Despite the prominence of the “nuclear question” in the international media, the situation in the DPRK is calm. While it would be irresponsible to claim that there is no risk, compared to many other countries where HI works, the risk is minimal. In terms of personal security (risk of robbery, assaults etc), DPRK is probably one of the safest countries in the world. Potential applicants should be aware of the context and weigh the risks according to their own personal situation.
Hamhung city:
The workshop is based in Hamhung, a city on the Northeast coast.
The expatriate will be accommodated in a bungalow in a hotel compound based on the beach. It’s possible (in summer) to swim. The conditions are basic, but acceptable. Although all rooms are equipped with western style toilets and bathtubs, the water supply is irregular.
Although HI is the only organisation having expatriates permanently based in Hamhung, other expatriates often stays at the hotel (another HI expatriate should also be based in Hamhung).
The expatriate will have a mobile phone to be in contact with Pyongayng.
Every two weeks, the HI expatriates return to Pyongyang on Thursday for the weekend.
Due to the bad conditions of the road, between Pyongyang and Hamhung, no expatriates travel to Hamhung on a regular basis between December and the end of February. However, during the wintertime, there are not many patients visiting the workshop. During the winter period the candidate will serve as a technical advisor in disabilities related issues on other project of HI in the country.
PROFESSIONAL PROFILE:
- Physiotherapist; specialization in physical rehabilitation is an asset.
- Experience in technical training (physiotherapy)
- Teaching skills in an unstable team context
- Complementary training in Public Health or interdisciplinary Health approach experience is a must.
- Experience in Asia is desired.
- Experience in establishing and developing services in developing countries in the context of humanitarian crises for orthopedic workshop and orthopedic hospital is desired.
- Knowledge in logistic issues
- Patience and flexibility
- Interpersonal skills and team spirit
- Fluent in English.
- A first mission is possible for a person with the right mix of attitude, training, experience
PERSONNAL PROFILE:
The success of an expatriate in North Korea depends on both the personal and professional qualities that he/she brings to bare. An ability to demonstrate tolerance, patience, flexibility and self-reliance are important personality traits and are the key factors in determining the success of the applicant. The applicant will need to be confident and comfortable with himself and will need to adjust his expectations and aspirations for life and work in North Korea according to the local context. The candidate should be psychologically strong enough to cope with the environment, be calm, and have well-tempered character showing maturity and diplomacy in decision-making.
CONTEXT:
HIB has developed several projects in physical rehabilitation sector (2 main projects in Hamhung city and one in Sijung Lake sanatorium)
1. Handicap International set up a PPP section in the Orthopaedic Factory of Hamhung (HOF) in March 2001. In October 2004, HI completed construction of 2 new buildings comprising the Hamhung Physical Rehabilitation Centre, located on the factory grounds. This PRC has currently one physiotherapy section and one orthopaedic section, both of them working in close cooperation.
2. HI is supporting Hamhung Orthopaedic Hospital, which is the only specialized orthopedic hospital in the DPRK. The capacity of the hospital is about 380 beds. It is including different services in orthopaedics: spinal cord injury, trauma, amputation and a physiotherapy department.
3. Sijung Lake sanatorium is a structure which could be compared to a thermal centre in Europe. This sanatorium is treating patients with various pathologies such as hemiplegia, paraplegia, skin disease…
HI rehabilitated main dormitory building as well as mud therapy treatment building. A technical support in physiotherapy equipment will be started in 2007 through delivery of electrotherapy equipment in replacement of their old machines.
GENERAL OBJECTIVES / RESPONSABILITIES:
In general:
- To implement in Hamhung decisions taken in consultation with the Country representative (CR)
- To report on project implementation to the Country representative (CR)
- To represent HI to visitors (donors, local authorities) in the absence of the Country representative (CR)
- To supervise the support to Hamhung Orthopedic Hospital
- To facilitate the cooperation between the Hamhung Orthopedic Hospital and the Hamhung Orthopedic Factory
- To coordinate on the field the cooperation with other NGOs or international organizations
- To evaluate the needs for improving the actual projects
- Evaluate and coordinate the order of necessary material for physiotherapy section in cooperation with the orthoprothesists, the HI-DPRK CR, and HI China
As physiotherapist/paramedical specialist in disabilities related issues:
For Hamhung Orthopedic Workshop
- To evaluate the PTAs’ skills and supervise their work
- To develop physiotherapy skills in the PRC as a complement to the training already received (for instance, training to be done on specific disability such as paraplegia, hemiplegia, cerebral palsy, polio, club foot…). Actual team is only dealing with amputees patients and has therefore a limited knowledge on other disability.
- To continue the training of 5 Korean PTAs – and more specifically two new PTA recently appointed in Nov 06 (anatomy, physiology,…)
- To upgrade the physiotherapeutic facility of Hamhung if needed.
- To analyze further needs for training
- Participate to study tours if necessary.
- To ensure quality control of patient’s gait training and treatment
- To improve the circuit of the patient and the quality of care in the Hamhung PRC
- To develop cooperation between ortho and physio departments in collaboration with the other expatriate based in Hamhung
- To improve the cooperation between HOF and the PRC
For Hamhung Orthopaedic Hospital
- To initiate technical training in physical rehabilitation concept
- To train technical team on basic bedridden patient’s management (how to avoid bed
- sores, …)
- To train technical team on basic hygiene
- To improve current physical rehabilitation unit
For Sijung Lake sanatorium
- To upgrade physical therapy section though installation of new equipment (electrotherapy and basic physiotherapy material).
- To train technical staff on material use
- To define more technical training to be done according to staff request
As resource person iphysiotherapy/rehabilitation
For KFPD
- To be a technical advisor in the field of physiotherapy/rehabilitation, according to the demands of the KFPD
For HI-DPRK
- Participate in the development and implementation of new projects in DPRK related to rehabilitation.
- Liaise with HI MTQ Unit in Brussels for all matters related to orthopedic/ physiotherapy/rehabilitation
