Health Coordinator

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) began work in Ethiopia in 2000 in response to severe drought in Ethiopia’s Somali Region. IRC is currently providing assistance to Ethiopians throughout six regions in Ethiopia implementing emergency water and sanitation activities, working to reduce the number of children involved in the worst forms of child labour, conducting agricultural activities, working with pastoralists on improving animal health, raising awareness on HIV/AIDS, family planning, and polio, and conducting community-based activities to reduce morbidity and mortality among children under five.

The health sector in Ethiopia currently implements both reproductive health and HIV/AIDS activities to increase access to, awareness and utilization of family planning and HIV/AIDS care and prevention methods. The IRC utilizes the Community Conversation method, which gives communities ownership over awareness-raising processes. The IRC also oversees community case management programs through which community health workers address health issues associated with essential newborn care, and severe acute malnutrition and treat malaria, diarrhoea, pneumonia in children under five years..

SCOPE OF WORK: The Health Coordinator is the focal point for health programs in Ethiopia and will ensure the implementation of a quality primary health care programing in communities in the Somali, Tigray, Gambella and Benishangul-Gumuz Regions. The Health Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives for the health sector. The Health Coordinator supervises an Assistant Coordinator and two health managers, and reports to the Deputy Director of Programs. The position is based in Addis Ababa with regular trips to IRC’s programs throughout Ethiopia.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES: • In collaboration with the Health Technical Unit in Addis and the Deputy Director of Programs, oversee the implementation of health projects implemented by IRC Ethiopia including HIV/AIDS, VCT, reproductive health, polio surveillance, and child survival as well as any other health projects. • Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC health projects. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners. • Ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all health activities are consistent with established best practices. • Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff. • Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs. • 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 as needed. • Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs in Ethiopia. • Provide technical support to the health program for program 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 the Grants Unit,Deputy Director of Programs. MANAGEMENT • Provide supportive supervison to the Assistant Coordinator, Health Managers, and other program staff to develop work plans to 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 program managers, review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health programs on a monthly basis with staff. • Participate in the development of staff development plans for project staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staffs (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings). Review performance evaluation of health staff in the field. • Develop/organize training opportunities to build the capacity of the senior national 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. • Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategic plans. • Review all reports prepared by the field staff and provide appropriate feedback to the concerned staff, and ensure that reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies in a timely manner.

REPRESENTATION AND ADVOCACY • In coordination with the Country Director, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Ethiopia including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors. • Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations, wherever possible. • Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required. • Upon request by the Senior Management Team, assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.

REQUIREMENTS • Health professional (MD or RN) with an MPH. • Five years experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health programs in developing countries. • Background in situation analysis, health assessments and program implementation. • Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting. • Experience implementing health programming in refugee settings as well as community based service delivery experience. • Demostrated skills in project design/proposal development and grant management. • Experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff. • Knowledge, skills and experience in participatory methods, community development and partnership. • Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills. • Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills. • Excellent coordination and networking skills. • Willingness to travel extensively throughout Ethiopia • Excellent written and oral English skills • Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint. • Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, be flexible , and adaptability to transitions.

Ethiopian nationals are encouraged to apply. International allowances are not available for this position. Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Ethiopian NGO Sector.

How to apply:

Please apply online: http://ch.tbe.taleo.net/CH02/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&r... .