The International Rescue Committee (IRC) helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. 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 that support them, as well as with those who remain within their homes and communities. At-work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. IRC leads the way from harm to home. Began work in Ethiopia, 1999 in response to severe drought that happened in Ethiopia’s Somali region. Currently, providing assistance in ten different regions implementing emergency and development programs in health, water and sanitation, economic recovery and development (ERD), women’s protection and empowerment, education, child protection, and multi-sectoral emergency response. 

The IRC has a focus on narrowing the gender gap in humanitarian aid and ensuring that we contribute to gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in both our programs and operations by working to establish a context where our clients (including those from minority groups) enjoy the same rights and opportunities as well as an equal access to services. The IRC also has a strong commitment to creating an equitable and inclusive culture, where safeguarding is upheld in our workplace and programs. We are determined to protect our clients and staff from safeguarding violations through prevention and, where misconduct is alleged, to address it without fear or favor.

The senior health officer in collaboration with health and nutrition manager will be responsible for Irish Aid project that IRC is implementing. Internally the position involves technical, grant and budget management, monitoring and evaluation. Externally it needs communication, coordination, and representation with host government regional, Zonal and Woreda health structures and partners.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Technical

• Support the goals and objectives of the Irish Aid project by working with other team members and stakeholders to develop and implement work plans that strengthen health projects in the intervention area.

• Together with Health and Nutrition manager and MHPSS officer to ensure surveillance, community awareness and mental health and psychosocial support activities and health related programs are correctly implemented and are of high quality and are based on standard protocol and best practices in refugee settings.

• Ensure that the capacity of the targeted health office, health facilities and health service providers in IRC targets of Loakdong refugee, Wanthoa and Makuey woreda and are built. 

• Work closely with Wanthoa woreda health office, Makuey woreda health office, and health facilities for implementing project activities such as supportive supervision, collecting, and analyzing data, providing feedback, and capacity building.

• Provide technical support for government health service providers in the project areas.

• Organize workshops, awareness raising activity campaigns, training and presentations on overall health system. 

• Assist the health and Nutrition manager in coordinating and communicating with partners working in the region and track their activities and inputs so as to assist in interpreting project results

• Routinely collect, compile, and organize data from monitoring and supervision activities from government body and other implementing partners and translate data into graphics, presentations and reports and shared with RRS, RHB, Zone Health desk and other partners.

• Assure adherence to IRC’s standards for program management and technical quality

• Participate in technical meetings, team meetings and periodic team building exercises at different levels

Grant Management 

• Assist the health and nutrition manager in monitoring and appropriately spending the budget, monitoring spending plans and budget variance statements for the grant.

• Assist the health and nutrition manager in ensuring proper and smooth budget management with periodic development and monitoring of procurement plan, spending plan and burn rate monitoring.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Develop donor reports in collaboration with health and nutrition manager and country office health teams

• Together with IRC country office Senior MHPSS manager  and Gambella filed office health and nutrition manager monitor and evaluate the activities of MHPSS officer   who are based at woredas Level.

• Maintain data and provide monthly activity reports to HNM, and then to be shared to MEAL Officer for input into the database, and other concerned bodies like the RRS, Regional Health Bureau, regional BoF, Zonal ealth department and Woreda Health Offices and country office IRC health unit.

• Together with MHPSS officer, the health and Nutrition manager, provide periodic input into IRC Gambella field office and country office  database and ensure proper follow-up.

Human Resource and Office Management

• Manage and oversee the activities of MHPSS officer.

• Undertake timely performance reviews of staff under his/her supervision.

• Use discriminatory approach to conduct supportive supervision for the subordinates.

• Build capacity of staff under supervision based on the identified gaps through on-the- job training and supportive supervision

• Do performance evaluation for MHPSS officer and other assigned support function staffs 

Representation

• Represent the IRC on zonal based cluster, zonal based cluster meeting and technical working groups meeting 

• Participate on project assessment and produce report and share with Addis based concerned bodied 

• Closely work with zonal health department, UN agencies and other appropriate INGO/LNGOs 

OTHER DUTIES

• Any other relevant activities or duties as deemed by the supervisor.

Key Working Relationships
Internal:

• Work with MHPSS officer, other IRC health project staff, MEAL officer, health and Nutrition manager, Field coordinator, HR, Finance, and supply chain.

External

• Work with regional health Bureau, RRS, DPO, Zonal health department, woreda health office, HEWs and Community volunteers and other implementing partners in the areas of refugee in both host and refugee settings

• Represent IRC in health sector meetings.

• She/he is expected to collaborate with all other stakeholders. 

• Liaise with government officials at regional, zonal level and woreda health office and with other concerned organizations to ensure smooth communication and work collaboration.

Safeguarding Responsibilities: - 

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion and cohesion in IRC [team/office]

• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies

Job Requirements

Education 

• Bachelor’s degree in health officer/Nursing 

Preferred experience, skills and language:

• Minimum of Two years practical experience in health services.

• NGO experience is a plus

• Experience in health development projects is essential, including training and supervisory skills

• Practical experience in managing a team of health workers at project site       

• Skills and experience in finance management 

• Good project management skills: ability to plan, organizes, and supervises implementation of community-based health projects

• Strong managerial, organizational, and problem-solving skills

• Excellent analytical and report writing skills

• Experience of training at Local Government, NGO and community level is essential

• Demonstrated skill in identifying and developing creative, innovative and cutting-edge solutions for existing program challenges

• Ability to work in a team

• Ability to work both independently and in a dynamic, cross-functional global team structure

• Highly proficient in Microsoft Office suite 

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with stakeholders at all levels

• Ability to manage and work through change in a proactive and positive manner. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as, an overall ability to be clear and concise in all communications

• Strong organizational and time-management skills; proven ability to prioritize and deliver on time

• Fluency in English language is mandatory and Amharic and local language is a plus.

How To Apply

Candidates meeting the above qualifications are encouraged to apply only through the below IRC On-line recruitment website: 

IRC Career Site: THIS LINK

Please include 3 references from current and former employers.

Applications will not be returned. IRC discourages phone calls or personal visits.

Only applicants meeting the minimum qualification will be short listed and contacted.

Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.

Your application letter/cover letter must include the following information. 

• Name of the position you have applied for 

• Date of application 

• Summary of  your qualifications and experience 

• Motivation/objective of why you have applied for the job

• Permanent Address and present address (if different from permanent) and telephone number if possible also email address 

• Disclose any family relationships with existing IRC employees. 

Disclaimer: - Please note that IRC will never request applicants or candidates to make any form of payment at any stage of the recruitment process. 

IRC is an equal employment opportunity employer.  IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status or disability.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients. 

Professional Standards: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons

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 supportive benefits and allowances.