GAVI Project Coordinator

The IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum. Sudan is currently experiencing multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, natural disasters, as well as the Covid-19 pandemic. The result of this crisis is large-scale humanitarian need across the country leaving an estimated 9.3 million people in need. In November 2020, fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia led to the flight of around 60,000 refugees to eastern Sudan, further worsening the humanitarian need. In response to growing needs in recent months, the IRC has established a fully functional country program following on the work initially done through the emergency response team and expanded humanitarian activities in the east of the country in response to the Tigrayan refugee crisis. The IRC currently has two field bases in Gedaref and Damazine in addition to the head office in Khartoum, and in line with the newly developed three-year Strategic Action Plan that runs from FY2022 to FY2024, the IRC will continue strengthening ongoing programming in Khartoum, Gedaref and Blue Nile states and undertake programmatic expansion to new states including Kassala, South Kordofan and South Darfur states.

Scope: Within the International Rescue Committee (IRC) health and Nutrition sector, the Project Coordinator will take direct responsibility for facilitating Gavi’s goal of “leaving no one behind with immunization” in the targeted states of Blue Nile and Gedaref working closely with the Senior Health and Nutrition coordinator and other IRC teams. As the key member of the Technical Support Team in the project, the project coordinator is the lead person in providing high quality technical guidance to programme implementation team, coordinating the delivery of high quality, innovative, cost-effective immunization programmes both in emergency as well as long-term development, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children. The project coordinator will support the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the immunization programme towards achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals, objectives, and strategy. He/She will also lead local partners, support GAVI global partners and network with local and national level authorities on negotiating humanitarian access. The project coordinator will work with the Country Health Team and Health Technical Unit to roll out the project, representation with key stakeholders and preparation, reviews, and submission of required project deliverables. This position will be based in Damazine in Blue Nile state (50%) and spend at least 40% of the time in Blue Nile and 10% in Khartoum.

Responsibilities

Technical

• Lead the integration of immunization services in existing primary health care services at both static health facilities and outreach sites to maximize outcomes.

• Ensure Project efficiency, effectiveness and vaccination coverage are enhanced through effective implementation and monitoring.

• Ensure timely preparation of activity progress reports and quarterly updates of project work plans, and practical technical assistance is provided in new vaccines, routine immunization, cold chain.

• Appropriateness and completeness of supply order, distribution and documentation, and adherence to established allotments are ensured.

• Enhance the capacities of partners and country staff through effective capacity building activities in the development, implementation, and management of the Immunization Programme, working closely with the partnership team.

• Effective communication, networking and collaboration are achieved with internal and external partners.

• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities, conduct assessments on immunization health needs in new project areas and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health (SMoH), Partners and other program staff.

• launch Immunization-centric assessments, advocacy, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working with quality programmes team.

• Provide directions and training to Immunization project staff involved in delivering projects focusing on appropriate approaches and methodologies; conceptual and practical frameworks; standards and tools for effective and quality delivery of immunization programmes.

• Ensure that project interventions adhere to IRC’s core policy documents and guidelines, including the Program Framework, IRC’s MEAL guide and log frame, IRC’s Health Unit policies and procedures (Minimum and Core indicators, EPI strategy, etc.) and are aligned with the FMoH strategy.

• Promote the quality of the IRC’s assigned immunization programs by setting up monthly quality of care assessments and analysis of findings and feedback to the supported target location. This will include EPI audit reports and checks in collaboration with the country and HQ based health staff.

• In the case of a major humanitarian crisis, the role holder will be expected to work outside the standard role profile and vary working hours accordingly.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEAL)

• Ensure that all project staff, including the partners, understand and can adapt their roles in both emergency and development contexts.

• Participate in the design of robust program’s MEAL plans

• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of the GAVI project are overseen and met by strong monitoring, and evaluation follow up, and written reports are submitted to concerned bodies promptly.

• Participate in designing robust program’s MEAL plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs.

• Conduct monthly review of all projects epidemiological and procurement data including appropriate analysis and develop monthly reports.

• Conduct quarterly program performance reviews for the project collaboratively with the health program and MEAL teams, stakeholders, and partners to ensure adaptive programing.

• Conduct regular project review meetings, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data, with field-based staff to assess the level of achievement of project targets for the assigned partners.

• Monitor program implementation against work plans and overall project objectives, documenting progress and achievements, providing analysis and adapt program strategy and implementation accordingly

• Ensure effective and high-quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for internal and external use, capturing best practices to support program decision-making.

• In collaboration with Client Responsiveness Team, undertake regular client feedback and response activities at the field level by working with the partner’s staff and MEAL Team to develop context-appropriate tools and ensure client exit interviews occur at the target locations on a biannual basis.

• Conduct monthly visits to the program implementation sites in the field to strengthen activity implementation and offer guidance to the program teams.

Program Management

Grant Management

• Ensure that the project interventions are implemented according to internal IRC and donor regulations with an overall review by the Senior Health Coordinator

• Develop program management tools, work plans, procurement plans, spending plans, staffing plans that should be updated regularly.

• Participate in grant opening, midterm review and grant closing meetings for all health grants and ensure that the same process is implemented in the field

• Support partners staff in use of grant management tools such as the budget tracking tools, activity progress monitoring tools, procurement, and spending plans, etc.

Budget Monitoring

• Conduct monthly BVA reviews and make appropriate recommendations to the finance and logistics staff as well as to the field-based health staff

• Ensure that assigned budgets are spent according to plan and as per contractual agreements with respective donors

• In collaboration with partners staff develop spending plans and monitor the implementation of these spending plans for respective grants

• Work with finance to undertake budget recoding as required.

Human Resource Management

• Coordinate the development of goal setting plans for project staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staffs (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).

• Manage the day-to-day supervision and administrative support to all project staff ensuring regular work schedules, time sheet management, annual leave management and ensure team cohesion.

Representation

• Represent IRC to local communities, relevant Technical Working Groups (TWGs), government departments, international agencies, UN Agencies, local partners, and donors as required.

• Attend relevant meetings and prepare meeting notes as required and share these with all concerned.

Key working relationships

• Position reports to: Senior Health & Nutrition Coordinator

• Position directly supervises: Health Managers, Logistic Vaccine Officers, Cold Chain Technician

• Key Internal Stakeholders:

o Country: MEAL Manager, Grants Coordinator, Health Technical Advisor, Integrated Protection Coordinator, Field Coordinators/Managers, Finance Controller, Supply Chain Coordinator, HR Coordinator.

o Regional: GAVI Coordinators, Health Coordinators for GAVI Countries

o HQ : Health Technical Unit, GAVI Support Teams

• Key External Stakeholders: FMoH, SMoH, Technical Working Groups (TWGs), government departments, international agencies, UN Agencies, local partners, International Partners, and donors

Job Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree in Medicine, Health, Public Health, Nursing, or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization, RMNCAH, Child Survival and Health Care; Background/familiarity with Emergency is a plus. Experience leading immunization strategies (Routine Immunization, SIAs), Vaccine Preventable Disease Surveillance is an added advantage.

• Work Experience: Minimum of 5 years professional experience in some combination of project management, and provision of technical assistance in health action,

• Experience in project management, technical tools and materials development and monitoring and evaluation is highly desired.

• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Demonstrated expertise in working with donors, project design, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action. Able to work with remote, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.

• Communicate effectively and clearly, has strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills and ability to facilitate collaboration.

• Comfortable in a high-visibility, individual contributor role with the ability to work cross-functionally and with all levels of the organization.

• Language Skills: Fluency in English is required and proficiency in Arabic is an advantage.

• Working Environment: Up to 50% travel will be required. This position will be based in Damazine and support Gedref with some travel to Khartoum.

Working environment:

Security: The security situation in Sudan remains unstable following the current political crisis and subsequent weekly protests organized in Khartoum and other parts of the country. There is extreme economic hardship currently experienced by the local communities exacerbated by volatility of the local currency due to high inflation and high youth unemployment. The high costs of fuel, medical care and shortages of basic necessities like bread, water have all impacted negatively on the welfare of the communities. The situation therefore remains tense and unpredictable; other concerns include high criminality rate, presence of armed troops, and looting.

Living Conditions: The position is based in Damazine (50%) with frequent movement to Gedaref (40%) and spend 10% of the time in Khartoum for national level coordination and sharing activities. Both Damazine and Gedaref and small cities with basic accommodation and amenities and the project activity locations in these states are in remote distant location with poor infrastructures.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the IRC has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The International Rescue Committee is an Equal Opportunity Employer. International Rescue Committee considers all candidates 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. The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality 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.

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Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply.