pain management and continuity of care.
Document referral pathways, eligibility constraints and barriers to healthcare access.
Conduct regular field visits to hospitals, health facilities and partner organisations.
Present the programme’s scope, eligibility criteria and referral mechanism to relevant stakeholders.
Represent the programme in coordination meetings and partner engagements when delegated.
Update the Network and Planning Coordinator regarding significant changes in Lebanon’s medical and humanitarian context.

7. Partnership development and capacity-building

Identify potential partnerships that could improve access to care for vulnerable patients.
Support the development of effective referral and feedback mechanisms with partners.
Identify and address operational or coordination gaps affecting patient referrals.
Orient partners on programme admission criteria and referral requirements.
Train or brief partners on preparing medical documentation and supporting post-discharge follow-up.
Provide technical feedback on the quality and completeness of submitted referrals.
Deliver presentations and information sessions on the programme and its referral pathways.

8. Reporting and coordination

Prepare and submit a monthly activity report to the Network and Planning Coordinator and the Medical Coordinator in Lebanon.
Report on patient identification, referrals, validation outcomes, admissions and follow-up activities.
Document networking meetings, field visits, partner discussions and mapping findings.
Prepare case-specific medical reports when requested.
Report emerging medical needs, access barriers and changes affecting referral activities.
Coordinate closely with the MSF Lebanon mission and comply with its administrative, operational and security procedures.

Requirements

Education: Essential: Medical Doctor degree. Registration in MOPH. Certificate of registration. Desirable: residency in surgical or orthopaedic department
Experience: 2 years of experience minimum as a Medical Doctor or in clinical work (can be within medical training).
Language: Arabic and English. Desireble: French

Competencies

People Management and Development (L2)
Communication skills, negotiation skills (L2)
Multi-cultural flexibility or experience (L2)
Diplomacy, good communication and interpersonal skills (L1)
Confidentiality, strong sense of integrity (L2)
Commitment to MSF principles (L2)
Autonomous, independent, rigorous, organized (L2)
Results and Quality Orientation (L3)
Analytical, Synthetic, Planning capabilities, organizational skills, problem solving, multi-tasks management (L1)
Teamwork and Cooperation (L3)
Reporting and Writing capabilities (L2)