Health Coordinator

BACKGROUND:

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

The IRC is launching an emergency response program in eastern Ukraine to meet the basic needs of populations affected by the conflict. IRC is working in the areas around Donetsk and Horlivka, implementing programs in health, economic and basic needs assistance and psychosocial programs for women and children.

SCOPE OF WORK:

IRC is looking for a l Health Coordinator responsible for ongoing leadership of the emergency health program in Eastern Ukraine. We need a person with emergency health response experience, excellent coordination and networking skills, the capacity to innovate and solve problems efficiently – and who can work within the overall context of insecurity and access challenges in the location area. We offer competitive salary and excellent opportunities for professional and personal growth.

Under the supervision of the IRC Field Director, the Health Coordinator will manage all health program activities for IRC in Eastern Ukraine. The Health Coordinator will liaise with other technical leads to ensure coordination and complementarily of programming, as well as appropriate technical rigor in project design and implementation. The Health Coordinator will manage all health staff, providing any and all support necessary to ensure successful implementation of cash transfer programming.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program management

• Supervise all health program activities including staff management, budgets, reporting and other requirements.
• Ensure that the health programs are implemented in conformity with the IRC program framework promoting and protecting rights, participation, capacity building, partnership and holistic programming.
• Manage donor grants and ensure that the spending plan and work plans are in place and adhered to.
• Ensure internal reports and reports to donors, document results and are produced and delivered in a timely manner.
• Provide leadership on the requirement, follow up and management of IRC health the humanitarian aid (drugs and medical supplies.
• Oversee a monitoring system to track the use of the chronic disease medicines that will be distributed by the program.
• Follow-up pharma procurement.
• Ensure effective and high quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use, capturing best practice to support program decision making.

Representation and coordination:

• Represent IRC health programs with external actors such as the national and local Department of Health, WHO, International and local NGOs, health working group and others.
• Coordinate with external actors such as the national and local Department of Health, WHO, International and local NGOs health working group and others to help assure coverage and avoid duplication to address the needs of beneficiary populations.
• Represent IRC health program and coordinate closely with the IRC health technical unit.
• Coordinate closely with other IRC Eastern Ukraine technical coordinators to ensure efficient use of program resources.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC logistics, finance and grants staff to ensure timely and compliant program activities and expenditures. Actively participate in grant operations meetings.
• Keep the local authorities and other project stakeholders well informed of the progress of the program

Program development and planning.

• Develop a strategic framework for health programming in Eastern Ukraine.
• Generate health data to be used internally and externally by donors and cluster systems to influence donor policies for the purpose of generating needed funding.
• Analyze unmet health needs and service gaps in consultation with local health officials and determine the potential for IRC health program activities.

Staff management

• Recruit national and international health technical staff as per program requirements.
• Provide direction and monitor staff in their implementation of work plans and delivery of quality health services.
• Provide technical support, on the job training and supervision to the health staff as required making sure that interventions are high quality and that the program is driven by data and learning.
• Discuss job expectations, set objectives and provide appropriate and timely feedback regarding performance, including timely implementation of the annual staff performance management system.
• 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 including staff development plans.
• Lead with commitment, integrity and accountability to the “IRC Way” – Global Standards for Professional Conduct.

Financial Management

• Lead the development of realistic budgets for the health program and identify areas which require fundraising.
• Effectively manage health program grants, assuring spending in accord with budget lines.

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.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Medical/nursing/with a MPH
• Experience working in insecure work environments and understanding of personal and team’s safety and security needs
• Minimum 3 years of experience in assessing, developing, management/coordinating health programs in an international setting
• Experience in implementing community/public health programs
• Experience in coordinating with MoH and other stakeholders
• Experience supervising and guiding national and international health staff
• Strong management, assessment, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Competent in Windows, MS office programs, email and relevant health database (HMIS, EPI-Info, DHMIS) software
• Familiar with the current National Health System
• Acquainted on government procedures to release medicines and medical supplies
• Experience on dealing with pharmaceutical suppliers.
• Preference for Ukrainian nationals.
• Fluency in English required with Russian language skills preferred

SECURITY SITUATION/HOUSING:

This position will be based in Donetsk with frequent visits to the field. IRC provides shared guest housing with Internet connection. Movement in Donetsk city is flexible, with a 9:00pm curfew in place and may be further restricted at times due to the security situation.