Director Health and Care at Nigerian Red Cross Society

DUTY STATION    NRCS Headquarters, Abuja, Nigeria
LINE MANAGER    Secretary General

  JOB PURPOSE

The Director, Health and Care under the guidance of the Secretary General will be responsible for developing health and care program strategies in undertaking operational, institutional capacity building activities and health related intervention programs. He/she will be responsible for effectively addressing emerging issues, risks and opportunities. 

He/she will support the Secretary General in coordinating NRCS engagement with Movement Partners, relevant government stakeholders and other humanitarian agencies on health-related issues. He/she will ensure that the appropriate tools, strategies, standards, approaches, protocols, etc. are widely understood and practiced at the headquarters and branches. He/she will establish regional, national and community-based tools, preparedness and response plans. 

 JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Director Health and Care will have the following responsibilities:

Strategic

• Oversee the design, development and implementation of NS Strategic and Operational Health and Care Program, contingency/EPR Health plans and budgets
• Supervise the development of proposals for new programs building on technical knowledge and understanding of Nigeria-specific health issues
• Ensure that relevant guidelines and best practices are followed in community-based health (CBH) program assessment, planning and implementation
• Define a clear strategic direction for Health and Care programming taking into consideration the findings of periodic nationwide assessments
• Oversee the development of workplans for health programs (nutrition, immunization, community-based programs, etc.) in Nigeria
• Develop solid and sustainable partnerships and mobilize financial resources to ensure that NRCS can fulfil its mandate in Disaster Management and Disaster Risk Reduction.

Operational

• Monitor the national spread and severity of current epidemic diseases and proactively communicate emerging health related issues to relevant focal points of contact as appropriate
• Ensure development of epidemics contingency plans and epidemics preparedness plans working with all relevant stakeholders in the country
• Provide advice and coaching on Health programs, including development and adaptation of early warning systems in collaboration with partners
• In collaboration with the Director of HR, review and approve training curriculum/strategy for the Nigerian Red Cross Health staff covering areas such as community-based health and nutrition approaches, in addition to organizational skills such as project planning, budgeting, reporting and proposal writing
• Ensure that upcoming tools for deployment are adopted and utilized to their full potential in community-based health programs
• Ensure regular quality technical reports are in place, including financial and narrative reports for the attention of NRCS Board, management, movement partners and donors
• Lead and promote the development of quality program and project proposals in Health to be submitted to donors and partners (Pillar 2)
• Establish strong collaboration and cooperation with the Movement partners, PNSs, Government and other partners on Health programming and EPR at International, National, State, LGA and Community levels
• Oversee the regular monitoring and reporting on all health programs executed by the HQ and the branches
• Ensure training of volunteers supporting social mobilization, case management and surveillance of common diseases
• With the guidance of the Secretary General, represent NRCS in relevant health sector forums and networks in country. Develop credible and good quality information about technical knowhow and lessons and share among these sectors and forums
• Lead and promote the development of guidance and standards for Health activities at branch level (Pillar 1)
• Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the Secretary General
• Perform annual job performance reviews of staff of the Health Department

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• First degree in Medicine (MBBS), Public Health or Health-related discipline from reputable institution 
• Postgraduate qualification in Public Health
• Work experience with other international organisations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies
• Experience in maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition
• Minimum of 15 years of relevant experience in healthcare programs of which at least 5 years as an executive / C-level in a reputable organisation
• Verifiable track record of managing multiple units and personnel
• Experience in Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement or an International NGO is an added advantage
• Experience of facilitating recruitment and on boarding processes
• Experience of handling confidential information