Health Coordinator

In Ukraine, months of escalating Russian hostility have culminated in a concerted invasion of the country and the launch of military attacks across multiple cities in Ukraine. IRC’s approach in this crisis pre-dates the beginning of the conflict. We have been carefully monitoring the context since late 2021. Knowing the likely impact of large-scale crisis on civilians, EHAU deployed a scoping mission to Poland in February of this year and on February 24, when Russia launched airstrikes, IRC quickly pivoted to a response stance, delivering aid immediately through donations to Ukrainian and Polish partners.

The IRC has launched a program in Ukraine through the emergency response team and is establishing operational hubs in Lviv, Vinitsya, and Dnipro, and is looking to expand programming in scale, scope and geographic support over the coming months.

IRC seeks a dynamic leader and programme strategist to fill the role of Health Coordinator. The Health Coordinator is the focal point for health programs in country and will ensure the implementation of high quality primary health care programming in communities where IRC is present. The Health Coordinator is expected to spend a significant amount of time in field locations, working with, training and mentoring field teams. This position is responsible for programmatic resource development, advocacy related to IRC’s emergency health response, and overall strategic direction of the health program, including later transition from emergency to longer-term programming. In addition, the Health Coordinator will be responsible for maintaining regular contact with all partners, including the Ministry of Health, UN agencies and other NGOs, and will also be responsible for fulfilling the IRC’s strategic objectives for the health sector

Objectives

Under the supervision of the Head of Mission and the Deputy Director of Programme (DDP) and with technical support from Health and Emergency Health Technical Advisors, the Health Coordinator will be responsible for ensuring overall strategic vision for the health program during the emergency response and during the transition from emergency to recovery, and that IRC health programs are implemented to a high technical quality and in line with international standards and best practices.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and management leadership to the health program in accordance with best practice and IRC policy.

• In collaboration with the Health Technical Unit, the DDP and Field Coordinator, oversee the implementation of health projects implemented by IRC in country, in coordination with partners and other program sectors.

• Collaborate with key staff and senior members of other technical sectors to prepare strategic work-plans with clear objectives and achievement benchmarks, long-term and short-term priorities, implementation plans, financial projections and tools for evaluation.

• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) follow up.

• Coordinate and closely monitor the implementation of the IRC’s health programs against agreed work plans, performance targets, and budgets to ensure that programming is on track.

• Ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and WHO. Ensure that all health activities are consistent with established best practices.

• In-conjunction with supply chain, pharmacist and medical logistician, overall supervision of medical supply forecasting, procurement and distribution.

• Follow up the medical and operational supply chain system, stock recording, timely ordering for the supplies and accountabilities in relation to the warehousing and using of the supplies including medicines and medical items.

Staff Supervision & Development

• 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.

• Directly supervise the Health Program staff (Primary Health Care managers, Health officers, SRH officers), ensuring regular performance reviews.

• Assist with the recruitment of health staff, in coordination with HR, senior management, and the health Technical Unit.

• Ensure training and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills.

Grant Management and Reporting

• Support implementation and ensure adherence to grant work plans, spending plans and monitoring and evaluation plans.

• Work closely and coordinate with IRC Operations, Finance and Grant departments to ensure compliance with grant requirements.

• Support development and maintenance of effective and efficient oversight, support, quality control and reporting systems and processes.

• Ensure high-quality IRC and donor reports on activities, indicators and achievements.

• In collaboration with program managers, review Budget vs. Actual expenditure for health programs on a monthly basis with staff.

Coordination & Representation

• Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.

Program Development

• Lead the development of the strategy for the health program, including defining exit strategies and implementation plans accordingly.

• Contribute to the development of the overall country program strategic direction.

• Identify opportunities for new program development; Draft concept papers, proposals and budgets for future health programs.

• Lead technical assessments as a basis for health program development.

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure all required donor reports are completed on time and to a high standard.

• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of program data and indicators for all health programs in line with IRC’s guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements.

• Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs.

Other Duties

• Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment.

• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC program

Job requirements

Education: Minimum university degree. Medical degree strongly preferred. Advanced degree in Public Health or Humanitarian Response desired.

Demonstrated skills and competencies:

• Health professional with strong public health background (MPH desirable).

• 3-5 years’ experience in coordinating, implementing and managing health programs in emergency contexts.

• Ability and flexibility to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with the local health representatives.

• Demonstrated leadership, communication, and facilitation skills.

• Previous experience supervising and managing a multi-disciplinary team in a cross-cultural setting

• Demonstrated experience in capacity building and mentoring of national and international staff

• Demonstrated experience in grant management and proposal writing

• Excellent computer skills in programs such as: MS Word, Excel, Powerpoint

• Capable of applying skills and knowledge in a range of capacities, including direct implementation, advisory functions, training and the transfer of technical knowledge and management skills to others

• Must be a team player with excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work under pressure in a stressful environment, displaying patience, compassion and diplomacy.

• Ability to be innovative, flexible, and adaptive.

• Ability to live in challenging conditions and ability to work under difficult, high pressure situations.

• Fluency in English required, Ukrainian/Russian a plus.

• Excellent written and oral communication and presentation skills in English, effective in representation and advocacy with external parties.

Standards of Professional Conduct: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of 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, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons and several others.