Health Officer - SBCC at the International Rescue Committee (IRC)

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.

The IRC has been present in Nigeria since 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 populations. IRC Nigeria now operates a country office in Abuja and field offices in Mubi and Yola of Adamawa State, Maiduguri and Monguno of Borno state and Damatru of Yobe State. Currently, IRC Nigeria implements programs primary health care, nutrition, environmental health, women’s protection and empowerment, protection, child protection, education, food security & livelihoods.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Health Officer - SBCC

Requisition ID: req20961
Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Employment Type: Full Time
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Regular
Open to Expatriates: No

Job Overview / Summary

• This project employs a health system strengthening approach to provide a high-quality primary health care services (reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) services), while using antimicrobials rationally.
• The Health Officer -SBCC will work closely with state MoH officials to implement a focused social and behavior change communication (SBCC) strategy within intervention locations in Borno State.
• She/he is also responsible for ensuring adherence to the implementation of program activities according to proposal and nationally accepted standards.
• The Health Officer -SBCC reports to the Health Manager -AMR.

Major Responsibilities
Program Implementation, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

• In collaboration with the state MoH , ensure implementation of a focused social and behavior change communication (SBCC) activities within the catchment locations of the  supported health facilities.
• Promote positive behavioral change among health system stakeholders and community members regarding improved knowledge and attitudes about the risk of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use
• Ensure adequate infection prevention and control standards are always maintained in the facility.
• Ensure health basic protocols and other IEC materials are well displayed in the facilities and outreach locations.
• Facilitate community dialogues between the ward development committee; engagement of community health influencers, promoters and services (CHIPS); health facility management team, private providers and with social, political, and religious leaders to promote the importance of rational use of antimicrobials; and the development of radio jingles and period radio program discussions.
• Support trainings (antenatal care, basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC), postpartum care, integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness (IMNCI), sexual transmitted infections (STIs), and immunizations), of health workers in targeted health facilities. The trainings will also focus on the rational use of antimicrobials within these services, and on infection prevention and control (IPC).
• Closely work with collaborated diverse health system stakeholders – MoH health care workers, community health workers (CHWs), health facility management teams, state MoH officials, and private providers - on proper dissemination of information on the risk of AMR and rationale use of antimicrobials.
• Support health facilities with information, education and communication (IEC) materials (billboards, posters, roll-up banners, wall painting, flex banner), registers, printed clinical algorithms, clinical job aids and guidelines booklets/protocols.
• Ensure proper distribution plan, store release order and manage supplies to the supported health facilities.
• Support supportive supervision sessions jointly conducted by the IRC, State MoH and NCDC to monitor improvement in diagnostics, prescribing practices and IPC.
• Implementation of communication campaigns to increase awareness on appropriate antimicrobial use and adoption of infection prevention measures among the public, policymakers, tripartite professionals and other relevant stakeholders in community, schools, workplaces and health facilities as planned.

Human Resource Management:

• Supervise and monitor Community health volunteers, CHIPS agents, HWs at supported health facilities and Health Assistants -SBCC to ensure implementation of planned SBCC strategies at both communities and facilities level.
• Develop and conduct training for HWs on antenatal care, basic emergency obstetric and neonatal care (BEmONC), postpartum care, integrated management of neonatal and childhood illness (IMNCI), sexual transmitted infections (STIs), immunizations, risk of AMR, rationale use of antimicrobials and IPC.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of pharmaceutical and other health program supplies.
• Prepare weekly work plans and movement plan and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.
• As team officer, maintain vigilance and monitor surroundings for security of the team for outreach activities and adhere to IRC’s safety and security protocols.

Communication and Reporting:

• Support Health Manager -AMR in compiling statistical reports from the supported health facilities and communities for weekly, monthly and annually submissions.
• Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervises with constant feedback as may be required.
• Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required.

Key Result Areas

• Improvement of key project objectives, milestones and deliverables within the timeframe.
• Through strategized SBCC interventions, increased uptake of quality primary health care services and rational antimicrobial use.
• 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.
• CHIPS actively participate in health services within their community.

Key Working Relationships

• Position Reports to: Health Manager -AMR
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Senior Health Manager and Health Coordinator
• Position directly Supervises: Health assistants -SBCC, incentive workers, community volunteers, CHIPS agents.

Key Internal Contacts:

• Country Program: Health program assistant, Senior health promotion officer, senior capacity building officers, health/RH managers, M&E

Key External Contacts: 

• MOH, NCDC, UMTH, other INGOs (e.g., possible collaborative partners), Community leaders, health facility management team and private providers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences directly related to the substantive area identified in the job description of the post., and evidence of completion of NYSC (Discharge / Exemption Certificate)
• Must possess the practicing license or qualifying certificate.
• certificate in RMNCH & SBC program monitoring is an added advantage.

 Work Experience:

• Two to three years’ experience in clinical health or public health, with background in Health and Nutrition, Social and Behavioral Change and communication.
• Proven experience in community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead CHIPS/community volunteers.
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience in working in a team and able to lead a team.

Demonstrated Technical / Leadership / Interpersonal Skills:

• Good knowledge of clinical care especially at the PHC settings.
• Good communication skills.
• Sensitivity to cultural differences and understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding program delivery
• Ability to work well with others and to respect staff, subcontractors, consultants and recipients of assistance.
• Ability to manage tight deadlines and deliver high volumes of work with minimal supervision.
• Good sense of integrity, service and accountability.
• Self-motivated, ability to work with minimum supervision; ability to work with tight deadlines
• Ability to Travel: 5 % of time if applicable

Languages: 

• Fluent in written/spoken English and Hausa
• Ability to speak local languages (Kanuri, Shuwa etc.) will be added advantage.

Computer / Other Tech Requirements:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook, and PowerPoint with data processing and management. 

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online