The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damaturu of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

Under the supervision of Health Manger, the Senior Health Officer (RH Medical Doctor) will be responsible for all technical aspect of the health projects in the Mubi axis (Michika and Madagali LGAs) while also supporting Yola axis and is expected to ensure integrity, high level transparency and commitment in the implementation of the project. He or she is responsible for overseeing all primary healthcare including reproductive health care activities for IRC supported health facilities in the supported LGAs. The Senior Health Officer will oversee and supervise Health Officers and Community Outreach Officer and report to the Sector through the Health Manager.

Major Responsibilities

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

  • The senior health officer shall be responsible for the supervision and day-to-day management of health activities within Michika and Madagali LGAs and provide support to Yola and Numan LGAs.
  • Apply medical knowledge and skills to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment according to national guidelines and protocols, including management of emergencies and complications and ensure patient follow-up as needed.
  • The senior health officer will identify need for referral to secondary care and prepare the patient for referral including referral notes, pre-referral treatment and arrangement of transport.
  • S/he will provide on-the-job support to the health staff, including training and skills development as needed.
  • In coordination with the Health Manager identify opportunities to strengthen the health program.
  • Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
  • Ensure adherence to infection prevention and control within and around the facilities.
  • In coordination with the Health Manager, identify opportunities to strengthen the health program.
  • Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
  • Participate in and support health officers, community outreach officer and community structures in activities that aim to increase women’s RH awareness and service utilization.

Program Development

  • Contribute to design, planning, and drafting new proposals.
  • Contribute to donors’ reporting whenever necessary.
  • In collaboration with Health Manager, develop an expenditure plan, review budget vs. actual expenditure, and grant performance on a quarterly basis and take necessary actions.
  • Ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements.
  • Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports, weekly reports, work plan including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here.

  • Monitor and supervise the IRC health staff and ensure that work is done properly and efficiently according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
  • Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
  • Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
  • Develop ongoing education programs for health staff and conduct training and on-the-job training for health staff.
  • Review personnel issues and concerns of health staff and assist in determining and implementing solutions.
  • Determine personnel needs for field-level activities, and in coordination with the Health Manager and Human Resources Lead assist in recruitment of staff.
  • Monitor staff daily attendance at duty posts and ensure time sheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly.
  • Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
  • Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
  • Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
  • Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.
  • Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis

  • Conduct data quality audit in collaboration with the M&E and checkmate data quality.
  • Monitor closely the morbidity and mortality trends together with all the other health indicators to ensure that prompt actions are taken.
  • Provide weekly activity reports to the Health Manager.
  • Attend meetings concerning overall health program issues.
  • Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way that increases overall impact of health program at the community level.

Coordination & Representation

  • Represent the program to Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required
  • In coordination with the Health Manager actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders with government actors, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
  • Attending all relevant meetings in relation to the health program as may be required and feed in the IRC priorities during meetings.
  • Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.
  • Collaborate with other relevant sectors such as Women Protection & Empowerment, Child Protection, Protection and Rule of law and Environmental Health to ensure holistic service package is available in response to the needs.

Key Working Relationships

Position Reports to:  Health Manager

Indirect/Technical Reporting: Health Coordinator, Senior Program Manager – Health Outcome, Senior RH Manager

Position directly Supervises: Health Officers, Community Outreach Officer

Key Internal Contacts:

  • Country Program:  Field Coordinator, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager, EH/WasH Manager, Nutrition Manager
  • Region/Global:

Key External Contacts: NGO partners, ADSPHCDA, LGA and Community Stakeholders

Job Requirements

Education: Degree in Medicine and Surgery from a recognized institution, with strong public Health background, master’s in public health is an added advantage

Work Experience:

  • Minimum of 3 years post NYSC experience in clinical medicine and public health.
  • Experience in supervising health staff at the primary health care level
  • Previous experience in health programs and NGO experience is preferred.
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines.
  • Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Preferably trained in Basic (and Comprehensive) Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care, iCCM, EPI etc

Demonstrated Technical Skills:

  • Good communication skills.
  • Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery
  • Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
  • Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
  • Good sense of integrity, service and accountability

Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:

  • Oversee the implementation of quality PHC/SRH program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in the targeted areas.
  • Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
  • Develop ongoing education programs for health staff and conduct training and on-the-job training for health.
  • Support planning and implementing of the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality health services
  • Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets in each LGA.
  • Conduct periodic analysis of progress of the health projects at the LGA level and promote learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt through documentation
  • Identifying program gaps in the supported health facilities services with immediate solution for further necessary steps to address those gaps.
  • Provide capacity building and on-job coaching to Facility staff on Antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, family planning counseling, STI counseling and treatment and post-abortion care in supported facilities.
  • In line with the communication strategies, ensure visibility of the project and project strategies at field level
  • Support collection of stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.

Languages: 

  • Fluent in written/spoken English
  • Ability to speak local languages Hausa will be added advantage

Computer/Other Tech Requirements:

  • Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
  • Competency in the use of software (e.g. Commcare, Kobo collect)

Ability to Travel: 5% of time if applicable

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Employment Gaps: We welcome applicants with varied career paths and recognize that a gap in employment does not define a candidate's potential. We value transferrable skills and are committed to investing in the growth and development of our team members. We encourage applicants to highlight any relevant skills or experiences they have acquired, even if they were not gained in a traditional work setting.

Compensation and Benefits: IRC strives to provide externally competitive and internally equitable Compensation and Benefits programs that attracts, motivates, and retains employees that deliver strong performance while demonstrating the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an equal opportunity employer and we value diversity and inclusion. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, nationality, ethnicity or tribe, gender, age, religion, caste, sexual orientation, differently abled, geographic origin, marital status, veteran status and cultural background (or any other characteristic protected by law). We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS

All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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