Requisition ID: req47373

Job Title: Reproductive Health Specialist (Re-advertised)

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Al-Hassaka, Syria

Deadline: 5 March 2024

Job Description

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria - more than half of the country's population - are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes, and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon, and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Reproductive Health Specialist (RHS) will take on the role of managing the reproductive health program in NE Syria that will serve Syrian host and displaced communities, Iraqi refugees, and additional local vulnerable populations. This position is based in Al Hassaka with frequent travel within NES, where the program is being implemented.

The RHS will be responsible for overseeing Reproductive Health Officers (RHOs) supporting the daily activities of the midwives to ensure high quality service delivery and program implementation. She/he is responsible for managing the budget, ensuring quality of all Reproductive health programs, and providing training, mentoring, and supportive supervision to the officers and their teams. She/he will also be responsible for coordinating with the mobile and static clinics to ensure the teams have the essential staff, medicines, and supplies needed. The RHS will also be responsible for promoting collaboration and linkage between the health programs as well as with other sectors (Protection, WPE, ERD, and ECD). Through regular program monitoring and evaluation, the RHS will submit detailed technical monthly reports to the Senior Health Manager and conduct contingency and mitigation strategy in coordination with the Health Coordinator. The RHS will receive technical support from the Health Coordinator

The RHS will oversee the reproductive health care services in NES. The primary functions of the Reproductive Health Officer includes with support from Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator implementation and oversight of reproductive health services in NE Syria serving the displaced Syrian population including implementation of MISP, support to facilities providing RH services,  supervision and capacity building of staff, ensuring quality of services with training, supportive supervision, on-the-job training and standard quality assurance tools,  internal and external coordination, and day-to-day administration of RH activities. He/she reports to the Senior Health Manager and works closely with the Health Coordinator in those program sites where he/she will be supporting the RH program activities.

Responsibilities:

Management and Implementation of Program:

•  Responsible for overall design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of reproductive health programs at all levels, coordination within organization programs, such as health, protection, WPE, ECD and with relevant stakeholders
•  The RH Specialist will manage all aspects of the Reproductive Health activities including pre and postnatal care for mothers, care of the newborn, provision of family planning counseling and methods; health education to mothers, women and girls and families and Primary Health Care facilities including supervision and capacity-building of service providers, developing RH implementation and monitoring plan and adapt program to changing context as needed
• Responsible for design and contribution to reproductive health strategic approach to ensure alignment approach with the organization Strategic Action Plan.
• Participate in proposal development for health program to ensure consistency and integration of reproductive health programs with other health programs.
• Recruit, train and supervise reproductive health program staff and RH Officers, in coordination with the Health Coordinator, HR and recruitment staff.
• Develop procurement and spending plans and manage the budget for the implementation of the community health program, ensuring no over- or underspending, in collaboration with the Health Coordinator.
• Ensure all existing project documents (e.g., monitoring plans, supervision checklists, program work plans, risk and issue management, program spending plans and procurement plans) are correct and up to date and create new project documents for identified gaps and as new grants arise.
• Conduct regular program progress assessments and provide consistent feedback on progress to the program team. Create and disseminate concrete strategies for how to get the program back on track and follow through with the team to ensure the strategies are undertaken.
• Strengthen the internal and external referral system, ensuring continuity of care for primary and reproductive and mental health cases
• Active involvement in developing and implementing needs assessments and surveys in collaboration with mobile clinics, CV teams, M&E team, and Health information systems team.
• Conduct regular site visits for monitoring and supervision to ensure quality of services, accurate data collection and verify consumption rates of pharmaceuticals and supplies/consumables
• Work closely with Community Health Workers (CHWs) ensuring referrals and follow up are made for RH related services from communities to health facilities
• Training CHWs on community aspects of RH including child spacing, family methods and utilization of services, prevention of sexually transmitted infections, maternal care during pregnancy and after delivery, with support from Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator
• Work with the Monitoring Officer in design of data collection forms, compilation of RH data and complete RH portion of health program report
• Regularly analyze data in conjunction with Health Coordinator and Health Services Manager to track reproductive health trends, needs and developing appropriate responses.
•  Coordinate internally and externally to ensure integrated implementation of Reproductive health services GBV, CCSAS, maternal and child feeding with other sectors like Women Protection & Empowerment, general protection, Livelihoods etc.
• Ensure appropriate treatment of beneficiaries in general, and mainly those requiring clinical RH care services within IRC health program and ensure that the system for referral of cases is developed and functioning efficiently and with optimal results
• Provide direction and advice regarding expansion of Reproductive health services to other areas including overseeing existing and establishment of new BEmOC centers in supported health facilities

Health Information and MEAL

• In coordination with Health Coordinator and Health Information Systems Manager, develop and or revise tools for data collection, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting as necessary and according to needs.
•  Ensure that data compiled from the various parts of the outreach health program are in sync and can be used to link the program.
• Ensure accuracy and quality of data collected from all CVs monthly.

• Conduct monthly data analysis and indicator analysis, in conjunction with the Health Data Unit and act as appropriate.
• Support the Heath information and data Unit to submit up to date and complete data base reports to Health Coordinator each month.
• Design/develop and adjust IEC materials to suite local context

Monitoring and reporting

• Oversee data collection and analysis of RH reports on activities and RH program needs.
•  Monitor clinic activities, including ANC, PNC, FP, BEmONC services in supported
•  Provide content and analysis for donor proposals and reports and internal Syria Regional Response reports, in coordination with the Health Coordinator.
•  Participated in health needs assessments, surveys, and program evaluations

Internal and external coordination

•  Closely coordinates with the Senior Health Manager, Health Coordinator, to ensure the health program is working as one unit, and the many arms are supporting each other and being flexible to each other’s staffing, funding, or other needs.
•  Develop relationships with referral sites in the area to foster coordination and collaboration and follow up on referral cases.
• Represent the organization at coordination meetings, as designated by the Health Coordinator.
• Perform any other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

•  Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
•  Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
•  Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• 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.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• 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.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop the capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of the assignment.

Qualifications

Medical doctor, nurse, or midwife, post-graduate training in Reproductive Health/ Obstetrics/Gynecology preferredMust have at least 2 years of professional experience in implementing reproductive health projectsMust have at least 4 years experience working in humanitarian or development contexts previous emergency response, conflict/post-conflict experience preferredDemonstrated capacity to provide hands-on technical support to health providers, experience setting up and managing training strongly preferredDemonstrated capacity to analyze and interpret data and to track performance against program indicators Must be skilled in Microsoft OfficeMust be able to travel to field sitesMust have excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic environmentMust have the ability to work effectively with various personalities and departments

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values, and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior-level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• Must have strong written and spoken English along with knowledge of Arabic
• Travel: 15% to field sites as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

•  Position Reports to:  Senior Health Manager
•  Position directly supervises: Reproductive Health Officer
•  Indirect Reporting (If applicable):  Health Coordinator
•  Key Internal Contacts:  Health Managers
•  Key External Contacts:  NES-RMNCAH - Sub Task Force

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.