COMMITTEE/HONORARY
APPOINTMENT
ROLE DESCRIPTION
Role Title
Reporting to
Clinical Lead, Essential Gynaecology Skills Course




Senior Vice President Global Health
Global Health Board
Chair - Global Health Implementation Committee
Director Global Health Unit
Faculty Development
Tier (educational
roles only)
Duration and Dates of
Appointment
3-year term (reviewed annually)
Main Responsibilities
Background
RCOG is developing a range of courses for low resource environments – known as the ‘Excellence’
series. This includes “Excellence in: Obstetric Skills” (a course recently developed for Uganda),
Surgical Training in an Austere Environment (course developed for surgeons on the UKGovernment funded trauma register), but moving forward will include the Essential Gynaecology
Skills (EGS) course. We intend to use these courses to build a menu of training modules available
through the RCOG website. Each course has a Clinical Lead and we are now seeking to appoint a
Clinical Lead for the Essential Gynaecology Skills course.
Prof Alison Fiander initiated the proposal for an EGS course to mirror the different available
emergency obstetric care courses (and particularly the highly successful Life Saving Skills course
developed jointly by the RCOG and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine). She has led
development of the EGS course to date and will remain engaged as Technical Advisor, from her
new fulltime role as Clinical Lead for the RCOG Leading Safe Choices Programme. The Essential
Gynaecology Skills (EGS) course is already well-developed with core material for 10 modules
written by selected clinicians and trainees. EGS now needs a dynamic Clinical Lead with the time,
experience and commitment to further develop and oversee implementation through piloting,
evaluation and future rollout.
The Clinical Lead, Essential Gynaecology Skills Course will be expected to:

Provide clinical oversight for the entire EGS course










Map and agree timelines for development of the project
Consider and resolve issues relating to which cadres of health worker might benefit most from
EGS
Liaise with authors/trainers on the quality of the modules created for the project
Become a master trainer and lead/direct pilot courses overseas
Recruit faculty and advise on equipment necessary for the pilot courses
Develop partnerships with a range of health care professionals and other stakeholders to
ensure effective development and dissemination of the project
Present and provide reports on the project to Global Health Implementation Committee and
Global Health Board
Act as a champion for the Global Health ‘Excellence Series’
Act as consultative Faculty for the Global Health Unit on an ad hoc basis
Assist in securing future grants for the programme in collaboration with the RCOG
Development Team.
In performing these duties, the post holder will work closely with the Chair of the Global
Implementation Committee and the administrative project lead within Global Health Unit. The
Implementation Committee and GHU recently agreed that the key next steps for the course are:
i.
Commissioning a medical copy editor to work through the trainee/facilitator manuals
to ensure consistency of format, structure, terminology, presentation etc).
ii.
Planning for pilot courses: a number of possible pilot locations have been identified
but the Lead will need to work on preparing a short summary concept note
(describing the course – and the various potential different applications of the
modules) and accompanying questionnaire (asking about the gynaecology service
provision and how EGS might be applicable) before agreeing (probably) two
contrasting contexts.
iii.
Leading the pilot courses, including recruiting support Faculty, identifying necessary
equipment, leading delivery of the pilots and making recommendations for further
development/rollout.
iv.
Development of the evidence-based narrative for the course (including lack
of/gaps/impact of gynaecology service provision). This will be necessary for funding
applications.
Time Commitment
Ability to attend:
- Global Health Project Implementation Committee meetings, the dates of which will be
published one year in advance
- meetings of Global Health Board, as necessary and by arrangement
- meetings with Global Health Unit, Technical Advisor and others engaged in the EGS
project – as necessary
- 2 x 1-2 week pilot courses overseas (probably in early 2016)
Evaluation of the Role and Succession Planning
This role reflects the present requirements of the post. As duties and responsibilities change and
develop the role description will be reviewed and be subject to amendment in consultation with
the post holder.
The role description will be re-evaluated at the end of the term.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Qualifications / Training
Essential







MRCOG/FRCOG
Registered with a licence to practice with GMC, in good standing
Consultant generalist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Gynaecologist or Senior Trainee
Particular interest, experience and expertise in the provision of women’s healthcare in low
resource environments (probably Africa and/or South Asia)
Interest and ability as a medical educationist
Understanding of the challenges associated with developing and trialling new resources in
challenging environments
Ability to work cross-culturally with excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Desirable







Experienced RCOG Trainer
Experience as Faculty or leading Emergency Obstetric Care courses overseas
Understanding/experience of monitoring and evaluating global health-related projects
Higher degree in Reproductive Sexual Health, International Development, Public Health,
Medical Education or other relevant subject
Understanding of curricula development, principles of adult learning, skills and
competency-based training
Understanding/experience of developing funding applications
Publication in field of medical education or global women’s health
Key Skills / Attributes
Essential
-
Able to champion and mobilise peers to commit and support the project
Able to think creatively, anticipate and overcome challenges or barriers with innovative
solutions
Skilled medical educationist and ability to work cross culturally, particularly in lowresource settings
Excellent interpersonal communication skills
High quality oral and written presentation skills
Applications are invited for this post and should be sent to:
Binta Patel, Manager, Global Health Unit – bpatel@rcog.org.uk
DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS: 4 September 2015
Please provide CV and (maximum 1 page) explanation of your interest and experience for the role.
Interviews: 11 September 2015.