International Rescue Committee Current Job Opportunities [2 Positions]

International Rescue Committee-IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. IRC’s Emergency Response Team, with local partner CISCOPE (Civil Society Coalition for Poverty Eradication), implemented a project to support livelihoods and improve WASH in Kogi State from February to May 2013. This was followed by a 3-month nutrition and food security program in the same location from October 2013 to January 2014. The IRC is now in the process of establishing long term presence in Nigeria. An office has been established in Adamawa State, North East Nigeria and are providing critical humanitarian assistance to conflict affected people

We are recruiting to fill the positions of:

Job Title: Health Coordinator
Requisition ID: req852
Location: Maiduguri
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Fixed Term

Scope of Work

• The Health Coordinator is the focal point for health programs in Nigeria and ensures the implementation of quality primary healthcare programing in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa states.
• 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’s strategic objectives for the health sector.
• The Health Coordinator supervises all health staff, and reports to the Senior Emergency Program Coordinator.
• The Health Coordinator will receive technical support from the regional Technical Advisor for Health Programs.
• The position is based in the IRC Maiduguri field office in Borno state with regular travel to supervise IRC’s emergency health and health systems-strengthening programs throughout the northeast.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of all emergency health and health systems-strengthening programs as well as operational research projects implemented by IRC Nigeria.
• Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC health projects. Extend technical support and supervision to subordinates and the IRC’s implementing partners as the need arises.
• Ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Federal 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 and IRC’s M&E Team.
• Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
• Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs in Nigeria.
• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) followup, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management team in the New York-based Health Unit and the regional Technical Advisor as needed.
• Provide technical support to the health team 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 other colleagues in the IRC Nigeria program.
• Ensure all designed health projects use the relevant IRC theories of change and that interventions are evidence-driven.
• Update IRC Nigeria’s health sector strategy according to prevailing needs and country priorities.
• Work with other IRC sector leads to actively integrate and improve quality of programs.

Management:

• Provide supportive supervison to the health team 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 has made to donors and communities.
• Review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health programs on a monthly basis with staff and set course corrections as necessary.
• Ensure that periodic data reviews are conducted in coordination with M&E Managers and relevant technical advisors for course correction as needed.
• 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). Conduct performance evaluation of health staff in the field.
• 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.
• Oversee the implementation of health sector priorities, ensuring that program growth is in line with country strategic plans.
• 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.

Representation and Advocacy:

• Serve as Co-lead for the Health Sector, working closely with the Ministry of Health and WHO.
• In coordination with the Senior Emergency Prorgram Coordinator, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Nigeria 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.
• Assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
• Develop evidence-based advocacy points to be presented through the Health Sector, INGO Forum, Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) and Operational Humanitarian Country Team (OHCT).

Requirements/Qualifications

• Health professional with an MPH or other suitable public health degree and experience.
• Five years experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health programs in developing countries. Experience working in Nigeria/West Africa a plus.
• Experience implementing health programming in insecure environments, hard-to-reach areas, and displaced communities.
• Experience implementing both emergency and development-oriented health programming.
• Experience integrating health programs with other sectors (nutrition, WASH, protection, etc).
• Demonstrated skills in project design/proposal development and grant management.
• Experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff.
• Knowledge and experience in participatory design methods, community development and partnership.
• Background in situation analysis, health assessments, and program implementation.
• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills; ability to delegate responsibilities.
• Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent coordination and networking skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively in Nigeria.
• Excellent written and oral English skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills and experience with programs such as: MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint and database management systems, including HMIS, DHIS, EPI-Info.
• Additional qualities: ability to be a good team player, ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, and adaptability to transitions.

Specific Security Situation/Housing

• The Health Coordinator will be based in Maiduguri, Nigeria with travel throughout the country.
• The security situation in Nigeria continues to be volatile in the NE with the security at phase 4 (red). The candidate should be prepared to implement programming in insecure environments.
• This is a non-accompanied position. The Health Coordinator will live in shared housing.

Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to Apply for this Position
Application Deadline  19th January, 2018.

 

Job Title: Nutrition Manager
Location: Yobe

Scope of Work

• The Nutrition Manager is the focal point for IRC’s primary Nutrition care services in the entire Yobe state; s/he reports to the Nutrition Coordinator and works closely with the Health Manager for day to day administrative issues.
• The Nutrition Manager ensures the implementation of a quality Nutrition program, in accordance with national and international standards.
• The Nutrition Manager will identify gaps in Nutrition services and take the necessary steps to address those gaps.
• S/he provides technical oversight/ assistance in planning, implementing and monitoring of high impact interventions and provides support in system strengthening and promotion of childhood nutrition, with special focus to the most vulnerable and unreached population groups.
• In addition, provide co-ordinate support and technical assistance to Health Department and management of on-going programmes statewide and establishing nutrition surveillance systems.
• He/She will directly supervise All nutrition activities in the state which will comprise of CMAM which include outreach activities,24 hour stabilization centres and Robust Infant Feeding program and will directly supervises Nutrition Manager’s working in Yobe.

Key Responsibilities
Program Management & Development:

• Participate in the development of nutrition sector budgets and following up on their effective implementation.
• Develop nutrition sector work plans for all the IRC nutrition grants. Supervise and coordinate the implementation and monitoring of nutrition project activities in Borno in line with proposal targets and work plan timelines.
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the programme sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods.
• Work with the field based nutrition staff and community health Volunteers to establish, implement and monitor community based management of acute malnutrition activities, coupled with patient follow up, referrals and education for their better management at community level.
• Coordinate with other IRC departments and implementing partners to develop training curricula and implementation plans for community Health Volunteers(CHV’s).
• Assist in response and management of any nutrition emergencies e.g. acute food shortages and participate in the development of disaster preparedness systems.
• Promote mother infant and young child feeding best practices in various health facilities.
• Oversee implementation and integration of comprehensive growth monitoring program/Mass MUAC screenings at community level and report accordingly.
• Participate actively in execution of operational research and Documentation of Best Nutrition practices in various health facilities/Outreach sites if need be.
• Participate actively in planned programme Rapid Nutrition assessment, nutrition surveys and KAP Assessments.
• Monitoring and supervising both IRC and MOH staff seconded to IRC to ensure work is performed efficiently.
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Oversee continuous training programs for the nutrition staff as well as organizing trainings with consultants as per the annual work-plan & budget.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of nutrition staff and assist with determining and implementing solutions.
• Participate in recruitment of nutrition staff as appropriate.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes in coordination with the Nutrition Coordinator, DDP, Grants team, and HQ Technical Unit
• Monitor the purchase and use of materials, equipment and supplies
• Monitor and evaluate appropriate implementation of projects against program objectives and IRC’s Program Framework
• Identify opportunities for program development

Staff Management:

• Recruit national staff in conjunction with the Human Resources Department
• Maintain updated job descriptions, conduct interviews, orient new staff to the IRC and the Protection program
• Supervise the nutrition staff directly, providing ongoing leadership to the project team and overseeing implementation and coordination of activity plans to ensure targets are met
• Provide ongoing supervision, leadership, training and technical support and guidance to nutrition staff, and ensure all nutrition staff adhere to best-practice principles in all aspects of program implementation
• Overall responsibility for Nutrition team’s timesheets, work plans, vacation schedules, and staff training/development activities
• Ensure Performance Management System documentation for all staff is in place and followed up regularly
• Build staff capacity in work plan development and reporting to ensure accurate monitoring and documentation of activities
• Recommend and implement a capacity building/development plan for project staff based on documented capacity needs assessments exercise
• Ensure nutrition staff understands and follows IRC and donor Policies and Procedures

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality:

• Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to IRC nutrition programming activities
• Ensure that nutrition programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF
• Ensure that all nutrition activities are consistent with established best practices
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all nutrition programs in line with IRC guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and decision-making on data relevant to IRC nutrition programs
• Ensure good coordination with the health teams and with the Nutrition, Health, and iCCM Coordinator
• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
• Conduct nutritional surveillance in the programme sites, including host community and internally displaced persons (IDPs)based on agreed methodologies including surveys, process monitoring, SMART, LQAS, SQUEAC and other rapid methods

Grants Management and Reporting:

• Manage and oversee all the protection grants; develop and maintain work, spending and procurement plans for all projects
• Participate in Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings
• Prepare internal and external reports within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required
• Assure appropriate and timely spending of grants to achieve program goals, grant reporting contributions, use and distribution of supplies and resources

Representation & Coordination:

• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with all stakeholders – including Ministry of Health, community leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, community based organisations and other IRC sectors to enhance cooperation and coordination
• Ensure that information from coordination meetings is shared internally and with other sectors, as appropriate
• Attend the nutrition coordination meetings or represent the IRC in other relevant forums

Requirements

• Bachelor degree in Food, Nutrition and Dietetics or MD with strong Nutrition Background from a recognized University.(Masters in Public Health Nutrition preferred)
• Ability to write clear and concise reports and proposals and to meet required reporting deadlines.
• Able to work independently while being a strong team player.
• Experience supervising health staff in a complex setting; ability to support and build staff capacity.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• A minimum of 3 years of professional experience in nutrition, public health, nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal, infant and child nutrition care at program management level is required.
• Knowledge in computer statistical packages such as SMART and basic data analysis skills.
• Experience in designing and implementing nutrition surveys and other methodologies.
• MUST be registered by Nigeria Nutritionist and Dietitians Institute or other relevant Bodies.
• Experience in managing a nutrition program in emergencies or among refugee/ displaced populations is an added advantage
• Excellent management skills
• Ability to live and work under pressure in an unstable security environment.
• Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Power-point, Epi-Info/SPSS, Outlook and the internet.
• Fluency in English. Skill in local languages an advantage.
• Ready to Travel and work in Yobe and frequent travel to northern Yobe.

Work Environment:

• The position will be based in Yobe State, Nigeria. The situation in northeast Nigeria continues to be volatile and the security phase is orange or red depending on location. This is a national position.

Benefits

• Competitive Monthly salary,
• 13th Month Salary Inclusive,
• Health Insurance Coverage for Family,
• Pension, Creche Facilities available for Women with babies under 24 Months.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Applications addressed to the Country Director IRC via: [email protected]
Or
Hand delivered application should be submitted to our field office at:
Plot 307 Commissioners Quaters,
Damaturu,
Yobe State.

Application Deadline  25th December, 2017.