Overview

Surgical Program Coordinator-Hawasa Jobs in Ethiopia at Operation Smile

Title: Surgical Program Coordinator-Hawasa

Company: Operation Smile

Location: Ethiopia

Operation Smile is an international Non for-profit organization that offers free surgeries to people born with cleft conditions. We envision a world in which health and dignity are improved through safe surgery. Founded in 1982, Operation Smile has had its presence in Ethiopia since 2005 with full blown programs in Jimma University Medical Centre, St Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Ayder Comprehensive Specialized Hospital and Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital. Operation Smile Ethiopia (OSE) office is hiring Surgical Program Coordinator for its program at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH). This is a full-time employment position based in Hawassa Hospital, Hawassa, Sidaama Region,Ethiopia and reports to the Program Manager of OSE.

Key Roles And Responsibilities

  • Program Coordination and Management
  • Serve as the primary Operation Smile Ethiopia representative based in Hawassa, Sidama Region.
  • Coordinate the planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting of all Operation Smile Ethiopia’s surgical, education and other program activities conducted at the hospital,in Sidama region and surrounding areas.
  • Develop periodic work plans and monitor implementation against agreed objectives.
  • Coordinate Short-Term Surgical Programs (STSPs), Surgical Education Programs (SEPs), Visiting Professorships (VPs), fellowships, workshops, and other capacity-building initiatives.
  • Prepare timely program updates, reports, and documentation for Operation Smile Ethiopia leadership.
  • Patient Care Coordination
  • Coordinate identification, recruitment, admission, referral, and scheduling of cleft patients for surgical care at HUCSH.
  • Ensure patients receive appropriate pre-operative and post-operative care and follow-up.
  • Coordinate referrals and linkage to comprehensive cleft care services, including Nutrition, Dental care Speech therapy, Psychosocial support
  • Facilitate transportation, accommodation, meals, and other logistical support for patients and caregivers participating in surgical programs.
  • Ensure patient information is accurately documented using both hospital records and Operation Smile systems, including Patient Health Record (PHR) forms.
  • Medical Volunteer Management and Workforce Development
  • Serve as the focal person for the recruitment, engagement, coordination, and retention of medical volunteers at HUCSH.
  • Work closely with hospital leadership to identify and recruit qualified surgeons, anesthesiologists, nurses, pediatricians, dentists, speech therapists, biomedical staff, and other multidisciplinary team members for Operation Smile programs.
  • Work closely with OSE Education coordinator to Coordinate recruitment of healthcare professionals for Operation Smile education programs, fellowships, trainings, and professional development opportunities.
  • Maintain an updated database of medical volunteers and monitor participation in Operation Smile activities.
  • Ensure all participating medical volunteers maintain valid licenses, certifications and required Operation Smile credentialing documentation. .
  • Quality Assurance and Patient Safety
  • Ensure all program activities comply with Operation Smile Global Standards of Care and patient safety requirements.
  • Collaborate with the Regional Medical Officer of Operation Smile,Program Manager of OSE and hospital clinical leadership to strengthen quality improvement initiatives.
  • Support continuous quality improvement initiatives within surgical and education programs.
  • Monitor implementation of patient safety protocols during all Operation Smile activities.
  • Work collaboratively with hospital teams to address identified quality gaps
  • Medical Supplies, Equipment and Logistics
  • Collaborate with hospital relevant departments to identify infrastructure, equipment, and medical supply needs for cleft and reconstructive surgery services.
  • Coordinate with OSE Logistics Coordinator for timely requests of medical supplies and consumables required for HUCSH.
  • Support customs clearance and receipt of donated medical equipment and supplies for the hospital.
  • Ensure proper storage, inventory management, utilization, and reporting of medical supplies and equipment at HUCSH.
  • Maintain accurate inventory records and communicate replenishment needs promptly.
  • Community Engagement and Patient Recruitment
  • Work closely with OSE Senior Patient Coordinator to plan and implement community mobilization activities to recruit cleft patients to sequence for surgery.
  • Coordinate patient recruitment outreach activities for cleft surgical services.
  • Support development of awareness creation materials for radio, social media, print media, and community outreach activities.
  • Collaborate with HUCSH relevant department to increase community awareness about cleft conditions and available treatment services.
  • Partnership and Stakeholder Engagement
  • Build and maintain strong collaborative relationships with HUCSH leadership, Clinical departments, Sidama and other Southern Regional Health Bureau, Academic institutions and Professional associations
  • Lead multidisciplinary team meetings within HUCSH in relation to cleft care
  • Represent Operation Smile Ethiopia during stakeholders meetings and collaborative activities as delegated.
  • Execute any other duties assigned by immediate supervisor

Qualifications

Education

  • Degree in Medicine /Medical Doctor (MD) or Public health from a recognized university.

Experience

  • 1–3 years of experience in coordinating health programs, surgical services, hospital operations, medical education, or related healthcare programs.
  • Exceptional new graduates with demonstrated leadership, coordination, and management experience are encouraged to apply.

Required Skills

Technical Skills

  • Strong program planning and coordination skills.
  • Knowledge of hospital operations and multidisciplinary clinical care.
  • Understanding of surgical program implementation.
  • Knowledge of data collection, documentation, and reporting.
  • Inventory and logistics coordination skills are desirable.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Communication

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Fluency in:
      • English and Amharic languages
      • Knowledge of Sidamigna language is mandatory

Core Competencies

  • Strong leadership and coordination abilities.
  • Excellent organizational and time management skills.
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
  • Strong interpersonal and relationship-building skills.
  • Ability to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams.
  • Problem-solving and decision-making skills.
  • High level of integrity, professionalism, and accountability.
  • Commitment to patient-centered care and quality improvement.
  • Adaptability and willingness to learn.
  • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

Working Conditions

  • Based full-time at HUCSH
  • Frequent interaction with hospital staff, patients, volunteers, and partners.
  • May require travel within Ethiopia.
  • Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and extended hours during surgical programs and training events.

Apply

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