Country: South Sudan
Closing date: 14 Feb 2014
POSITION TITLE: Senior Health Coordinator
DEPARTMENT OR COUNTRY PROGRAM: South Sudan
RESPONSIBLE TO: Senior Program Coordinator
STATUS: Full Time
SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: Program and Operation Staff
DATE: February 15th 2014
COUNTRY MISSION:
Since 1994 American Refugee Committee (ARC) has been operating in five states with programs and services reaching over 400,000 returnees, IDPs, refugees and host community members. Currently, ARC implements programs in health and gender based violence and is expanding to WASH and food security. In the health programs, ARC is working in four counties in partnership with the County Health Departments (CHD) in Central Equatoria and Eastern Equatoria states, to ensure primary health care services are quality, accessible and meet the Basic Package of Health Care Services (BPHS).
Due to the recent insecurity in South Sudan ARC is also implementing emergency health and GBV projects.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:
Previously, the Republic of South Sudan was in transition from a state of crisis to early recovery. The work of NGOs in South Sudan was changing from direct service delivery to more capacity development of government departments. ARC’s focus of work relied on support to strengthen the county based health service delivery model and systems that are managed by decentralized government and closely engage community counterparts.
Unfortunately, since the 15th December 2013 South Sudan is again in state of emergency with over 500,000 displaced in country and many people crossing the border due to clashes between different armed actors.
The Senior Health Coordinator is responsible for the implementation and overall technical support/guidance and integration of ARC’s health programs, technical support and analysis of health monitoring data, and the design of new or continuing health programs. This requires technical support and oversight of both ongoing health programs and new emergency health projects. For the ongoing health programs, the position will ensure the delivery of quality primary health care services, strengthen the capacity of the County Health Department (CHD), and increase community participation and ownership of health services. As they are performance-based contracts, it is imperative that this position closely monitor set milestones, and work with both staff and the CHD to implement course corrections, if needed, in order to achieve program targets. The emergency health projects are being established to provide emergency primary health care services to internally displaced persons in different locations in South Sudan. The emergency health projects will be linked to services for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV), and focus more on direct implementation instead of capacity development.
The Senior Health Coordinator will be working under the supervision of the Senior Program Coordinator and in collaboration with County Coordinators, Emergency Health Coordinator, Grants Manager, Finance Controller and Country Director. The Senior Health Coordinator will supervise the County Coordinators and Emergency Health Coordinator to provide technical support and coordination, as well as provide managerial oversight to designated field operations units. This position will be based in Juba, with extensive and frequent travel to field locations. The Senior Health Coordinator will have direct technical accountability to the ARC HQ based Health Technical Advisor.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Implementation – 30%
Plan and coordinate the implementation of all ARC South Sudan health interventions to be in-line with approved budgets, donor requirements and program deliverables and timelines
Provide managerial oversight to health staff and capacity building to CHD in all designated locations
Assist the CHD to manage health sector grants in conjunction develop regular work plans, reports, and budget forecasts and spending plans for health sector activities to ensure monthly budget versus actuals
Provide technical supervision of all ARC health projects and assist the CHD to ensure the quality of the health programs
In conjunction with the CHD, oversee the implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan for all health programs, in line with the ARC global results framework and donor guidelines. This system should ensure that activity, impact and output data is captured in an accurate and efficient manner, and that programs are continually tailored to optimize quality and impact levels.
Create linkages between the different components of the ARC South Sudan health programs with a view to integrating the components into ARC’s overall country strategy
Assist the CHD to monitor evolving needs of the target communities and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary
Ensure the CHD and health facility staff utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as prescribed by the South Sudan Ministry of Health, ARC and WHO and according to established best practices
Assist the CHD to ensure solid management of pharmaceutical and health supply chain management, including proper and timely procurement
Work with CHD on logistics to ensure ARC asset management policies and procedures are adhered to at all ARC supported health facilities
Ensure accurate and timely reporting using appropriate national register books and DHIS systems.
Monitor, in conjunction with CHD, the disease surveillance in the areas of responsibility, providing technical guidance and support to health staff to make improvements to programs and services
Technical Support and Capacity Building – 25%
Identify training needs of staff and CHD counterparts and develop capacity building trainings and mentorship to strengthen implementation of services, technical capacity of health personnel and CHD and strengthen the health system
Strengthen the capacity of the CHD in technical planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and advocacy of health services in order to prepare the CHD for future handover
Technically support and guide field - level County Coordinators and provide technical implementation and analysis
Program Design & Development – 25%
Monitor and update, as needed, the Health Sector strategy for the ARC International South Sudan program and ensure its implementation
Along with health program staff, conduct needs assessments, identify new program opportunities and support strategic development of health programs
Lead the design and development of new proposals and initiatives and securing of financial and other resources for health programs
Maintain ongoing relations with health sector actors (donors, bilateral and multilateral coordination bodies, research organizations and academics, and relevant government institutions) in South Sudan with the view to improve program development and implementation
Coordination – 20%
Represent ARC and liaise with donors, local authorities, Ministry of Health, UN, and international and national NGOs and clusters and health forum to promote ARC programs, facilitate successful coordination of activities, and ensure transparency in the community
Collaborate regularly with other sectors, especially the water and sanitation team, to monitor situation in the targeted communities, prepare for and respond to disease outbreaks
Liaise regularly with the ARC County Coordinators, Emergency Health Coordinator and the HQ Health Technical Unit to provide updates on the program, discuss emerging challenges, and collaborate on the design of new programs or changes to existing programs
Develop and maintain strong working relationship and coordinate with MoH, State and County authorities, relevant international and local agencies engaged in similar health activities in the country
Advocates for quality PHC, nutrition, maternal and child health services
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED:
Master’s degree in Public Health, MD and/or health-related field
7-10 years of management experience in a developing country, project cycle management, supervising staff, and monitoring and evaluation of health programs with an international organization
Previous experience with implementing health programs funded by USAID, DfiD and/or UN
Demonstrated technical expertise in several of the following areas: Primary health care, maternal and child nutrition, child survival, reproductive health, family planning HIV/AIDS, clinical management of rape, emergency obstetric care, and emergency health. . Clinical skills preferred in one of the above-mentioned areas.
Understanding of in health systems strengthening, health management information systems, and community health
Excellent analytical and conceptual skills in program management, project planning, budget management, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills
Relevant experience with governmental and private donors within the health sector
Demonstrated success in proposal writing for international donors
Strong coordination skills with proven ability to work across multiple technical areas simultaneously, supporting and mentoring multiple staff members
Good work experience in training facilitation, mentoring and capacity development
Ability to write quality reports and concept notes
Professional fluency in spoken and written English, including strong program report writing skills
Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation
Previous relevant experience in Africa – South Sudan highly valued
Proven ability to work cooperatively with others in a team environment
Good computer skills (Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, DHIS, email, etc)
KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES:
Knowledge of and experience in working with and coordinating with international and national partner organizations
Highly motivated hands-on self-starter, ability to work independently, open to constructive feedback and has ability to respond accordingly
Demonstrated ability to work in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines, effectively managing multiple priorities
Flexibility and willingness to adjust to changing responsibilities or needs as they arise
Willingness to frequently travel and live in remote and security difficult situation
Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, cultural and environmental sensitivity.
Cultural and gender sensitivity essential
How to apply:
Click here to apply.