MERLIN: Project Health Officer – 2 Positions (Hiiraan & Galgaduud)

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JOB DESCRIPTION

Position:   Project Health Officer – 2 Positions

Department: Health/Programmes

Location: Galgaduud/Hiraan (Somalia)

Responsible to: Technically - Project Health Coordinator S/CENTRAL

Functionally - Field Coordinator S/CENTRAL

Relationships internally: All programme and support staff

Relationships externally: MoMS/MoPHS personnel, other governmental and nongovernmental counterparts, community members

OVERALL OBJECTIVE OF THE POSITION

The Health Project Health officers will be based in Galgaduud and Hiraan regions, and with regular visits to the field  sites, will have the responsibility of assisting the PHC coordinator and Merlin south central health  teams in planning, organisation, implementation coordination and monitoring of all the agreed PHC and Nutrition health activities. S/he will work closely with Merlin Field Coordinator (FC), PHC supervisor and

Logistics teams, the UN representatives,  local communities and all other partners operating in the area of jurisdiction.  S/he will also be responsible to roll out training for EWARS (Early warning and response system) for communicable diseases in South and central Somalia in partnership with WHO.

RESPONSIBILITIES

· Plan and review all PHC activities in collaboration with MO, PHC supervisor and other agencies/partners both inside and outside the health cluster forums.

· To supervise and support all field staff in all PHC technical programs in the project thematic areas in order to ensure effective delegation and work allocation.

· Write internal PHC technical reports (including but not limited to monthly and quarterly facility reports, surveillance reports and outbreak reports) and send to the Field coordinator or Health coordinator, project coordinator and country health director in a timely manner. At the same time, s/he will have to prepare monthly plan and reports of all activities done within Merlin in relation to PHC in the project geographical coverage areas.

· In liaison with Logistics team, Ensure availability of supplies for emergencies especially during outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea/cholera emergency kits including maintenance at all times of an emergency buffer stock in Elbur and to monitor for proper usage and stocks maintenance of such supplies donated to the health facilities.

· Collaborate technically with local community/Authority, UN and other organizations involved in health projects in Galgadud and attend regularly to represent Merlin at all PHC coordination meetings with all partners

· Identify PHC training needs and organise appropriate training for all technical staff working with Merlin in Elbur and to assist in preparation of training materials in conjunction with the health coordinator and other partners.

· Replace/stand in for the Medical Officer whenever required. This may be in cases of leave or on request by the FC/PHC/PC.

· Will be responsible for the roll out of EWARS training in identified sites in collaboration with WHO field office.

Representation

? Represent Merlin in Galgadud in matters related to PHC to donors, national and regional health authorities, NGO networks and other parties as necessary ensuring that all relevant partners are kept positively informed of Merlin.

General:

? Carry out any duty as assigned by the immediate supervisor or his/her designate in relevance to the mandate of Merlin in Galgaduud region.

Person Specification - Essential:

Qualifications and Experiences

? Medical Doctor or medical assistant with minimum 5 years of experience in of clinical services and epidemic control at field level with high degree of professional competencies.

? Hands-on experience in disease surveillance and epidemic control programs including extensive experience in managing chronic illnesses in emergency and development situations.

? On hand experience in basic epidemiological analysis, interpretation and documentation

? A competent trainer with good experience of developing and implementing training plans

? Experience in management of similar health project s will be an asset

Personality traits, Skills and Competencies

? Preferable a Somali, committed, confident, community oriented medical doctor with enthusiasm, initiative, drive, leadership qualities, and good advocacy skills to motivate and influence collective decision making process

? Should have a consultative and participatory approach to work with the adaptability of working with different clans, communities, social groups and partner organisations/institutions

? Excellent coordination and communication skills

? Willing to travel extensively and working in dynamic work environments

? Should have good documentation and dissemination / presentation skills

? Should be able to live, work and travel in an insecure environment, following strict security guidelines at all times.

? Proven capacity to work in a quickly moving, unstable situation and work against targeted outputs with tight time frames and deadlines

? Proficient in use of computers, able to use - Microsoft Word, Excel and EPI Info and relevant data processing software packages. Should be conversant with use of internet and email systems3

Language skills

? Proficiency in written and spoken English and Somali.

HOW TO APPLY:

Should this role be of interest to you, please send you application (to include your CV,

Cover letter and at least 3 professional referees), clearly indicating “Project Health

Officer” in the subject line, to recruitment@merlin-kenya.org, no later than COB  15th June, 2012.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.