Community Health Officer

Background/IRC Summary:  

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Community Health Officer is responsible for managing the Community Health section of the IRC health program in Al-Hasaka governorate of Syria.  They will be managing day to day activities of CHWs / CHPs along with building their technical capacity. The CH Officer provides oversight to design, implementation, documentation, and dissemination of health-related messages by CHWs among the communities and will play a central role in ensuring the provision of timely and quality health related information to the communities. Under the leadership of the Health Manager and guidance from Sr Health Officer, the CH Officer will ensure the quality and efficiency of the IRC assistance to the targeted communities. This position reports to Senior Health Officer-Al-Hasaka.

Responsibilities:

• Under the supervision of Health Manager and Sr. health officer, technically managing the CHWs/ CHPs and RCCE teams.
• Responsible for overall planning, implementation of community level activities, coordination within program and with relevant stakeholders at community level and other NGOs working in the area on community mobilization activities with particular focus on health.
• Day to day management, training/capacity building and supervision of CHWs
• On-job mentoring, supportive supervision, and regular field visits to monitor CHWs activities at field level.
• Lead and support CHWs in their fields and provide regular monitoring visits and on-the-job technical assistance.
• Collection of reports from CHWs on weekly basis, compilation of reports and submission to the Health Manager and/or health coordinator/ Community Health specialist
• Ensuring referrals made from communities to facilities by CHWs appropriately and ensuring the usage of referral slips.
• Post visits random follow-ups to the communities to access the retention of delivered health messages by CHWs to communities.
• Guide the Monitoring Officer in design of data collection forms, compilation of CHW data and complete CHW portion of health program report.
•  Regularly analyze data in conjunction with Health Manager, HIS manager, and Sr. Health officer to track community health trends and develop appropriate responses. 
• Ensure that all CHWs related activities, indicators and objectives are successfully met within the project timeframe and budget.
• Coordinate internally and externally to ensure integrated implementation of services.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
• 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.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally on a monthly basis.
• 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.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• 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.