Job Description
Reproductive Health Manager
International Rescue Committee (IRC)
Location: Chad
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest humanitarian agencies in the world, providing relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of oppression and violent conflict. IRC has worked for over seven decades and today is involved in over 25 conflict zones in the world. We address both the immediate, life saving needs of conflict affected people in an emergency and the reconstruction needs in post conflict societies. IRC is committed to a culture of bold leadership, innovation in all aspects of our work, creative partnerships and thorough accountability to those we serve. The IRC is an international agency with offices in London, New York, and Geneva.
BACKGROUND:
In response to a growing humanitarian crisis and the influx of refugees into Chad, the IRC launched programs in Chad in February 2004, focusing on the most urgent needs of water and sanitation, education, health, and protection. IRC program activities have been concentrated on the northernmost refugee population centers in Chad, which are located in the Prefecture of Borkou-Ennedi-Tibesti (BET), near the towns of Bahai and Cariari. In July 2004, the refugees were moved to Ouré Cassoni camp, which was built and is managed by the IRC with support from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). IRC is currently responsible for the Primary Health Care, Environmental Health, and Education programs assisting the approximately 30,000 refugees in the camp. In 2008, IRC also took over the implementation of Health and Nutrition programs for approximately 32,000 refugees in Bredjing Camp, located in the Ouaddai region of eastern Chad. In October 2010, IRC started a health program in the Bahr El Ghazal region stroke by drought these last years. The project is targeting vulnerable populations who have hardly accessing health care: children <5 years, pregnant and lactating women. The project is supported by ECHO for a period of 8.5 months.
The Reproductive Health Manager will be responsible for overseeing the Reproductive Health (RH) program in the field locations and supervising the implementation of the three core aspects of reproductive health: 1° Safe motherhood and Family Planning; 2° Post Abortion Care (PAC) and; 3° Emergency Obstetrical Care in, under supervision of the Senior Health Manager. An area of growing focus is the reduction of HIV transmission through universal precautions and HIV awareness raising.
This position supervises refugee & Chadian midwives. The candidate will be responsible for the design, implementation and management of the program and for building the capacity of national and refugee staff. This position is based in Bahai, located at about 25km from the Ouré Cassoni camp.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Assess current RH situation in Ouré Cassoni camp and IRC RH Chad program; ensure proper and timely implementation of current programs and grants.
• Supervise the Mother/Child Health refugee staff and provide regular technical assistance and training to build their skills.
• With Senior Health Manager, introduce standardized strategies and protocols for RH as a component of a comprehensive and fully integrated primary health program.
• Act as focal point for the coordination and implementation of reproductive health services in the camp.
• Ensure appropriate treatment of beneficiaries requiring clinical RH services within IRC’s health program and ensure that the system for referral cases is functioning efficiently and with optimal results.
• Ensure proper collection and analysis of demographic data associated with RH. Regularly analyze data in conjunction with refugee staff in order to build their skills in tracking reproductive health trends in the camp and developing appropriate responses. Conduct surveys as necessary.
• Write and submit reports as required to the Senior Health Manager (SHM), Field Coordinator, Health Coordinator and partners. Continually monitor and evaluate program indicators, objectives, outputs, and impact. Ensure that all grant required activities, indicators and objectives are successfully met within the project timeframe.
• Plan and manage RH program budget in order to maintain program expenditure within budget;
• With the Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator, develop ideas/proposals for new programs
• Under the supervision of the SHM, liaise with government bodies, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and other agencies on issues of planning and implementing RH programs.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Advanced degree or equivalent in Midwifery or Nursing, or a MD with specialization in obstetrics or related field.
• Clinical training (RN, MD) preferred; MPH a plus.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in reproductive health in clinical and/or direct practice settings, with at least two years international experience, directly implementing reproductive health programs in conflict-affected or refugee settings.
• Excellent technical skills in RH in conflict settings. Strong familiarity with international guiding principles and best practices required, such as with MISP, IASC guidelines, and other guidelines on RH in conflict settings.
• Experience developing staff capacity and implementing formal, regular staff trainings.
• Experience conducting assessments and in using participatory approaches.
• Experience working with and supervising staff in an international, multi-cultural setting;
• Strong management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills;
• Ability to write clear and concise reports;
• Strong computer skills: must be competent in the use of Windows, MS office programs (Word, Excel), email programs;
• Ability to work in unstable security environments, and under administrative and programmatic pressures.
• Fluent English and proficient French required; Arabic strongly desired.
