Senior Officer, Health and Care

Organizational Context The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, with a network of 192-member National Societies. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” The IFRC works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies, and other crises. IFRC is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (Movement), together with its member National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The work of the IFRC is guided by the following fundamental principles: humanity, impartiality, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity, and universality. IFRC is led by its Secretary General and has its Headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. The Headquarters are organized into three main Divisions: (i) National Society Development and Operations Coordination; (ii) Global Relations, Humanitarian Diplomacy and Digitalization; and (iii) Management Policy, Strategy and Corporate Services. IFRC has five regional offices in Africa, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and North Africa, Europe, and the Americas. IFRC also has country cluster delegations and country delegations throughout the world. Together, the Geneva Headquarters and the field structure (regional, cluster and country) comprise the IFRC Secretariat. IFRC has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment and other forms of harassment, abuse of authority, discrimination, and lack of integrity (including but not limited to financial misconduct). IFRC also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. The IFRC office in Abuja is the hub to support the National Societies (Red Cross) of the Abuja Country Cluster Delegation (Nigeria, Benin, Togo and Ghana) and has a status agreement with the Nigerian government. The Abuja country cluster delegation delivers the IFRC mandate in the sub-region, focusing on Disaster Management, Capacity Building of the National Societies, and Humanitarian Diplomacy.

Job Purpose

Reporting to the Programme Coordinator, the Senior Officer-Health will lead on all health portfolios, which includes developing and managing strategic partnership with government, development partners, other humanitarian counterparts and Movement Partners on emergency health preparedness program as well as overall health programming.

The Senior Officer-Health will:

• Provide strategic support to the NRCS Health and Care Programmes and effectively address emerging issues, risks and opportunities identified.
• Support the NRCS in the development of proposals for funding with an aim towards expanding the current health portfolio including vaccination and ensuring long-term programming that addresses the needs of individuals and communities in countries covered.
• Provide technical support to NRCS to ensure quality design and implementation of health programs, including emergency health and preparedness programme.
• Liaise with partner National Societies and other partners to identify opportunities for NRCS engagement and positioning.
• Lead the development of the annual plans for the Health and Care Department for Nigeria based on identified needs and priorities.
• Support knowledge sharing and reporting relevant to the National Societies’ health programming.
• Work with NRCS to enhance its visibility, positioning and partnership vis-à-vis the Ministries of Health and relevant Agencies.
• Steward/Manage health programming related resources.

  Job Duties and Responsibilities

  The Senior Officer-Health will undertake the following specific duties and responsibilities.

  • Building on technical knowledge and understanding of global and country-specific health issues (within the Delegation), develop proposals for new programs in close coordination with the Africa Regional Health and Care Unit, while respecting and following the key IFRC technical documents (Strategy 2030, IFRC global health policy, IFRC global initiatives etc.). Ensure participation in relevant internal platforms accordingly.
  • Ensure that relevant Red Cross (RC) and Red Crescent and national/international guidelines and best practices are followed in community-based health (CBH) program assessment, planning and implementation in Nigeria.
  • Closely work with the NRCS to contribute towards integrated health and care activities.
  • Liaise with and encourage NRCS to engage effectively with other key health sector players at national level, including the ICRC, relevant ministries, UNICEF, WHO, NGOs, CBOs, community groups, beneficiaries, Academia and the private health sector where appropriate.
  • Represent the IFRC in relevant health sector technical, policy and advocacy forums and networks in the country as well as in relevant subregional platforms. Develop credible and good quality information and advocacy documents about RC/RC technical knowhow, impact and lessons learned (integrated programming as well as specific technical areas) and share among these sectors and forums.
  • Support the NRCS in developing epidemics contingency plans and epidemics preparedness plans. This is done in collaboration with technical colleagues in IFRC and the National Societies as well as the Regional Emergency Health Delegate focal point.
  • Ensure that IFRC tools for Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA), (PMER toolkit), Epidemic Control for Volunteers (ECV), Community-Based Surveillance (CBS), and Community engagement and accountability (CEA) are adopted and utilized to their full potential in community-based health programs of the NRCS
  • Build and maintain a knowledge database and disseminate technical information, updates, and innovation in the health sector to partners and within the National Societies.
  • Provide strategic advice on health and care issues including the elaboration of health strategies and program plans and gathering of new ideas for service delivery and knowledge sharing.
  • Coordinate external and movement support toward building the capacity of Nigeria Red Cross Society in health programming.
  • Promote integration of interventions (Health, Emergency Health, WASH, Disaster Management, Organizational Development etc.).
  • Support NRCS capacity strengthening in emergency health preparedness and response
  • Provide technical guidance, and where necessary, participate in assessments, planning and supporting public health response emergency operations in close collaboration with the DM team
  • Manage IFRC health staff, promote training, standardization, best practices and learning on IFRC health policies and strategies, with technical support from the Regional Health and Care Unit
  • Manage the health budget, expenditure and procurement with the delegation health, finance/admin, and logistics teams, monitor the implementation and ensure the timely and efficient financial reporting.
  • Perform other duties as required.

    Education

    • Bachelor’s Degree in Public health, Medicine, Nursing or Health management or related discipline. (Required)
    • Master’s Degree in Public Health, Medicine, Nursing or Health management or related discipline. (Preferred).

      Experience

      • Minimum of 5 years of job-related experience in clinical, Public health, Emergency health community health, humanitarian response. (Required)
      • Minimum 5 years of work experience in health programming/management, including at least three years of field experience in humanitarian contexts/ or experience working for the Red Cross/Red Crescent movement. (Required)
      • Experience of managing & supporting staff. (Required)
      • Experience overseeing project planning, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting, ideally for health-related projects. (Required)

        Knowledge, Skills and Languages

        • Advanced knowledge of MS Office Suite and other relevant software/program. (Required)
        • Proven experience from project management, including needs assessments, project design, MEAL, planning and reporting (Required)
        • Operational management and reporting skills. (Required)
        • Experience in training, facilitation, coaching and development of staff and volunteers. (Required)
        • Motivated, self-started personality, sense of responsibility and organization skills. (Required)
        • Ability to multi-task, work under pressure, and prioritize workload to meet tight deadlines. (Required)
        • Excellent communication, interpersonal and networking skills. (Required)
        • Flexibility and ability to travel to the operation’s areas. (Required)
        • Fluently spoken and written English Language. (Required)
        • Good command of another IFRC official language (French) Optional

          Competencies, Values and Comments

          • Role model: Accountability-Commitment to the International Red Cross & Red Crescent Movement; Diversity-Sensitivity to diversity; Integrity-Integrity & Personal conduct; Professionalism-Flexibility & Adaptability, Resilience, management of self and others
          • Collaboration: Building trust; Empowering others; National Society relations; Teamwork
          • Achievement: Communication; Innovation-Initiative & direction; Judgement Decision-making; -Management of strategy, budgets and resources
          • Leadership: Building alliances-networking; Influencing-Monitoring, Inspiration; Strategic orientation