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
The Senior Health Officer (Medical Doctor) is the medical supervisor for all IRC’s primary health care services including sexual and reproductive health in Monguno LGA, Borno State. The focus of our health programs is to provide integrated quality comprehensive health services including RH services and while maintaining CWC where RH is integrated with WPE services to conflict-affected women and girls in a timely manner. She/he is also responsible for ensuring quality implementation of all program activities by adhering to the proposal, sphere standards and nationally accepted protocols. The Senior Health Officer (Medical Doctor) directly reports to the Health Outcome Program Manager.
Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy
The Senior Health Officer (Medical Doctor) shall be responsible for the supervision and day-to-day management of health activities within Monguno LGA, including support to primary health care facilities, IRC CWC, and mobile health services in the IDP camp and hard to reach areas.
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 (Medical Doctor) 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.
Provide technical support on management of care of STIs and GBV cases.
Maintain infection prevention and control within and around the facilities
S/he will collect weekly morbidity reports and monitor disease trends in order to preposition adequate supplies as may be required.
Together with the clinical officer, recruit, train and supervise community volunteers for community sensitization and outreach activities.
Coordinate with State Primary Health Development Agency and other actors in the area and maintain good relations with them
In coordination with the Health Outcome Manager identify opportunities to strengthen the health program
S/he will oversee the stock management of medicines, medical supplies, medical equipment and prepare timely requisitions for replenishment based on consumption records.
Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
Seek out and nurture quality partnerships with community structures and support staff in coordination of activities with community volunteers and groups.
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.
Participate in and support midwives, community mobilizers and community volunteers in activities that aim to increase women’s RH awareness and service utilization.
Provide summary report on monthly referrals to Program Manager – Health Outcome.
Technical Support and Quality of Care Management:
Monitor and ensure the proper usage of pharmaceutical and other health program supplies with regular inventory, prompt requisition and management to reduce wastage.
Prepare weekly work plans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.
As team lead, maintain vigilance and monitor surroundings for security of the mobile team on site and adhere to IRC’s safety and security protocols.
Liaise with Logistics to ensure consistent availability of transportation and communication means
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 Outcome Manager and Human Resources Lead assist in recruitment of staff.
Monitor staff daily attendance and 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 communicate through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.
Monitoring Health Program implementation
Monitor closely the morbidity and mortality trends together with all the other health indicators to ensure that prompt actions are taken.
Provide weekly/monthly activity reports to the Health Outcome Manager.
Attend meetings concerning overall health program issues
Supervise and regular review and revise training manuals to maintain consistency with the acceptable protocols.
Keep the Field Coordinator informed of all developments and issues arising.
Monitor and supervise IRC health staff and ensure that work is done properly and efficiently.
Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
Develop continuous medical education programs for health staff, and conduct training and on-the-job training for health.
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 outcome Manager and Human Resources Lead, assist in recruitment of staff.
Recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of health staff to the Health Outcome Manager
Monitor staff daily attendance to duty posts and ensure time sheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly.
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 Outcome 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 IRC program to Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required
· In coordination with the Health Outcome 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: Program Manager – Health Outcome
Indirect/Technical Reporting: Field Coordinator, Health Coordinator.
Position directly Supervises: Referral Officer and Midwife Supervisor
Key Internal Contacts:
Country Program: Health Program Staff and Managers, all other IRC sectors
Region/Global: N/A
Key External Contacts: Other partner NGO’s, MoH, SPHCDA, LGA PHC departments.
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
Languages:
Fluency in English, Hausa and Kanuri (Kanuri is an added advantage).
Computer/Other Tech Requirements:
· Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Add position-specific (e.g. accounting software, statistical software, etc.).
Ability to Travel: N/A
Standard of Professional Conduct: IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.
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 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 transferable 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 attract, 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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