Health Assistant - SBCC (Gwoza) 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 Assistant - SBCC

Requisition ID: req20958
Location: Gwoza, 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 (RMNCAH) services), while using antimicrobials rationally.
• The Health Assistant -SBCC will work closely with the health officer -SBCC to ensure that SBCC activities of the project are implemented according to the project deliverables across the targeted locations.
• She/he is directly manage and coordinate the activities of CHIPS, community volunteer and responsible for implementation of Increase awareness, knowledge and behavioral change on AMR and related topics at the health facilities and the communities.
• The Health Assistant -SBCC reports to the Health Officer -SBCC.

Major Responsibilities
Program Implementation, Technical Quality, and Strategy:

• Support the health officer -SBCC and ensure implementation of a focused social and behavior change communication (SBCC) activities within the catchment locations of the supported health facilities.
• Facilitate the regular periodic and random sampling of blood and urine from the target population, with samples from neonates, children under 5, and pregnant women in in any phase of expansion of new and existing AMR testing.
• The Health Assistant -SBCC will assist the health officer to manage and train the CHIPS and volunteers on key messages sensitization.
• Mobilize and conduct periodic awareness campaign across the supported locations.
• Campaign for adherence to the treatment protocol among stakeholders, HWs and private providers.
• Complete project documentation for assigned activities. Assist with identifying information for case studies and reports on promising practices.
• 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.
• Engage stakeholders to increase public awareness on AMR and related topics in communities, HF and private providers using existing communication approaches such as for community mobilization, fixed post, outreach and interpersonal communication activities, town announcers, community dialogue, public gatherings, mass media, radio jingle, (And champion World Antimicrobial Awareness)
• 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.
• Support training of HWs on the rational use of antimicrobials within these services, and on infection prevention and control (IPC).
• 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 and ensure IEC materials are displayed and put into use.
• Develop and share distribution plan, ensure that supplies are delivered with good track of attendance and documentations.
• Mobilize for supportive supervision sessions jointly conducted by the IRC, State MoH and NCDC to monitor improvement in diagnostics, prescribing practices and IPC.
• Ensure samples collected at health facilities are timely transported to testing location where necessary.
• Ensure beneficiary participation, feedback and accountability in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of SBCC activities to the officer and manager.
• Ensure proper communication of filed based data tools to the HWs at the supported facilities

Human Resource Management:

• Supervise 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.
• Motivate community health influencers, promoters, and services agents and other networks community Volunteers and oversee performance, build volunteers’ capacity where required.

Operations:

• Ensure proper follow-up for timely submission of data.
• Adhere to, monitor and ensure the proper usage of distribution plan, pharmaceutical and other health program supplies.
• Submit weekly work plans and movement plan and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.

Communication and Reporting:

• Support Health Officer -SBCC 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 additional relevant or requested duties as may be required by the supervisor.

Key Result Areas:

• Improvement improved knowledge, attitudes and behaviors of health system stakeholders and community members regarding the risk of antimicrobial resistance and antimicrobial use
• Through strategized SBCC interventions, support the health officer -SBCC to increased uptake of quality primary health care services, IPC and rational antimicrobial use.
• Ensure CHIPS are engaged for active participation in health services within their communities.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Health Officer -SBCC
• Indirect/Technical Reporting: Health Officer -Laboratory and Health Manager -AMR
• Position directly Supervises: 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 officer

Key External Contacts: 

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

Qualifications

• RN/RM, Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree in Health Education or related field.
• Certificate SBC program monitoring, psychological first-aid, Antimicrobial resistance is an added advantage.

Work Experience:

• One to two years’ experience in in SBCC work in health, hygiene, and/or nutrition (participatory methodologies, training and teaching, behavior change theory and community.
• Proven experience in community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead team of 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 community health, social work in health, health and wellbeing.
• 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.

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.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

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