Community Health Officer- Norwegian Red Cross

Organizational Context

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies (NSs). The overall aim of IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by NSs with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.”  IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.

IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality.

IFRC is led by its Secretary General, and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services.

IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas.  IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat.

Job Purpose

The Community Health Officer (CHO) position will support in planning, implementation and close monitoring of this community Health Programme in the assigned state. He/she will report to NorCross Programme Coordinator (Direct supervisor) and will work in close collaboration with the NRCS branches, health team, ICRC and other movement partners.

PURPOSE

• Focal point for all matters related to the Norcross supported community-based health in Benue state, including but not limited to promotive and preventive healthcare, communicable diseases, nutrition, hygiene promotion and sexual and gender-based violence.
• Maintains a global overview of health in the strategic areas, represents NorCross in health forums and works closely with relevant movement partners and actors implementing health-related activities in the area.
• Supports planning and implementation of trainings and other capacity building activities
• Supports with background information and data for resources mobilization, monitors and reports on the community health program.

This position is based within the Norwegian Red Cross country office in Benue, Nigeria

Job Duties and Responsibilities

Accountabilities and responsibilities

• Ensure timely implementation and quality monitoring of Norcross supported community health projects in the assigned area, through structured and regular monitoring, field visits, follow up and reporting.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in collaboration with the SMOH/LGA health/nutrition authorities, national protocols are observed/available and in line NorCross strategies.
• Advise the NRCS and branches on evidence-based interaction with community members and groups on issues related to diagnostic screenings, sanitation or hygiene, self-care, risk or prevention of conditions and issues related to improving general health
• Technically support the Operational National Society (NRCS) to better plan for future projects, review and provide input to reports, analyse trends and suggest project adjustments.
• Work in collaboration with NRCS and branches and other key actors in matters related to community health project and field security management and fully ensure respect for security rules.
• Organize for a joint filed monitoring field visits with NRCS to project sites
• Ensure Community Engagement and Accountability methodologies are used in the design and implementation of community-based health projects.
• Ensure that community health volunteers receive consistent professional clinical supervision, and that outreach activities are tied to the provision of adequate clinical services.
• Support the integration of relevant activities to improve health status of beneficiaries and facilitate access to adequate services for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, when
• Support the linkages of community health interventions with appropriate clinical supervision e.g. monitoring for remote and inaccessible areas, measuring progress towards health outcomes.
• Support multi-disciplinary assessments, identifies needs and contributes to planning new programs and ongoing monitoring of existing programs.
• Develop and maintain a dialogue with health staff/LGA nutrition authorities in catchment areas
• Identify training needs for staff and volunteers and implement training programs. 

Networking and Communication

• Liaise with health authorities State Primary Health Care Development Agency (SPHCDA), State Ministry of Health (SMoH) and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) working in nutrition and health
• Collaborate with the other Health Field Officers by sharing of updates and planning joint movement plans (If in the same AoR) and implementation of activities where feasible,
• Participate in Health and other sector coordination meetings as requested and report back to the Norcross on information shared and/or obtained
• Work in collaboration with communities and local leaders at all stages of activity implementation.

Administration and Reporting

• Prepare work plans, budgets and regular cash forecasts.
• Plan, prepare and conduct field movement plans, Field Trip Reports
• Provide technical support and advice to NRCS counterparts and volunteers: Ensures Community volunteers have required materials to perform their tasks e. registers, flip charts, lesson plans, MUAC tapes
• Coordinate with LOG/ ADMIN on supply requests
• Ensures timely data collection and reporting on community health program, Beneficiary statistics
• Ensure transparent financial accounting of program. e. WADs volunteer costs, transport.
• Contribute to NorCross reporting requirements, including success stories, Facts and Figures etc.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in public health or international development or equivalent.
• Masters’ degree in in Public health or its equivalent

Experience

• Minimum 4 years of work experience in a similar role.
• Experience of working in health emergencies.
• Experience in conducting health assessments.
• Experience in working with communities and field management.
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
• Experience in Program Management.

Knowledge, Skills and Languages

• Team leadership & people management skills.
• Self-motivated with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principles.
• Flexible, enthusiastic, and willing to learn.
• Good communication skills.
• Very good knowledge of political, social and cultural assigned environment

Languages:

• Fluent spoken and written English.

Competencies, Values and Comments

• Role model: Accountability-Commitment to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement.
• Diversity-Sensitivity to diversity.
• Integrity-Personal integrity and conduct; Professionalism.
• Flexibility and adaptability.
• Resilience, managing self and others.
• Collaboration: Building trust; Empowering others.
• Relations with the National Society; Teamwork
• Achievement: Communication; Innovation-Initiative and orientation.
• Judgement Decision-making; -Management of strategy, budgets and resources.
• Leadership: Building alliances - networking; Influencing-Supervising, Inspiring; Strategic orientation.