Jobs at The International Rescue Committee (IRC)

SCOPE OF WORK:

The IRC is implementing a protection program featuring protection monitoring, information sharing, and referral services. The IRC will also include a capacity building component working with selected local partner organizations to build capacity around protection mainstreaming and protection monitoring. Geographically, the protection program is implemented in the NE state of Adamawa in four Local Government Areas (LGAs) in and around the state capital of Yola.

The Protection Coordinator will be responsible for the development and implementation of protection programming in the Yola field office areas of operation. He/she will lead the design of protection monitoring methodology, M&E systems, training materials for protection and information project staff, and Standard Operation Procedures (SOPs) regarding the sharing of data with other actors. The Protection Coordinator will ensure the quality of protection data collection and analysis and ensure that succinct and accurate protection reports are utilized to inform programming and advocacy both internally and externally. The Protection Coordinator will also be responsible in contributing to increasing the IRC’s presence and potential leadership role in the Protection sector by attending relevant working group meetings, networking with state and NGO actors in the protection sector and identifying potential partners for future programming. The Protection Coordinator will directly supervise various Protection, Information, and Database staff who will also support the program.  

The Protection Coordinator will work extensively with other sectors, to ensure that protection principles are being incorporated into the Nigeria sector programs, and in particular with the Women’s Protection and Empowerment Coordinator, the Child Youth and Protection Development Coordinator and the Food Security team to strengthen the integrated nature of IRC’s protection and assistance programs in Nigeria.

The Protection Coordinator will be based in Yola. S/he reports to the Senior Program Coordinator.  

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program management

•     Provide strategic direction and vision to the IRC’s Protection programming in Nigeria, with an emphasis on maintaining program quality during a period of expansion.
•     Ensure that all interventions are in compliance with the IRC’s protection mainstreaming framework, international law and protection standards and national policies.
•     Oversee implementation of the Protection Monitoring and Information Dissemination through managing project work plans and budgets (budget forecasting, development of spending plans and budget follow-up), ensuring timely recruitment, quality implementation and accurate reporting in accordance with IRC and donor regulations.
•     Ensure that monitoring and evaluation systems are effectively designed and integrated into all stages of the project; that output and impact data are captured and that data is used to optimize program quality.
•     Provide continuous support to and ensure targeted capacity building of staff.
•     Participate in cross-departmental collaboration and coordination in order to ensure that linkages between programs are made and programs gain from protection best practice; in particular with regular contact and coordination with Coordinators and Managers in WPE, CP, Food Security (ERD), and Education.

New business development

•     Develop the Protection sector strategy for Nigeria in close collaboration with the Protection Managers, SPC/CD, other protection sector staff, and the Governance and Rights (Protection Team) Technical Unit
•     Identify opportunities for, design and develop concept notes and proposals for further protection programming, including follow-on SV and SIDA funding for 2016, and other protection programming as requested
•     Develop and/or input into protection assessments and protection reporting analysis for the purpose of program development
•     Provide Protection input on proposals from other sectors to ensure protection is mainstreamed across IRC programming

Representation, coordination and advocacy

•     Coordinate with SPC/CD to forge connections with key government counterparts at the ministerial level, UN, I/NGOs, human rights actors, municipal and other sub-national government actors.
•     Represent the IRC in high level and strategic meetings involving protection actors such as protection working group meetings, inter-agency coordination meetings, and bi-lateral meetings.
•     Regularly coordinate with internal program and operational stakeholders, the Protection/Rule of Law Technical Advisors, Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Children’s Protection, Education and other IRC colleagues.
•     In collaboration with the SPC/CD and regional advocacy team, ensure that the protection program delivers on advocacy goals as articulated in the country wide advocacy strategy.

REQUIREMENTS

•     Advanced university degree in Law, Human Rights or a related field.
•     3-5 years experience implementing protection programming including experience in emergency or post-conflict project management
•     Demonstrated experience using international human rights standards in protection programming
•     Demonstrated experience implementing M&E programs
•     Strong strategic thinking and proposal writing skills
•     Strong leadership, staff and budget management and capacity building skills.
•     Excellent communication skills, cultural sensitivity, flexibility, ability to improvise, team player.
•     Ability to live and productively work under stress and in insecure and harsh environments while maintaining a sense of humor.

DESIRED

•     Experience implementing integrated programming which focuses on meeting the unique needs of children, women and girls is desired.
•     Experience in implementing programming that utilizes ICT, including in the management and monitoring of SMS based systems.
•     Regional experience and fluency in English

SPECIFIC SECURITY SITUATION /HOUSING
The Protection Coordinator will be based in Yola, Nigeria with travel throughout the country. The security situation in Nigeria continues to be volatile in the NE with Adamawa state on level 3 (orange) security level as it’s one of the three states of emergency (SoE) in the NE of the country. The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in insecure environments. This is a non-accompanied position. The Coordinator will live in shared housing.      

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SCOPE OF WORK:
The Health & Nutrition Coordinator (HNC) will be responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and management of IRC’s health program in Nigeria, working in collaboration with the senior management team in Abuja, and directly with the team in the field. As the focal point for health programs in Nigeria, the HNC will ensure the implementation of quality primary health care including nutrition programing in Adamawa state and other IRC locations in Nigeria. The HNC will provide technical support to the health and nutrition program for project design, proposal development and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and that programs are driven by data and learning, working in conjunction with other colleagues in the IRC Nigeria program. The HNC will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the Federal Ministry of Health, the State Primary Health care Development Agency (PHCDA), UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives for the health sector.

RELATIONSHIPS:
The position is based in Yola with regular trips to IRC’s health programs throughout Nigeria, with up to 50% of time spent in project sites. The HNC supervises other health staff as per the Nigeria health sector organigram, and reports to the Adamawa Field Coordinator.  The HNC will receive technical support from the Technical Advisor Health Programs.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Management

•     Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC primary health care and nutrition projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
•     Ensure that the health and nutrition projects in Nigeria utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Federal Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all activities are consistent with established best practices.
•     In collaboration with the other health program staff in Nigeria, oversee the implementation of health and nutrition projects implemented by IRC Nigeria, including grant management and budget forecasting and spending in collaboration with other departments.
•     Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff.
•     Prepare all necessary documentation for Grant Opening, Review and Closing meetings

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

•     Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to IRC Nigeria health and nutrition programming activities;
•     Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all health and nutrition programs in line with IRC’s REL (Research, Evaluation & Learning) guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements;
•     Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management team in New York Health Unit and the Country Technical Advisors for health and nutrition as needed.
•     Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health and nutrition programs in Nigeria
•     Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
•     Lead technical assessments as a basis for primary health care and nutrition program development;
•     Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary;
•     Coordinate and develop project proposals (logical frameworks and appropriate, realistic and measurable indicators) for the IRC Nigeria Health & Nutrition Program under the supervision of the Field Coordinator and Country Director.

Strategic Planning and Program Development

•     Provide supportive supervison to the other health staff to develop work plans that guide implementation of approved grants. Support the Field teams in the implementation and monitoring of the work plans ensuring that activities reflect the commitments IRC made to the donor and community.
•     In collaboration with the Health Technical Advisor, Nutrition Technical Advisor , Field Coordinator and the Country Director, lead the development of an IRC Health & Nutrition Program strategy in line with IRC Nigeria Strategy Action Plan.
•     Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategy action plans

Staff development

•     Participate in the development of staff development plans for health staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staff (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings). Review performance evaluation of all health and nutrition staff in collaboration with their line managers.
•     Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the health staff and local partners in order to transfer skills.  This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
•     Ensure respect for IRC HR policies during the recruitment process.
•     Promote the IRC Way with all supervises

Coordination, Representation AND ADVOCACY

•     In coordination with the Country Director and the Field Coordinator, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Nigeria including donors, government actors such as the PHCDA and LGAs, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors. Establish and maintain effective, professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
•     Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible.
•     Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required. Establish and maintain effective, professional relationships with relevant stakeholders.
•     Upon request by the Senior Management in Nigeria, assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
•     Participate in the national  and State level Health and Nutrition Cluster Coordination Mechanisms as needed;
•     Participate in internal coordination and management meetings to promote effective and efficient information sharing, problem-solving and decision making.

Reporting:

•     Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health programs on a monthly basis with staff.
•     Review all reports prepared by the health staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.
•     Submit timely and accurate reports to the CD as required
• Security:
•     Ensure health and nutrition staff are trained on, aware of and in compliance with IRC security policies and the local SMP.
• Other
•     Other relevant duties as assigned..

EDUCATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• ·   Degree in Health, Nutrition or related field e.g. MBChB, Public Health, B.Sc Nutrition etc
•     Minimum 5 years experience in primary health and nutrition programs in resource poor settings with at least 3 years in project management position, experience managing nutrition programs; specifically in the Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM), Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) and nutrition BCC approaches.
•     Experience working in Nigeria/West Africa a plus. Willingness to travel extensively in Nigeria
•     Background in conducting situation analysis, health and nutrition assessments.  Training and competency in LQAS, SPSS, SQUEAC and SMART methodology for conducting surveys is an added advantage. Demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies; Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership.
•     Experience and competency in proposal development, report writing and grant management.
•     Competent in Windows, MS office programs (MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint), email and database (HMIS, DHIS, EPI-Info) experience.
•     Experience implementing health programming in hard to reach areas/displaced communities
•     Experience in capacity building and mentoring of health staff
•     Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills; Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills; Excellent coordination and networking skills; Excellent written and oral English skills
•     Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible , and adaptability to transitions.