Reproductive Health Manager

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North. Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Reproductive Health (RH) Manager leads the implementation of IRC Yemen’s reproductive health portfolio at community level, through mobile health teams, static health facilities and supported EmONC facilities, as part of a wider RMNCAH intervention. The position ensures that RH services are delivered in accordance with the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), national guidelines and IRC clinical standards; provides technical and clinical supervision, mentorship and capacity building to RH Officers, midwives, medical doctors, mobile health team staff and partner staff; leads the development of RH standard operating procedures, referral pathways and integration with Protection programming; oversees work planning, budget tracking, quality monitoring, data and reporting; and represents IRC in reproductive health and health cluster coordination forums with the MoPHP, local health authorities, UN agencies and peer agencies.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Reproductive Health (RH) Manager is responsible for the implementation of IRC’s reproductive health strategy and implicated activities at community level, through mobile health teams, health facilities and in supported EmONC facilities, as part of the larger health care intervention that includes RMNCA health care. The RH Manager ensures that services are delivered in accordance with the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), national guidelines and IRC clinical standards. In addition, the RH Manager will take the lead in the development and implementation of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for the coordination of reproductive health with Protection programming (Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection, Protection and Rule of Law), and SOPs for internal and external referral pathways. Furthermore, s/he will work towards building the capacity of health staff, providing them with supervision on MISP implementation and the integration of quality comprehensive reproductive health services.

The position requires strong emphasis in training and developing the capacity of national and partner staff; the successful candidate should therefore have experience in capacity building, on the job training, supervision, mentoring, and internal/ external coordination other formal service providers. The RH Manager will work and coordinate very closely with the Health Coordinator, senior health manager, other technical/program managers in the health team, Protection team, partners, and counterparts within the MoPHP and national/sub-national coordination bodies. The RH Manager reports to the IRC Yemen Health Coordinator and directly supervises the RH Officers, with close coordination with relevant project coordinators and managers.

WORKING RELATIONS:

Reports to: Health Coordinator, with close coordination with the Senior Health Manager.

Directly supervises: Reproductive Health Officers and the reproductive health field team.

Internally works with: Senior Health Manager, health technical and program managers (including MHPSS and Nutrition), Protection teams (Women’s Protection and Empowerment, Child Protection, Protection and Rule of Law), health promotion team, pharmacy assistants, MEAL/data management team, Grants, Supply Chain, Finance and HR, and field office coordination staff.

Externally works with: MoPHP counterparts and local health authorities, implementing and local partners (through management in partnership), reproductive health and health cluster technical working groups, UN agencies, peer NGOs, community leaders and community health volunteers.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Lead the implementation of the reproductive health program and overall IRC strategy at different levels: community level, mobile health teams, static health facilities, and in supported EmONC facilities, aligned with the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), national RH guidelines and the IRC Outcome and Evidence Framework (OEF) and global outcome strategies.
• Ensure that RH services are provided in accordance with MISP standards and national / international protocols.
• Coordinate ongoing RH programming within Health and ensure integration with Protection services (e.g., WPE, CP), identifying gaps, synergies, challenges and best practices.
• Based on internal assessment findings, data analysis, and program learning, facilitate coordinated work-planning with clear roles and responsibilities for ensuring IRC Yemen’s RH programming is responsive, holistic, and of high quality.
• Provide technical and clinical supervision to project staff (e.g., RH Officers, midwives, medical doctors, mobile health team staff and community health volunteers) inclusive of ongoing capacity building, professional development, technical support and performance reviews.
• Conduct field visits to monitor and support RH activities, provide quality technical support and contribute to improved quality programming by providing feedback and mentorship.
• Hold regular meetings with program staff to discuss progress against work-planning, issues, problems and accomplishments, assist in finding solutions, and share minutes of the meetings with the Health Coordinator / Senior Health Manager flagging successes, challenges, course corrections, and lessons learned.
• Facilitate / co-facilitate training and workshops based on assessed training and capacity development needs, including organizing logistics, collaborating with co-trainer/s, and documenting program indicators.
• Assist in developing project budgets and proposals entailing RH programming toward ensuring interventions are technically sound and sufficiently resourced.
• Ensure that the program is implemented according to schedule and budget, including budget forecasting, development of spending plans, reviewing BvA and providing suggestions for necessary adjustment as needed.
• Support the Health Coordinator / Senior Health Manager to track budgets, procurement plans, and work plans to ensure proper personnel, facilities, and supplies are available to meet grant deliverables.
• Participate in rapid needs assessments with other IRC sectors and external agencies as required.

Program Management and Quality Monitoring

• Actively participate in coordination mechanisms, represent the IRC in reproductive health and health cluster technical working groups and ensure the implementation of MISP and national RH standards where relevant.
• Lead the development and implementation of data collection, M&E and quality control measures (e.g. on the job supervision checklists, clinical audits, client satisfaction measures and training reports) for reproductive health services at facility and community levels.
• Support the development of referral pathways to strengthen linkages to available services for obstetric and newborn emergencies, family planning and clinical care for survivors of sexual violence in an integrated, well-coordinated approach.
• Develop a community reproductive health awareness package in coordination with the health promotion team and protection (WPE, CP and PRoL) coordinators/managers.
• Lead the development of appropriate IEC materials on reproductive health, to build awareness of services and promote key messages.
• Work closely with the reproductive health officers and pharmacy assistants to ensure availability of RH commodities, essential medicines and reproductive health kits at the supported facilities at all times.
• Advocate with and/or advise peer agencies, local health authorities and other stakeholders to influence responses to promote delivery of inclusive and high-quality reproductive health services.

Team Management and Capacity Support

• Directly oversee the RH Officers and the reproductive health field team.
• Support the recruitment of additional RH team members when relevant, including midwives and roving clinical staff.
• Support with team building, performance review, and professional development of staff.
• Participate in the development/review of mentorship plans and other activity plans on quarterly basis.

Partnerships Management

• Work closely with project coordinators/managers to identify implementing partners, co-design interventions, monitor implementation, and provide supportive supervision.
• Ensure the development of regular performance monitoring plans to achieve set objectives and identify needs for technical capacity building support and guidance.
• Facilitate joint development of capacity building plans for partner organizations, as well as identify opportunities for capacity sharing.
• Arrange regular meetings with implementing partners to discuss ongoing and future program implementation and understand the challenges and barriers that might delay progress.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with relevant stakeholders, including local health authorities and community leaders, representing the program in all stakeholders’ meetings and communicating outcomes with the rest of the program staff.

Documentation and Reporting

• Participate in preparation of internal and external reports, including weekly updates to the Health Coordinator / Senior Health Manager.
• Take responsibility for collection, analysis and dissemination of reproductive health project data, including HMIS reporting and client outcomes, for problem analysis, planning and evaluation with all stakeholders.
• Support project staff to maintain program records and documentation as per project management minimum standards, including maintaining the confidentiality and security of client data.
• Promote a culture of learning and documentation so that lessons learned and good practices are documented and shared for institutional memory and learning as well as to advocate on behalf of the targeted communities.
• Support the development of reproductive health monitoring and evaluation tools and related activities for improving performance.
• Ensure proper documentation of all training, completion and analysis of pre and post knowledge tests and on the job supervision checklists as well as MISP implementation checklists, sharing copies with the health data management, M&E, and reporting teams. Perform other duties as assigned by the Health Coordinator.

Team Engagement, Safeguarding and Client Responsiveness

• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in the IRC Yemen Health team
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies.
• Educate/raise awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and response processes

REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities):

A. Education:

• BSc/BA degree in Nursing, Midwifery, OBS/GYN, Medicine, Public Health or another relevant health-related discipline.
• A master’s degree or equivalent in SRH, Public Health, Global Health or other relevant discipline is an advantage.
• Training or certification in MISP for reproductive health in emergencies, EmONC, family planning and/or clinical management of rape is an asset.

B. Experience:

• At least 3-5 years of relevant experience related to RH, MNH and FP at different levels of service delivery.
• Previous NGO/INGO experience in a conflict-affected setting in a reproductive health management capacity.
• Strong experience in reproductive health coordination and project management.
• Management, training and supervision experience required.
• Experience in budget management, including budget forecasting, spending plans and BvA review.

C. Skills and Abilities:

• Capacity to develop, implement and analyze health assessments, and develop and implement work-plans in emergency settings.
• Strong organizational and supervisory skills and interpersonal skills with the ability to work within different cultural environments.
• Ability to work within a team structure or in isolation, flexible, and can cope with stressful workloads and working with limited resources.
• Highly motivated to work at community level, including frequent travel to field sites.
• Good communication, report writing and teamwork skills and ability to work independently.
• Excellent command of the use of Microsoft Office especially Outlook, Word, Excel and Power Point.
• Fluent in Arabic and English.

D. Proficiencies:

• Reproductive health technical expertise: strong family planning expertise, MNH, EmONC and RH service-delivery knowledge, RH commodity security and referral systems.
• Familiarity with MISP in emergencies, GBV/SRH integration and clinical management of rape.
• Training, supervision and on-the-job mentorship of clinical staff.
• Capacity building / curriculum development in community based reproductive health approaches.
• Good understanding of the linkages between reproductive health, public health, nutrition and development.

Professional Standards: 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.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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