Reproductive Health Officer

BACKGROUND:                                                                         

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 25 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. 

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting IDPs, refugees and local communities. IRC Uganda has it country office in Kampala and regional offices in Kit gum Moroto, and Yumbe. The current program portfolio includes health, protection and rule of law, women’s protection and empowerment, and economic recovery and development programming

OVERALL RESPONSIBILITY:

The Reproductive Health Officer is responsible for the direct implementation of the activities aimed at improving the quality and coverage of Sexual & Reproductive Health services in the Kiryandongo refugee settlement. S/HE is the focal person for the implementation of the SRH in the settlement and will work in close collaboration with the Community Health Officer and will also ensure timely availability of resources to health facilities, facilitate community outreaches, provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring of health facility staffs especially in SRH. S/HE will also participate in assessing staff capacity needs and coordinate all planned SRH trainings. S/HE is responsible for provision of overall strategic and technical oversight of the SRH activities. S/HE is expected to oversee the implementation of technical components of the MISP while ensuring the achievement of high quality deliverable.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the health facilities to maintain a steady stock of RH medicines, supplies and commodities through accurate reporting, forecasting, quantification and monitor the usage of the supplies at the IRC run Health facilities and ensure a steady supply of buffer stocks for common RH commodities.

• Facilitate the health facility staff to conduct integrated outreach services at the hard to reach areas of the settlement while ensuring effective and timely referrals of mothers for MCH services.

• Using the existing VHTs, conduct health promotion outreach, pregnancy mapping, provision of FP services during out reaches, home visits, sensitization activities and community dialogues to mitigate home deliveries & promote FP & ANC services, using messages approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

Collaborate with the District RH focal person to identify and roll out a communication strategy for the Reproductive Health services including the printing and distribution of IEC materials.

• Implement and Support the Health facilities to collect accurate reproductive health data that informs programming as reported in the relevant registers and reflected in the HMIS and program reports.

• Maintain a good record keeping system and undertake continuous monitoring and regular evaluation of the SRH activities.

• Support the health facilities to engage in continuous quality improvement processes especially SRH services.

• Provide basic quality reproductive health commodities to the communities in & around the settlement including the provision of Mama kits, dignity kits and ensuring effective referrals of pregnant mothers for ANC, PNC, BMONC, EMONC and other maternal and new born services.
• Represent IRC’s Program to the District Health Team, Health sub-district and donor agencies, to ensure all program activities are carried out with their collaboration, organise, conduct and participate support supervision visits.

• Continuously assess the Reproductive Health related needs of the community, identify gaps and adapt program activities to respond to these gaps
• Development and implementation of all program activities in the settlement related to: MCH, HIV/AIDS, TB, MCHN, immunization, family planning and SGBV
• Provide technical support to Midwives by referring for training opportunities, providing continuous mentorship and on job trainings. S/He might occasionally step in for the Mid-wives depending on the available work load.
• Participate in SGBV response and prevention and ensure delivery of quality clinical management of survivors of rape. The RHO shall form part of the SGBV working groups and shall provide technical oversight on issues of MISP.
• Conduct awareness raising, community dialogues, and Focus Group Discussions on safe motherhood & MCH

Liaison

• Represent IRC’s Program to the District health team, Health sub-district and donor agencies, to ensure all program activities are carried out with their agreement and, as far as possible, their participation.
• Maintain regular contact with all partners, including the DHT, Ministry of Health, and stakeholders on all SRH matters pertaining to the program.
• Co-ordinate with district health authorities, and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of services.
• Attend relevant meetings to represent IRC’s program activities in the settlement.
• Represent IRC at relevant related Health partnership and coordination meetings

Communication/Reporting

• Provide regular feedback to the Health Manager on program implementation.

•  Assist in preparation of donor reports.

• Facilitate the health facility/VHT reporting requirements for program reporting and to feed into the HMIS.

• Participate in the development of program work plans and reviewing them on a monthly basis with the Health Manager. 

Budget/Grants

• Effectively and efficiently manages the budget ensuring expenses are appropriate and incurred according to schedule. .
• Participate in proposal writing and budget development
• Participate in the development, reviews and tracking of program budgets.
• Ensure and maintain accurate use of budget lines according to donor regulations.

Supervision

• In collaboration with the registered Mid-wife, provide technical support to the enrolled Mid-wives.
• In collaboration with Community Health Officer supervises VHT activities.
•  Ensure monthly supervisory information is compiled and of good quality.
• In collaboration with the DHT, participate in the support supervision visits to the health facilities.
• Continuously assess the health-related needs of the community, identify gaps and adapt program activities to respond to these gaps.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Assist in the development of appropriate program monitoring tools.
• With support from the M&E officer, maintain a good record keeping system and undertake continuous monitoring and regular evaluation of the project activities.
• Ensure that drug stock and supplies are monitored.

Miscellaneous

• Assist with any other duties as requested by the direct supervisor.

Key working relationships:

INTERNAL:

Direct supervisor: Health Manager

Technical support:Medical Officer, Health Manager, Health Coordinators

Other:Registered Mid-Wife, Health Facility in-charges, Logistics, finance, HR

EXTERNAL:    

Govt. of Uganda:District health Team and other district officials

Other:NGOs, INGOs and UN agencies working in the settlement.

The 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.

Deadline for receiving applications is  Monday 6th July,2020