Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Health Officer - Cholera Response is responsible for coordinating with the NES Health Hub team to implement the cholera response plan in Al Hol camp and other areas as needed, based on the emergency situation, in accordance with IRC’s Cholera Response and Preparedness Plan 2024. The incumbent will ensure that health facilities are stocked with all essential medicines and supplies to effectively respond to the outbreak.

Additionally, the Health Officer will coordinate with camp management authorities and other partners to ensure that all suspected cholera patients with severe dehydration receive timely inpatient care and diagnostic services. They will also be responsible for tracking all patients seen at our health facilities and ensuring that all referrals to nearby health facilities are properly documented and followed up.

Finally, the Health Officer will provide daily situation updates to senior management, ensuring that critical information is communicated promptly.

Responsibilities:

Emergency Response Coordination:

·Lead and coordinate health interventions during emergencies, ensuring alignment with organizational protocols and national health policies.

·Assess health needs in IRC-supported health facilities and promptly inform the respective health coordinators.

·Attend all coordination meetings related to the cholera response in Al Hol and other relevant setting

Training and capacity building

·Conduct rapid training needs assessments based on urgent emergency requirements.

·Organize and deliver training sessions for health facility staff to strengthen their clinical skills and knowledge of WHO protocols, as well as IRC’s emergency response and preparedness guidelines

Collaboration and Communication:

·Liaise with local health authorities, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), camp management, the Health Working Group, and other partners to coordinate a unified emergency health response.

·Facilitate regular communication with IRC’s NES health team and attend all relevant meetings to keep senior management informed about the situation.

Data Collection and Reporting: 

·Update the daily patient tracking sheet regularly and share it with the Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator.

·Prepare brief daily situation reports.

·Assist the Senior Health Manager in preparing donor reports..

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

·Medical university degree in medicine or nursing.

·Approximately 2- 4 years of experience in similar role.

·Experience working with health NGOs or INGOs is preferred

·Previous experience in managing health outbreaks.

·Experience in monitoring, report writing, and basic analysis of health data.

·Strong computer skills and proficiency with software packages (MS Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.)

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• English is required, while Arabic and Kurdish is an advantage.
• Travel: 100% to field sites in 20% as well as attending workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to : Senior Health Officer
Position directly supervises: None

Indirect Reporting (If applicable):
Key Internal Contacts: NES health team, Head of the health facility, logistics, pharmacy

Key External Contacts:Camp Management, Cholera Coordination Committee, Health Technical Working Group

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.