Health Program Manager at Medecins Du Monde

Humanitarian situation and needs.

Nigeria being the largest population in Africa (between 178 and 200 million inhabitants), Nigeria is ranked as one of the strongest economies of the continent relying on oil and petroleum products as well as mineral resources (gold, iron, diamonds, copper etc.). Despite a strong economy, Nigeria suffers from important development disparities between North and South provinces of the country, social and economic inequalities, and from a high rate of corruption at every level of the economic and administrative systems. Moreover, Nigeria is a very diverse country, hosting multiple ethnic groups and religion.

The on-going conflict in the North-East States of the country (states of Borno, Adamawa and Yobe) and widespread violence triggered a large-scale humanitarian crisis. This context is exacerbated by the extreme violence from armed-opposition groups ISWAP (Islamic State’s West Africa Province) and JAS (Jama'atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda'awati wal-Jihad) targeting civilian populations in NE Nigeria. In December 2019, there were 2 019 000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the country according to the UNHCR and 7.9 million people were considered to be in a humanitarian emergency situation. Three years of conflict have seriously deteriorated living conditions in Borno, State to be particular and have depressed agricultural production, exacerbating populations’ critical needs for life-saving assistance.

MdM is currently implementing an emergency response program in Borno state since 2016. The program is implemented around the main following components: improving access to primary health care, nutrition treatment (severe acute malnutrition), gender-based violence survivors’ treatment, mental health and psychological support. A component regarding emergencies responses has also been developed for 3 years and is currently being absorb at clinics level, by reinforcing capacity building mainly to outbreak responses. MdM has its coordination office in Maiduguri

MdM is running directly 5 clinics: 3 in Maiduguri (Kawarmella, Garba Buzu and El Miskin) and 2 in Damboa: Hausari and GTS. MdM is also aiming to support 2 MOH clinics in Damboa LGA:  Azir and Gumzuri.

Essential duties

The Health Program Manager is in charge of the implementation, follow up and supervision of the health program in Maiduguri as per MdM standard requirements and procedures.  She/he ensures close collaboration with the logistic and administrative departments and good team spirit.

Program Management

• Contribute to needs assessments and context analysis for the Maiduguri region support and implement health surveillance system and give regular feedback on the contextual health situation and react to any change by proposing program adaptation to the field coordinator and coordination team if necessary (outbreaks, new needs arising, influx of IDPs, etc.)
• Ensure development and implementation of all activities in accordance with the Fundamental Humanitarian Standard MdM program policies, including gender, age, diversity and minorities issues.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of MdM program activities implemented according to the needs MdM policies, national and international standards and available funds thus support the creation of specific tools in collaboration with the technical coordinator.
• Guarantee the general consistency of the use of budget lines for program activities, for an effective and efficient use of resources, including financial and human, and of all assets.
• Support the health coordinator in analyzing monthly budget monitoring (forecasts, expenditure monitoring, purchasing plans, etc.) for projects
• In conjunction with the technical line manager support and ensure the establishment of the appropriate documentation and an effective archiving system of all processes and activities.
• Ensure that activities follow MdM programmatic approaches drawing on best practices and lessons learned.
• Work in close collaboration with the technical program unit based in Maiduguri and with local partners (civil authorities, technical services, humanitarian partners, etc.) in the intervention areas. Guarantee the implementation of the recommendations of the Technical Coordinators.
• Support the MEAL teams to facilitate the monitoring of ongoing projects and supervise and monitor data collection processes and analyze the medical data on a regular basis and set up corrective measures in case of need.
• Work closely with the action partner to ensure compliance with MdM procedures and ensure the integration of different types of assistance.
• Ensure compliance and quality of service provided to beneficiaries and by partners in the sector meetings and propose adjustments if necessary.

Team management

• Directly manage program teams
• Provide technical support to the medical supervisors and all medical team
• Recruit and provide hands on support to the medical team in the field and ensure that all positions have a precise job description and that each member of the team fully understands the results expected of him and that he knows the criteria for success related to his job
• Ensure all staff know and follow all MDM policies and procedures
• Organize regular meetings, briefings and debriefings with the medical team and document all the discussions held for further reference when needed.
• Maintain good inter-team communications, engender good team dynamics, and take suitable action when problems occur. Make sure that activities are implemented in holistic and integrated way (especially for GBV and MHPSS services).
• Support team members professionally and monitor and support stress management, including regular documented team meetings for planning and reporting purposes. Liaise with the field HR in case of any support needed to build the team in the field. Carry out appraisals as per MdM standard requirements and procedures
• Ensure that work is planned and organized to meet MdM needs in the most efficient way possible; ensure team members receive an appropriate workload and work in accordance with local labor laws.
• Carry out performance reviews, give corrective feedback or capacity building as needed and take decisive action in case of poor performance Plan and implement thematic specific trainings according to the identified needs for MdM/MoH medical staff
• Make sure that the midwives are trained to manage cases of Gender Based Violence with a focus on upholding a survivors’ rights to dignity and confidentiality
• Identify needs regarding training (complementary or refresher) or support needs regarding the different services provided to be able to discuss and establish with technical focal persons agenda fitting programs organization.

Management of medical stock and logistic chain for medical purchase

• Establish with the Pharmacy Coordinator and the pharmacy team an agenda regarding procurement process. Define in advance the drugs / consumables’ needs with the pharmacist and share the information to the pharmacy coordinator for the procurement process.
• Ensure the supervision of the pharmacist (consumptions, orders & inventory) and ensure that supported health facilities receive drugs and consumables on time. Validate and cross check the consumption reports shared by the pharmacist on regular basis and discuss any discrepancies identified on regular basis.
• Ensure proper documentation and analysis of all pharmacy and medical stock reports.
• Ensure communication within medical team and pharmacy regarding stock analysis and needs.

Representation, coordination and communication.

• Participate in the writing of donor’s activity reports and proposals and represent / attend all relevant forums and medical meetings especially the health and nutrition clusters and any relevant medical coordination mechanisms
• Maintain relations with the administrative authorities and other stakeholders in the region and avoid overlaps.
• Maintain close and beneficial working relationships with donors, national and international organizations and Organize regular meetings with district authorities and with the community leaders to maintain a full adherence to MdM medical program
• Respect and apply internal reporting requirements, and contribute to external reports, as well as ensure quality control and Contribute to monthly sitrep
• Ensure constant, transparent and proactive communication with the hierarchy and the office of the capital.
• Document any meeting information gathered during the coordination meeting and share the information with the HealthCo and Fieldco

Other

• Strengthen compliance with standards and norms specific to MdM and the sector (Code of Conduct)
• Undertakes other related duties as may be reasonably assigned by the Line Manager.

Functional links

Line manager: Field Coordinator.

Technical adviser: Deputy Genco in charge of Coordinator.

Background of the candidate

Skills required:

• Medical Doctor/Nurse/Midwife with experience in Public health and project management
• Significant experience in similar positions
• Experience in outbreak management and emergency response
• Ability to have a global overview of a program (not only on medical plan)
• Ability to take quick decisions according to the context in coordination with the team

Personal skills required:

• Ability to manage a team and work in an international team
• Reactivity, anticipation, adaptability, capacity to take initiatives
• Organizational skills 
• Good writing and communication skills
• Ability to manage priorities
• Team spirit
• Interest for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law
• Respectful of a very traditional Muslim society
• Capacity to work and to live in tense conditions (climate, cultural context, promiscuity, isolation)