Senior Health and Nutrition Officer

Background of IRC:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response.

Job Overview/Summary: 

The Senior Health and Nutrition Officer is responsible for day-to-day project planning, implementation, and monitoring of the IRC’s health project in IRC Jijiga FO based in Jijiga. He / She reports to the Health Manager based in Jijiga FO.

The position coordinates and supervises the implementation of the project activities, leads all aspects of essential primary health care services delivery through MHNT in target Woredas. She/he will ensure the project activities are implemented as per the work plan and set standards. She/he is also responsible for ensuring the adherence of the procedures and protocols of health care services to national and WHO standards. He/she is responsible for the health and Nutrition Projects under Jijiga FO next to Health and Nutrition Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Ensure that the goals and objectives of the project are met as per the project proposal, work plan and M & E Plan
• Liaises and creates strong linkages with zonal and Woreda partners implementing project activities in the targeted Woredas.
• Implement activities focusing on prevention and behavior change using community-based structures.
• Represent IRC in coordination meetings, workshops, task force meetings, in the woreda.
• Helps in conducting workshops, trainings, and presentations on the project activities for Woreda health staff as per the project.
• Ensure quality of clinical and non-clinical service provision in health sites according to MOH, WHO or international standards through communication of standards, assessing and monitoring performance against standards and guiding and motivating staff to meet and maintain standards.
• Provide mentorship and supportive supervision.
• Oversee training of clinical services and ensure competency-based curriculums.
• Monitor quality standards through conducting supervision of clinical services and sites (eg. Clinical practice, client satisfaction, client numbers, provider-client interaction, management of stock, record-keeping, adequate infrastructure, functioning equipment)
• Identify performance gaps and design interventions and develop action plans to manage activities and improve quality of services.
• Maintain documentation of relevant information and communicate to decision-makers when necessary.
• Reviewing clinical incidents including root cause analysis and action plan in collaboration with providers
• Provide timely updates to service providers on clinical guidelines.
• Establish and adhere to supervision schedule.
• Follow all IRCs standard grant Management tools as recommended by the Addis based health unit and M & E unit.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented according to the work plan and that targets are met.
• Work closely with the Health and Nutrition Manager in management of the grant budget i.e. prepare realistic spending plan, monthly cash projection, weekly BVA cleaning and strictly monitors the project budget utilization and take appropriate action.
• Raise PRs as required after discussion with the health manager and other colleagues.
• Follow up on approved PRs and ensure the procurements are done/ payments are affected timely for participants.
• Track woreda level expenditure monthly and report appropriately.
• Monitor the implementation of the project activities on daily basis and develop action plans in collaboration with the health officers.
• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of the project are met.
• Maintain the quality of clinical services and clinical service data.
• Supervise health officers in target woredas.
• Apply staff performance evaluation on time and standard quality manner and contribute for staff development plan.
• Delegate and work on behalf of the HNM in his or her absence.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: -

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.

Job Requirements:

Educational Requirements:

• Public Health/MPH (Senior Clinical/Public Nurse or above).

Preferred experience & skills:

• Minimum work experience of 2 years for BSc Degree, 1 years for MPH/MSc Degree holders
• Ability to plan, organize, and supervise implementation of emergency health response projects.
• Good technical and report writing skills with computer skills and knowledge.
• NGO experience in emergency health response project activities is preferable. Demonstrable experience in working with communities in participatory approaches and capacity building of health centers.
• Basic supervisory/managerial skills with strong inter-personal skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time.
• Strong analytic problem-solving skills Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure.
• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite. Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels.

Language Skills: 

• English languages speaking and writing capability are mandatory.
• Somali languages speaking and writing capability is advantageous.

Certificates or Licenses:

• Professional Licenses and other training on thematic areas and certificates are advantageous.

How to apply:

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: - https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/job/req52014/Senior-Health-and-Nutrition-Officer

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information.

• Name of the position you have applied for
• Date of application
• Summary of your qualifications and experience
• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job
• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address
• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees.

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in 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 Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances.