Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation, protection, post-conflict development, resettlement services and advocacy for those uprooted or affected by violent
conflict and oppression. At work in 25 countries, the IRC delivers lifesaving aid in emergencies, rebuilds shattered communities, cares for war-traumatized children, rehabilitates health care, water and sanitation systems, reunites separated families, restores lost livelihoods, establishes schools, trains teachers, strengthens the capacity of local organizations and supports civil society and good-governance initiatives. Committed to restoring dignity and self-reliance, the IRC is a global symbol of hope and renewal for those who have taken flight in search of freedom.
General Description of IRC Liberia’s health program:
The IRC manages a number of programs in the health sector in Liberia, including the USAID-funded Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS) project. Through the EPHS project the IRC and its partners support 41 primary health care facilities in Lofa County, including 19 facilities supported by the Zorzor field office. The objectives of the EPHS project are to increase access to health services, and to reduce morbidity and mortality by improving the quality of services being offered. This is done through providing material and technical support to health facilities, in collaboration with county and district health teams, and through developing community involvement in the health sector.
Objectives of the Role:
Working on the IRC’s RBHS primary health care team, the Communicable Disease Officer will oversee clinical activities in supported health facilities and surrounding communities related to the prevention and treatment of communicable diseases, with an emphasis on HIV, TB, and Malaria. As the project progresses, the communicable disease officer role will likely also expand to cover new services introduced through the EPHS (eye health, prison health, school health, and mental health) as needed. This will involve supervising and coaching staff in supported facilities, coordinating with members of the Lofa County Health Team, and linking with facility catchment communities through support to Community Health Volunteers (CHVs).
Key Objective
• To provide day to day supervision, training, coaching and mentoring to staff of IRC supported health facilities in Lofa County to ensure that the facilities are functioning properly and high quality care is provided to all patients in line with Quality Assurance (QA standards), MOH protocols, and the Essential Package of Health Services (EPHS).
Description of the responsibilities/ activities:
Clinical
• Supervise the operations and staff duties of all IRC supported PHC facilities in Lofa County and provide on-the-job training, primarily in areas related to communicable disease and new EPHS service areas but with the flexibility to supervise other key clinical areas such as reproductive health and child survival as necessary
o Support the PHC facilities to quality deliver patient services in accordance with QA standards, MOHSW protocols, and EPHS guidelines
o Ensure that the clinic staff respects the dignity of the patients and their care takers
o Assist in the management and planning of the clinical work in the clinics
o Ensure that clinics follow proper infection control and waste management procedures
o Training of the facility staff on medical prescriptions and on the rational use of drugs.
o Assist with emergencies cases at the clinics, including diagnosis, treatment, and referral
o Organize and/or facilitate training workshops and information sessions for medical and non-medical staff for facility staff
o Provide support to facility staff outreach and CHVs working in clinic catchments in the prevention and community-based follow-up and case management of communicable disease (e.g. Community-Based DOTS)
Health systems management:
o Ensure correct filling out of clinic registers and patient cards
o Assist in collection, validation, and reporting of health data in the clinics
o Collect, validate, and submit health facility data
o Monitor facility staff attendance and provide basic evaluations of staff performance for submission to the CHT
o Ensure that clinics follow correct procedures for drugs and vaccine management and requisitioning and take measures to prevent/address stock outs
o Ensure that clinics have consistent supply of medical and non-medical supplies and infection control materials
o Resolve problems occurring between the patients/community members and clinic staff
o Coordinate with other PHC team members on infrastructure improvements and minor repairs for facilities
o Collaborate with IRC coordinators/managers and the CHT/DHT to support improvements in overall health systems improvements in Lofa County (e.g. supply chain, human resources, etc.)
Program Management:
o Prepare detailed monthly reports on field activities for submission to the PHC manager for inclusion in quarterly reports to the MOHSW
o Provide regular feedback to facility staff on performance on program indicators relative to performance-based targets and develop/implement strategies for corrective action as needed
Requirements:
ESSENTIAL
o Must be a Certified Midwife, Registered Nurse, or a Physician Assistant, preferably with training in Primary Health Care and experience working in MOH PHC facility
o Current and valid Liberian registration as CM, Nurse, or Physician Assistant
o Minimum of 2 years post-CM/RN/PA qualification work experience
o Experience in supervising, training and coaching others
o Commitment to the aims and values of IRC
o Ability to cope with stress
o Ability to act as part of the multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team
o Ability to organize and prioritize workload, using initiative when appropriate
o Good command of English, including writing skills
o Computer skills: competent in basic word, excel, and e-mail
o Willingness to drive and/or ride a motorbike to conduct supervision visits and other program activities, often in remote locations with poor roads and in inclement weather
DESIRABLE
o Command of one or more local languages in Lofa County
o Training and at least 1 year Post-Graduate work experience in HIV/TB
o Work experience or a similar role with another Non Government Organization (NGO)
o Experience with monitoring
o Experience with USAID-funded health projects
o Experience working with indicators and objectives
Application Procedure
To apply: e-mail your CV and covering letter to marvin.davis@rescue.org cc: kennedy.devine@liberia.theirc.org OR address it to: Human Resource Coordinator, International Rescue Committee, Congo Town, Tubman Boulevard, Monrovia, or forward it to IRC’s nearest offices in Nimba, Grand Gedeh & Lofa. Clearly label the envelope (Application: Communicable Disease Officer). Deadline for application is April 26, 2012
