Health Programme Manager - Somalia (Trócaire)

[Admin]

Health Programme Manager
Trócaire
Closing date: 31 Dec 2009
Location: Somalia

09/ID/014E

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 Programme Manager is responsible for the day to day planning, managing, monitoring and reporting on all of the technical aspects of this health programme. The programme is supported by staff and offices in Mandera and Nairobi. The annual budget for the country programme is approximately €1.8million.

Reporting to: Country Representative, based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Managing: (Individuals/ Team) Directly managing four Health Programme Coordinators and 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 both strategic and day to day management of Trócaire’s health programme work in Somalia. Directly managing the District Health Boards Coordinator, Hospital Coordinator, Primary Health Coordinator, Training Coordinator and HMIS Officer, and working closely with the Country Representative and other Trócaire programme and support function staff, the post holder will manage and coordinate all aspects of the Gedo Health Programme including; supporting the planning, design, implementation and monitoring of activities and advising on medium to long-term strategy for region

Key Duties & Responsibilities include:

Programme Development
- Oversee the planning, implementation, and monitoring 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 management of programme activities and the development of partnerships;
- Ensure programme interventions are in line with emerging national policies for Somalia and participate actively in Somalia health coordination fora;
- Work closely with the senior Trócaire health programme staff, 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.
- In close collaboration with the Country Representative and other senior 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.
- 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.
- Responsible for the timely preparation and submission of weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual health reports for internal use and for submission to donors and other partners.
- Liaising with the Trócaire Operations Coordinator and logistic staff 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.

Management and Administration
- Develop and manage a supportive and motivating work environment for the programme team;
- Provide adequate and timely technical guidance, supervision, capacity building and management support to the Hospital Coordinator, Primary Health Coordinator, and 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.
- Agree key performance indicators in relation to individual team members line managed by the post holder, and identify training needs within the team;
- Monitor all aspects of the programme and ensure timely and effective delivery of the programme’s objectives;
- Ensure efficient and strategic use of all resources within the programme and aim to minimise risk for Trócaire;
- Support the Country Representative to monitor all aspects of financial management, including the preparation and monitoring of budgets, ensuring adherence to approved budgets and developing financial reports;
- Manage, track, monitor, and ensure compliance of contractual obligations of Gedo Regional Health Programme with donors and partners.
- 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.
- Experience of managing and implementing emergency public health and nutrition interventions with a track record in innovative responses/planning for public health issues.
- Experience in capacity development of health workers in low capacity environments and commitment to community based approaches.
- Sound knowledge and experience of programme cycle management and budgeting.
- 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
- 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
- Strong communication skills, with excellent written and spoken English.

(E) Qualities
- Ability to collate, manage and analyse epidemiological data, providing high quality narrative and data reports.

Person Specification – Desirable Requirements (D)

(D) Experience
- Previous work experience in Somalia
- Knowledge of the Somalia context and Somali language would be an advantage.
How to apply
Please download application form from www.trocaire.org send completed form to hr@trocaire.ie

Reference Code: RW_7YLLFM-36