Consultant & HOD - NICU & Paediatrics | Western Qualified

Job Summary

A leading private hospital in the UAE is looking for an experienced Consultant & Head of Department (HOD) – Neonatal Intensive Care & Paediatrics to lead the NICU and paediatric services. The role combines senior clinical responsibility with departmental leadership, ensuring high standards of neonatal and paediatric care, patient safety, clinical governance, and service development.

The ideal candidate will have extensive experience managing critically ill newborns and complex paediatric cases, together with proven leadership experience in a NICU or paediatric department. A recognized Western postgraduate qualification and experience in a tertiary or leading private hospital environment are highly preferred.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee the clinical operations of the NICU and Paediatric Department.
• Provide consultant-level care to premature, critically ill, and high-risk newborns.
• Manage neonatal respiratory distress, sepsis, congenital conditions, complications of prematurity, and other complex neonatal conditions.
• Provide specialist care for complex paediatric medical conditions when required.
• Lead neonatal resuscitation and management of critically ill newborns.
• Oversee mechanical ventilation, CPAP, high-flow oxygen, and other advanced neonatal respiratory support.
• Coordinate care for extremely premature and low-birth-weight infants.
• Work closely with Obstetrics, Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Paediatric Surgery, Anaesthesia, Radiology, and other multidisciplinary teams.
• Develop and maintain NICU clinical protocols, pathways, and quality standards.
• Monitor clinical outcomes, patient safety indicators, infection prevention, and quality improvement initiatives.
• Support recruitment, training, supervision, and performance development of NICU and paediatric clinical teams.
• Conduct departmental meetings, clinical audits, morbidity and mortality reviews, and quality improvement activities.
• Provide guidance and education to physicians, nurses, residents, and other healthcare professionals.
• Communicate effectively with parents and families regarding diagnosis, treatment plans, prognosis, and ongoing care.
• Contribute to service development, accreditation requirements, and strategic growth of neonatal and paediatric services.

• Medical degree with a recognized postgraduate qualification in Paediatrics and/or Neonatology.
• Recognized Western qualification such as UK CCT/CCST, American Board, Canadian, Australian, New Zealand, Irish, or equivalent recognized qualification.
• Consultant-level experience in Neonatology/NICU and Paediatrics.
• Extensive experience managing premature, critically ill, and high-risk newborns.
• Strong expertise in neonatal intensive care, ventilation, respiratory support, neonatal resuscitation, and management of complex neonatal conditions.
• Proven experience in a department leadership/HOD or senior clinical leadership role is preferred.
• Experience in a tertiary, multispecialty, or leading private hospital environment.
• Strong knowledge of clinical governance, patient safety, quality improvement, and infection-control standards.
• Excellent leadership, communication, decision-making, and multidisciplinary teamwork skills.
• Commitment to evidence-based neonatal and paediatric care and continuous professional development.

• Competitive tax-free salary in line with qualifications and experience.
• Performance-based incentives where applicable.
• Annual air ticket or travel allowance, depending on the employer's policy.
• Paid annual leave in accordance with UAE employment regulations.
• Health insurance coverage.
• Visa and work permit sponsorship.
• Professional licensing and credentialing support.
• Relocation assistance where included in the employer's package.
• Family visa support may be available depending on the employment package.
• Modern clinical facilities equipped with advanced medical technology.
• Opportunity to work alongside internationally trained healthcare professionals.
• Diverse and multicultural patient population.
• Excellent opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• Long-term employment opportunities with reputable healthcare organizations in the UAE.
• Attractive work-life balance and access to the UAE's high-quality lifestyle.