Community Health and surveillance Officer

Work Arrangement:

Job Description

Organization Background

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world's leading crisis response agencies, providing life-saving assistance and supporting recovery and reconstruction for people affected by war and natural disasters. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women's empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, civil society, and the private sector. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has a presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, protection, and rule of law (PRoL), women’s protection and empowerment (WPE), economic recovery and development (ERD), education and livelihoods. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons. As part of IRC Uganda’s strategic ambitions, the IRC works closely with local actors, including civil society organizations, local non-governmental organizations, local and national governments, among others, to strengthen their capacity and with intentions of transferring more resources for locally-led implementation and support to our clients.

Job Overview

The Community Health Officer will be responsible for the direct implementation of community health services aimed at improving the overall well-being of the refugee population in Kiryandongo settlement.

Major Responsibilities

•Establish an appropriate consultative and monitoring framework which would draw the experience and expertise of a wide range of actors both internally and externally appropriate to community health.

•The incumbent of the position oversees and supervises the community Health programmes in the operations under Area of Responsibility (AoR) and provide strong technical guidance to partners, monitor, and evaluate the programmes and ensure and lead monthly community health coordination meetings.

•Coordinating the existing VHTs and Health workers support the health facilities to conduct integrated outreaches, health promotion campaigns.

•Conduct disease surveillance and sensitization activities to mitigate potential disease outbreaks, using messages approved by the Ministry of Health (MoH).

•In collaboration with the Reproductive Health team, support the provision of basic quality reproductive health services including EPI to the communities within the settlement (pregnancy mapping, effective referrals of pregnant mothers for ANC, PNC, immunization, other maternal and newborn services).

•Assist in the development of appropriate program monitoring tools and continuously assesses the health-related needs of the community, identify gaps and adapt program activities to respond to these gaps while providing oversight to community networks (youth clubs, drama groups VHTs, and youth friendly corners).

•Identify and roll out communication strategies for the community health program including the printing, monitoring availability and distribution of IEC materials as well as job Aids for community activities.

•Participate in the development of community program work plans and reviewing them monthly with the medical officer-team lead.

•Facilitate and support collection of the necessary community program data that informs programming in the relevant tools, while supporting the health facilities/VHT with necessary reporting requirements and mentorships.

•Coordinate referral strategies from community to the health facilities especially through the VHT system.

•Identify and coordinate gap and needs for the community health teams in the respective location and coordinating community network of care to the suitability of the organization.

•Represent IRC’s Program to the district health team, health sub-district and donor agencies, to ensure all program activities are carried out.

•Representing the organization in other fora which need and call for community engagement and coordination with other IPs and Ops.

•In collaboration with the DHT, participate in the support supervision visits to support Health facilities within the settlement.

•Maintain regular contact with all partners, including the DHT, Ministry of Health, and stakeholders on all matters pertaining to the program to avoid duplication of services.

Qualifications

•The ideal candidate for the International Rescue Committee (IRC) Community Health Officer job placement must hold a bachelor’s/diploma in nursing/midwifery, clinical medicine/nursing, Environmental health with an additional training in public health or its equivalent from a recognized Institution.

•Must have at least 3 years’ relevant experience in such work

•Must be registered with a professional body.

•Working with district, health facility staff and community-based groups such as VHTs.

•Previous work with an NGO in similar programs.

•Good report writing skills.

•Ability to enhance good interpersonal relationship.

•Good communication skills.

•A good command of both written and spoken English.

•Good knowledge and application of Microsoft word, Excel and Power Point.

•Proven interpersonal skills.

•Computer literate in MS, internet, power point, etc.

•Managerial skills

Please note: Applications will be reviewed on rolling basis.

Deadline for receiving applications is 18th January 2024.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.