Country Health Coordinator Job Vacancy: Medical Emergency Relief International (Merlin)

Closing date: 22 Feb 2010

Location: Kenya

Responsible To: Health Director Somalia and Kenya

Works With: Project Coordinators, Health Coordinators, Health Officers and other members of the Merlin Kenya team

Location: Nairobi (Kenya) with frequent visits to field sites in Kenya

Contract Duration: 12 Months

Starting Date: ASAP

Salary: £24,854 - £27,078 per annum (dependant on relevant experience) inclusive of annual Cost of Living allowance.

Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, free return flights, annual loyalty bonus and 24 days annual leave.

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.

Merlin International Profile

Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.

Context and Background

Merlin has been operational in East Africa since 1997 with programmes in Kenya since 1998 and Somalia since 2004.

During this time Merlin has developed a strong reputation in the respective health sectors through its emergency response programming, provision of technical assistance and support to longer term health system strengthening.

In both countries, Merlin works in close partnership with the Ministries of Health and a range of international and national partners to ensure that Merlin’s strategy and activities are complimentary to national health plans and policies.

Merlin’s office in Nairobi provides full support to both country programmes.

Merlin currently operates in two regions – Nyanza Province in the Western Highlands and Turkana Province in the Arid and Semi Arid region of northern Kenya.

The overall objective of Merlin’s work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and the reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators.

Merlin does this by continuing to build on lasting, working relationships with communities and local partners; supporting the strengthening of the Kenyan health system; approaching health problems with innovative interventions; developing answers to key practical questions through operational research and using lesson learned at local levels to feed into national level programming and planning.

Currently Merlin’s programmes in Nyanza focus on the prevention and control of highly prevalent malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB.

In Turkana, Merlin is responding to the humanitarian needs of pastoralist communities caught in the vicious cycle of drought, food insecurity and lack of access to essential health services.

Main purpose of the role

The main purpose of the role is to provide technical management and guidance to Merlin’s health practitioners and partners in Kenya in order to successfully complete the goals and objectives of Merlin’s country strategy.

The Country Health Coordinator will be specifically responsible for the projects / programmes in Kenya and leading the effective development and implementation of appropriate, timely and quality health and nutrition programmes.

The position aims to support strategic analysis and planning processes led by the Health Director and the Country Director by facilitating improved strategic analysis amongst field health staff and partners.

This position is also expected to play an important role in collaboration with Health Director in expanding Merlin’s health sector profile and influence on policy and practice within the various regions of Kenya where Merlin currently operates through active engagement in national-level co-ordination and policy forums.; including specifically the Health and Nutrition Clusters.

This will require improved collection and analysis of evidence on health systems, service provision and emergency preparedness.

Overall Objectives (scope)

• Support the strategic objectives and activities of the Health Director and Country Director
• Contribute to the overall planning and strategic direction of Merlin’s programme in Kenya
• Ensure Emergency Preparedness and Response plans are in place as and when required
• Ensure the effective development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Merlin’s health and nutrition programming in line with approved programme strategy, proposals and budgets.
• Provide technical guidance and support to Merlin’s project health teams and partners in Kenya
• Provide technical management of health teams through the development and adherence to accountability mechanisms
• Build capacity and enhance supervision outputs of health teams and partners
• Represent Merlin to national authorities, international donors, international organisations and other NGOs at the national and local level

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Coordinate and technically manage the overall planning and direction of Merlin’s health activities in Kenya under the technical supervision of the HD in collaboration;
• Propose programme direction for the approval of the Country Management Team
• Under the supervision of the HD, support in the development and maintenance of a coherent health strategy across Merlin’s programmes in Kenya that contributes to Merlin’s aims in collaboration with the operational field staff and technical teams

Emergency response

• Assist in the analysis of health / humanitarian potential and actual needs taking into account the specific contexts where they occur.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of Merlin’s emergency preparedness and response capacity in relation to the humanitarian context and advise the Health Director and Country Director accordingly.
• Assist/lead in rapid needs assessments where relevant.
• Ensure timely and adequate response to humanitarian emergencies (disease outbreaks, nutrition crises, violence, population displacements) with the strong support from the Health Director.
• Coordinate and work with the relevant local authorities and other sector actors working within Merlin’s area of intervention as may be necessary.
• Ensure the developing and consolidation of partnerships in support of the project teams.
• Ensure disease surveillance and early warning systems (EWARS) are in place at all project sites.

Health Strategy and Programme Development

• Monitor the health and humanitarian situation in its area of operation and advise the Country Health Director and Country Director on appropriate courses of action, implications for the programmes, review and adaptation.
• In conjunction with the Health Director, ensure all health staff are aware of health and humanitarian trends within Merlin Kenya programme sites and beyond
• Undertake/assist with in-depth needs assessments as necessary in support of Project Health Coordinators
• Actively engage with the Project Coordinator (PC) and Project Health Coordinator (PHC) and contribute to the development of high quality and timely concept notes and programme proposals in response to health needs in Kenya, under the supervision of the Health Director and Country Director

Programme Management

• Support in the development and implementation of appropriate health care programmes in close consultation and coordination with the Country Management Team (CMT) and HQ based Health Advisors;
• Responsible for technical programme quality in all project sites in Kenya in collaboration with the Health Director and the Country Director
• Ensure the development and implementation of the monitoring mechanisms within all Kenya programming, including the use of the Merlin Health Information System (HIS).
• Identifying and facilitating evaluations in conjunction with Project Coordinators and Project Health Coordinators
• Advise the Project Coordinator and the Health Director in the planning, development and implementation of the project activities and work plans.
• In conjunction with the PC, actively assist the health staff, in developing work plans for the health teams
• Maintain an active presence in the field to ensure that the health components of projects are carried out in a timely manner, to a high quality in accordance with project design
• Provide support to health staff on skills development for improved partnership relations and planning; with specific reference to the Ministry of Health
• Provide technical specifications and quality control for medical logistics in collaboration with the logistical coordinator
• Ensure that all medical protocols and data collection forms are appropriate and available in all project sites and designed in collaboration with provincial MoH representatives, and ensure the team is fully conversant with and trained in their use.
• Monitor the drug consumption in all field sites to ensure orders are in line with consumption and to avoid stock ruptures.
• Identify needs for and facilitation of epidemiological/nutrition and KPC surveys
• Conduct regular visits to project sites for the purpose of project monitoring, quality control and strengthening of relationship between Merlin field staff, provincial and district authorities and other NGOs in the area.

Human Resources

• Recruit staff and supervise appraisal process with the Merlin Appraisal Policy
• Provide induction and briefings of medical staff for all project area
• Training and capacity building of staff would be based on appropriate training needs assessment of staff; it is the responsibility of the Country Health Coordinator to ensure this needs assessments, training, mentoring and coaching of technical staff is carried out.
• Provide supervision and training to the relevant health staff and partners, to build their capacities and ensure the maximum use of their skills, and their full and effective participation in health activities.

Support and Supervision

• Technically oversee and provide the necessary support to project health coordinators and project health teams of the various Merlin projects in Kenya.
• Develop and ensure monitoring and supervision tools are in place and staff are adequately trained accordingly.
• Ensure adequate and regular technical supervision of all health facilities (health posts, MCHs, TB & HIV centres) through the field-based health coordinators.
• Provide specific / thematic medical support to health teams on selected public health subjects; including nutrition, HIV, TB, MCH and neonatal health.
• Responsible for training of all medical staff to ensure the maximum use of their skills and their full and effective participation in medical activities whilst conforming to Merlin protocols.
• Recruitment and technical supervision of Merlin national and international medical staff and designation of responsibilities identify and implement requisite medical staff training.
• Enhance technical and health management skills of national health staff through ensuring the provision of formal & informal training in conjunction with project medical coordinators
• Ensure that all Merlin supported health facilities are appropriately equipped and staffed.
• Organize and participate in project health activities as required.

Reporting

• Compile timely project reports, ensuring the proper collection and analysis of relevant health data.
• Conduct monthly data compilation at a national level, including further analysis and the recommendation of additional responses. Ensure feedback and support planning is provided given to the field and other relevant stakeholders.
• Write monthly medical reports on project activities.
• Report and inform the Health Director of any unusual data / ‘trends’ from the EWARS

Representation

• Routinely participate in meetings related to health and other key issues that are convened by the Health and Nutrition clusters and/or the relevant (health) authorities in Kenya.
• Regularly inform and update authorities of the Ministry of Health and other relevant stakeholders on the on-going and planned activities that Merlin is implementing within our intervention areas / regions in Kenya.
• Represent and provide technical expertise and input on behalf of Merlin to the health and nutrition cluster, UN agencies, donors and other health coordination fora relevant to Kenya.
• Scope out potential donors and supporting partnership relations for Merlin’s Kenya programmes; in conjunction with the Health Director and Country Director as well as donors
• Contribute towards the dissemination of Merlin’s health work through publications (general, health sector, academic) under the supervision of the Health Director and Country Director

Staff Health

• Directly responsible for the health and well-being of Merlin staff in project areas, through implementation of Merlin Staff Health Policy, including medical evacuation procedures.
• With support from the Health Director, ensure an up-to-date medical evacuation procedures document relevant for Kenya is available for the field teams and that staff are familiar with its content.
• With support from the Health Director, ensure that the National Staff Health policy specific to Kenya is developed and implemented.

Other

• Fulfil other roles as per specific terms of reference developed by the Country Management Team (CMT) or the Health Director.

Person Specification

Essential

Qualifications, experience and competences

• Medical Doctor or Nurse with qualification in Hygiene and Tropical Medicine or Public Health
• Strong oversees experience for health programme management in emergency and transitional / development settings
• Experience of and ability to work in complex emergency and assess medical conditions quickly and calmly under pressure as required
• Good knowledge and experience of running primary health care projects e.g. vaccination campaigns, response to disease outbreak, mobile clinics, community mobilization, etc in developing countries
• Knowledge, understanding of and experience in running and managing nutrition, TB, HIV and MCH in developing countries.
• Competence in basic epidemiological analysis and knowledge of data collection methods and data analysis skills
• Strong coordination and problem solving skills in day-to-day and challenging situations
• Excellent management and personnel skills to enable the motivation, encouragement and Participation of the Merlin medical team
• Experience of a flexible approach and willingness to work and manage a team with a high workload and multiple tasks in a very complex environment with tight deadlines
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues and managing a team of health professionals from different functions and cultures
• Strong experience of training staff and commitment to capacity development of staff
• Willingness to travel at short notice to remote and insecure locations
• Excellent communication skills, with good written and spoken English
• Significant experience of representation to a broad range of people and organizations
• Confident and proficient user of MS Office
• Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
• Understanding of security issues with the ability to live and work in remote, insecure environments.
• Experience in conducting assessments, programme development and proposal writing
• An understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values

Desirable

Qualifications, experience and competences

• Previous working experience in the region
• Master in Public Health.
• Knowledge of and experience in remotely managing programmes

How to apply

Please download an application form from our website www.merlin.org.uk

Completed form should be emailed to applications@merlin-uk.org stating in the subject field the job title, country and reference number (if any).

People who read this post also read :