Health and Nutrition Corrdinator

BACKGROUND:

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a prominent international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression.

Present in the CAR since 2006 the IRC is currently expanding its Country Program (CP) to respond to the ongoing emergency response and develop programs for the early recovery stage in country. The CP is active in 3 locations across the country (Bangui, Bocarganga and Kaga Bandoro) and four sectors (Health, Water and Sanitation, Food Security/Livelyhoods, and Protection). The team includes 15 international staff and around 150 national staff.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Health & Nutrition Coordinator is the focal point for (emergency) health programs in country and will ensure the implementation of a quality primary health care programming in communities in the prefectures where IRC is present. The Health & Nutrition 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 for the health sector. The Health & Nutrition Coordinator supervises all Health staff in Bocaranga, provides technical assistance to the Health Manager based in Kaga Bandoro, and reports to the Area Programme Coordinator (APC) in Bocaranga. For technical expertise the coordinator will liaise closely with the technical unit based in NYC. The position is based in Bocaranga with regular trips to Bangui and Kaga Bandoro.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• In collaboration with the Health and Nutrition Technical Unit in New York and the APCs/Senior Programme Coordinator (SPC), oversee the implementation of health and nutrition projects implemented by IRC in country.
• Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC health projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners.
• Ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all health activities are consistent with established best practices.
• Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff.
• 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 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 team in New York as needed.
• Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs.
• Provide technical support to the health program for program design, proposal development and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that programs are driven by data and learning, in collaboration with the SPC, grants and monitoring & evaluation staff.

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to all IRC Health & Nutrition programming activities;
• Ensure that health & nutrition programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF;
• Ensure that all health & nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices;
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with IRC’s REL (Research, Evaluation & Learning) guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements;
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and decision-making on data relevant to programs;

Staff development

• Ensure the ongoing capacity building of international and national staff.
• Ensure respect for IRC HR policies during the recruitment process.
• Provide timely and quality performance evaluations.
• Promote the IRC Way with all supervisees

MANAGEMENT

• Provide supportive supervision to Health Managers and other program staff to develop work plans to guide 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.
• In collaboration with program managers, review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health 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 staffs (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings). Review performance evaluation of health staff in the field.
• Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the senior national health 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.

PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT & REPORTS

• Identify opportunities for program development; Draft concept papers, proposals and budgets for future health programs in IRC Ethiopia programs.
• Lead technical assessments as a basis for nutrition program development;
• Coordinate and initiate project proposals and develop program proposals (development of logical frameworks and appropriate, realistic and measurable indicators) in close cooperation with the APC and SPC.
• Assist the APC and other program unit staffs in drafting all donor reports.
• 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 Country Director, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in the CAR 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.
• Upon request by the Senior Management Team, assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.

REQUIREMENTS

• Health professional (MD or RN) with an MPH.
• Five years experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health programs in developing countries.
• Experience with situation analysis and health assessments.
• Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a remote setting.
• Experience implementing health programming in refugee settings as well as community based service delivery experience.
• Demostrated skills in project design/proposal development and grant management.
• Experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff, even if based in other locations.
• Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent coordination and networking skills.
• Excellent written and oral French skills and functional English
• Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint.
• Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible , and adaptability to transitions