Senior Health Coordinator at International Rescue Committee (IRC)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world’s largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and more than 25 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees delivers lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you’re a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary

IRC Syria country programme has recently united under one leadership for the entire Syria response. Under this structure one DDP is holding the S100 and SAP IP for the entire country programme and two Health Coordinators support in implementing the health strategy in North East Syria and North West Syria (from Gaziantep) respectively.

Working under the direction of the Program Implementation and Quality Director (PIQD) the Senior Health Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring a unified Health strategy for the Syria country programme with the two Health Coordinators reporting into her/him directly. This will involve updating and implementing the health strategy for whole of Syria with particular attention to single hub sensitivities, donors relations, UN and clusters relations, acting as driver in all new proposals design, writing and implementation including spending plans, work plans and budget management. Possibly included in high level donors relations specific to health in Syria. The role is based in Amman, with up to 30% of time expected travel to field sites.

Responsibilities:

Program Management, Technical Quality, and Strategy

• Provide strategic direction, leadership and overall technical and management support to health programs operating in all Syria and make sure programs in different hubs are well integrated and harmonized between each other.

• Lead program design processes and provide technical oversight that ensure new or adapted programming focused on quality, efficiency, impact and integrated approaches with other sectors.

• Oversee health programming activities, including technical support, supervision and guidance to health teams in both hubs.

• Provide guidance and support to the Health Coordinator(s) to effectively manage competing priorities and implementation in line with the Syria Strategic Action Plan.

• Actively support the health management team in the development and implementation and monitoring of health interventions in their area of operation, including mobile teams, community outreach, and support to Partners-led programs.

• Coordinate direct reports toward ensuring all targets are met on time, according to budgets, and in line with donor commitments.

• Support the development of M&E systems and lead analysis of health data trends to course correct and adapt programming, with a focus on quality health interventions.

• Work collaboratively to integrate community health and MHPSS with other program sectors where appropriate, particularly with the health programs.

• Support training to IRC and partner teams to improve technical knowledge and practices, ensuring that capacity strengthening support effectively addresses individual and partner priority needs.

• Lead the process of the development of new proposals and initiatives in accordance with the Syria Strategic Action Plan and IRC program framework.

• Lead and participate in the development of budgets for program proposals in conjunction with the grants and finance departments.

• Work with the health team and Technical Unit to strengthen community health approaches, defining the strategic direction of the community health programming.

• Coordinate annual plans for IRC Technical Unit support.

• Liaise with partners, sector working groups and other stakeholders to ensure that IRC’s programmatic goals and strategies are in line with national and international priorities.

• Coordinate regular health program assessments to identify opportunities for expansion and improvements in program effectiveness, efficiency and efficacy.

• Explore opportunities for expansion in health sub-sectors, including mental health and secondary health care.

• Lead on the design of the health sector contingency plan as part of wider preparedness and adaptive management.

• Ensure effective and high quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for both internal and external use, capturing best practice.

Grants Management and Reporting

• Review progress in achieving program objectives and targets in collaboration with the program’s coordinators, deputies and implementing partners.

• In coordination with the Health Coordinators participate in and lead Grants Opening, Mid-Term and Closing meetings.

• Review technical aspects of internal and external reports prepared by the managers within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required.

• Supervise, prepare and implement detailed program spending, procurement and work plans for all health projects for Syria.

• Coordinate inputs for health into budget and indicator tracking on a monthly basis, implement corrective action as required, and report this within IRC.

• Ensure internal and reports to donors are produced and delivered in a timely and quality manner.

Partnerships and Coordination

• Manage dedicated positions responsible for health partner support to develop and strengthen strategic partnerships with Syrian partners in both hubs.

• Work closely with Sub Award Partnerships Unit on the management of sub-awards to health partners.

• Establish networks with UN, INGOs, and local partners to promote technical capacity and develop strategic partnerships, including active participation in cluster meetings.

• Represent the IRC’s health programs with national authorities, non-state actors, UN agencies, NGOs, and donors.

• Work closely with the health partnership focal points to develop and finalize the technical capacity building plan for implementing partners, in addition of supervising and monitoring the implementation of the plan.

• Attend health coordination meetings and communicate relevant information to health staff.

• Maintain coordination and collaboration with finance and operations to ensure coordination of procurement, project planning and logistics related to the health program.

Program Development and Quality

• Assist development of IRC health programming in both NES and NW in an integrated manner, as needs are identified and funding opportunities arise.

• Develop a strategic plan per each health components such as PHC, community health, MHPSS and etc.

• Assist in the development of detailed log frames, work plans, and monitoring tools and support their implementation in coordination with the Grants unit, health program team, and IRC’s technical health units.

• Continue to evolve the remote monitoring program that will ensure service delivery and program expansion inside Syria, focusing on quality care.

• Ensure that the health activities demonstrate adherence to international and national standards.

• Introduce innovative activities to improve data quality and monitoring through use of ICT.

• Lead the process of developing the HIS for the entire IRC’s health program inside Syria.

• Support the PIQD and Grants team in business development, drafting concept notes, and external representation.

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development:

• Review the structure of health teams periodically and map out the staffing needs in alignment with program size and any expansion plans.

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of health team members in relevant technical and management competencies.

• Support collaborative partner relationships focused on mutual learning and capacity building as well as technical guidance in areas of IRC expertise, including training/mentoring support and performance management that fully reflects the skills and attitudes required to work effectively in partnership.

• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths of the team in Syria.

• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Approve and manage all time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.

• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis.

• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing guidance on career paths.

• As required identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with employment policies.

• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.

• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.

• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

• Adhere to and act in accordance with the IRC Global HR Policies and Procedures, and communicates through word and example a high standard of compliance with all applicable policies and regulations.

Supporting the operational activities:

• Work closely with the Deputy Director of Operations and IRC Syria operational units to ensure effective planning of support required for smooth project implementation.

• Provide technical support to the supply chain department with regard to specialist medical commodities and consumables.

• Work closely with the HR Director to identify and recruit talent inside Syria and Jordan.

• Work closely with the compliance department to ensure the implementation of health programs inside Syria according to IRC policy and donors regulations.

Job requirements

• Health related degree and post-graduate qualification.

• Minimum of seven years international professional experience implementing humanitarian health programs at managerial or coordination level.

• Demonstrated experience in capacity building, project design and budget management.

• Experience in working with and coordinating with the UN, donors, INGOs and other stakeholders.

• Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, as well as donor agencies, government officials, and other NGO’s; ability to work with a broad spectrum of people.

• Strong writing and analytical skills, including ability to communicate technical matters to a range of audiences.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to effectively manage a variety of multi-level relationships in a multicultural environment;

• Demonstrated experience managing projects with stakeholders and team members without direct managerial oversight;

• Excellent project management skills, including organization and attention to detail;

• Excellent written communications and ability to develop simple and accessible program materials;

• The ability to work productively and accurately while under pressure in a fast-paced, demanding environment;

• Comfort understanding when to handle problems independently and when they should be flagged to leadership;

• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues in ‘remote’ and distant, diverse teams;

• A flexible work attitude, meaning the ability to work in a team environment or independently, and the ability to meet unexpected demands;

• Mastery of MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.

• Fluent in spoken and written English

• Ability to Travel: 20-30% in field sites

Desirable:

• Long-term career interest in humanitarian or development program management and/or strategy/quality

• Previous experience with an INGO

• Strong familiarity with IRC processes a plus

• The ability to work (read and write) in Arabic a plus

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.

• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development

• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.

• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.

• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.

• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.

• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop and a sense of humor is a must.

• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• English is required

• Travel: 20-30% to field sites in Syria and Turkey as well as attending regional and global workshops and meetings.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Program Implementation and Quality Director

Position directly supervises: Health Coordinator(s), Specialists.

Indirect Reporting: Country Director

Key internal contacts: HQ based IRC Technical Advisors, Deputy Director of Field Operations, Field Coordinators, Other Program Coordinators, Program Managers, M&E Manager.

Other External: UN bodies, local and national authorities, donors, working groups and clusters.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Commitment to Gender, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion: The IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. The IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of the IRC persons in any work setting. We aim to increase the representation of women, people that are from country and communities we serve, and people who identify as races and ethnicities that are under-represented in global power structures.