Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Capacity Building Officer

Post title: Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) Capacity Building Officer

Report to: Health Project Manager

Duty Station: Oromia Regional State, West Hararge zone, Hirna

Salary: As per the organization’s salary scale

Required: One (01)

Duration: One year with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

Introduction

Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity founded in 1984, headquartered in Birmingham, UK. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities – regardless of race, religion, or gender. The office officially started operation in Ethiopia in 2004. Islamic Relief Ethiopia (IRE) is operational in the Somali Regional State with a base office in Jigjiga, Hargelle, Elkere, Bare, GG and Dekasuftu, Afar Regional State; Semera Logia; Oromia Regional State, West Harergeye, Chiro and Meayso Woredas, Borena zone of Dire woredas and an additional operational office in Addis Ababa. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.islamic-relief.org/work-with-us.

Job Summary

The Health System Strengthening (HSS) Capacity Building Officer is responsible for improving the functionality, responsiveness, and resilience of the local health system in Tulo Woreda. The HSS Capacity Building Officer focuses on strengthening service delivery, capacity building, and data management systems at health facilities and community levels, with an emphasis on maternal, child, and adolescent health, nutrition, sexual and reproductive health (SRH).

Under the direct supervision of the Health Project Manager, the HSS Officer will lead the implementation of evidence-based strategies for capacity building, service quality improvement, health data management and system integration. The HSS officer will work closely with government stakeholders, health staff, and subgrantees to ensure coordinated and effective delivery of health and SRH services, aligned with national guidelines and donor expectations.

Responsibilities and Tasks

Health System Strengthening and Capacity Building (40%)

• Work closely with Woreda Health Offices, zonal stakeholders, and implementing partners (IPs) to identify health system gaps and co-develop improvement plans.
• Facilitate and deliver targeted capacity-building training to health care providers, health extension workers (HEWs), and community health actors on:
  • Basic Emergency Care (BEC)
  • Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN)
  • BEmONC (Basic Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care)
  • STI prevention and care
  • Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMNCI)
  • Integrated Community Case Management (iCCM)
  • Community based management of acute malnutrition
  • Integrated Management of Acute Malnutrition (IMAM)
  • WaSH for Nutrition
  • Family MUAC approach for nutritional screening and referral
• Provide ongoing mentorship and technical assistance to facility and community-level health providers to improve service quality.

Program Implementation and Service Integration (25%)

• Promote and support the integration of nutrition, health, gender, and WASH services at all health system levels.
• Facilitate the establishment and functionality of youth-friendly health services and adolescent SRHR support.
• Strengthen referral linkages between health posts, health centers, and higher-level facilities, ensuring access to a full continuum of care.

Supervision, Monitoring, and Learning (20%)

• Conduct regular joint supportive supervision visits with government counterparts to health posts and health centers.
• Participate in health facility assessments and service quality audits; track progress and generate improvement action plans.
• Contribute to project M&E by collecting and analyzing data on key performance indicators, and documenting lessons learned and success stories.

Coordination and Partnership (10%)

• Collaborate actively with subgrantees, ensuring effective implementation of project activities and alignment with local health priorities.
• Engage in regular coordination with government health offices, community leaders, and partner organizations.
• Represent Islamic Relief in relevant coordination platforms and technical working groups at the woreda and zonal levels.

Other Duties (5%)

• Perform any other tasks assigned by his/her immediate or next-level supervisor that contribute to the success of the project and health system goals.

Personal Specification

Formal Education/Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in public health, Health service management, Nursing, or other health related fields.
• Additional training in maternal and child health, nutrition, or reproductive health is an asset.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years work experience in health system strengthening, clinical health programming, or capacity building, preferably in rural or humanitarian settings.
• Proven experience working with zonal and woreda-level government health systems and NGO coordination.
• Previous relevant experience in INGO sector is asset.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong facilitation, training, and mentoring skills.
• Good understanding of integrated health service delivery models.
• Familiarity with national health guidelines, policies, and protocols.
• Effective communication, coordination, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and health data tools.
• Fluency in English and Afaan Oromo is required.

Working Conditions

• Based in Tulo Woreda, West Hararghe Zone, with frequent travel to community sites, schools, and health facilities.
• May require occasional weekend or extended hours for events, training, or emergencies.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity

Islamic Relief and Islamic Relief staff considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and people at risk to be paramount to the organization. And must adhere the principle of ‘do no harm and leave no one behind.’ It is critical we do not expose communities or staff we work with to the risk of harm through our interventions. Islamic Relief have a number of related policies which also describe standards in behavior expected from the organization, its staff and representatives towards each other and those we serve. Islamic Relief is committed to responding swiftly, appropriately and constructively to any and all information children, young people and people at risk have disclosed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. We participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and child abuse during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment before signing the contract agreement.

Islamic Relief believes everyone has the right to be safe, respected and valued regardless of who they are or their circumstances, and an equal employment opportunity to all candidates and qualified applicants, we do not discriminate on the base of age, sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability status and diversity.

Islamic Relief has a zero tolerance towards all forms of violence, sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment.

IRE highly encourage female applicants to apply for this position. Our organization is committed to promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace. IRE believe in creating an inclusive working environment where all individuals, regardless of their gender, have equal opportunities for professional growth and development.

IRE value the contributions and unique perspectives that women and persons with disability bring to our organization and are committed to providing a supportive, working environment. IRE believe that by promoting gender equality, we can enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of our programs.

If you are a qualified female candidate with a passion to join our team, we encourage you to submit your application. IRE look forward to considering your candidacy and working together to make a difference in the lives of those in need.