Head of Health & Care at Nigerian Red Cross Society

Head of Health & Care

Department

Health & Care

Job Family

Programmes

Contract Type

Permanent

Location

Abuja, Nigeria

Reports To

Director, Programmes

Direct Reports

Assistant Coordinator Health & Care, Health & Care Officer

Version Number

2

Job Summary

The Head of Health & Care will be responsible for developing health and care programme strategies in undertaking operational, institutional capacity building activities and health related intervention programmes. He/She will be responsible for effectively addressing emerging issues, risks and opportunities.

The Head of Health & Care will ensure that the appropriate tools, strategies, standards, approaches, protocols, etc. are widely understood and practiced at the headquarters and branches. She/He will establish regional, national and community-based tools, preparedness and response plans.

She/He will coordinate the NRCS engagement with relevant government stakeholders and other humanitarian agencies on health-related issues

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic

• Design, develop and implement the NS Strategic and Operational Health and Care Programme, contingency/EPR Health plans and budgets.
• Develop proposals for new programmes 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) programme 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 programmes (nutricion, 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
• Develop epidemics contingency plans and epidemics preparedness plans working with all relevant stakeholders in the country
• Provide advice and coaching on Health programmes, including development and adaptation of early warning systems in collaboration with partners.
• 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.
• Coordinate the regular monitoring and reporting on all health programmes executed by the HQ and the branches
• Oversee the training of volunteers supporting social mobilisation, case management and surveillance of common diseases
• 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
• In coordination 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 programmes
• Prepare regular quality technical reports, 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)
• 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 Director of Programmes
• Perform annual job performance reviews (APER) of staff of the Health Department.
• Duties applicable to all staff
• Work actively towards the achievement of the NRCS goals
• Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Fundamental Principles and NRCS Statutes

Key Performance Areas

• Quality and relevance of health and care proposals
• Percentage of proposals funded by donors
• Quality and timeliness of health and care reports
• Compliance of health and care programmes to donor requirements
• Compliance with the society’s standard operating procedures

Qualifications and Experience

• First degree from a reputable institution in in Medicine, Public Health or Health-related discipline
• Post-graduate degree in Medicine, Public Health or Health-related discipline is an added advantage
• Professional qualification in Health-related certified courses
• Minimum of 10 years relevant working experience, with at least 3 years in a management level position
• Experience in supervising and Training of Teams
• Work experience in a non-profit organization is a significant advantage

Skills and Competencies

Essential

• Strong judgment and ability to identify and analyse problems and to think strategically to anticipate, interpret and develop strategic responses to issues
• Ability to persuade, influence, manage and sustain effective, successful strategic relationships both internally and externally
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to persuade others to adopt a specific course of action to achieve desired results
• Proficiency in data analysis tools and software
• Proficiency in the use of MS office tools
• Excellent communication skills in English. Fluency in other languages is an added advantage
• Monitoring, analysis and Reporting skills

Desirable

Understanding of NRCS support functions
Behavioural Competencies

• Capable of communicating analysis and insights effectively, and articulate when communicating
• Demonstrated success in relationship building internally and externally with a wide array of stakeholders
• Ability to build and protect the reputation of self and society through the quality of work, knowledge and experience
• High ethical standards and honesty in handling the organizational resources and zero tolerance to corruption
• Culturally sensitive, globally minded and show respect to the views and opinions of others
• Ability to collaborate and work well in a team
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines