Medair Hiring for Health Officer, Community Health/ cash for health programme (Maternity cover) at Amman, Jordan Full Time

JOB TITLE & Position:  Health Officer, Community Health/ cash for health programme



The Health Officer will be responsible to coordinate the community health programme, using social behaviour change communication (SBCC) to promote healthy behaviour change with individuals, families and communities, to identify vulnerable Syrian refugees or Jordanians requiring cash for health and to liaise with health facilities related to the cash for health programme.

The Community Health Programme focuses on reproductive health, infant and young child feeding practices (IYCF), exclusive breastfeeding, anaemia prevention, outbreak prevention, psychosocial support, noncommunicable diseases (NCD), sexual and gender-based violence (SBGV), referrals and cash for health. 

Community based organizations (CBOs) are incorporated into the community health program and are capacity built to deliver components of the Medair community health program independently. 

LOCATION:

Based in Amman with frequent field visits to project locations. (On average 20% office work and 80% field work on monthly basis) 

REPORTING TO: Health project manager or Senior Health Officer 

OVERALL PURPOSE: 

Coordinate, facilitate, monitor and supervise the community-based interventions, community mobilization, referral and cash for health activities related to the Community Health Programme in line with the programme objectives.

Provide practical and technical guidance to the community health outreach teams in the project area.

PROJECT OVERVIEW:

The Community Health Programme targets boys and girls, pregnant and lactating women and their families, and men and women of reproductive age within the Syrian and non-Syrian refugee and Jordanian host population. 

FUNCTIONAL LINKS 

Internal

Medair Health Project Manager, Medair Health Manager, Senior Health Officer, Medair Jordan Health Advisor, Medair Logistics and Finance staff

External

UN agencies, technical working groups, Ministry of Health, other NGOs active in nutrition/health/community/RH/SGBV/cash for health/PSS/NCD’s

RESPONSIBILITIES: 

• Responsible for community sensitisation and mobilisation regarding reproductive health, general health prevention, psychosocial support, hygiene education in close consultation with the Health Project Manager/ health manager and/ or Senior Health Officer.
• Responsible for the selection and training of Community Health Volunteers (CHV) in close consultation with the Health Project Manager/ health manager and/ or Senior Health Officer.
• Provide technical support and supportive supervision to the CHV’s.
• Assist in the implementation and oversee the CHV’s to select beneficiaries for the cash for health component in the assigned Governorates of Jordan.
• Organize and attend the monthly CHVs/FP meeting in the assigned governorate.
• Monitor the FCM cases and share them with the CHVs for their follow up.
• Responsible for verification and follow up of beneficiaries who are in need of cash for health.
• In close consultation with the Health Project Manager and health manager, responsible to assist in the selection, capacity building and supervision of local Community Based Organizations (CBOs).
• Responsible for training, set up and monitoring of peer support groups, care groups and psychosocial support groups implemented by CBO staff if applicable.
• Adhere to and maintain timely monthly reporting system and ensure that the monthly report on health promotion activities is completed and shared with the Health Project Manager, including collection of weekly data from CHV’s and CBOs.
• Ensure close collaboration with coordinators from other NGOs and working groups as necessary.
• Be open to constructive feedback and from supervisor.
• Spend on average 20% office work and 80% field work on monthly basis, and in coordination with the direct supervisor. 
• Be accurate in documentation and archiving.
• Be able to provide estimation of fund needed on regular basis.
• Be able to organize and arrange for donor visit and Medair GSO visits. 

MAIN ACTIVITIES: 

Community preparation / liaison

• Establish relationship of respect and trust with communities in close liaison with the health facilities and CBO`s
• Liaise and coordinate with other agencies, partners and MoH on referrals that are made through the community programme.
• Promote the programme within communities, especially integrating community leaders and decision makers
• Identify and select suitable CHVs in coordination with Health Project Manager/ health manager and/or Senior Health Officer.
• Coordinate and liaise with existing societies and community-based organizations in project area.

Training

• Assist the Health Project Manager/ health manager and/ or Senior Health Officer in developing a plan for training and refresher training for CHVs
• Set up and conduct trainings and refresher trainings on reproductive health, infant and young child feeding practices, exclusively breastfeeding, anaemia prevention, outbreak prevention, psychosocial support, sexual gender-based violence, NCD’s, referrals for cash for health, open data kit (ODK)/data entry on tablets.

Supervision and Management

• Line manage Community Health Volunteers involved in the Community Health project
• Supervise and support the activities of the CHVs, including ones in CBOs as applicable.
• Ensure that appropriate health education is given to the beneficiaries in a respectful manner
• Ensure that vulnerability criteria are used correctly to select beneficiaries for the cash for health programme.
• Keep records of supportive supervision and document any actions requiring follow up related to the activities of the CHVs
• Establish and support a functioning referral system to relevant health services
• Write weekly and monthly reports on community mobilization activities according to Medair standards

Data collection and Open Data Kit development

• Develop appropriate Open Data Kit (ODK) forms in collaboration with the Health Project Manager/ or his designee.
• Train CHVs on using ODK on tablets
• Ensure data analyses on a monthly basis
• Revise the ODK forms when requested and provide feedback for modification and improvement.

Other Responsibilities

• Provide input into planning for future projects, proposals and report writing
• Assist in carrying out assessments/surveys baseline household surveys
• Attend and participate in coordination meetings related to community health, and other meetings as required on Medair’s behalf and as delegated by the Health Project Manager. Represent Medair and feed back to the Health Project Manager or his/her designee.
• Attend and represent Medair in any external nominated capacity building training.
• Ensure that gender and protection are mainstreamed in the programme

Staff Interaction and communication

• Attend regular staff meetings and contribute in discussions regarding the programme
• Willingness to support other Medair programmes when required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION:



QUALIFICATION / EXPERIENCE:

Vocational qualification

ESSENTIAL

• Medical/Nutrition/Nursing / health related field Degree

DESIRABLE

• Degree in community health/ master public health 

Work experience

ESSENTIAL

• 2 years of relevant work experience in health /medical related field 

DESIRABLE

• one year experience with NGOs, community promotion/community-based interventions/SBCC/Cash for health, previous work with Syrian refugees and/or non-Syrian refugees and vulnerable Jordanians.
• Experience working with CBOs would be advantageous

Languages

ESSENTIAL

• Fluency in spoken and written English; Arabic native speaker

IT

ESSENTIAL

• Good working skills with Word, Excel, and use of Outlook for e-mail

DESIRABLE

• Use of Open Data Kit (digital tool to collect data)

COMPETENCIES

Motivation

ESSENTIAL

• Self-motivated, desires to serve the community, especially refugees.
• Willing to be trained and to learn new skills. 

Team building

ESSENTIAL

• Team player with good inter-personal skills
• Attitude to mobilize community and capacity building of others
• Enjoys working within and international team

DESIRABLE

• Previous experience working with international teams
• Previous experience working with CHVs/volunteers

Adaptability

ESSENTIAL

• Flexible and willing to work under pressure
• Creative, open minded and flexible
• Willing to work with and serve refugees as well as vulnerable Jordanian host population
• Adhere to working hours and spend his time efficiently.

Technical expertise

ESSENTIAL

• Skills in social behaviour change communication programming
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skill

DESIRABLE

• Experience in community health programmes

Management and Leadership

ESSENTIAL

• Able to lead a team of Community Health Volunteers from different locations 

DESIRABLE

• Experience in team leadership and management

Health & Safety

ESSENTIAL

• Comply with established health and safety policies with regard to handling of cash.

WORK CONDITIONS

The position requires frequent travels to field locations in different Governorates within Jordan. The Community Health programme focuses on rural areas with refugee population as well as host communities. On average 20% office work and 80% field work on monthly basis.

Duration

Maternity cover for 100 day