Senior Health Capacity Building Officer at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Requisition ID: req20769
Location: Konduga - Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full-Time
Employment Category: Regular
Sector: Health
Open to Expatriates: No

Contextual Background

• The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 2012 when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014 the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict-affected populations.
• IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State.
• Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

Job Overview/Summary

• Under the supervision of the Senior Health Manager, the Senior Health Capacity Building Officers will be responsible for all HeRoN projects in his/her Local Government Area and is expected to ensure integrity, high-level transparency and commitment in the implementation of the project.
• He or she is responsible for overseeing all primary healthcare including reproductive health care activities for IRC supported health facilities in assigned LGA in either Borno state.
• The Senior Health Capacity Building Officers will oversee and supervises supported SMOH health facility staff and report to the Senior Health Manager.

Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

Health Program Management:

• Support planning and implementing of the project activities and outputs at the field level to ensure the project achieves its objective of improving access to quality health services
• The Senior Health Capacity Building Officers will take lead in coordinating with LGA authorities reviewing all the technical reports from the Implementing Partners which authorities assigned to them.
• Track the performance of the project activities and targets against the expected results and advise on the implementation process to ensure the project is progressing towards attaining its targets in each LGA.
• Conduct periodic analysis of the progress of the project at the LGA  level and promote learning and sharing of best practices and lessons learnt through documentation
• Identifying program gaps in the supported health facilities services with immediate solutions for further necessary steps to address those gaps.
• Provide capacity building and on-job coaching to Facility staff on Antenatal care, delivery care, postnatal care, family planning counselling, STI counselling and treatment and post-abortion care in supported facilities.
• Oversee the implementation of quality RH program activities at all IRC supported health facilities in the targeted areas
• Design and lead assessments to ensure the voices of women and girls inform RH program design
• Support proper RH data collection and recording in the IRC supported RH units and women centres, support the compilation of data and generation of quality RH reports in a regular and timely manner;
• Support health facility-level reporting to SMOHs through LGA health authorities especially the HMIS.
• In line with the communication strategies of the consortium, ensure visibility of the project and project strategies at the field level
• Support collection of stories and photographs that demonstrate the positive impact of the project.
• Monitor the performance of each supported health facility with regular visits to the LGA health office, health facilities and communities
• Track work plan progress and participate in the review meetings with LGAs and Implementing Partners in the assigned LGAs.
• Coordinate assigned LGA needs assessments and capacity building plans leading to potential support in future in identified gaps.
• Act as liaison between the IRC, LGA and other implementing partners in the assigned LGA.
• Create an enabling environment to promote information sharing, partnerships and cordial relationships between community, government structures and target communities where the project works
• Foster inter program linkages, exchange information and experiences and contribute actively to protection and disaster risk reduction mainstreaming in the health program
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors especially Environmental Health, as well as Nutrition, Women Protection & Empowerment, and Child Protection to ensure a holistic service package is available in response to the needs.

Key Deliverables:

• Regular communication to provide updates on projects using various forms of communication relevant for the message and audience; these include the security situation, monthly field visit reports and reports on workshops/training conducted.
• Updates on outcomes of reviews need assessments and capacity building plans.
• Draft success stories on key project impacts in the assigned LGAs.
• Notify the Senior Health Managers on changes in security context in the assigned LGA as and when they occur to inform implementation, security and safety of staff and other related partners
• Support the implementation of an appropriate visibility strategy
• Report challenges and/or solutions and gaps if any.

Facilitate the data flow of all reporting:
Program Development / Grant Management:

• Contribute to design, planning, and drafting new proposals.
• Contribute to donors’ reporting whenever necessary.
• In collaboration with Sr. Health Managers, develop an expenditure plan, review budget vs. actual expenditure for health grants on a monthly basis and take necessary actions;
• Ensuring budgets are used appropriately and efficiently and spending is in line with the IRC financial procedures and donor requirements;
• Ensure data collection, data compilation, timely preparation and submission of all internal reports including weekly and other associated monthly, quarterly, donor and special reports;

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Required for all positions with supervisory responsibility, if special considerations are needed (e.g. remote management), make this additive to the base language here:
  • Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
  • Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Nigeria
  • Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews..
  • Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, at least monthly.
  • Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.
  • As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
  • Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
  • Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
  • Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of a succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop the capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition roles and responsibilities, by the end of the assignment.
  • Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Research, Learning and Analysis:
Monitoring Health Program Implementation:

• Monitor project implementation and provide on-spot support to field teams and propose modifications as necessary;
• Ensure regular health program data analysis and review, take follow up action on project implementation and prepare relevant action reports;
• Supervise and provide technical oversight in the interpretation of data for improved programming and implementation;
• Monitor and promote integrated programming in a way that increases the overall impact of the health programs at the community level.

Coordination & Representation:

• Represent the program to Local government representatives, partner agencies, etc. as required;
• In coordination with the Snr Health Manager actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders with government actors, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors;
• Attend all relevant meetings in relation to the health program as may be required and feed in the IRC priorities during meetings;
• Facilitate field visits for internal and external stakeholders, when required.

Qualifications

• Minimum of Diploma or B.Sc / High National Diploma in Social Sciences or Public Health.
• At least 1-3 years professional experience with NGOs (INGO experience preferred
• Experience in the implementation of hygiene promotion activities.
• Experience in establishment and training of Hygiene Promoters, WASH committees and School hygiene Clubs.
• Good communication skills, effective representation and liaison with community members and leaders.
• Works well in and promotes teamwork, is comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible and able to handle pressure well.
• Competent user of MS Applications: Word and Excel
• Knowledge of English, Kanuri, and Hausa

Working Environment

• Security level orange. The situation in Maiduguri is calm at the moment but remains tense and unpredictable; concerns include criminality.
• There is active conflict in many parts of the country and a possibility for further expansion of the conflict and violence into other areas and other states.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Senior Health Manager
• Indirect/Technical Reporting:  Health Coordinator, Assist Health coordinator, Senior RH Manager, Health and Nutrition Coordination Manager 
• Position directly Supervises:  Senior Health officer, medical supervisor and Health officer  

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program:  SPC, Deputy Director Program, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager, Senior Area Manager, DDFM

Region/Global:   

• Key External Contacts: INGO Partner.