Deputy Health Advisor

Location

Starting Date & Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time,12 to 24 months.

Role Overview

Improve the overall health situation of the target population. This involves providing technical and managerial support to ensure implementation of quality medical services within the health and nutrition interventions. The Deputy Health Advisor works with the Health Advisor, Health PMs and the Health teams in order to contribute to the achievement of project objectives within the planned timescale and budget, for the areas of responsibility within the health project. Important parts of the role include: Support the Country Health strategy, emergency preparedness and response, Health project implementation of existing health programs, capacity building of health and nutrition staff through appropriate supervision, training and technical support, contributing to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on project progress.

Project Overview

Multi-sector emergency response programme including provision of emergency health, nutrition, WASH and Emergency Shelter/Non-Food Items services for vulnerable populations in South Sudan.

Our Culture

Key Activity Areas

Provide technical support /medical oversight to health & nutrition interventions in the country programme

• Provide guidance in the medical management of patient care and training support and capacity building for Health Project Managers (Both ERT and Field PMS) to ensure quality responses to disease outbreaks and emergency health services, including technical and clinical support to inpatient stabilisation centres.
• Ensure ERT Health teams are supported during response, are following policies, guidelines, and protocols for the medical management of ERT health and nutrition assessments and interventions, in consultation with Advisors and other field managers and in line with government, Sphere, and WHO guidelines.
• Ensure quality of care in inpatient stabilization centre by provide medical and clinical technical support to nutrition teams. Ensure Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) activities are implemented as part of the health emergency interventions. Work Closely with the ERT Health PMS and the team in emergency preparedness for outbreak disease and other emergency health responses.
• In collaboration with Health and Nutrition Advisors, provide medical technical advice to static sites.

Health and nutrition management  

• Oversee the implementation and management of the assigned health and nutrition field interventions in line with the activity plan and time frame of the relevant project proposal and any applicable national and international guidelines and standards.
• Provide training for Medair health and nutrition staff, and local staff, on case management in line with applicable national and international guidelines and standards.
• Carry out assessments to locations with newly identified emergency needs and gaps.
• Provide input into the integration of beneficiary participation and accountability and protection mainstreaming in all aspects of the project.
• Input into the development of the country strategy, new projects and/or donor proposals.
• Ensure cross cutting issues (HIV/AIDS, gender consideration, and environment markers) are streamlined in health and nutrition project interventions.

Staff Management (during assignments to a specific project)

• Ensure technical oversight of the Health PMs and Managers as well as the, good coordination and organisation between health and nutrition teams and with the WASH and ES/NFI teams if applicable.
• Build the capacity of the health teams (and nutrition teams as needed) to improve programme quality.
• Support the Health PMs and Managers to remotely manage field locations where applicable.
• Ensure staff receive supervision, mentoring, and training to develop their personal & professional skills, knowledge, and understanding. This may be through on-the-job training and formal teaching sessions.
• Promote the health and security of the health and/or nutrition team by ensuring the application of security guidelines, health and safety in the workplace and healthy living conditions and practices.
• Assist in the recruitment of local field staff within the intervention location following all HR policies.

Communication and Coordination

• Maintain appropriate, regular, transparent, and supportive communication structures with the Health Project Manager (HPM), assigned health team, Medair in-country health and nutrition managers and advisors and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies, and other NGOs).
• Represent Medair at relevant local and national level coordination meetings involving local authorities, UN agencies, and other NGOs as required.

Quality Management

• Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed.
• Implement relevant policies and standards relating to health service delivery including Sphere and CHS standards, Ministry of Health, and donor guidelines and other good practice.
• Participate as requested in Medair internal workshops and distance learning sessions to keep up with changing trends, new guidelines, and best practices.

Staff Health

• When assigned by the Health Advisor, the DHA will assist in overall responsibility for staff health/occupational health procedures and compliance and development of procedures in-country.
• Assist in managing staff health at field and Juba level, including holding the staff health phone and supporting field teams in accessing remote medical support and organising medivacs if needed.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Clinical degree or diploma: Medical Doctor. Certificate in Public Health or Tropical Medicine desirable.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

What is the ROC and why is it required?

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification medical professional experience.
• Experience working in a health programme in a developing country, preferably in a humanitarian context.
• Clinical skills within a Primary Health Care setting.
• Ability and willingness to manage health and nutrition project implementation.
• Able to set clear objectives for staff and to delegate.
• Able to work effectively in a wide variety of situations.
• Able to cope with basic living conditions in the field and during field trips.
• Able to motivate and inspire individuals to work efficiently in both intense and low pace.