Reproductive Health Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Location: Maiduguri (with frequent visits to Konduga, Monguno)
Project Title: Implementation of the MISP+
Start Date: 15 April
Full-time/Part-Time: Full Time
Duration: 8 months
Salary Band (circle one): 8B

Background of Country and Emergency Response

• The Boko Haram insurgency in Nigeria began in 2009 and has affected 14.8 million people who are already living in precarious conditions by undermining poverty reduction and development efforts, putting inter-ethnic and inter-religious coexistence at risk, straining State Government resources, and depleting community coping capacities over the past six years. The conflict has reduced IDPs’ and other vulnerable populations’ access to healthcare, especially RH services. Thus, there is a need to bolster local health care capacity, referral pathways, and community awareness around RH issues, among other necessary interventions. Gender-based violence (GBV) cases are widely reported in IDP camps and host communities, with the perpetrators often being insurgents, military personnel and police officers. Generally, GBV survivors are unaware of existing, though inadequate, services.

Job Descriptions

• The Reproductive Health Officer is a member of the health team, and will be responsible for supporting and supervising a team of midwives implementing emergency Reproductive Health activities in Konduga, Monguno and Gwoza according to the IRC and donor work plans.
• (S)he will work together with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) and child protection teams to ensure the improved quality of the project’s clinical activities e.g. family planning, maternal and neonatal care, case management of sexually transmitted diseases, post abortion care and the clinical management of sexual assault survivors in the IRC’s Women’s Comprehensive Centers (CWCs).

Primary Responsibilities
Project Implementation:

• In line with the Minimal Initial Service Package (MISP), oversee the provision of clinical care activities in the IRC Comprehensive Women’s Centers (CWC) and mobile clinics.
• Oversee the team of IRC midwives for:
  • Clinical Care for Sexual Assault Survivors (CCSAS) according to national protocols and guidelines.
  • Basic and assisted delivery care (by vacuum, forceps, and breech),
  • Neonatal and obstetric resuscitation activity,
  • Antenatal and postnatal consultations,
  • Timely supported referrals to the nearest Emergency Obstetric Care center,
  • Safe post-abortion care,
  • STI treatment in line with national protocols.
• Build the capacity of the teams, including organising/facilitating formal trainings.
• Coordinate activities with other sectors, particularly the Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE) and Environmental Health (EH) teams
• Ensure adherence to Universal Precautions and proper waste management at all IRC CWCs
• Monitor progress against grant workplan; promptly identifying any current or potential delays and recommending solutions to technical challenges.
• Prepare Purchase Request forms for program supplies/activities and undertake field procurement as designated and authorized.
• Monitor program supply inventory levels; perform monthly spot-checks on program inventory.
• Maintain respectful and constructive relations with partner staff, services providers and patients; work with and provide timely technical support to IRC’s implementing partners.
• 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

Coordination & Representation:

• As requested, undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with other IRC sectors, national NGOs, international organizations, donors and government actors.

Community-Related Activities:

• Support and actively participate in the mobilization of women to improve RH education and service utilization, together with the Community Mobilisers, Community Health Workers (CHW), Traditional Brith Attendants (TBAs), community groups etc.
• Conduct trainings to the outreach team and to the community on appropriate RH messages.
• Monitoring responsibilities:
• Maintain up to date data in all overseen facilities and supervise data-collection.
• Compile daily, weekly and monthly health activity reports and submit in timely manner.
• Contribute to monthly and quarterly RH work plans.

Other Duties:

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs

Requirements

• Qualified Nurse or Midwife with valid diploma/certificate.
• MSc in related field is an additional plus.
• 3-5 years of experience in a clinical RH setting, including practice in BEmONC, FP, STI, PAC CCSAS etc.
• Experience in an (I-)NGO preferred.
• Ability to lead, train, supervise and facilitate other midwives, nursing staff and community health workers in their respective tasks.
• Communication skills – Able to discuss sensitive RH topics and provide RH education.
• Experience counseling survivors of abuse or violence with a reputable organization.
• Willing / flexible to travel between field sites (including Monguno, Gwoza and Konduga)
• Clear understanding of gender equality and gender issues for women and girls.
• Ability to maintain beneficiary confidentiality and respect at all times is essential.
• Positive and professional attitude; able to organize, prioritize, multi-task and maintain composure under pressure, while maintaining attention to detail.
• Ability to work as a member of a team.
• Ability to communicate in English and write clear and concise reports in English.
• Must be computer literate, including Microsoft Word and Excel

Benefits

• Monthly salary, 13Month Salary Inclusive, Health Insurance Coverage for Family, Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.