Senior Health Coordinator

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is a leading international organization working in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those affected by the world’s worst humanitarian crises.  At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure.

Working in coordination with the humanitarian community and the Government of Jordan, the IRC's assistance programs for Syrian refugees in Jordan include both camp-based and urban-based refugee assistance. IRC is currently addressing the needs of war-affected Syrians from several operational bases in the region. The IRC’ activities in the region focus primarily on the supply of vital medications and medical supplies, non-food items, water and sanitation and child protection and form part of an over-arching humanitarian response in Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq to assist refugees, IDPs and conflict-affected Syrians survive conflict and displacement.

SCOPE OF WORK: Under the supervision of the Deputy Director of Programs (DDP) and in collaboration with the Health Coordinator, the Senior Health Coordinator (SHC) will be responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and management of the Health Portfolio in Jordan and Syria. The Senior Health Coordinator will also be responsible for overseeing the efforts reflecting the health programming needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians in Jordan in addition to assisting the IRC’s emergency medical programming in support of conflict-affected Syrian population.  

The SHC will provide support to the Musa’ada health program and to the health activities in Mafraq and Ramtha in fixed and mobile clinics to ensure the highest standards of care in all program sites. The SHC will provide technical support to the New Pathways program as required. The SHC will coordinate and work closely with the Health Coordinator and the DDP to effectively harmonize health programming across the different sub-sectors of IRC bringing in line the efforts of health, community outreach and protection in order to have an integrated and high quality response to health care.

The SHC will provide all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of health programs in Jordan and the ones implemented by partners are in accordance with international protocols, guidelines and best practices. He or she will promote the quality of care provided through the IRC supported or implemented clinical and community health services. The SHC will liaise with other technical leads and relevant technical advisors in the Health Unit to ensure coordination and complementarily of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Oversight and implementation

• Ensure the quality of activities being implemented.
• Oversee health program activities of the Musa’ada program including technical input and guidance.
• In coordination with the Health Coordinator lead efforts liaising with the government, national and international organizations. Ensure effective and high quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use, capturing best practice to support program decision making.
• Provide supportive supervision to the staff.
• Work with the Technical Advisor, Health Coordinator and senior management to plan for future program directions, as the health environment and beneficiary needs change.
• Work closely with senior management and field teams to determine the operational needs of the health department within the scope of the health portfolio/
• In coordination with the Health Coordinator liaise with partners, sector working groups and government stakeholders, including ministry of health to ensure programmatic goals and strategies are in line with national and international, priorities to reduce gaps in health and protection systems and sustainability of projects.
• Conduct regular field visits to identify opportunities for expansion and improvements in program efficiency and quality.
• Coordinate regularly with Health Coordinator and Field Coordinator regarding program risk and issue, develop contingency planning, and identify new program opportunities and coordination mechanisms.
•  In coordination with Jordan M& E focal point ensure for the health components of the Musa’ada program effective and high quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use, capturing best practice to support program decision making in.
• Maintain flexibility and take on added responsibility as needed.

Support to Clinical programs

• Work closely with the health teams to determine the training needs and in developing of a training plan.
• Train and work with the program team to ensure implementation of treatment protocols.
• Work with the field teams and stakeholders for outbreak preparedness and contingency planning for out of camp populations.
• Assess and review the current quality assurance program and provide recommendations and technical support to the quality assurance officer in their implementation.
• Identify gaps in service delivery and develop strategies and plans to address them.

Musa’ada Health-Sector Support

• Technical review and approval of cross border partners’ requests of medicines, equipment and supplies.
• Technical support to partners and follow-up in the implementation of primary health programs.
•  Monitor and interpret field health data and reports and take actions accordingly.
•  Design and develop health components of Musa’ada program proposals and corresponding M&E indicators in program proposals, ensuring adherence to national and international standards.
• Review assessments, reports, field data from health partnerships and Syrian health facilities and other health service in order to determine existing capacity and priority needs and actions needed.
• Work closely with the Musa’ada partners to determine the training needs in PHC and community outreach.
• Work closely with the Musa’ada team to plan and organize program activity trainings for   partners implementing health activities.
• Identify gaps in service delivery and develop strategies and plans to address them.

Partnership and Coordination

• In coordination with the Health Coordinator represent IRC in the different UN, national and international NGO and Ministry of Health coordination health fora in Jordan including the monthly health sector meeting and health working groups relevant for the IRC health program.
• Coordinate with the different health stakeholders working with IDPs in Syria.
• Attend health coordination meetings and communicate relevant information to health staff
• Maintain coordination and collaboration with Musa’ada partnership and logistics and procurement leads, M & E, finance, operations to ensure program targets are achieved. 

Program Development and Quality

• Support the development and maintenance of a coherent health strategy across IRC’s health intervention in the region and within the country program in collaboration with the relevant sectors and departments in IRC country office.
• Assist development of IRC health programming, as needs are identified and funding opportunities arise.
• Identify and monitor other unmet health needs in the affected area and explore the potential of the IRC addressing those needs. Conduct additional needs assessments, as required.
• Ensure the technical development of detailed yet realistic program log frames, work plans, and monitoring tools and support their implementation by partners in coordination with the Grants unit, the Musa’ada team, the health team in the field and IRC’s technical health unit.
• Ensure that the IRC’s health program activities demonstrate adherence to international and national standards, including Sphere, WHO and donor guidelines.
• Provide technical review and approval of IRC’s health proposals, monitoring forms and reports submitted by partners.
• Provide technical review and approval of technical contents of trainings for Community Health volunteers and Information, education material to be distributed in the communities.
• Review and approve pharmaceutical, medical supplies and medical equipment procurement plans, and support measures to ensure compliance with donor regulations governing the procurement and distribution of pharmaceuticals and other health-related supplies and/or equipment.
• Contribute to the development and monitoring of relevant health program indicators; contextualized with within the remote programming activity.
• Coordinate, provide technical support, conduct as needed and ensure quality of technical training activities to IRC partners as well as the training provided by them in the field.
• Provide technical assistance, feedback and recommendations to support implementation of program activities and staff capacity development around health program interventions.
• Identify and support any research activities in the program.

Human Resources Management

• Assist the Health Coordinator in the selection of and training of qualified health staff.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight, guidance and mentoring to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Take responsibility for discussing job expectations, performance, and objectives on an informal, quarterly basis with all staff under his/her supervision
• Ensure timely completion and submission of monthly timesheets, probations reviews and annual performance reviews.
• Overall responsible for staff work plans, work and vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
• Maintain open lines of communication with all field staff.
• Provide direction and monitor staff under his supervision in their implementation of work plans and delivery of quality health services.
• Discuss with staff under his supervision job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• If/as required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures.
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct.

Training/Capacity building

• Train senior staff to increase their roles and responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs.
• Advocate and plan for professional development for expatriate and national staff.

PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the 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.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• A medical doctor, with Masters in Public Health preferred.
• At least 6-8 years relevant experience managing (designing and implementing) Health programs; preferably in an emergency/complex humanitarian context.
• Knowledge and  experience in Primary Health Care (PHC) at a clinic and community level, provision of Psychosocial Support (PSS), hospital care programs with a strong focus on trauma management,
• Experience in working with local NGO’s and Community Based Organizations.
• Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, as well as donor agencies, government officials, and other NGO’s; the ability to work with a broad spectrum of people.
• Strong program/technical and planning, reporting, monitoring and evaluation skills
• Strong writing and analytical skills, including ability to communicate technical matters to a range of audiences.
• Interpersonal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, thriving in a multi-cultural environment,
• Competent in Windows, MS office programs, emails and relevant health database (HMIS, DHMIS etc.)
• Fluent in spoken and written English  

Preferred Skills:

• Experience in monitoring and evaluation of health projects; experience applying remote management tools in high-risk areas.
• Experience working in the Middle East region, specifically in response to the Syria crisis.
• Fluent in spoken Arabic desirable.

Working Environment: The position is based in Amman with travels to field; standard office work environment. Individual housing allowance is provided in Amman, including internet connection, water and electricity. Living standards are good and the security situation is calm and stable but this could change. Medical, life, and repatriation insurance and retirement package provided. Travel to/from post and R&R. This position is an accompanied post.