: Emergency Health Coordinator

We are the world’s leading independent children’s charity; we inspire really dramatic change for children around the globe. We work with children in vulnerable situations. Providing safeguards for them against any form of abuse is a priority in all our work. Combining short-term relief with long-term development, our Programmes represent a huge undertaking

Emergency Health Coordinator is responsible for the overall coordination, facilitation and management of the emergency health programme in Central South Somalia and Puntland. S/He will supervise field health staff (Emergency project managers, District Health Officers, health staff). S/he will coordinate with the Nutrition and WASH sectors for integrated delivery of health, nutrition and WASH interventions. S/he will be responsible for external representation in the region and maintaining regular contact with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

The drought situation in Somalia is causing extreme food and water shortages, with population displacement as people seek ways to survive. Food shortage has resulted in high rates of malnutrition, which is the major underlying risk factor for causes of child mortality (pneumonia, diarrhoea and malaria). According to the United Nations (UN), Somalia represents one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world. About 50% of its people are in need of urgent external assistance to access emergency life saving health care.

In response to this humanitarian crisis, Save the Children (SC) has developed a comprehensive emergency response strategic plan for Somalia. The overall goal is reduction of suffering of children by ensuring timely and quality programming interventions through an integrated operation and response plan. This will address chronic food shortage, high rates of morbidity, mortality and suffering of vulnerable children and women. We are establishing Health teams comprising various cadres of health professionals to deliver life saving emergency health services. This will be done through integration of various high impact programmes (health, nutrition and WASH). The creation of these teams is aimed at ensuring SC quickly responds to the dire health needs of people affected by the drought.

Job Purpose:

Emergency Health Coordinator is responsible for overall coordination, facilitation and management of the emergency health programme in Central South Somalia and Puntland. S/He will supervise field health staff (Emergency project managers, District Health Officers, health staff). S/he will coordinate with Nutrition and WASH sectors for integrated delivery of health, nutrition and WASH interventions. S/he will be responsible for external representation in the region and maintaining regular contact with relevant stakeholders as appropriate.

Key Account abilities Program Management • Oversee implementation of specific health projects and ensure stated goals and objectives are met; are appropriately monitored and evaluated; and that quality narrative and technical reports are submitted in a timely manner. • Participate in proposal development. • Prepare project work plans, budgets and manage grants in coordination with Field Managers and key health staff. • Assess strengths and areas for opportunity in the health sector and determine the potential for other Save the Children health projects.
• Work with Field Teams, Health Project Managers and Technical Advisors to ensure health projects are implemented in conformity with SC’s health programmatic approach while ensuring promotion of basic child rights protection and participation. • Provide and maintain detailed records of accurate regular reports, documented outputs and results of the overall health project activities within the areas of operation. • Work with health staff to promote the culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned and good practices are documented and shared for institutional memory and learning. Financial Management • Work with health staff, logistics/finance staff to develop expenditure and procurement plans to guide implementation of approved grants. Support Field teams in implementation of these plans ensuring that donor rules and regulations are abided by. • Review Budget vs. Actuals on a monthly basis with project staff and Finance Team. • Provide recommendations and interventions to rectify any identified deviations that impact budget adherence to Field Managers, Health Programme Manager and the Grants Manager. • Recommend grant and budget revisions in consultation with the Health Programme Manager, Field Managers, Technical Advisors and Grants Manager. • Advise on budget development for field activities in conjunction with the health staff/partners and Health Programme Manager/Field Managers. Coordination and Representation • Ensure interactive programming with other sectors particularly nutrition, and WASH; and where applicable with protection, education, livelihoods and food security. • Represent Save the Children to partners, donor agencies, health agencies, including Ministry of Health (MOH), WHO, and INGO’s at the regional level • Support the Health Technical Manager , Field Managers, Area Representatives as deemed necessary in respect to the coordination of emergency health programmes .

Person specification Essential • Health professional with relevant qualification in medicine, nursing. Masters in Public Health is preferred) • At least 5 years experience in similar role with substantial relevant experience in emergency Health program management • Previous experience in coordinating, implementing and managing complex health programs with INGO’s in developing countries and/or refugee settings. • Experience in situation analysis, health assessments and program implementation. • Ability to support and build capacity of national staff through performance management. • Experience supervising a multi-national staff in a complex, insecure emergency setting. • Excellent skills in monitoring implementation of Health programme activities. • Excellent oral and written communication skills. • Ability and willingness to travel extensively to the field, under sometimes difficult and occasionally insecure circumstances. • Experience in grant management and proposal writing is preferred. • Excellent computer skills: MS Word, Excel, Power point, Epi-Info/SPSS, Outlook and the internet. • Ability to multitask, work under pressure, exercise flexibility and adaptability to transition. • Commitment to Save the Children’s Child Protection Policy. Desirable • Knowledge and work experience in fragile states (preferably Somalia) • Previous experience with SC UK in a similar context. • Knowledge of the Somali language are highly encouraged to apply Code of Conduct Because Save the Children's work is based on deeply held values and principles, it is essential that our commitment to children's rights and humanitarian principles is supported and demonstrated by all members of staff. Save the Children's Code of Conduct sets out the standards which all staff members must adhere to.

Our selection processes reflect our commitment to the protection of children from abuse. Our people are as diverse as the challenges we face. Due to the urgency of this position, short listing will be done as applications are received. Forward your applications to: jobssomalia@scuk.or.ke.

Save the Children is an equal opportunities employer and highly encourages qualified Women candidates to apply. Application Closing Date: 22 November 2011, 15:00 pm Only short listed individuals will be notified.

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