BACKGROUND:
The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home. The IRC has been working in Sierra Leone since 1999, and currently programs across three core sectors 1) Health 2) Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), and 3) Education.
The IRC has been at the forefront of the Ebola response in Sierra Leone, and in August 2014 lead the formation of the Ebola Response Consoritum (ERC). Made up of 15 international NGOs, the ERC currently provides support to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) for the Ebola response and recovery periods. The ERC is currently supporting three key initiatives: 1) support of a national strategy for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at 1,200 Peripheral Health Units (PHUs) and 22 government hospitals in the country, 2) support for effective surveillance in 9 districts, and 3) water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) improvements in 22 government hospitals and 128 Community Health Centers (CHCs) nationwide.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The ERC IPC Coordinator will be responsible for overseeing the overall coordination and management of the ERC’s IPC portfolio, which currently includes the following two programs:
1 Support for IPC at PHUs - implemented at all 1,200 PHUs in the country through 6 partners.
2 Support for IPC at Government Hospitals - implemented at 22/25 hospitals across the country through 8 partners.
Working in close collaboration with ERC partner organizations, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, and other key national-level IPC partners, the ERC IPC Coordinator will play a key role in ensuring that the ERC’s IPC programming is implemented to a high technical standard and is in full alignment with relevant national policies and protocols. In addition to effectively managing the current IPC programming, the ERC IPC Coordinator will also play a leading role in developing and steering the consortium’s new IPC programming opportunities. This will require a creative thinker and adept presenter, who is able to leverage the learning gained through the consortium’s past IPC programming to influence national-level discussions and proactively seek out innovative new partnerships to further grow and diversify the ERC’s IPC portfolio. The ERC IPC Coordinator will work under the oversight of the ERC Senior Coordinator and supervise two direct reports.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
Program Management and development
* Coordinate and closely monitor the implementation of the ERC IPC programs against agreed work plans, performance targets, and budgets to ensure that programming is on track.
* Conduct regular field visits to ERC partners to provide technical support and monitor performance.
* Provide ongoing mentoring and technical support to partners.
* Work closely with ERC partners to identify and address implementation challenges in a diplomatic and professional manner.
* Ensure strong coordination within the ERC through chairing regular technical meetings with IPC partners to review progress, discuss challenges, and share best practices.
* Lead the production of timely and high quality project reports that document achievements, best practices, and lessons learned.
* Lead on the design and roll-out of new initiatives for the ERC supported IPC programs, as well as collaborate with the ERC senior coordinator on new program opportunities.
* Coordinate across sectors to strengthen the ERC’s impact, particualry with the ERC’s WASH programs.
* Ensure the programs have a robust monitoring framework that is implemented to high standards, as well as ensuring the program actively uses the data to achieve program targets.
Representation and Advocacy
* In coordination with the ERC Sr Coordinator actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, partners and other international and local NGOs.
Staff Management
* Supervise direct reports in accordance with IRC HR policies.
* Use good management techniques to move the team toward high performance.
Budget and Grant management
* Ensure that project resources, including financial, are used effectively and transparently in order to achieve the objectives of the project.
* Monitor project budget to ensure spending according to plan and to verify the attainment of all objectives within the authorized allocations.
* Review partner financial reports to ensure they are in line with program accomplishments.
REQUIREMENTS (Essential):
* Clinical background (nurse, midwife, doctor)
* Experience of working on IPC programs in a resource limited setting. Prior experience in Sierra Leone highly desirable.
* Significant experience in infection prevention and control practice and training.
* Demonstrated experience in management of programs, personnel and working with multiple partners and stakeholders
* Works well both independently and in teams
* Willingness to travel frequently to sites
* Excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
* Ability to write donor reports and proposals to a high standard
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.
