South Sudan: Health System Strengthening Manager

POSITION TITLE: Health System Strengthening Manager

LOCATION:Magwi County

COUNTRY PROGRAM: South Sudan

RESPONSIBLE TO: County Coordinator Magwi

STATUS: Full Time, Temporary through April 30, 2016

SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: None

DATE: September 2015

COUNTRY MISSION:

Operational in South Sudan since 1994, ARC implements a multi-sectoral program that primarily focuses on health systems strengthening in delivery of primary and secondary health care in selected counties Central Equatoria, Eastern Equatoria, and Northern Bahar el Ghazal States. Interventions also include water and sanitation, primary and reproductive health care, HIV/AIDS and gender based violence prevention and response, and activities geared towards creating economic opportunities for returning populations.

PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION

The South Sudan Ministry of Health (MoH) has developed the Health Sector Development Plan (HSDP), a national strategy which focuses on maternal and child health, with the overall objectives to increase utilization and quality of health services, scale up on health promotion and protection, and strengthen the institutional functioning of the health system.

The MoH has also issued a directive to reduce complexity and administration costs, as the health stakeholders plan for transitioning health services to a system where all health funds are channelled through three state-focused mechanisms: the Health Pooled Fund (HPF) in six states, USAID in two states and the World Bank in two states,. Each donor selects one lead agency per county to assist the MoH in implementing this plan.

The HPF mechanism is funded by multiple donors, with DfID being the largest contributor to the fund. Priorities for effective health sector coordination at state and county level are the Three Ones: “***One Plan, One Budget and One Review System****”*which covers all government, NGO and agency health services, led by the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) and County Health Department (CHD). HPF has issued the American Refugee Committee (ARC) with awards to support the implementation of a county-based health service delivery model in Magwi, Kapoeta East and Kapoeta South counties in Eastern Equatoria State.

ARC South Sudan is looking for a Health Systems Strengthening Manager to support and strengthen CHD capacity under the county-based service delivery model in the following 6 pillars:

1. Health service delivery
2. Human Resources for Health (HRH)
3. Health information
4. Pharmaceuticals and medical products
5. Health financing
6. Governance, leadership and management

Purpose:

· To provide support to the CHD in areas of health system strengthening under the HPF mechanism in Magwi County to ensure continued improvements in health service delivery in primary health care facilities.

· In the following key areas under the WHO health system building block leadership and governance, human resource management and guidance, strengthening health system information and reporting, support to supply chain and procurement, finance management using the South Sudan financial management cycle and promote health system increase service utilization.

· The individual will work collaboratively with the CHD team to ensure their full participation and buy in with the implementation of the HPF in the County, to assess their current level of capacity, and to make an action plan to develop skills in the above mentioned area.

· The individual will be based in Magwi under the supervision of the ARC County Coordinator, co - located in the CHD office and will meet with various partners and other stakeholders in the county to establish a clear picture of who is doing what and where.

MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

· Coordinate and facilitate the activities of the CHD in Magwi and ensure that services and guidelines are available and there is standardization across all the health facilities in accordance with the MoH-GOSS guidelines and policies.

· Support the CHD in implementing facility level activities and trainings according to the project log frame and work plan.

· Support the CHD in facilitating and follow-up trainings for health providers to strengthen their skills in areas of clinical service provision, staff management, and routine data collection and reporting.

· Support the CHD in facilitating timely monthly submission of DHIS and IDSR reports. Support CHD to analyze monthly health facility data and make informed decisions.

· In partnership with the CHD, monitor the monthly drug supplies and drug consumption and inventory to PHCCs/PHCUs and at the central level (CHDs). Support the CHD in maintaining the “pull” system through accurate drug forecasting, and ensure that facilities have constant supply of essential medicines and equipment.

· Ensure established protocols and systems for drug management system are followed and adhered to.

· Ensure the County Health Officer (CHO) carries out the performance appraisals of staff both at the health facilities and at the CHD.

· Ensure the CHD has proper finance and human resources system (HRIS, SSEPS) in place and adheres to them.

· Conduct joint bi-annual Peer and Participatory Rapid Health Appraisal for Action (PPRHAA) with CHD, analyze, and develop/implement/monitor action points.

· Collaborate with the CHD and the ARC County Coordinator to develop and monitor work plans, emergency preparedness and response plans, and training plans.

Collaboration with the CHD and other partners

· Liaises with National Government (MoH), state ministry of health, implementing partners, NGOs, civil society groups and others to address challenges, provide advocacy, and build needed technical capacity within the primary health care program to improve access to maternal and child healthcare.

· Coordinate joint supervision of the primary health facilities with CHD and Payam Health Supervisors to and support preparation of joint work plans.

· Participate in joint ARC and CHD weekly management meetings, quarterly coordination meetings, and joint quarterly narrative report writing.

· Performs any other assigned duties as directed.

Program Development, Representation and Reporting

· Participate in health planning and assessment of health need in the county.

· Facilitate submission of timely reports to the state.

· Provide feedback to the health facility staff.

· Maintain open and regular communication with the rest of the ARC health team in order to ensure information sharing, team cooperation and consistency of programs.

· Represent ARC in meetings/workshops in the absence of County Coordinator.

Other Duties

· Undertake any other systems and capacity building activities as directed/

· Act and communicate at all times in a polite manner with respect for others to fit the image of ARC.

EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

· Health professional post-graduate qualifications in public health, health management, international development or a related area

· At least 2 years of experience in capacity building

· At least 3 years relevant experience in health system strengthening

· Excellent training and facilitation skills

· Demonstrated knowledge of Health Information Systems, use of DHIS/ SSEPS, and EPI info and/or Stata

· Experience in project management and managing budgets.

· Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel, Word, Power Point, and email)

· Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.

· Experience working with INGOs in a similar position.

· Willing to travel to remote locations

· Must be fluent in English, both verbal and written

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES

• Highly motivated,, ability to work independently and has ability to incorporate constructive feedback
• 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
• Cultural and gender sensitivity essential
• Willingness to be based in Magwi County
• Significant experience working in the health sector in resource poor settings including an understanding and experience of broader “health systems” policy, planning and reform issues such as health financing and health workforce issues.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of health systems strengthening, with knowledge of health systems in Africa desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in impact and process evaluations of health system interventions or health development activities.
• Ability to provide expert technical advice on a range of topics. Expertise in one or more of the following areas highly desirable: Maternal and Child Health, Infectious Diseases (malaria, tuberculosis, other emerging infections or communicable disease priorities), Research, Monitoring & Evaluation, Capacity Strengthening and Organizational Development.

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