Health System Strengthening Officer at Action Against Hunger | ACF-International

Location: Damaturu, Yobe
Job Title: Full Time
Start date: As Soon As Possible
Direct Line Manager: Health System Strengthening Manager
Slot: 3 Openings

Objective 1

• Provision of support to strengthen the human resource for health

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support HSS manager to carry out health system assessment; diagnosis of health system in line with defined methodology and with technical support from Nutrition & Health HoD with the aim of identifying the gap in the targeted facilities, LGAs and state levels
• Organise  and ensure dissemination of the finding from the assessment
• Work closely with HSS manager to identify the best strategy toward centralization and coordination of training of frontline health workers on continues medical education at the state level
• Actively participate at the selection of dedicated master trainers  and organise the TOT training in conjunction with HSS manager
• Coordinate with nutrition and health sector manager to organise the training of frontline health workers
• Work with HSS manager to provide support to SMOH towards development of annual training plan and incorporation into the state AOP to ensure consistent funding for training
• Provide technical support to SMOH in the development of AOP to ensure all identified gaps in the health system are strategically captured
• Work with the advocacy team to support SMOH and SPHCMB in the adoption and institutionalization of CHIPS program and subsequent implementation at the selected LGAs
• Update stakeholder contact information at state level and targeted local and report to the HSS manager
• Develop health facility matrix for tracking gaps in service provisions, HRH, supplies, technical capacities, information management at the facility level and availability of policies/guidelines at state level
• Liaise with Nutrition and Health service delivery team; Community Mobilization teams and keep them updated about the identified gaps on a regular basis.

Objective 2

• Support and strengthen community participation in health system

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Develop presentation on the LGA health governance structure with support from HSS Manager/N-H Project Manager for assigned LGA.
• In close collaboration with Public Health Coordinators/Officers, collect available LGA level health plans, Budgets and share with line manager or MPM.
• Provide required information to support development of health facility assessment, community assessment in liaison with Community Mobilization team.
• Support HSS Manager to organize workshops and meetings at LGA level in regards to HSS planning, follow up meetings etc.
• In collaboration with HSS manager, support the authorities at the selected LGAs to scale-up and strengthened Health Facility Management Committee (HFMC)  and Ward Development Committee to ensure ownership and sustainability of interventions at the ward level
• Actively participate at the quarterly meeting with the HFMC and WDC
• Lead and follow up the implementation of the adapted BFHI policy at the facility level and ensure designation of targeted facilities as baby friendly.

Objective 3

• Project Management

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Support HSS Manager in developing financial forecast in line with the HSS LGA activity plans
• Inform line manager about planning of workshops, trainings and/or meeting that requires financial advances and/or logistical procurement etc. at LGA level well in advance. 
• Inform transport planning/requirement to line manager for any particular activity at LGA level well in advance using predefined tools.
• Review and update budget planning including HSS related follow up regular activities on a regular basis and share with line manager.
• Maintain close collaboration with public health coordinators/officers and other partners in the assigned LGA

Objective 4

• Follow up of the HSS action plan with ACTION AGAINST HUNGER teams and external stakeholders working in the targeted LGAs

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Conduct periodic observation visits to health facilities and update the HSS action plan follow up tool
• Draft summary report on the progresses made at LGA level, challenges and way forward and inform line manager on a monthly basis
• Organize periodic meetings with health facility to update the health facility matrix on the pre-identified indicators (6 building blocks)
• Directly engage with LGA HIS officers to ensure that DHIS2 reporting from all supported health facilities are completed in time
• Inform line manager in case if there are need to engage with any state level health care department or agency for raising particular challenges at LGA level.

Objective 5

• Information management, reporting and coordination

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Ensure that all training database for master trainers are collected from and archived with all necessary details
• Identify key progresses, gaps and challenges with proposed solutions from the monthly follow up visits, health facility matrix updates and inform line manager
• Organize and lead the LGA based monthly coordination meetings and support LGA teams on structuring LGA coordination mechanisms with health workers and partners

Objective 6

• Performance Management

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Communicate Action Against Hunger performance standards and expectations to team members which includes ; 10 minutes monthly conversation, 3 months/end of probation performance appraisal and annual/ end of contract appraisal.
• Establish performance objectives, provide feedback, identify strengths and areas for professional improvement.
• Contribute to the professional development and improvement of team members by providing support.

Internal & External Relationship
Internal:

• HSS Manager: Line manager
• N/H sector Manager : Exchange of information
• MPM/Field Co: exchange of information
• Nutrition and Health HoD : technical support – exchange of information, coordination
• Logistic/HR/Finance Managers: functional collaboration and exchange of information
• Other sectorial team; Exchange of information, coordination

External:

• SPHCDA, SMOH,LGA Authority: direct technical and facilitation support, Close collaboration, training and workshop facilitation support.

Position Requirements
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine/public health/Nursing/nutrition

Skills & Experience
Essential:

• At least 1 years post NYSC experience in primary health care system;
• Previous supervisory role is required will be added advantage
• Fluency in spoken and written English language; Hausa language will be added advantage
• Working knowledge of MS office.

Preferred:

• Work experience in humanitarian settings;
• Experience of working in partnership with or directly with Ministry of Health is preferable;
• Good understanding Nigeria public health structure
• Ability to manage wide range of stakeholders for collaboration, coordination and consultation at LGA level.