Requisition ID: req7282
Job Title: Health Coordinator
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: Yes
Location: Kampala, Uganda
Job Description
This is a senior management position responsible for overseeing all aspects of IRC's health and nutrition programs in Uganda. As the focal point for the health and nutrition program, the Health Coordinator will ensure the implementation of quality health and nutrition programming and provide overall leadership of the program. The Health Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives and the country program strategy action plan (SAP) for the health sector. The Health Coordinator supervises the Health Project Coordinator, ECHO Health Consortium Coordinator and field based Health Managers, Nutrition Manager and Health Team Leaders, and reports to the Deputy Director of Programs. Technical support will be received from the East Africa Regional Primary Health Care, Reproductive Health and Nutrition Technical Advisors. The position is based in Kampala with regular trips to IRC’s programs throughout Uganda at least 40% of the time. This position is open to both national and international candidates.
Duties and Responsibilities
Technical
- In collaboration with other health and nutrition program colleagues and the Deputy Director of Programs, oversee the implementation of health and nutrition projects implemented by IRC Uganda including the maternal and child health projects in Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions, the refugee health and nutrition program in Yumbe and Lamwo districts, the Ebola Preparedness project in South West Uganda, as well as any other additional health projects.
- Provide technical supervision of and guidance to all IRC health and nutrition projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as needed.
- Ensure that health and nutrition programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all health and nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices.
- Promote the quality of the IRC’s health and nutrition programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff.
- Take the lead on development, facilitation and ongoing review of the Health Country Sector Strategy, within the wider context of the IRC Uganda’s Country Program Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
- Ensure that all health and nutrition interventions within the Uganda Country Program are in accordance with the Country Program SAP and other IRC specific frameworks, and meet international standards.
- Ensure that new programming follows the IRC Uganda program design guidelines and IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework; is informed by input from the clients and includes field staff participation.
- Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
- Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health and nutrition projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management research teams in New York as needed.
- Set up a system for documenting IRC health program outcomes and outputs in collaboration with the grants unit and the Deputy Director of Programs.
- Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health and nutrition programs in Uganda.
- Provide technical input to the health and nutrition program for program design, proposal development, budgeting and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that programs are driven by data and learning, working in conjunction with the Grants Unit, and the Deputy Director of Programs.
- Develop synergies and linkages with other sectors as appropriate
Management
- Provide overall leadership and guidance to the health and nutrition program staff.
- Provide supportive supervision to the Health Project Coordinator, ECHO Health Consortium Coordinator; Health Managers and Nutrition Manager for the refugee program; and the Health Team Leaders for the Maternal Child Project; and other health program staff to develop work plans for implementation of approved grants.
- Support the field teams in the implementation and monitoring of the work plans ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and community.
- Participate in grant opening, midterm review and grant closing meetings for all health and nutrition grants and ensure that the same process is implemented in the field.
- In collaboration with program and grants staff, set up a budget tracking system and review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health and nutrition programs on a monthly basis with staff.
- Participate in the development of staff development plans for project staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).
- Review performance of health and nutrition staff in the field and provide supportive approaches to address issues identified.
- Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the health and nutrition staff and local partners in order to transfer skills. This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
- Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country SAP.
- Review all reports prepared by the field staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.
Representation and Advocacy
- In coordination with the Deputy Director of Programs, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Uganda including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
- Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible.
- Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.
- Assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine and preferably Master’s degree in Public Health or a relevant field such as Health Services Management or Epidemiology. Post graduate training in public health is essential.
- Health professional with experience leading Health programs at senior levels.
- At least 7-10 years’ experience coordinating health programs in post conflict and developing countries in Africa. Experience implementing health programming in refugee settings as well as community based service delivery experience.
- Demonstrated experience in design and use of project design tools, project/grant management tools, data collection and monitoring and evaluation systems. Capacity to adapt health programming and organizational structure in a continuously changing context
- Experience in situation analysis, health assessments and program implementation. Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
- Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting.
- Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, EU, US donors, internationals and national NGOs and government agencies.
- Demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring and team building. Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.
- A dynamic and flexible individual with ability to multi task and who can work under pressure and acts as a team player;
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent Microsoft word and Microsoft excel, power-point presentation skills.
- Willingness to travel to insecure areas within the constraints of IRC Uganda's security policy.
Please note:
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
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