Internal/External

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IR/INT/EXT/VN/076.23

October 27, 2023

Post Title:                     Health Officer 

Report to:                     Area Coordinator      

Duty Station:              Afar Regional State, Ewa  

Salary:                           As per the organizations scale

Required:                    One (1)

Duration:                    Seven months       

Introduction

Islamic Relief is an international relief and development charity founded in 1984 with its headquarters in Birmingham, UK. As well as responding to disasters and emergencies, Islamic Relief promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities - regardless of race, religion or gender. The office officially started operation in Ethiopia in 2004. Islamic Relief Ethiopia (IRE) is operational in the Somali Regional State with a base office in Jigjiga, Hargelle, Elkere, Bare, GG and Dekasuftu, Afar Regional State; Ewa, Awra and Gulina; Oromia regional State, West Harergeye, Chiro and Meayso Woredas,Borena zone of Dire,Dubluk,Elewaye and Yabello woredas  and an additional operational office in Addis Ababa. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.islamic-relief.org/work-with-us

Job Purpose 

The post holder will provide leadership to our Health project intervention in Ewa woreda. The Health Project Officer will be responsible for overall different health project management, technical support and for ensuring that project objectives are on track, which will require him/her to work constructively with colleagues across his/her project team. S/he will work in close collaboration with and active involvement of woreda health officials, health staff of the target health facilities and the communities.

The Health Officer is the technical position at woreda level under the IRB health project, so s/he is accountable for the health sector results/outputs to be achieved in his/her woreda contributing to the achievements of health sector as a whole within IRB project. He/she will ensure the qualified implementation of the health project in accordance with the national and international guidelines of different health programmes. He/she will work in close coordination with emergency WASH officer and ensure the integration of interventions in the same targeted areas.

Key responsibilities

 1. Strengthen the capacity of government health officials and health system:-

·       Conduct need assessment and capacity-building training/workshops for woreda health officials, health facility staff, community health workers, and community representatives as per the project plan 

·       Support woreda health office, to take a lead role in organizing timely the capacity need assessment and capacity building training/workshops for woreda health officials and clinical directors on supervision, monitoring, and management; HMIS design and roll out and data management and use for programme monitoring and management.

·       Organize joint supervision and mentoring visits to the health facilities with woreda health officials and provide technical support to health center staff to supervise the Health posts and strengthen the primary health care unit concept.

·       In collaboration with woreda health officials, organize training of health center staff on their roles and functions in managing Health Centre services, including quality of care, diversity and inclusiveness; drug stock management; and adolescent reproductive and sexual health.

·       Provide training for the healthcare workers in different maternal and child health-related agendas.

·       Organize training on safe and clean delivery, and essential newborn care (including the management of birth asphyxia for health workers and health extension workers.

·       Strengthening emergency health care services in obstetrics, neonatal, and pediatrics at Health Centers in Ewa district.

2.      Strengthen communities capacity to be more effectively engaged in health service provision:

·       Awareness raising of the community on maternal and child health.

·       Ensure women's forums have been conducted as per the plan.

·       Provide technical support to community development armies for the implementation of health-related activities within the community.

3.      Improve the quality of health services with quality inputs to the local health system

·       In collaboration with woreda health officials and health facility staff, organize health facility mapping/assessment covering infrastructure, equipment, supplies, manpower, and other provisions.

·       Supervise the construction of health facilities and provision of equipment based on health facilities needs assessment results for improving the quality of MNCH services, including maternity units with newborn corners and Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health Youth Friendly units within health centers.

·       Distribute pharmaceutical and medical supplies to target health facilities based on identified needs.

·       Provide necessary inputs including furniture/equipment that is required for health centers and health posts to carry out quality services.

·       Conduct supportive supervision visits in collaboration with woreda health office.

·       Support woreda health officials in setting up HMIS and utilization of health data for program monitoring and evaluation.

4.      Programme implementation and management effectiveness

·        Work closely with IR emergency WASH officers and government stakeholders.

·       Support the health and nutrition team in project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning processes.

·       Promote/ensure the use of key government and IRE tools and guidelines during project implementation to ensure quality of work. 

5.      Coordination and networking:

·       Be aware of national and regional policies, strategies, and other initiatives and developments by the government and other stakeholders in relation to health services for pastoralist communities in the Afar region.

·       Identify and establish good relationships with all key stakeholders in the sector at the region, zone, woreda level, particularly with woreda health officials and other administrative and community structures, and ensure their engagement in programme implementation and management.

·       Participate and or strengthen woreda/zonal-based health sectoral coordination and advocate to make the health sector as one of the priority areas. 

·       Develop good relations with other NGOs, development, and UN agencies, etc. working in the sector at the woreda level and where possible forge alliances to influence key actors when necessary.

• Follow up timely request, approval, procurement and distribution of the project logistics, supply, and equipment.

• Represent IR at woreda or zonal health and nutrition cluster coordination to include also RH related meetings with stakeholders

• Take part in the project set-up, technical support visits, monitoring visits, surveys and evaluations.

• Support in the management of essential drugs and medical supplies efficiently and make sure IPLS are applied at all levels.

6.      Monitoring, Reporting and documentation:

·       Organize review meetings

·       Regularly monitor budget burn rate and proper utilization. 

·       Provide technical assistance to the Woreda health office and health institutions in documentation and report sharing to concerned bodies based on the national HMIS.

·       Document any experience/learning, achievements, and challenges to HO and donors.

·       Regularly update of databases and ensure quality checking at site.

·       Prepare daily/monthly/Quarter reports on activities and any necessary reports as requested.

·       Updates follow-up information from regular household visits and shares with technical team.

Advocacy and communication:

·       Facilitate cross-sectoral programming, particularly to promote communication and referral, health, WASH and FSL programming.

·       Liaise with other humanitarian actors, partners, and community groups to maximize collaboration and ensure proper coordination of activities. 

Others: 

·       Perform other activities assigned by the immediate supervisor and technically report to health and Nutrition Program Officer

·       Perform activities assigned by the Health and Nutrition Program Coordinator 

Job Requirements

Personal Specification

Formal Education/Qualification and Work Experience

·       Bachelor’s Degree in Public Health, Nursing with a minimum of 5 years of work experience (ideally in an international organization).

·       Experience in working with government counterparts and other partners at the woreda/regional level for public health/primary health care management preferably in the Afar region.

Skills and Competences

·        Good understanding of the health sector in Ethiopia at both field and policy levels with a particular focus on the Afar region.

·       Proven programme implementation and management experience including working within/with government health system.

·       Demonstrable experience in facilitation of trainings/workshops and MCH.

·       Good communication and interpersonal skills and an ability to train and mentor staff.

·       Excellent ability to speak and communicate with good spoken and written English skills. Knowledge of the Afar language is also preferable. 

·       Excellent interpersonal skill and able to work in a multicultural team.

·       Good computer skills (particularly Microsoft Excel, Word and PowerPoint)

·       Previous relevant experience in INGO sector is asset.

Safeguarding and Equal Opportunity

Islamic Relief and Islamic Relief staff considers the welfare and protection of children, young people and people at risk to be paramount to the organization. And must adhere the principle of ‘do no harm and leave no one behind.’ It is critical we do not expose communities or staff we work with to the risk of harm through our interventions.  With a zero tolerance approach Islamic Relief have a number of related policies which also describe standards in behavior expected from the organization, its staff and representatives towards each other and those we serve. Islamic Relief is committed to responding swiftly, appropriately and constructively to any and all information children, young people and people at risk have disclosed.

All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks, which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. We participate in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme and will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and child abuse during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment before signing the contract agreement.

Islamic Relief believes everyone has the right to be safe, respected and valued regardless of who they are or their circumstances, and an equal employment opportunity to all candidates and qualified applicants, we do not discriminate on the base of age, sex, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability status and diversity. 

How to Apply

Application Procedures

·       Interested candidates are required to submit a complete Job application form with all required supporting documents (copy of credentials and testimonials) via email: Ethiopia.HR@islamic-relief.org.et.

·       You can access the Job Application Form with this link: HERE. Failure to follow the instructions will invalidate your application.

·       Closing date for the application is November 10, 2023.

·       Due to the high volume of application, we regret that we will be able to contact only the shortlisted candidates.

·      Female candidates are highly encouraged.

Disclaimers: The Islamic relief does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process thus during application, interviews processes, offer and contract