The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development. The IRC works to aid in the development of societies in which people have the opportunity to realize their full potential and are supported by institutions and practices that are just, transparent, accountable, inclusive, and which promote and protect rights.
Since 1992, the IRC has provided life-saving services to refugees and vulnerable communities in Kenya. Currently, the IRC works in two refugee camps, Dadaab and Kakuma, in northern Kenya, and serves vulnerable populations in the Turkana, West Pokot, Garissa, Kajiado and Nairobi counties. In Kenya, the IRC implements programs in the areas of integrated primary health care (including nutrition and HIV/AIDS), economic recovery and livelihoods; protection of rights; and women’s protection and empowerment. The Health Coordinator (HC) will be Responsible for the vision, strategy, design, implementation and management of all IRC’s health program in Kenya, provide technical support to the health program for project design, proposal development and reporting, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality driven by evidence and learning. The HC will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the MoH, County Government officials in project areas, UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling IRC strategic objectives for the health sector.
The position is based in Nairobi with 60% frequent visits to the field program sites. The position reports to the Deputy Director – Programs (DDP).
Key Responsibilities:
Program management:
- Provide technical supervision and guidance of all IRC health programs including clinical services, reproductive health, community health programming, HIV/AIDS programming and Mental Health. Extend technical support and supervision to the IRC’s implementing partners as required.
- Participate in the development of annual program forecasts and budgets and ensure implementation of Health related activities in line with approved budgets and spending plans.
- In collaboration with program managers, revise plans and budgets to maintain program quality and progress; work with the Deputy Director of Grants and Accountability to ensure all program activities are implemented in compliance with donor requirements and meet the measurement requirements of IRC and donors.
- Provide leadership and direction on integration of health activities with other sectors including, but not limited to, Nutrition, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods and women protection; work with relevant collaborators to conduct operational research and document and disseminate lessons learnt.
Technical Monitoring and Program Quality:
- Promote the quality of the IRC’s health programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and providing technical supervision of health program staff, and technical support to IRC Kenya programming activities.
- Ensure that all activities are consistent with established standard processes and apply standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by relevant health institutions and statutory bodies.
- Make certain that the stated goals and objectives of all health projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management team in New York Health Unit and the Country Technical Advisors for health and nutrition as needed.
- Participate in the design of robust M&E plans, lead technical assessments, design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems as a basis for primary health care program development.
Health Systems Strengthening
- Support emergency health programs to transition their approach to ensure that health system strengthening is a key component of their approach. Ensuring that health programs are working with MoH structures at county level to support health system reforms and strengthening
- Work at the policy level with key decision makers from various county governments and donors, participating in strategy development and technical discussions relating to strategic direction of the health program and influence health policy reforms/development.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
- Ensure that the IRC Emergency Preparedness and Response Plans are prepared in consultation with relevant government and aid partners, are kept up to date with protocol, standards and guidance from relevant bodies and conform to the needs of clients.
- Together with the Senior Management Team (SMT), collaborate on establishment and operationalization of the Emergency Response Team (ERT).
- Monitor data from the camps on disease trends (IDSR, HIS and DHIS) and take the necessary steps to prevent disease outbreaks in the refugee camps.
Staff and Partner Capacity Development:
- Participate in recruitment and design of staff development plans based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staff (mentoring, as well as formal trainings). This includes staff training in program management areas such as reporting, budgeting, monitoring, evaluation, and supervision.
- Develop/coordinate training and other capacity strengthening opportunities to build the capacity of local partners where relevant/ required.
Business Development and Fundraising:
- Proactively look for funding opportunities for Health and Nutrition programming in Kenya, lead in development of quality proposals and review donor reports together with Program Managers, other Technical Coordinators and the Technical Advisors.
- Develop strategic partnerships with local and international organizations, where possible.
Coordination, Representation and Advocacy:
- Represent IRC Kenya in external Health and Nutrition related forums; actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key collaborators in Kenya including donors, government actors, UN agencies (especially UNHCR), international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors; identify advocacy issues in consultation with the country management.
Qualifications
- Degree in Health e.g. MBChB, MD and an advanced degree in Public Health.
- Minimum 6 years experience in primary health programs in resource poor settings and at least 4 in progressive management position.
- Demonstrated skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
- Proficient in Windows, MS office programs, email and database (HMIS, PEPFAR database, EPI-Info) experience.
- Good communication, people management, organizational and analytical skills.
- Ability to work in complex emergency environment, multitask, handle pressure and flexibility.
- Training and competency in LQAS, SPSS, SQUEAC and SMART methodology for conducting surveys is an added advantage.
- Proven practical experience in program design, implementation, and M&E and experience in developing and using community participatory approaches.
- Experience working with community groups, community engagement and negotiation.
- Highly diplomatic with excellent political awareness and advanced negotiation skills.
- Experience of working on issues related to human trafficking and smuggling desirable.
- Experience of working with forced migrants is required.
- Experience of working on government policies and laws.
- Proven experience in governance programming such as working with GOK, county governments, devolution processes for increased demand and improved service delivery is desirable.
- Proven practical experience in partnership/collaborator engagement and management.
- Good written and oral communication skills, effective in representation and liaison with external parties.
- Strong cross-cultural communication skills and comfortable working as part of a diverse team. Sensitive to interpersonal differences and a range of viewpoints.
- Demonstrated advance planning and organizational skills. Able to effectively prioritize and follow multiple activities and deadlines simultaneously.
- Flexible and innovative. Able to adapt plans and pivot approaches in response to changes in context.
- Proactive, reliable, and able to work independently in a fast-paced environment.
- Proficient in English and Swahili, spoken and written- a requirement.
Standards of Professional Conduct*: The IRC and IRC workers should carry through, the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and implements 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 encouraging benefits and allowance.
Kenyan nationals are encouraged to apply. International allowances are not available for this position. Salary and employee benefits are compliant to the Kenyan NGO Sector.
IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.
Disclaimer:
Please take note that International Rescue Committee (IRC) does not ask for any fees in connection with its recruitment processes.
How to apply
Go to link to apply;
https://rescue.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/40032?c=rescue