Chief of Mission Jobs in Juba

OPEN TO INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL CANDIDATES
Classification : Official, Grade P5 Type of Appointment : Fixed term, one year with possibility of extension Estimated Start Date : As soon as possible Reference Code : VN2011/54(O)-EXT
Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.
IOM has a proactive recruitment policy to increase the representation of nationals of non-represented member states. Qualified applicants from the following countries will be favorably considered:
Angola, Armenia, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congo, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Honduras, Jamaica, Lesotho, Libya, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Malta, Mauritania, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Paraguay, Slovenia, Somalia, Swaziland, Timor Leste, Togo, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Yemen
Applications from qualified female candidates are especially encouraged.
Context:
Under the direct supervision of the Regional Director (RD) for East and Southern Africa in Pretoria the successful candidate will be IOM's interlocutor with the Government of South Sudan and relevant ministries, UN Specialized Agencies, and local and international NGOs. He/ she will be responsible for the promotion with the Government of South Sudan, diplomatic representatives and other organizations of the full range of IOM services as well as for keeping the RD and Headquarters (HQs) units informed of relevant governmental concerns and programmatic developments. The successful candidate will be responsible and accountable for developing and promoting IOM's strategy and programming in South Sudan within the overall regional framework.
Core functions/ responsibilities:
I. Development and follow up of strategies, policies and programmes

• Develop, clarify and contribute to IOM's overall mandate and strategy through project development and implementation in South Sudan with appropriate consultation with the Regional Office, Headquarters, Member States and other relevant actors.
  
• Play an integral role in migration policy discussions and apply approved policies in the national activities.
  
• Advise the Regional Office and HQs on national policy and emergency matters as well as government migration policies affecting the activities of IOM in South Sudan and make recommendations or prepare proposals for appropriate action.
  
• Participate in appropriate policy and operational United Nations Country Team (UNCT) inter-agency mechanisms, in particular with a view to inserting migration related issues into the United Nations Development Assistance Framework (UNDAF) process.
  
• Stimulate, catalyze and support project development in South Sudan, assessing the appropriateness and effectiveness of programme development and fundraising and strategies and recommend ways to improve these.
  
• Direct and monitor the project planning, design and implementation in South Sudan and give necessary support to the IOM sub-office(s). Evaluate IOM's operational activities in South Sudan and prepare recommendations with a view to increasing their effectiveness.
  
• Take full responsibility for the successful execution of ongoing operational programmes and the development of new ones.
  
• Support the regional and international processes and dialogues on migration relevant to South Sudan. Ensure the participation of government officials in these initiatives.
  

II. Resource management and capacity building

• Direct the operational, human resources, administrative, budgetary and financial activities of the Mission and oversee those of the Sub-Office(s) in accordance with the Organization's rules and procedures.
  
• Report regularly to the RD and other interested partners on progress achieved and developments in South Sudan. Prepare regular and specific narrative, impact, policy, financial, evaluation and statistical reports covering IOM activities; prepare briefings and background information requested by RO and HQs, the Government and other entities.
  

III. Representation of IOM

• Develop and promote liaison with governmental authorities and diplomatic missions, international and regional organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and voluntary agencies, airlines and public media in the region, particularly with view to identifying migration-related areas for developing common activities/projects in a complementary manner, identify needs and priorities for cooperation and project development as well as for fundraising purposes.
  
• Represent the Organization at national and international conferences and meetings.
  
• Develop public relations and media activities in order to promote IOM's image and programmes.
  
• Participate in the Humanitarian Country Team (HCT), chair the Operations Management Team and contribute and provide support to other inter-agency planning processes and the overall humanitarian strategy.
  
• Ensure current obligations as lead agency for NFIs, emergency returns and common transport are carried out including on reporting and capacity, and that the global CCCM cluster lead obligations are fulfilled if this is activated.
  
• Take part in the development of any other relevant planning tools such as National Action plans, Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, Migration Profiles.
  

Desirable Competencies
Behavioural
a) takes responsibility and manages constructive criticism; b) works effectively with all clients and stakeholders; c) promotes continuous learning; communicates clearly; d) takes initiative and drives high levels of performance management; e) plans work, anticipates risks, and sets goals within area of responsibility; f) displays mastery of subject matter; g) contributes to a collegial team environment; h) creates a respectful office environment free of harassment and retaliation, and promotes the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse (PSEA); i) incorporates gender-related needs, perspectives, and concerns, and promotes equal gender participation; j) displays awareness of relevant technological solutions; k) works with internal and external stakeholders to meet resource needs of IOM.
Technical
a) correctly interacts with and advises on interfacing with senior level stakeholders as appropriate; b) drives the mobilization of resources to meet IOM mandates; c) interfaces with senior-level stakeholders to secure resources to meet IOM needs; d) plans operations within the context of IOM's global core mandates and responsibilities; e) identifies long-term trends and global political developments that can impact on the core mandates and their executions; f) represents IOM in high-level interactions with clients; g) develops effective partnerships with prospective donors and other stakeholders; h) establishes and maintains effective working relationships with implementing partners; i) participates in HCT, UNCT or relevant inter-agency meetings; j) supports and contributes to the inter-agency planning process and the overall humanitarian strategy; k) ensures CCCM obligations as cluster lead agency are carried out.
Desirable Qualifications and Experience
a) a completed Master's degree from an accredited academic institution, preferably in Political or Social Sciences, Business Administration, Migration Studies, International Relations and/ or Law; b) ten years of experience (or twelve years of experience for candidates with a 1st level degree) in the field of migration issues including operational and field experience, IOM project development, and management; c) demonstrated expertise in post conflict / emergency operations; d) knowledge and experience of regional issues an advantage; e) experience in liaising with governmental authorities, other national/ international institutions and NGOs; f) knowledge of monitoring and evaluation.
Languages
Thorough knowledge of English. Working knowledge of Arabic an advantage.
NOTE:

• The tenure of contract of staff members holding a regular contract will remain unchanged.

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Deputy Director, Operations

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.
BACKGROUND: The Republic of South Sudan has recently emerged from decades of brutal civil war rooted in disputes over religion, ethnicity, resources, governance and self-determination. The 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ushered in an era of post-conflict development efforts, which took on new dimensions following independence in July 2011. The security situation remains fragile and testing operational challenges abound. IRC operates in six of South Sudan’s ten states with programming in several sectors: health, protection, livelihoods, water and sanitation and gender-based violence.
SCOPE OF WORK: The Deputy Director, Operations (DDO) oversees the country program’s critical support functions: human resources, administration, communications, supply chain and security, ensuring that all the necessary systems, policies and procedures are updated, rolled out, understood, and implemented in all locations. S/he is a member of the country senior management team, reports to the Country Director and supervises the Human Resources / Administration Coordinator, Logistics Coordinator, Field Area Coordinator and IT officer. The DDO will travel at least 25% to field sites.
RESPONSIBILITIES
Representation • Represent IRC South Sudan in interagency operations meetings. • Develop a sound understanding of the IRC’s programs such that the DDO can substitute for the CD or DDP when needed.
Policies, Procedures and Coordination
• Ensure functional operational support is in place in all sites to achieve results across program sectors. • Implement IRC global operational policies at a national level. Review IRC SS operational policy manuals, devise a plan for updating them and ensure their consistent enforcement. Identify operational policy voids and develop new policies as needed. • Ensure compliance with donor regulations with regard to the supply chain. • Develop an annual operations plan with regular follow-up of department leaders.
• Serve as a focal point and maintain communication with HQ operations staff, DRDO and Regional Security Adviser. • Coordinate across operations units, across field sites and with programs and finance departments. • Supervise the Area Coordinator and Field Managers through regular visits and remote support.
Budget & Finance • Produce content for new budgets covering operational requirements and provide advice on procurement related budgeting, including a capital equipment replacement plan, • Maintain close working relations with the Finance Controller to ensure full and coordinated support to operations. • Oversee grant operations budget lines.
Administration and Human Resources
• Ensure that the recruitment process is efficient, transparent and well managed and that IRC Connect is correctly implemented. • Ensure that operations staff have annual performance plans and evaluations • Review national staff salaries and benefits and recommend adjustments when needed • Serve as focal point person for investigation into policy violations. Follow up on accusations of employee misconduct and advise on potential discipline. • Work with the HQ Human Resources Department in implementing the global HRIS • Within the organization and in collaboration with the HR coordinator, identify staff knowledge areas that require strengthening and work with supervisors and staff to provide the appropriate training, with a goal of contributing to staff retention.
• Ensure all necessary support for the functioning of the office, including external relations with the government, is in place.
Logistics/IT • Verify that country logistics policies are appropriate, documented, disseminated and required monitoring processes are effective. • Assist logistics staff in working effectively with other units to improve planning and resource utilization. • Undertake periodic system reviews of procurement, vehicle & fuel, asset, warehouse/inventory, suppliers and vendor contracts and communication systems to identify areas for improvement and compliance with IRC policy. • Review key/routine reports, (PO/PR tracking, fuel consumption, procurement plans) and provide feedback with recommendations. • In collaboration with the IT department in HQ support the V-SAT integration project, maintain and upgrade IT systems to support Internet communication throughout the country program.
Security • Serve as security focal point for the country program by attending meetings and gathering relevant information. • Ensure that the Security Management Plan and SOP’s are regularly updated. • Support CD in troubleshooting specific security incidents.. • Provide management support and oversight in implementing security policies and procedures. Ensure staff are trained in basic security procedures. • Ensure all office and residential locations are safe and secure.
REQUIREMENTS • At least 5 years experience of operational support or management of multi-sector humanitarian relief or development projects in Africa or similar context; preferably at senior level positions • Proven personnel management, administration, logistics, communications, security and finance experience of large operations • NGO experience and knowledge of donor requirements • Excellent written and oral communication skills, strong interpersonal skills • Willingness to travel in very remote and war affected areas under adverse conditions • Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and heavy workload. • Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks. • Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual. • Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. • Flexibility, adaptability, culturally sensitivity, sense of humor
WORK ENVIRONMENT: • Housing in IRC Guest House. Internet, DSTV on-site. • Security level: Yellow, stable with occasional local clashes. • Position is unaccompanied
Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=7397 .

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Women’s Center Manager Career Opportunity in Southern Sudan

American Refugee Committee
POSITION TITLE: Women’s Center Manager HQ DEPARTMENT or COUNTRY PROGRAM: South Sudan, Aweil, Northern Bahr el Ghazal RESPONSIBLE TO: GBV Program Officer STATUS: Full Time SUPERVISORY CAPACITY: National program staff
DEPARTMENT/COUNTRY PROGRAM DESCRIPTION/MISSION
Operational in Southern Sudan since 1994, ARC implements a multi-sectoral program that includes water and sanitation, primary and reproductive health care, HIV/AIDS and gender based violence prevention and response, and activities geared towards creating economic opportunities for returning populations.
ARC’s South Sudan Gender Based Violence (GBV) program aims to strengthen the quality and accessibility of services for survivors of GBV and reduce incidence of GBV through creative participatory community change activities. ARC is currently implementing GBV prevention and response programming in 8 program sites throughout South Sudan, as well as leading national coordination and advocacy efforts.
PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The Women’s Center Manager would lead activities on a daily basis a team of ARC GBV project staff and community partners to run a Women’s Center providing case management and referral of survivors of GBV, functional literacy and livelihood activities.
MAJOR AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY PRIMARY DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES
• On a daily basis, supervise a team of social workers, medical workers and livelihood and literacy staff facilitating activities in ARC’s Women’s Center in Aweil • Ensure Women’s Center activities run smoothly and according to the ethical guidelines of the GBV program • Lead technical oversight and monitoring of Women’s Center program activities • Manage the budget of the Women’s Center to maintain program expenditure within budget parameters. • Supervise GBV team accompanying of survivors of GBV to access multisectoral response services • Develop and maintain strong working relationships with all multisectoral response providers • Assess the quality of care received by survivors of GBV through the referral pathway • Work with partners and the GBV Program Officer to improve quality of local multisectoral response services. • Submit timely monthly reports on Women’s Center activities in provided format to GBV Program Officer • Input monthly data into the GBV Information Management System and submit to GBV Program Officer for compilation in a timely manner • Promote a positive profile of the program and good understanding among other sectors, partners and the communities we work in about the program.
• Monitor Women’s Center staff performance and develop capacity building plans in coordination with staff. • Provide leadership and support to ensure staff well-being, i.e., monitor and manage stress management by providing regular opportunities for staff debriefing to address secondary trauma, etc. • Any other duties assigned by GBV Program Officer
EDUCATION, TECHNICAL SKILLS & KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED

1. Degree in Social Work, Public Health or other related field preferred
2. At least 2 years previous clinical experience providing case management and psychosocial support to survivors of GBV.
3. Experience running a Women’s Center providing psychosocial support to survivors of GBV including case management, livelihood and literacy activities
4. Proven excellent management and team building skills
5. Awareness and knowledge of GBV international best practices including IASC GBV Guidelines, SOPs, IMS and Coordinator Handbook
6. Experience leading a team in conflict affected settings
7. Diplomacy and assertiveness; the ability to confront and discuss sensitive issues with respect
8. Good communication skills, with good spoken and written English. Arabic an advantage.
9. Excellent report writing, research documentation and presentation skills
10. Demonstrated experience of monitoring and evaluating projects.
11. Familiar with the issues and cultures in South Sudan; and ability to interact with people at all levels, individually and/or in groups.
12. Ability to work independently in low resource context
13. Applicants can be South Sudanese nationals or internationals with relevant expertise
14. Women are encouraged to apply

KEY BEHAVIORS & ABILITIES
• Ability to live and productively work in insecure, unstable and/or harsh environments. • Additional qualities: ability to multitask, ability to handle pressure well, ability to improvise, flexibility, cultural and environmental sensitivity. • Familiar with the issues and cultures in South Sudan; and ability to interact with people at all levels, individually and/or in groups. • Willingness to travel.
Apply on line at: http://www.arcrelief.org/site/PageServer?pagename=careers_jobs

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Country Programme Manager Opportunity in Southern Sudan

Background
UN Women, grounded in the vision of equality enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations, works for the elimination of discrimination against women and girls; the empowerment of women; and the achievement of equality between women and men as partners and beneficiaries of development, human rights, humanitarian action and peace and security. Placing women's rights at the centre of all its efforts, the UN Women will lead and coordinate United Nations system efforts to ensure that commitments on gender equality and gender mainstreaming translate into action throughout the world. It will provide strong and coherent leadership in support of Member States' priorities and efforts, building effective partnerships with civil society and other relevant actors.
The scope of work of the Country Progamme Manager requires experience and in-depth understanding of gender equality and women's empowerment issues, as well as management and pogramming expertise, to translate UN WOMEN's strategic plans into effective development initiatives and results. It also requires developing mutually reinforcing partnerships with relevant Government counterparts, UN organizations, CSOs, and with bilateral and non-traditional donors in order to promote inter-agency partnerships, support for UN reform, and mobilization of visibility and resources to advance gender equality and women's empowerment.
Under the overall guidance of the Regional Program Director, East and Horn of Africa, the Country Program Manager will provide technical and program support services ensuring project delivery, high quality outputs, with accuracy and consistency of work for UN WOMEN's program in South Sudan
The Country Program Manager works in close collaboration with the UN WOMEN Nairobi team in operations and program, UN WOMEN HQ units and sections. The Country Program Manager will also work with the UN Country Team for Sudan, as required to exchange information and support program delivery.
Duties and Responsibilities
Key Functions

• Strategic Country Programme Development and Advocacy;
• Country Pogramme Management and Oversight;
• Representation and Partnership Building;
• Knowledge Management and Capacity Building.

Under the supervision of the Regional Programme Director, the Country Programme Manager has the following key functions:
Strategic Programme Development and Advocacy

• Proactively assess trends and identify emerging issues at the national level of relevance to the mandate of UN Women;
• Lead the formulation and development of the UN Women Country Programme Strategy based on the Corporate Strategic Plan (SP) in support of gender equality and women's empowerment;
• Identify strategic program opportunities, and approaches and modalities to strengthen UN Women country presence;
• Support, monitor and assure quality control in the formulation of high quality, results-based, rights-based and relevant country programmes and projects and oversee the appraisal and approval of UN WOMEN programmes in line with corporate guidelines and consistency with corporate policies and strategies;
• Participate actively as a member of the UNCT to ensure that gender equality and women's empowerment issues are well integrated into UN programming processes such as CCA/UNDAF, Country Programmes, etc;
• Assist the RC System to secure expertise that will ensure commitment, quality control and resources for gender equality outcomes, and actively participate in country level United Nations programming processes ensuring that the UN Women is strategically placed within UN planning processes, joint programmes and other inter-agency initiatives;
• Advocate on behalf of UN WOMEN and its mandate to help raise awareness and stimulate action to advance gender equality and women's rights and form strategic partnerships with government, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, media and the private sector;
• Carry out ongoing advocacy to ensure that UN support towards realization of the national plans and priorities are done in a gender responsive manner, and within agreed regional and international frameworks that promote and protect gender equality.

Country Programme Management and Oversight

• Lead the management, implementation and evaluation of the country strategic plan based on UN WOMEN's Strategic Plan (SP), and in line with regional and national priorities and in consultation with government, civil society and UN partners and stakeholders;
• Manage ongoing program activities on gender equality and women's empowerment and ensure delivery of agreed results;
• Ensure UN Women's strategic and technical support to government counterparts, non state actors and UN agencies through direct involvement and provision of advisory services as needed;
• Oversee, monitor and assure quality control in the implementation of high quality, results-based, rights-based and relevant country programmes and projects in line with corporate guidelines and consistency with corporate policies and strategies;
• Ensure that the Country Programme Office has the human and financial resources and capacities needed to respond to requests for assistance and to deliver on its commitments to support and advance gender equality and to participate effectively as a member of the UN Country Team;
• Manage staff and office in an empowering and effective manner;
• Manage the Country Office resources and administration to ensure proper utilization of allocated funds and accountability;
• Use corporate monitoring and oversight tools to identify areas which need improvement;
• Contribute to regular assessments of the regional, sub-regional and country strategic plans and implementation plans and identify lessons learned and areas of emphasis to underpin consistently improved programming and future Strategic Plan development.

Representation and Partnership Building

• Represent the UN Women in UN system-wide inter-agency tasks forces to contribute to strategic and policy discussion on gender equality, and women empowerment issues;
• Represent UN WOMEN at inter-agency, intergovernmental, international, regional and national conferences and meetings and advocate UN WOMEN's policy and initiatives in advancing gender equality and women's empowerment;
• Forge strategic partnerships at the county level to promote gender equality and women's advancement through joint projects and interagency efforts;
• Maintain active relationship/partnerships with National Government Counterparts, UN System, and agency partners, inter-government and non-governmental organizations, institutes and academia on women's issue to enhance collaboration, resource mobilization and share and influence agenda and priority setting;
• Forge strategic partnerships with Government, UN agencies, NGOs, academia, media and private sector to stimulate action to advance gender equality and women's rights.

Knowledge Management and Reporting

• Manage the process of collecting and disseminating lessons learned on gender equality and women's empowerment strategies and contribute to UN Wonen's knowledge management efforts;
• Lead and manage the preparation of UN Women country reports as required, ensuring relevancy, quality and appropriateness of content and presentation;
• Work with relevant UN Women units to identify and disseminate best programme and management practices;
• Lead the development/expansion of knowledge management strategies and methodologies at the country level;
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of global, regional and national knowledge networks and practices;
• Produce knowledge products to meet UN Women needs and standards of quality.

Impact of Results:
The CPM impact on success of the efforts to formulate and implement the UN Women Programme Strategy at the country level to promote and advance gender equality and women's empowerment issues.
Competencies
CORE VALUES / GUIDING PRINCIPLES:

• Integrity: Demonstrating consistency in upholding and promoting the values of UN Women in actions and decisions, in line with the UN Code of Conduct;
• Cultural Sensitivity/Valuing diversity: Demonstrating an appreciation of the multicultural nature of the organization and the diversity of its staff. Demonstrating an international outlook, appreciating differences in values and learning from cultural diversity.

CORE COMPETENCIES:

• Ethics and Values: Promoting Ethics and Integrity / Creating Organizational Precedents;
• Organizational Awareness: Building support and political acumen;
• Developing and Empowering People / Coaching and Mentoring: Building staff competence, creating an environment of creativity and innovation;
• Working in Teams: Building and promoting effective teams;
• Communicating Information and Ideas:Creating and promoting enabling environment for open communication;
• Self-management and Emotional intelligence:Creating an emotionally intelligent organization;
• Conflict Management / Negotiating and Resolving Disagreements:Leveraging conflict in the interests of the organization & setting standards;
• Knowledge Sharing / Continuous Learning: Sharing knowledge across the organization and building a culture of knowledge sharing and learning;
• Appropriate and Transparent Decision Making: Fair and transparent decision making; calculated risk-taking.

Functional Competencies:

• Substantive experience and record of accomplishment in the area of gender equality and women's empowerment issues;
• Demonstrated People Management Skills;
• Familiarity with women's rights organizations and networks in the region and globally;
• Good knowledge of UN Women and the UN system;
• Proven ability to advocate and provide policy advice;
• Ability to lead strategic planning, programme development and implementation, results-based management and reporting;
• Ability to develop and maintain strong partnerships and mobilize resources.

Required Skills and Experience
Education:

• Master's degree (or equivalent) in a social sciences, economics, gender issues, or other development-related fields.

Experience:

• A Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience on gender programming issues, including 5 years field experience on gender equality and women's rights issues with an international organization;
• Strong familiarity with UN inter-agency cooperation would be an asset.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English; knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Note:
In July 2010, the United Nations General Assembly created UN Women, the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women. The creation of UN Women came about as part of the UN reform agenda, bringing together resources and mandates for greater impact. It merges and builds on the important work of four previously distinct parts of the UN system (DAW, OSAGI, INSTRAW and UNIFEM), which focused exclusively on gender equality and women's empowerment.
All applications must include (as an attachment) the completed UN Women Personal History form (P-11) which can be downloaded from
http://www.unwomen.org/about-us/employment
Kindly note that the system will only allow one attachment. Applications without the completed UN Women P-11 form will be treated as incomplete and will not be considered for further assessment.
UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

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Project Health Coordinator (PHC) wanted at Merlin in South Sudan

Job Description
Position: Project Health Coordinator (PHC)
Responsible to: Project Coordinator (PC)
Technical Line Management: Country Health Director (CHD)
Location: Bale, Ethiopia
Start date: November, 2011
Contract Duration: 12 months
Salary: £25,100 – £25,850
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, and annual leave entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12 months of continuous employment with Merlin.
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 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
Since March 2003 Merlin has been working in Ethiopia. At that time operations were started in Oromiya Region, one of the areas worst affected by a prolonged drought. Merlin’s programs focus mainly on the provision of primary healthcare services through mobile and static clinics but include also community-based water and sanitation programs. Currently MERLIN is maintaining two interventions in the country. MERLIN’s health programs in Ethiopia are implemented in coordination with the respective Regional Health Bureaus (MoH) and non-governmental partners.
In January 2005 Merlin started an Emergency health care support project in Bale Zone, located in Oromiya Region, which is one of the poorer regions in Ethiopia and has an approximate population of more than 25 million.Since that time Merlin continued to provide basic curative services, support the public health system and to work on improvements of the difficult water, sanitation and hygiene situation for the population. In Bale and other parts of Oromiya, cyclical droughts and floods in the past two years have led to the depletion of livestock and the reduction of agricultural output in a largely pastoral community. The current drought and food crisis in the horn of Africa aggravated the nutrition and health problems of agro-pastoralist communities. The population, 2 particually those who live in low land areas are at increased risk of starvation unless humanitarian aid is in place in time.
Our current emergency nutrition intervention in Bale Zone / Oromiya Region has secured funding until April 2012. The project covers currently nutrition support to more than 50 MoH health posts and feeding sites through the provision of drugs, basic equipment and capacity building of health workers in the five districts (woredas) of Ginnir, Rayitu, Sawena, Dawa Kechen, berber, Gololcha and Legehida. The health coordinator will be based in Ginnir, Bale Zone.
Main purpose of the role
The Project Health Coordinator will be responsible for leading the effective implementation of quality nutrition programming, grounded in best practice in response to acute and longer-term health and nutrition needs in the Bale zone of Ethiopia. To achieve this objective, the PHC will be technically supported by the CHD located in the capital base.
The PHC will report directly to the PC and will be technically accountable to the CHD. Overall Objectives (scope)
• Provision of quality primary and emergency nutrition and health services through both static and outreach mobile clinic services
• Improving basic preventive health and nutrition care at community level
• Strengthening of linkages and coordination mechanisms between communities, health facilities, and government sector offices
• Support health and nutrition monitoring and evaluation systems Responsibilities
Leadership
• Coordinate and functionally manage the planning and direction of Merlin’s nutrition activities at project level.
• Develop and maintain a coherent project strategy fulfilling Merlin’s aims in collaboration with the Project Coordinator.
• Determine project direction in consultation with the Project Coordinator and Country Management Team
• Create a shared vision among all Merlin health staff related to project aims and their role in achieving these.
Programme Support
• Provide technical and managerial support to all health team members in fulfilment of their duties according to project objectives.
• Develop, plan and implement project health activities in close collaboration with health and non-medical personnel, ensuring coherence between activities and contingencies for changes in project direction and priorities related to the humanitarian context.
• Prepare the project health protocols and data collection forms in collaboration with local health representatives and ensure the team is fully conversant with and trained in the same.
• Responsible with the Project Coordinator for encouraging the community participation in health activities to ensure the long term ownership and effectiveness of the programme.
• Ensure all medical staff receive appropriate training to facilitate the maximum use of their skills and their full and effective participation in medical activities.
• Ensure health activities are implemented in accordance with Merlin policy and internationally recognised standards.
• Ensure that the medical stocks are properly managed in collaboration with the pharmacy officer and logistics staff.
• Responsible for the timely preparation and approval of all medical orders.
• Assist in the development of emergency preparedness activities of Merlin Ethiopia – e.g. preparedness planning and training activities.
• Assist the nutrition coordinator in nutrition programming
• Assist in conduct of nutrition surveys. Programme Development
• Constantly monitor the health, nutrition and humanitarian situation in the project area and propose appropriate action in collaboration with the Project Coordinator and Country Health Director.
• Undertake/ assist needs assessment as necessary.
• Prepare and write timely and accurate donor proposals and reports in collaboration with the Project Co-ordinator. These documents should reflect progress against set objectives and/or newly defined needs supported by appropriate data presentation and contextual analysis.
• Prepare and write timely and accurate monthly health and nutrition activity reports for inclusion in the monthly situation report submitted to Merlin HQ.
• Support the Project Coordinator with negotiating new / changes to project activities with local health authorities.
• Together with the Project Co-ordinator, ensure reports are delivered to local counterparts in time as stipulated in the project agreement. Co-ordination & Representation
• Co-ordinate and represent Merlin to local health authorities at district level to ensure all project activities are carried out with their collaboration and participation in order to achieve project objectives.
• Co-ordinate and represent Merlin to WHO, UNICEF, and other I/NGOs to avoid project with activity overlap whilst sufficiently addressing the full needs of the communities
• Ensure key stakeholders receive regular activity reports and statistics. Staff Management / HR
• Line manage health and nutrition staff effectively, using appropriate delegation
• Monitor health and nutrition staff performance through regular appraisal
• Recruit Merlin national medical staff including the development of clear job description.
• Enhance technical and health management skills of national health staff through formal & informal training in conjunction with international medical officers. 4 Staff Health • Responsible for project based international staff health and well-being as outlined in Merlin Staff Health Policy.
• Ensure up-to-date medical evacuation procedures are in place at all times and that staff are aware of their respective roles. Other
• Carry out any other responsibilities as requested by the Project Co-ordinator or Country Health Director
• Produce written, end of post handover notes.
Person Specification
Essential
Qualifications, experience and competences • Qualified doctor with post qualification experience.
• Or Qualified nurse with masters degree.
• Experience in tropical medicine and/or public health.
• Experience in nutrition programmes.
• Excellent management and personnel skills to enable the motivation, encouragement and participation of international and national health team members
• Ability and flexibility to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with local health representatives.
• Ability to assess health conditions quickly and calmly under pressure as required.
• Excellent communication skills, with good spoken and written English
• Experience managing primary healthcare projects
• Experience of working in emergencies
• Good computer skills to allow reporting and representation.
• Experience in epidemiological analysis including data representation and basic survey techniques (use of Excel & Epi-Info)
• Commitment to Merlin’s values and aims
• Previous experience within a humanitarian aid organisation.
• Ability to remain calm and to be diplomatic, both with the local health authorities and with the community.
• Good organisational skills with good leadership skills and/or willingness to develop them.
• Work in remote and insure environments Desirable
Qualifications, experience and competences
• Post graduate qualification.
• Experience in Ethiopia or Horn of Africa.
• Qualification in Nutrition or experience working on nutritional projects.
How to Apply
To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online 5 recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it. If you are unable to apply online please download and complete an application form and email it to: applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs and any application must therefore be made online or by completing our application form. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Data Protection
In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment should an offer of employment be made. This information will be stored in manual and/or computer form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.

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