Senior Health Officer

Background:

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian international NGOs, provides relief, rehabilitation and development support to vulnerable people and communities over 30 countries. We began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali region and are currently providing assistance to Ethiopians and refugees in six regions in Ethiopia, implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary:

The IRC health program in Ethiopia currently implements activities in different settings: Emergency Response Mechanism (ERM), a refugee health program that is involved in delivery of community based reproductive health services in 7 refugee camps as well as HIV/AIDS prevention activities in 8 refugee camps; Sexual and reproductive health projects in Oromia and a child survival community-based treatment program in the Somali and Benishangul-Gumuz. Community surveillance of Vaccine preventable diseases and priority zoonotic diseases in same regions above including Gambella. Currently IRC started a new project funded by EUTF (EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa) aiming at Promoting stability and strengthening basic service delivery for host communities, refugees, and other displaced population in Gambella National Regional State of Ethiopia.  The objectives of EUTF project are to improve access to and quality of health services, including sexual and reproductive health and gender-based violence services, trauma healing, for host communities, refugees, and other displaced people and to promote peacebuilding, conflict prevention and reconciliation/resolution.

Responsibilities: 

Technical

·         Support the goals and objectives of the CGP-GHSA project by working with other team members and stakeholders to develop and implement work plans that strengthen health projects in the intervention area.

·         Together with Health and Nutrition manager and EPI officers, ensure community-based surveillance, community awareness, immunization and other health related programs are correctly implemented and are in high quality and are based on standard protocol and best practices.

·         Ensure that the capacity of targeted health office, health facilities and health service providers in IRC targets of Gambella regional state built.

·         Work closely with woreda health offices and health facilities for implementing the project activities such as supportive supervision, collecting, and analyzing data, providing feedback, and capacity building.

·         Provide technical support for the IRC EPI officers and government health service providers in the project areas.

·         Conduct workshops, trainings and presentations on community-based surveillance, immunization and other health related issues for health extension workers and health facility workers

·         Assist the health manager in coordinating and communicating with partners working in the region and track their activities and inputs so as to assist in interpreting project results

·         Routinely collect, compile, and organize data from monitoring and supervision activities and translate data into graphics, presentations and reports that can be used by project staff and shared with RHB, Zone Health desk and other partners.

·         Assure adherence to IRC’s standards for program management and technical quality

·         Participate in technical meetings, team meetings and periodic team building exercises

Program Management

·         Grants management – monitoring and appropriately spending the budget, monitoring spending plans and budget variance statements for the grant

Budget Monitoring

The senior health officer is responsible for budget monitoring using the IRC standard formats.

Monitoring & Evaluation

·         Develop donor reports in collaboration with health and nutrition manager, EPI Officers, and Addis health teams

·         Together with health and Nutrition manager monitor and evaluate the activities of EPI officers   who are based at woredas level.

·         Together with other staff member, ensure that the stated goals and objectives of the program are met.

·         Maintain data and provide monthly activity reports to MEAL Officer for input into the database at Gambella field office, and other concerned bodies like the Regional Health ureauB/Zonal and Woreda Health Offices and AA IRC health unit.

·         Together with health manager, provide periodic input into Gambella field office and Addis data base and ensure proper follow up.

Human Resource Management

· Manage and oversee the activities of EPI officers.

· Undertake timely performance reviews of all staff under his/her supervision.

· Use discriminatory approach to conduct supportive supervision for the subordinates.

· Build capacity of staff under supervision based on the identified gaps during through trainings and supportive supervision

OTHER DUTIES

· Any other relevant activities or duties as deemed by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships
Internal

· Work with EPI officers, MEAL manager, health and Nutrition manager, other health staff, Field coordinator, HR, Finance, and supply chain.

 External

· Work with regional health Bureau, Zonal health department, woreda health office, HEWs and Community volunteers,

· Represent IRC in health sector meetings.

· She/he is expected to collaborate with all other stakeholders.

·  Liaise with government officials at regional, zonal level and woreda health office and with other concerned organizations to ensure smooth communication and work collaboration.

Competencies

· In addition to IRC core values/competencies: diligence, attention to critical details, a keen sense of work priorities and resourcefulness in obtaining and researching important information.

· Dedication and commitment to work under stress; Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual

· Meets timelines for all reporting and delivery of outputs; Results-based attitude, as well as excellent organization skills are a MUST

· Strong computer skills, with a good knowledge of MS Office Windows (Word, Excel, Access) an advantage

· Demonstrated behavior of professional and personal ethics, transparency, and openness

Education/Experience/Language

· Must have a bachelor’s degree in Nursing/health officer; minimum of Four years practical experience.

· A relevant post graduate degree with minimum of two years’ experience in child health is an essential requirement.

· Experience in community-based surveillance and immunization program is essential including training and supervisory skills

· Practical experience in managing team of health workers at project site

· Skills and experience in finance management

· Good project management skills: ability to plan, organizes, and supervises implementation of community-based health projects

· Strong managerial, organizational, and problem-solving skills

· Excellent analytical and report writing skills

· Experience of training at Local Government, NGO and community level is essential

· Demonstrated skill in identifying and developing creative, innovative, and cutting-edge solutions for existing program challenges

· Excellent communication skills, organizational skills, and the ability to work in a team