Health Officer - Internal Only

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND 

The International Rescue Committee has been in Nigeria since October 2012 and came in response to a widespread flood disaster. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with its local partner, Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication (SCOPE), implemented projects to support food security, livelihoods, nutrition, and WASH in Kogi State. At the beginning of January 2014, IRC shifted its geographical location to the Northeast, in Adamawa state to provide humanitarian response to the conflict-affected populations. In the Northeast, IRC has two operational offices in Adamawa state (Yola and Mubi) and three operational offices in Borno state (Maiduguri, Gwoza and Monguno). In both states, IRC provides humanitarian support to internally displaced populations hosted in IDP camps, camp-like settings, host communities, and returnee populations.

Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs in Primary Health Care (PHC), Nutrition, Environmental Health (EH), Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Protection, Child protection, Education, Food security & livelihoods. The IRC seeks to engage the service of a health officer to support project implementation of quality PHC services in Gwoza LGA.

Job Overview/Summary:

Manage health programs ensuring quality and adherence to standards.

• The Health Officer will support the implementation of the “Broadening Emergency and Graduation Efforts (BEGE) in Borno” project implemented in consortium with Mercy corps in Gwoza LGA. She/He will be providing quality and comprehensive primary health care services at the IRC health facilities to the internally displaced people (IDPs) camps maintaining a high level of ethical and professional standards.
• The position will be 100% based in Gwoza LGA.
• The Health Officer reports directly to the Program Manager.

Major Responsibilities:

• Oversee the implementation of quality Primary health care program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in Gwoza LGA.
• Routinely monitor MoH staff performance according to Primary health care guidelines and provide feedback and guidance.
• Develop ongoing education programs for MoH staff and conduct training and on-the-job training for health.
• Support planning and implementing of the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality health services.
• Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets.
• Identifying program gaps in the supported health facilities services with immediate solution for further necessary steps to address those gaps.
• Support collection of success stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.
• Raise Item Forecasts as required after discussion with colleagues and follow up till delivery of items.
• Adhere to and practice use of Universal Precautions and proper waste management at all IRC supported health facilities to ensure optimal Infection, Prevention and Control.
• Ensures timely supported referrals to the Gwoza general hospital in collaboration with the Program manager and referral focal person.
• Monitors progress against grant work plan; promptly identifying any current or potential delays and recommending solutions to technical issues.
• Work with and provide timely technical support to IRC’s implementing partners; maintain respectful and constructive relations with partner staff, services providers and patients.
• Fully comply with IRC safety and security procedures and provide input to security monitoring and assessments to enable and promote a safe and secure environment for program implementation.
• Compute weekly facility data from the supported health facilities and share with the MEAL team.

Coordination and Representation:

• He/she will represent the sector in meetings on delegation by the Program manager in Gwoza LGA.

Others:

• Consistently and proactively monitors and assesses the safety and security of the team; promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and others external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.
• Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint. Competency in the use of software (e.g. Comcare).
• Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver on commitments.
• Good sense of integrity, service and accountability.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and promote IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position reports to: Program Manager.
• Position directly supervises: MOH Incentive staff (clinicians, referral FP, HMIS recorders, drug dispensers, RI vaccinators, cleaners and guards).
• Indirect reporting: Health Coordinator, Field Coordinator, Nutrition Officer, EH/WaSH Manager, Supply Chain Officer and Finance Manager.
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: Health program staff and managers, and ALL other IRC sectors.
• External: Other partner NGO’s, MoH, SPHCDA, LGA PHC department.

Qualifications

Education:

• Registered Nurse (BSc in Nursing is an added advantage).
• Experience working in Gwoza is an added advantage.
• Must possess VALID practicing license by Nursing Council of Nigeria.

Work Experience:

• Two to three years’ humanitarian experience in clinical medicine, SRH or public health, preferably in an NGO setting.
• Proven experience in community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead community structures (WDCs, CHCs, CHVs).
• Experienced in report writing (highly recommended).
• Experience in training, capacity development, on-the-job coaching for team members/supervisees.
• Experience in community engagement activities and leading community dialogues.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; culturally and socially sensitive.
• Ability to work inclusively and collaboratively with a range of partners, including grassroots community members, religious and youth organizations, and authorities at different levels.
• Previous relevant NGO experience would be an added advantage.
• Ability to maintain beneficiary confidentiality and respect always is essential.
• Positive and professional attitude, able to organize, maintain composure and prioritize work under pressure, work overtime when necessary and be able to coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Fluency in both English and Hausa (Hausa is an added advantage).

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

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