Reproductive Health Manager (Panthou)

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, 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.

BACKGROUND: The Republic of South Sudan emerged from decades of brutal civil war rooted in disputes over religion, ethnicity, resources, governance and self-determination. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ushered in an era of post-conflict development efforts, which took on new dimensions following independence in July 2011. The security situation remains fragile and testing operational challenges abound. IRC operates in six of South Sudan's ten states with highly successful programming in: health, protection, livelihoods, water and sanitation and gender-based violence. South Sudan has one of the highest Maternal Mortality ratios in the world. The Government through its health policies has made improving the health of women a priority. IRC supports 30 Primary Health Care facilities and emergency health responses in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Unity States. IRC provides basic curative care, reproductive health care; preventive care; and community based health programs that save lives every day.

SCOPE OF WORK: The Reproductive Health Manager (LAMAT) is responsible for continuing to pilot an innovative community based reproductive health surveillance program known as the Maternal and Newborn Local Area Monitoring and Tracking (LAMAT) system. IRC's LAMAT pilot aims to improve the coverage, quality, planning and coordination of Maternal and Newborn Health services in the target area and has the potential to scale-up in other locations in South Sudan.

Under the supervision of the Sr RH Manager, the RH Manager (LAMAT) is responsible for working with local health staff, especially midwives, home health promoters (HHP), traditional birth attendants, Village Health Committees and community leaders to create awareness of and demand for reproductive health services. The position is based in Panthou, Aweil South County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, with travel to other locations in South Sudan.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

The RH Manager (LAMAT) is responsible to:

• Ensure proper and timely implementation of the project in accordance with donor regulations, working in close collaboration with CDC representatives;
• Recruit and supervise LAMAT project staff including midwives, HHP and data clerks;
• Develop and implement realistic action plans for addressing gaps identified in the program;
• Provide regular technical guidance and training to build the skills of the project staff;
• Oversee ongoing implementation of LAMAT activities in Aweil South County;
• Roll out forms and registers in target communities to ensure the highest level of coverage and completeness of reporting;
• Review and enhance coverage for the target villages by HHPs.
• Support and supervise clerks to compile and generate report good quality reports;
• Provide weekly updates and monthly reports on the progress of the project;
• Continually monitor and evaluate program indicators, objectives, outputs, and impact;
• Ensure that all spending is as per the allocated budget and within the project timeframe.
• Liaise with government bodies, UN agencies, INGOs, NGOs, and other agencies regarding planning and implementing project activities;
• Support the Senior RH Manager in conducting state-level trainings on reproductive health topics, and providing on the job supportive supervision to the trainees;
• Deploy as needed to support RH implementation during emergencies across South Sudan;
• Write and submit reports as requested;
• Other relevant duties as assigned by the Senior Reproductive Health Manager.

REQUIREMENTS

• Education and knowledge
  • Advanced degree or equivalent in Midwifery or Nursing (RN/RM, MD) preferred; MPH a plus;
  • Current clinical license
  • Strong familiarity with international guiding principles and best practices of RH in crisis settings; for example: MISP, IASC, Sphere
• Experience
  • Minimum 3 years direct clinical RH practice
  • Minimum 4 years experience managing RH programs in conflict-affected settings
  • Experience working on health programs with an international NGO
• Skills & abilities
  • Excellent technical skills in RH procedures
  • Demonstrated ability in staff development, including designing, organizing and: facilitating formal training sessions as well as experience providing on-the-job coaching;
  • Experience conducting assessments using participatory approaches.
  • Experience working with and supervising staff in an international, multi-cultural setting.
  • Strong management, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.
  • Ability to write clear and concise reports.
  • Strong computer skills: competent in Windows, MS Word, Excel, Access, Outlook.
  • Ability to work in a high-pressure, relatively insecure environment;
  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team, able to organize and prioritize work
  • Flexible, adaptable, culturally sensitive, sense of humor
  • Fluent English both spoken and written required

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Housing: Hut in IRC Compound, toilet, shower, Internet, DSTV on-site.
Security level: Yellow, stable with occasional local clashes
Work assignments with IRC in South Sudan are unaccompanied posts.