Senior Community Heath Officer

Job Description

Organization Description

Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies.

The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kasese and Kampala.

Job Overview

The Senior Community Health Officer (SCHO) will be responsible for the direct implementation of community health services aimed at improving the overall well-being of the refugee population in Imvepi and Rhino Camp settlement.

Roles and Responsibilities

•To represent the IRC in any official forum where S/he will be required to participate. •Support and supervise the CHO on a regular basis. •Provide reports like weekly SITREP, VHT data base, monthly reports and other activity reports as per catchment location on activities implemented during the week. •Support the VHT through regular meetings, monitoring and supervision of their activities like ICCM. •To ensure wider reach out to the refugees and other persons of concern and ensure their close involvement in the delivery and management of health services, the incumbent will need to 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. The incumbent has close contacts with internal and external stakeholders. •Coordinating the existing VHTs and Health workers support the health facilities to conduct integrated outreaches, health promotion campaigns, 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 Officer, support the provision basic quality reproductive health services to the communities within the settlement including pregnancy mapping, condom distribution and ensuring effective referrals of pregnant mothers for ANC, PNC, 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. •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.

Liaison •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 forums 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) Senior Community Health Officer (SCHO) job placement must hold a bachelors/diploma in nursing, diploma in clinical medicine/nursing, Environmental health with an additional training in public health or its equivalent from a recognized Institution. •Must have at least 4 years’ experience in such work. •Must be registered with a professional body. •Experience in working with district, health facility staff and community-based groups such as VHTs •Previous work experience with an NGO in similar programs. •Good report writing skills. •Ability to enhance good interpersonal relationship. •Good communication skills and proven interpersonal skills •A good command of both written and spoken English. •Good knowledge and application of Microsoft word, Excel, and Power Point. •Computer literate in MS, internet, power point, etc. •Managerial skills

Deadline for receiving applications is January 24th 2022.

Professional Standards

The IRC and IRC staff 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.

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

All staff, regardless of role, are required to create a culture of client responsiveness by requesting and using client feedback data to make decisions. In addition, all staff are expected to demonstrate inclusiveness when making programmatic decisions and working with clients, partners and colleagues from diverse backgrounds. You can read more about the IRC’s commitment to client responsiveness here: https://www.rescue.org/resource/client-responsiveness-introduction-and-faq

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.