Health Advisor, Somalia - 11/ID/025E (Trocaire)

[Admin]

Description of the unit / department: The Horn & East Africa region (HEARO) is one of five priority regions where Trócaire works overseas, with its regional office based in Nairobi, Kenya. Somalia is of the five priority countries within the HEARO Region. Background to the Role: Trócaire’s programme in Somalia is located in the Gedo region. The programme has traditionally had a strong focus on community based health care, through the Gedo Regional Health Programme. The Health Advisor is responsible for the technical development, assurance and monitoring of the programme in coordination with the Country Representative, Gedo Regional Manager and technical team based in Mandera. The advisor will also support any proposal and report writing needed. The programme is supported by staff and offices in Mandera and Nairobi. The advisor will also represent Trócaire Somalia in the health sector and with donors and other partners as needed. The annual budget for the country programme is approximately €1.8million. Reporting to: Country Representative, based in Nairobi (Kenya) Managing: (Individuals/ Team) Directly managing the HMIS Officer. Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract Duration: One Year Grade and Scale: Overseas PO Location of Position Nairobi, Kenya. When possible, travel to Mandera and Somalia will be part of the job, as will occasional travel to Ireland.
Scope of the Role: The role covers strategic development of Trócaire’s health programme work in Somalia. Directly managing the HMIS Officer, and working closely with the Country Representative, Gedo Regional Manager and technical team in Mandera, the post holder will support on all technical aspects of the Gedo Health Programme including design, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and advising on medium to long-term strategy for the region Key Duties & Responsibilities include; Programme Development • Establish and lead the implementation of Trócaire Somalia health strategy, consistent with organisational goals and resources and contexts constraints. • Serve as the point of contact for all matters related to health issues, including advocacy/policy development, capacity building and health information systems development. • Support the technical team on definition, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all health promotion, prevention and curative aspects of the programme as well as the development of protocols and guidelines. • In collaboration with programme staff, progressively review interventions to ensure they meet the highest standards, and support programme staff in their development of partnerships. • Ensure programme interventions are in line with emerging national policies for Somalia. • Represent Trócaire in Somalia on the health sector and other relevant forums. To meet regularly and liaise closely with relevant stakeholders. • In close collaboration with the Country Representative, Gedo Regional Manager and technical staff, make recommendations for project strategic direction and prioritisation, taking cognisance of current best practice on health/medical support for countries in chronic crisis, changing health needs and the capacity for local management of same. • Promote the sharing of best practice and learning in relation to programming. • Ensure the effective use of health data collection tools through training and support as well as the collation and sound epidemiological analysis of the health data collected to inform programme direction. • Serve as the principal health technical advisor for Trócaire, preparing briefing materials and monthly/quarterly/annual reports for donors, SMT and visitors where necessary. Present clear and convincing reports as needed on health topics at workshops, meetings and other venues that demonstrate sound analysis and synthesis. • In close collaboration with the Country Representative, Gedo Regional Manager, work with human resources department in drafting job descriptions and interviewing candidates for the health technical team. • Liaising with the Trócaire Logistics Coordinator and logistic staff to help ensure that adequate routine medical supplies and stocks for hospitals, outreach, health centres and health posts as well as ordering systems and inventory control are maintained. • Help to identify high value and high potential fundraising and mobilization opportunities for Health programmes working in close collaboration with relevant management staff and grants officer to ensure that new funding proposals are in accordance with country and global strategies and policies.

Capacity building • Work closely with the technical team to ensure that adequate capacity building support is provided to the District Health Boards on all aspects of health service management, community mobilisation and preventive services, to ensure objectives are achieved. • Provide adequate and timely technical guidance and capacity building to the Hospital Coordinator, Primary Health Coordinator, Training Coordinator and the District Health Boards Coordinator. • Ensure that the 4 Health Coordinators are mentoring, supporting, and encouraging health and nutrition staff to maximise use of skills and knowledge, and ensure their full, effective participation in health and nutrition activities. • Ensure that field concerns and issues are appropriately, adequately, and timely addressed within the overall strategy and support & guide field teams in meeting the objectives and priorities, providing leadership and direction Person Specification – Essential Requirements (E) (E) Qualification • Medical Doctor or Registered Nurse with Masters Degree in Public Health. (E) Experience • At least 10 years health programme management experience, with NGOs or other international organizations, in developing countries, particularly in conflict zones. • Substantial progressive, professional-level experience at the management level with some background in health and nutrition systems strengthening - health program implementation, particularly both at the community and facility level, being an added advantage. • Experience in capacity development of health workers in low capacity environments and commitment to community based approaches. • Proven experience of writing donor proposals, strategies and reports with various donors and understanding of the logframe or results framework. • Proven experience in emergency health assessments, health responses and maternal and child health programmes • Ability to make links between health and nutrition interventions • Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high workload and multiple tasks in a fast paced, insecure environment with tight deadlines. (E) Skills • Ability to effectively negotiate with prospective donors and a demonstrated ability to develop and write detailed technical project proposals meeting donor requirements, including budgets for the same. • Excellent team-worker with track record of working in a multicultural team with local health workers/partners, ensuring their participation in planning, implementation and monitoring • Good management and personnel skills, with proven ability to manage people/ teams and deliver on programme objectives • Good communication, advocacy and leadership skills are critical. • Excellent written and spoken English. (E) Qualities • Ability to collate, manage and analyse epidemiological data, providing high quality narrative and data reports. (E) Other • Ability and willingness to travel regularly into the field. Person Specification – Desirable Requirements (D) (D) Qualification
(D) Experience • Experience with health programmes in the region is desirable • Knowledge of the Somalia context and Somali language would be an advantage.
How to apply:
Download application form from www.trocaire.org/jobs and return completed forms to Jason Rice, HR Officer at jobs@trocaire.ie