Job description

Requisition ID: req22981

Job Title: Health Clinical Officer – Gwoza

Sector: Health

Employment Category: Regular

Employment Type: Full-Time

Open to Expatriates: No

Location: Gwoza, Nigeria

Job Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the worst humanitarian crises globally and assists people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover and gain control of their future. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC is present in over 40 countries and the United States. IRC’s presence in Nigeria is dated back to 2012, when the organization responded to flooding in Kogi state. In February 2014, the IRC moved into Adamawa State in NE Nigeria to provide humanitarian interventions through a multi-sectoral, integrated approach for conflict affected population. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja, and field offices in Adamawa State (Mubi and Yola), Borno state (Maiduguri, Monguno, Bama and Gwoza) and Yobe State (Damaturu).

Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs in Primary Health Care PHC), Nutrition, Environmental Health (EH), Women Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Protection, Child protection, Education, Food security & livelihoods. With a background of poor Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) indices, made worse by the ongoing humanitarian crises and advent of COVID-19 pandemic; the RMNCH outcomes in Northeast Nigeria could face a downturn, without intensified intervention. Over the years, the IRC has provided comprehensive Primary Health Care service including SRH services (including; Curative care, Immunization Family Planning (FP), Antenatal Care (ANC), Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC), Post-Natal Care (PNC), treatment and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Post Abortion Care (PAC) and Clinical Care for Sexual Assault Survivors (CCSAS). The IRC seek to engage the service of a Health Officer to support project implementation of quality PHC services in Gwoza LGA.

Job Overview

• The Health Officer is responsible for patient care at the mobile clinics and overseeing the mobile clinic activities in Gwoza LGA, Borno State.
• She/he is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the implementation of program activities at the field according to detailed implementation plan (DIP).

Clinical Supervision

Major Responsibilities:

• Provides accurate diagnosis, treatment and management of patients in a primary health care setting. Using standard national or internationally endorsed protocols, ensure quality of clinical and non-clinical service provision in health sites by assessing and monitoring performance against standards and guiding and motivating staff to meet and maintain standards
• Promote behavior change by providing health and nutrition messages in the communities, in collaboration with community volunteers.
• Ensure adequate infection prevention and control standards are maintained at all times in the IRC facilities.
• Ensure health basic protocols and other IEC materials are well displayed in the facilities and outreach sites.
• Establish effective referral mechanism between the mobile clinic and the hospital/IPD.
• For new location: Liaise with local leaders and other partners in identifying new mobile clinic site and sensitize community on project implementation.
• Ensure all facilities have standard treatment protocol and guidelines.

Technical Support And Quality Of Care Management

• Ensures staff adherence to universal hygiene standards/precautions, appropriate waste management, bio-hazard prevention, infection prevention and control in the health facilities. Works with cleaning staff to maintain general cleanliness of the working environment.
• Liaise with the referral officer to facilitate referral of patients who need emergency or special care.
• Ensure all Primary Health Care service packages are delivered in line with national/adopted protocols, and WHO policies and guidelines.
• Ensure all the staff follow the established IPC standards and international standard of infection prevention protocols.
• Ensure adherence to instrument processing and sterilization protocols.
• Conduct quarterly clinical skills’ assessment for all the Health Assistants (Clinicians) and follow up on areas that need improvement.
• Works with community mobilization team to ensure strong linkages between services and communities.
• Ensure community participation in healthcare delivery services through regular meetings and consultation of the Community Health Committees (CHC).

Staff Management

• Routinely monitor supervised the Health Assistants performance according to their job description, conduct performance evaluation and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Provide on-the-job trainings to all Health Assistants, define their training needs, and support the Medical Doctor and Health manager to implement them according to project objectives.
• Provide supervisory support to the Health Assistants, pharmacy technician and dispensers to ensure the availability of essential drugs and medical supplies at the facility as per the approved tracer drug list. Liaise with the pharmacy technician to prevent stock out of essential drugs, other medical supplies.
• Monitor staff daily attendance to duty posts and ensure time sheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly.
• Ensure all Health Assistants submit their timesheets timely.

Representation, Project Implementation And Reporting

• Focal person for inter sectoral integration between Reproductive Health and Women Protection and Empowerment sector.
• Ensure teamwork and maintain relationship with different sectors and government agencies.
• Responsible for validation of program data and timely submission to M&E on weekly basis.
• Work with M&E team to analyze data on a weekly/monthly basis, feeds information back to the program, and adapts strategies accordingly.
• Provide weekly/monthly activity reports to the supervisor.

Operations

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of health and program supplies.
• Prepare weekly workplans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.

Communication And Reporting

• Work with the Health Officer in compiling statistical reports from the mobile clinics for submission weekly, monthly, and annually.
• Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervisees with constant feedback as may be required.
• Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required.

Key Result Areas

• Improvement of key health indicators.
• Increased uptake of health services as a strategy of reducing mortality.
• Increased uptake of positive practices related to health, nutrition, and hygiene.
• Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
• Community volunteers actively participate in health services within their community.

Qualifications

• Registered Nurse, Registered Midwife, Bachelors of Nursing Science from a recognized institution is an added advantage. Most be licensed by the Nigerian Nursing and Midwifery Council.

Competencies

• Minimum of 2 years post-graduation experience in clinical and humanitarian context.
• Experience in supervising health staff at the primary health care level
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Able to work in location with basic living conditions and with limited communication options.
• Proficiency in computer skills, especially in MS Word and Excel.

Coordination And Representation

• Ensures teamwork and professional relationship between the different sectors and government agencies.
• Works closely and coordinates with IRC supply chain, finance, and grant staff to ensure activities are conducted within the timeframe and compliance of the grants.
• Undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with national NGOs, international organizations, MoH, donors and community stakeholders.
• Represent IRC during site visits of external guests and IRC head quarter visitors.

Others

• Prompt reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for IRC programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs.

Key Working Relationships

• Position directly reports to the Medical Doctor
• Position directly supervises the Health Assistants, pharmacy technician, incentive clinicians and CHVs
• Indirect reporting: Health Manager
• Other Internal and/or external contacts: Roving Reproductive managers, Senior Quality Health Manager and ALL other IRC sectors
• External: Other partners- NGO’s, LGA DSNO, LIO and other key stakeholders etc.

Other Internal And / Or External Contacts

• Internal: All other IRC sectors offering integrated services in Gwoza. SPC, Deputy Director Program, Finance Manager, Supply chain Manager, Senior Area Manager, DDFM
• External: SPHCDA, UNFPA, WHO, HMB, Federal Ministry of Health, other INGOs.

Qualifications

• Quality oriented
• Self-motivated, resourceful, honest, highly responsible, committed, and punctual.
• Ability to independently organize work, prioritize tasks, respect and adheres to deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and lead teams.
• Familiarity with local context
• Ability to maintain beneficiary confidentiality and respect at all times is essential.
• Professional skills to provide sensitive and appropriate medical counseling.
• Clear understanding of gender equality and gender issues for women and girls
• Ability to speak Hausa language and other local languages like Kanuri is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, good spoken and written English needed for concise reporting.
• Professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook – preferred

Working Environment

• Borno State is categorized as security phase 4 (Red). The Health Officer is thus expected to work closely with IRC safety and security team (SST) and comply with all security protocols/ guidelines.

Benefits

• Competitive Monthly salary.
• Health Insurance Coverage for staff and family.
• Annual earned leave days.
• Pension scheme

The IRC and IRC workers 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.