The Ugandan Jobline

Job Title:   Senior Health Project Officer

Organisation: International Rescue Committee (IRC)

Duty Station: Palabek Kal, Uganda

About the Company:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 25 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education, and power.

Job Summary:  Under the supervision of the   Health Manager, The Senior Health Officer will  support the implementation  of  the  project  aimed  at  contributing  to  polio eradication  by  enhancing  surveillance  for  Acute  Flaccid  Paralysis (AFP) among the communities residing close to the South Sudan/Uganda border and in the refugee settlements in Lamwo district. S/HE will directly implement the community AFP surveillance program in the district and will work in close collaboration with the District Health team (DHT) and other stakeholders. S/HE will provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring of health facility staffs especially in strengthening AFP case surveillance, detection, and reporting. The Senior Health Officer will contribute to assessing staff capacity needs regarding AFP surveillance and reporting at health Centre level and coordinate all planned project trainings; and ensure that review meetings are held on time. S/HE will also support health workers in compiling reports to the DHT. S/HE will contribute to the provision of strategic and technical oversight of the project and to ensure the successful implementation of a quality project.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support host and settlement Health facilities to effectively conduct community awareness on and vigilance for AFP/VPDs and health promotion activities both at health facility level and in the community.
• Oversee the implementation of surveillance activities to support the process of AFP case detection, verification, investigation, and reporting so that program goals, objectives, targets and activities are met.
• Prepare program work plans in coordination with the Health Manager.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to the various project sites, ensuring that projects utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and donors. Identify technical quality and/or other implementation issues, and provide solutions and follow-up to ensure projects are on track to meet goals and are consistent with established best practices.
• Ensure that the health program is implemented in line with the IRC principles:  promoting and protecting rights, participation, capacity building, partnership and holistic programming.
• Strictly follow up the medical and operational supply chain system, stock recording, timely ordering for the supplies and accountabilities in relation to the warehousing and using of the supplies including medicines and medical items.
• Work closely with other IRC programs present in the same location, such as Women’s Protection and Empowerment, ERD, Education, and integrate program components to the extent possible.
• Coordinate and conduct VHT weekly or monthly meetings and other activities with district health team, and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of services
• Collaborate with other LG Health staff in conducting active case search for AFP at the health facilities and in the community.

Staff Supervision & Development

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Directly supervise the health assistant, ensuring regular performance reviews.
• Ensure training and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills.
• Support proposal development processes through sharing of relevant information to inform quality proposals

Grant Management and Reporting

• Participate in the management of all health grants, and work with the Health Manager to develop work, spending and procurement plans for all projects.
• Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notes for future health interventions.
• Prepare internal and external reports (such as narrative reports, DHIS data reports) within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.
• Budget management, including review of activity budgets and doing approvals to ensure these are in alignment with agreed donor priorities
• Review Budget vs. Actual (BvA) reports on a monthly basis, recommend actions to correct identified problems.
• Work closely and coordinate with IRC Operations, Finance and Grant departments to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

Coordination & Representation

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
• Participate in Sector working group meetings and other relevant coordination platforms to represent IRC, do advocacy and look out for opportunities to address challenges.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure all required donor reports are completed on time and to a high standard.
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of program data and indicators for all health programs in line with IRC’s guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements, ensuring timely collection and entry of program data.
• Conduct monthly program data analysis with health staff to discuss progress on grant indicators, disease trends, define action points for how to stay on track with grant requirements, and follow up with those points
• Work with the M&E team to produce and analyze all weekly, monthly, or quarterly reports and ensure timely submission of all such reports.
• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:  

• Must have a Diploma in Clinical medicine and a Degree in Public Health from a recognized institution. .
• Must be registered and licensed with the Allied Health Professionals Council.
• At least three years’ experience working with community structures and district surveillance health systems.
• Computer literacy especially in MS office packages is a MUST.
• Proficiency in off-road riding with a valid class A license.
• Effective communication, Interpersonal skills and good mobilization skills is a plus.
• Demonstrated capacity to attain high quality results within set timeframes. with minimal supervision.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience in SBCC and a training in VPD surveillance or IDSR is an added advantage.

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified candidates are encouraged to apply online at the link below

Click Here

Deadline: 20th January 2025

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