Senior Community Health Worker Officer - Wadi al Shatii

Job Description

Background/IRC Summary: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has operated in Libya since 2016, where it works with Libyan national and local health authorities to provide inclusive free-of-charge health services to vulnerable populations. There is consensus among stakeholders that Libya’s Essential Service Package (ESP) should be the cornerstone of the MoH’s strategic reform program and a key tool in reaching Universal Health Coverage (UHC) for people living in Libya. The Libyan ESP is composed of two service delivery levels – primary care at Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs) and secondary care at hospitals – and five health programming areas: reproductive, maternal, and newborn health; child health; communicable diseases; non-communicable diseases; and emergency services. Accordingly, since 2018, IRC has collaborated with the European Union (EU) Delegation in Libya and the MoH to develop and pilot the (ESP) aims at strengthening existing delivery systems and providing a standardized package of primary health care services to Libyans and non-Libyans. Funded by the European Union Delegation in Libya, the Advancing Capacity for and Coverage of the Essential Services package through Systems strengthening (ACCESS) is designed to address the combined lack of quality ESP offered and strengthen the management capacity, accountability and transparency of the District Health Office (DHO) to oversee and coordinate health services in the municipality in close coordination with other services provided by humanitarian and development actors in addition to community engagement and accountability to promote a healthy lifestyle and ensure services meet their needs. While treatment and prevention of communicable diseases remain the current priority for the country, attention to less common None- Communicable Diseases (NCD) will be paid to avoid their spread in the future. ACCESS will ensure the roll-out of the Libyan NCD Health Promotion Strategy (2020 – 2025) (developed through prior EU funding) at all supported facilities, while personal hygiene and changing lifestyle messages will form part of the hygiene promotion activities. The aim of the strategy is to decrease NCD mortality, increase numbers of NCD patients attending primary healthcare, reduce NCD acute or chronic complications, reduce the prevalence of smoking, and decrease the prevalence of obesity over the next five years. IRC will leverage tailored relevant IEC materials for NCD prevention and control which IRC for distribution at health facilities and in communities. IRC will support increased awareness of NCDs and conditions through on-the-job training on case management, improving diagnosis and treatment at the primary level, prevention through health education at the community and health facility level, and support to MoH campaigns. ACCESS program will be implemented directly in Wadi Alshati Baladiya (Brak and Algurdha Ashshati and Edre) in five fully functional. In high populated areas with non-functioning and non-damaged PHCC, IRC will explore with DOH providing mobile medical teams on a rotational basis.

Job Overview/Summary: The Snr Community Health Workers (CHW’s) officer will report directly to the Community Health Manager. S/he will be responsible for coaching and development of CHWs. S/he is responsible on developing CHW materials in addition to conducting baseline assessment as well as any related assessments and surveys. S/he will play an important role in all relevant staff training/teaching orientation programs. Work with the DHO, PHCI, health facilities and community representatives from the catchment areas to select a member from the community to participate in the establishment of CHCs. CHCs will include diverse membership of women, girls, youth, PwDs, People Living with HIV, minorities, and other vulnerable groups. Support the establishment of quarterly meetings between CHCs, health facility managers, and DHO to discuss barriers to access health services, provide feedback on services and needs of their communities, and jointly plan for health campaigns, health promotion. Work with the CHWs to conduct focus group discussions with beneficiaries and the findings will be analysed and reported quarterly to facility managers. Participate in selection and training staff from local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in health-seeking behaviour, health promotion, community mobilization and engagement, humanitarian principles and protection mainstreaming, accountability, community participatory monitoring approach, networking and basic concepts of health system strengthening. Major Responsibilities: Under the supervision of the Community Health Manager, the Snr. CHW officer is responsible on: Help in the recruitment, appointment, and ongoing employment of all CHWs. Participate in baseline assessments and any other related assessments and surveys. Build, design and prepare CHWs materials tailored to the Libyan context, in coordination with relevant local health authorities. Ensure a harmonized approach among different health awareness activities. Maintain database of CHWs activities, areas of coverage, contact information, assessments, training topics, pre/post surveys results, and reports. Participate in selection and training staff from local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs). Work with the Snr. MTL to establish CHCs in the targeted health facilities and participate in the preparation of quarterly meetings Ensure, in collaboration with Snr. MTLs and HIMS officer that relevant topics are integrated within the health promotion strategy based on regular analysis of medical data. Review, and analyze CHW’s data, discuss findings with the medical team during activities review meetings and report the outcomes to the community health manager on weekly basis. Ensure beneficiaries information and data confidentiality. Coordinate with Snr. MTLs to audit, monitor and evaluate CHWs performance

Identify performance related issues and report it to Snr. MTL to improve operational efficiencies. Assist in coordination of all related community health workers activities, including with external actors when relevant. Organize CHW’s activities schedule and follow up their progress. As requested, support the Community Health Manager, in the development of all project documents including staffing plan, program Organostructure, supervision checklists, program work plans, program spending plans and procurement plans Support the establishment and monitoring of effective referral pathways for health and other services from community to facility levels. Support with follow up on referrals to secondary levels as requested. Work closely and in line with Snr. MTLs to ensure better, more effective, and integrated services for beneficiaries. Responsible for coaching and development of CHWs. Ensure materials’, activities’ and CHWs behavior compliance with applicable state laws and IRC policies. To be involved in any staff training/teaching orientation programs as required, and to take an active interest in other organizational activities. To ensure that the IRC’s image is projected in the appropriate way. Facilitate CHWs meetings and provide training to CHWs to develop or educate on various technical skills. Be knowledgeable about community resources appropriate to needs of beneficiaries. To undertake any specific duties as delegated by the Community Health manager. Manage the development, implementation, and evaluation of the IRC community health programs' overall quality improvement. Identify and develop strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders that will assist community health programs in achieving its health-related aims and objectives. Prepare and develop a health emergency response plan for areas where IRC teams work.

Staff management The Snr. CHW Officer will be the direct supervisor of the CHWs but s/he will work closely with the Snr. MTLs. S/he will train CHWs and other health staff if needed.

Professional Standards The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. 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.

Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to: Senior Health Manager.

Working Environment: This position will be based in the IRC field office in Wadi Alshati Baladiya in the South of Libya with frequent visits to the field sites.

Qualifications

Job Requirements: University degree in Medicine & Surgery or related topics. Public health specialized training is an advantage. Minimum of 5 years’ work experience in health/medical fields, preferably in the NGO sector or UN agencies. At least two years’ experience in logistical or administrative works. Fluent in Arabic and English (Writing, Speaking, and Listening). Computer literate with significant experience in using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and Power Point). Excellent interpersonal communication skills and possess stamina to work under pressure. Oriented to the health systems in Libya.

Desirable Profile: Excellent negotiation skills. Strong skills in building the capacities, coaching and mentoring others. Willingness to work beyond working hours (on call services). Self-directed, able to independently set priorities and solve problems with minimal guidance Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with colleagues from varied cultures and professional backgrounds. Strong organization and time management skills. Good knowledge about medical supplies, equipment and drugs.

___________________________________________________________________________________ The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. 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.