The International Rescue Committee 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, IRC offers life-saving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in more than 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted by conflict or disaster. IRC leads the way from harm to home.
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 Damaturu 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
HeRON Project Overview in Adamawa
Since 2020, the Health Resilience of the Northeast (HeRON) project has been working alongside states and local government authorities in Borno and Yobe, strengthening their capacity to effectively deliver quality integrated primary healthcare, reproductive, maternal, and newborn and child health and nutrition services.
In late 2022, HeRON conducted a health needs assessment in Adamawa state to ascertain the readiness of the health system to provide quality primary healthcare services for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and vulnerable host community members.
In 2023, HeRON will expand to Adamawa state to support the State Government in implementing a resettlement plan for IDPs across selected LGAs from dependency on emergency humanitarian aid to independent and self-sufficient residents of Adamawa state, and support the IDPs, IDP returnees, and vulnerable host community members have improved access to quality primary health care and Nutrition services.
Scope of Work
The HeRoN project manager will report to the HeRoN senior project Manager. S/he will be responsible for working with the Adamawa State ministries, departments,agencies and local government health authorities to ensure implementation of HeRoN health system strengthening approaches and initiatives is in line with the States Strategic health plans and Health Sector priorities. He/she will maintain collaborative working relationships established among key government officials, The position requires experience working with the government healthcare system, Experience working in partnership with or directly with the Ministry of Health, Ability to plan and collaborate with States &LGAs, and Ability to collaborate with a wide range of stakeholders through coordination and consultation. S/he will work collaboratively with other HeRON program managers to achieve harmonized concepts, approaches, and systems strengthening at the state and LGA levels.
Major Responsibilities
Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy
- The HeRoN project Manager will report to the HeRON Senior Project Manager, he/she is the focal point for IRC’s Adamawa HeRON program implementation in the field assignment location (Mubi or Yola), at the LGA and facility levels, directly supervising HeRON senior capacity building officers
- The HeRON project Managers will oversee the planning and implementation of HERON program activities at the LGA and facility level, and coordinate with the state’s ministry of health to ensure that activities implemented align with Government needs, priorities, and health sector priorities and are in compliance with donor guidelines.
- He/she will collaborate with the facility staff, local Government health authorities, community structure and leaders to identify gaps in quality healthcare service delivery and take the necessary steps to address those gaps.
- S/he provides technical support to the LGA and states in planning, implementing, and monitoring high-impact interventions and provides technical support and mentoring to the actualization of health system strengthening initiatives
- Participate in developing HeRoN field implementation work plans, budgets, and track the implementation of the plans at the health facility, LGA to improve the delivery of basic health package at HeRON supported facilities.
- Work with the state and LGA to plan and carry out joint integrated supportive supervision adopting the existing National ISS tools, design action plan based on the findings of the ISS, follow up and provide technical guidance to the implementation of the plans
- Organize regular review meetings with the LGA and state to discuss successes, challenges and design roadmaps for sustainability and impact
- Work with community-based organizations in the project intervention locations to improve community and social accountability through enhancing the functionality of community structures (WDC’s, CHIPs) to provide oversight to the health facility activities.
- Work closely with the HeRON governance manager to track effective implementation of the PDIA approach and organizational development plans.
- Conduct regular reviews of project implementation with thesenior capacity building officers to track progress against set targets
- Coordinate with other IRC departments to respond to acute emergency needs as approved by the donors and collaborate with other USAID funded partners in the state of assignment to explore synergies and complementarity to maximize effective use of resources and avoid duplication of efforts.
- Coordinate and Work with the LGA LMCU to support the states in forecasting and quantification of medicines medical supplies and consumables.
- Monitor, review the performance of the senior capacity building officers and organize meetings and provide mentoring to ensure their organizational set targets and objectives are met contributing to the overall client’s quality of care
- Monitor the purchase and use of materials, equipment, and supplies
- Identify opportunities for program development and coordinates with other actors and technical working groups
- To develop and track the implementation of work plans, and contribute to project reporting.
Coordination & Representation :
- Participate in all HeRON internal coordination meetings
- Participate in technical Coordination meetings at the LGA and the State levels, as required.
- Facilitate the planning processes at LGA and health facility level to ensure an inclusive approach that engages stakeholders and communities to reflect on the health needs in the local context
- Jointly plan with stakeholders and organize LGA and facility level meetings
- Coordinates/liaises with the consortium leadership for mentoring and guidance
Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development :
- Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of Heron Adamawa team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
- Develop and implement remote management capacity-building approaches to build the strengths of his/her team.
- 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 perform successfully 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 to strengthen technical capacity, exchange knowledge within the team, and provide guidance on career paths.
- As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these per 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 perform successfully 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.
- Adhere to and act per the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures and communicate a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations through words and examples.
Key Working Relationships
Position Reports to:
Line Manager: HeRoN Senior Project Manager, Adamawa
Position directly Supervises: Senior capacity building officers, HeRON WASH/EH staff
Key Internal Contacts: HeRON M&E, HeRON Senior Pharmacy Manager, Pharmacy Manager HeRON Consortium Senior Managers, HeRoN governance manager, HeRON Deputy Team Leader, Supply Chain, Consortium Finance.
Key External Contacts:
Ministry of Health at State and LGA level Health Facility staffs, LGHA, Community Leaders and Members and other USAID-funded partners, Adamawa IDPs Transition Committee
Qualifications
- Graduate Health professional (Nurse, Clinical or Medical Officer), or any other relevant health related field with public health/system strengthening and Governance background.
- Post-graduate training in public health, added advantage
- Masters’ in public health added advantage
Work Experience :
- Minimum 3 years of professional experience, of which substantial experience in health system strengthening, or in humanitarian/development settings
- Experience in local governance, social accountability, public administration, institutional development, public-sector capacity building or related technical areas highly desirable.
- Knowledge and understanding of governance in service delivery, particularly in health, highly recommended
- Previous work experience with INGO, especially with project planning and reports writing, is an added advantage
- Experience working with USAID program fundings
- Have experience in general management (including financial and budget management, logistics management, etc.)
- Familiarity/ knowledge of operational contexts (Yola, Mubi)
Demonstrated Technical Skills:
- Background in situation analysis, Health System strengthening, health assessments M&E and program implementation.
Demonstrated Managerial/Leadership Competencies:
- Flexible, diplomatic and have ability and willingness live and work under pressure of workloads
- A mature person of high professional discipline and moral integrity, proactive and able to work under stress as the situation may dictate
Languages: English. Knowledge of local languages is added advantage.
Computer/Other Tech Requirements:
- Full professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
Ability to Travel: 30 % of time
Standards of Professional Conduct The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.
Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.
Working Environment: This position is based at IRC field offices (Mubi, Yola)
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
