Background
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with 190 member National Societies. As part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, our work is guided by seven fundamental principles; humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.
Organizational Context
The Secretariat of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is organized into four Business groups in Geneva and five Business Groups in the field, namely the Regional Offices for Africa, Americas, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, and Middle East and North Africa (MENA). The Africa Regional Business Group is organized through cluster offices covering the National Societies in Eastern Africa, Southern Africa, West Coast, Sahel and Central Africa as well as country offices in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Republic of South Sudan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Somalia. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, in its commitment to building strong National Societies and to supporting scaling up of National Societies’ services to the most vulnerable populations, has in 2013 established a Country cluster Office in Nigeria. This Cluster Office is charged with the responsibility of supporting the National societies of Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and Togo in developing their long-term strategic direction and generating resources to support a framework designed to address the needs of individuals and communities across a range of service delivery areas particularly focused on health and disaster risk management.
Job Purpose
The Health and Care Delegate will work in close coordination with the IFRC and Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) Health Programme Team. Reporting to the Head of Cluster, the Health and Care Delegate will:
support the NRCS activities in line with the plan and budget for 2017 towards achieving Strategy 2020s’ strategic aims:
1) Save lives, protect livelihoods, strengthen recovery from disaster and crises
2) Enable healthy and safe living
3) Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.
be responsible for providing strategic support to the NRCS Health and Care Programme and for effectively addressing emerging issues, risks and opportunities identified during the recent nation-wide assessment.
Support the NRCS in the development of proposals for funding with an aim towards expanding the current health portfolio and ensuring long-term programming that addresses the needs of individuals and communities in Nigeria.
Liaise with possible funding partners (UNICEF; CDC and Japanese Government) to identify opportunities for NRCS engagement,
to work with NRCS to enhance its visibility vis-à-vis with the Federal and State Ministries of Health and relevant departments;
to rapidly develop proposals that can generate resources for the National Society and the IFRC CCST to better contribute to health in Nigeria.
Support any projects that are currently being implemented by the NS to ensure quality of activities and timely and accurate reporting.
Other duties include supporting capacity building of the NRCS Health and Care department at Headquarter and branch levels.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
The Health and Care Delegate is responsible for:
I/ Programme strategic direction and guidance
Build on technical knowledge and understanding of global and Nigeria-specific health issues, to develop proposals for new programmes in close coordination with the Africa Regional Health and Care Unit, while respecting and following the key IFRC technical documents (Strategy 2020, IFRC global health policy, IFRC HIV and AIDS Global Policy, IFRC global initiatives etc.) and international strategies (SDGs, Hyogo Framework, WHO policies, SPHERE etc.).
Ensure that relevant RC/RC and national / international guidelines and best practices are followed in community-based health (CBH) programme assessment, planning and implementation.
Support the NRCS in the process of defining and documenting a clear strategic direction for Health and Care programming taking into consideration the findings of the recent nation-wide assessment.
In collaboration with the NRCS and CCST personnel, identify needs and develop a workplan and proposals for health programs in Nigeria.
Lead the establishment of nutrition project in Nigeria support by UNICEF.
Lead the NRCS in all immunisation campaigns staged in the country.
Facilitate the training of volunteers supporting social mobilisation, case management and surveillance of common diseases.
II/ Programme Management, Coordination and Partnerships
Closely work with the NRCS counterparts to contribute towards integrated health and care activities
Liaise with and encourage NRCS to engage effectively with other key health sector players at national level, including the ICRC, Government bodies (National Primary Health Care Development Agency, Ministry of Health, National AIDS Control Agency, Nigeria Emergency Response Agency, National Malaria Control Program), UNICEF, WHO, NGOs, CBOs, community groups, beneficiaries and the private health sector where appropriate.
Work with the PRD /PMER to encourage partners and donors wanting to contribute to the establishment of CBH programmes in Nigeria.
In collaboration with NRCS and relevant agencies monitor the National and Regional spread and severity of current epidemic diseases and proactively communicate emerging health related issues to Regional, Regional and Global focal points of contact as appropriate.
Maintain a close working relationship with the Regional and Regional teams.
Represent IFRC in relevant health sector forums and networks in country. Develop credible and good quality information about RC/RC technical knowhow and lessons learned (integrated programming as well as specific technical areas) and share among these sectors and forums
III/ Lateral Relationships
Ensure effective working relationships with Nigerian Red Cross technical counterparts.
Ensure effective working relationships with technical and service departments at Regional, Regional and Geneva Secretariat levels.
Be the Cluster office focal point on staff health matters.
IV/ Capacity Building and Technical Support
Support regular monitoring and evaluation of country level community based health programmes.
Support the Nigerian Red Cross in developing epidemics contingency plans and epidemics preparedness plans. This will be done in collaboration with technical colleagues in IFRC and the Nigerian Red Cross as well as Regional Emergency Health Delegate and Geneva Emergency Health focal points.
Ensure all health and other programme staff at Headquarter receive the necessary and appropriate technical support.
Support development of a training curriculum/strategy for the Nigerian Red Cross Health Staff at Headquarter and Branch levels covering areas such as; community based health and nutrition approaches and topics as well as in project planning, budgeting, reporting and proposal writing.
Ensure that upcoming tools for CBHFA (PMER toolkit) are adopted and utilized to their full potential in community based health programmes.
V/ Knowledge Sharing and Institutional Capacity Building
Document best practices and lessons learnt in CBH programme implementation and share among other National Societies, RC/RC regional and Geneva offices and relevant actors out of RC/RC Movement.
Build and maintain a knowledge database and disseminate technical information, updates and innovation in the health sector to partners and within the NRCS.
Participate in health trainings, meetings and forums when applicable.
Produce regular quality technical reports to the Head of CCST, with copy to Regional Health Coordinator, including financial and narrative reports for the International Federation and its donors.
Education
Relevant university degree (such as Management, Development Studies, Public Health, Social Sciences, etc.) – Required
Master’s Degree in Public Health or related Discipline – Required
Experience
A of Minimum of 5 years’ experience in leading and managing public health programs in a humanitarian organization in developing countries – Required
Good understanding of the humanitarian environment, strong analytical skills and capacity to translate analysis into strategy and planning – Required
A very good track record of managing people, networking, influencing and negotiating and building relationships effectively – Required
Experience in proposal development, report writing, and developing budgets – Required
Experience of field based implementation is essential – Required
Experience of working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent – Required
Experience of financial management to ensure compliance – Required
Experience of management and supervision of health staff – Required
Knowledge, skills and languages
Self-supporting in computers- Required
Coordination and partner relationship building – Required
Demonstrated technical expertise in strategic management, project planning and budgeting, resource management, implementation ability as well as programme monitoring and evaluation – Required
Skills in training and developing staff capacity – Required
Excellent skills in networking with other agencies and organisations – Required
Fluent in written and spoken English – Required
Competencies and values
Teamwork – Communication
National Society relations
Professionalism – Integrity – Diversity
Innovation – Judgement-Decision-making
Managing performance – Strategic orientation
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