Democratic Republic of the Congo (the) Senior Technical Primary Health Care Advisor

Closing date: 18 May 2012—
International Rescue Committee

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.

In DRC, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest providers of relief and development assistance. With an annual budget of approximately US$ 75 million, $320 million overall grant portfolio and more than 1,000 staff in six provinces, the IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in seven conflict-affected provinces in the areas of health, governance and community development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, and emergency response.

SCOPE OF WORK

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has released a tender for a consortium lead to strengthen basic health service provision in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in at least 30 health zones in up to four provinces improving access to primary and secondary care for at least 3.5 million people over the period 2013 – 2018.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

IRC is seeking a dynamic and experienced team of health professionals to provide technical support to health programs implemented across four provinces and to be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with travel to field sites. The IRC is requesting applications from candidates with significant experience in a variety of health areas, including Primary Health Care, Reproductive Health, Maternal and Child Health, HIV and Malaria. The successful candidates will have demonstrated experience in providing technical advice in one of the above areas to large scale health programs in a similar post-conflict environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Technical Support and Coordination: • Develop a strategy for the implementation of the specific area of expertise; • Responsible for overseeing the overall quality of service provision in the specific area of expertise and ensuring that services provided meet internationally-recognized standards; • Responsible for ensuring quality of training provided and that training curriculum complies with Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) requirements as well as international standards; • Ensure integration of relevant components related to the specific area of interest to all PHC services; • Oversee training needs assessments conducted in targeted health zones; • Provide leadership in the development or adaptation of service delivery models / systems which allow for expansion of service provision while promoting technical quality of care; • Identify, document and disseminate best practices in service provision; • Guide the development of annual work plans for existing programs; • Identify priorities for support from the Health Unit; • Work in close collaboration with other Senior Technical Advisors to ensure integrated programming.

Advocacy and Representation: • Advocate and collaborate with MoPH to incorporate best practices and international standards in the area of expertise; • Establish and maintain collaborative relationship between IRC and MoPH and other partners; • Provide expert contribution to the development or adaptation of national policies, guidelines and standards that promote quality service provision in DRC and that comply with internationally-accepted norms and standards.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research: • Contribute to the development of field staff through training, mentoring, and assisting with professional advancement; • Facilitate the sharing of best practices among the provincial teams; • Oversee development or adaptation of supervision and data collection tools for service provision.

Management: • Provide technical support to field-based health staff.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Relevant masters degree in the area of technical expertise; • At least five years’ experience in design and implementation of health programs in developing countries; • Demonstrable technical expertise and working knowledge of health area of expertise, preferably in a conflict or post-conflict environment, preferably Africa; • Proven track record of successfully providing technical assistance to and monitoring and evaluation for large-scale health programs; • Technical expertise in curriculum development, training needs assessment and training facilitation, as well as monitoring and evaluation of trainees; • Proficiency in both French and English; • Availability to travel in the country for up to one third of his/her time; • Good writing, communication and organizational skills; • Knowledge of common software (MS Office); • Previous work experience in DRC.

Specific Security Situation/Housing: The position is based in Kinshasa, it is accompanied. Safe and modest housing as appropriate and reasonable as the context allows will be provided.
How to apply:

Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=8110 .

Congolese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.