Senior Health Project Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Background: Founded in 1933, the International Rescue Committee (www.rescue.org) is a world leader in relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict development services for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. The IRC is currently working in over 40 countries around the world, addressing both the immediate and lifesaving needs of conflict affected people in emergencies and the reconstruction needs of post-conflict societies. The IRC began programming in northern Uganda in 1998 in response to mass displacement and devastation wrought by rebel group, the Lord’s Resistance Army. In 2002, the IRC expanded to the remote, conflict-affected region of Karamoja and in 2011, began working with refugees in Kampala. Monitoring the influx of South Sudanese refugees at the end of 2015, the IRC began scaling up its response to refugees arriving in the West Nile region. By promoting durable solutions that deliver on the interdependent aims of saving lives, strengthening institutions, and supporting social cohesion, the IRC in Uganda is laying the building blocks for long-term stability and development –bringing people from harm to home. The IRC currently works in 9 districts in Uganda, including Kitgum, Lamwo, Kyegegwa, Moroto, Amudat, Yumbe, Arua, Kiryandongo, Kasese and Kampala. The IRC is currently implementing its health and nutrition program in West Nile and Acholi focusing on providing primary health care services to refugees in their settlements. Job Overview/ Summary: Under the supervision of the Health Manager, The Senior Health Officer will support the implementation of the project aimed at contributing to polio eradication by enhancing surveillance for Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) among the communities residing close to the South Sudan/Uganda border and in the refugee settlements in Lamwo district. S/HE will directly implement the community AFP surveillance program in the district and will work in close collaboration with the District Health team (DHT) and other stakeholders. S/HE will provide on-the-job coaching and mentoring of health facility staffs especially in strengthening AFP case surveillance, detection, and reporting. The Senior Health Officer will contribute to assessing staff capacity needs regarding AFP surveillance and reporting at health Centre level and coordinate all planned project trainings; and ensure that review meetings are held on time. S/HE will also support health workers in compiling reports to the DHT. S/HE will contribute to the provision of strategic and technical oversight of the project and to ensure the successful implementation of a quality project. Specific roles: 1. Support host and settlement Health facilities to effectively conduct community awareness on and vigilance for AFP/VPDs and health promotion activities both at health facility level and in the community. Primary Responsibilities Program Management and Development Oversee the implementation of surveillance activities to support the process of AFP case detection, verification, investigation, and reporting so that program goals, objectives, targets and activities are met.Prepare program work plans in coordination with the Health Manager. Conduct regular monitoring visits to the various project sites, ensuring that projects utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by the Ministry of Health and donors. Identify technical quality and/or other implementation issues, and provide solutions and follow-up to ensure projects are on track to meet goals and are consistent with established best practices. Ensure that the health program is implemented in line with the IRC principles: promoting and protecting rights, participation, capacity building, partnership and holistic programming.Strictly follow up the medical and operational supply chain system, stock recording, timely ordering for the supplies and accountabilities in relation to the warehousing and using of the supplies including medicines and medical items. Work closely with other IRC programs present in the same location, such as Women’s Protection and Empowerment, ERD, Education, and integrate program components to the extent possible.Coordinate and conduct VHT weekly or monthly meetings and other activities with district health team, and other stakeholders to avoid duplication of servicesCollaborate with other LG Health staff in conducting active case search for AFP at the health facilities and in the community. Staff Supervision & DevelopmentMaintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions. Directly supervise the health assistant, ensuring regular performance reviews.Ensure training and ongoing capacity building opportunities for staff on technical and project management skills.Support proposal development processes through sharing of relevant information to inform quality proposals Grant Management and Reporting Participate in the management of all health grants, and work with theHealth Manager to developwork, spending and procurement plans for all projects.Participate in the development of proposals, budgets and concept notesfor future health interventions.Prepare internal and external reports (such as narrative reports, DHIS data reports) within agreed deadlines using IRC and donor formats, as required. Budget management, including review of activity budgets and doing approvals to ensure these are in alignment with agreed donor priorities ReviewBudget vs. Actual (BvA) reports on a monthly basis, recommend actions to correct identified problems.Work closely and coordinate with IRC Operations, Finance and Grant departments to ensure compliance with grant requirements. Coordination & Representation Actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.Participate in Sector working group meetings and other relevant coordination platforms to represent IRC, do advocacy and look out for opportunities to address challenges. Monitoring and EvaluationEnsure all required donor reports are completed on time and to a high standard Oversee the collection and timely reporting of program data and indicators for all health programs in line with IRC’s guidelines and according to internal and donor requirements, ensuring timely collection and entry of program data. Conduct monthly program data analysis with health staff to discuss progress on grant indicators, disease trends, define action points for how to stay on track with grant requirements, and follow up with those points Work with the M&E team to produce and analyze all weekly, monthly, or quarterly reports and ensure timely submission of all such reports. Other Duties Consistently and proactively monitor/assess the safety and security of field teams, promptly reporting concerns or incidents to IRC management and liaising with other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment.Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop IRC programs. Standards For Professional ConductThe IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation. Deadline for receiving applications is Friday July 4,2025 Must have at least a Diploma in Clinical medicine and Public Health from a recognized institution. Must be registered and licensed with the Allied Health Professionals Council At least three years’ experience working with community structures and district surveillance health systems Computer literacy especially in MS office packages is a MUST Proficiency in off-road riding with a valid class A license Effective communication, Interpersonal skills and good mobilization skills is a plus. Demonstrated capacity to attain high quality results within set timeframes. with minimal supervision. Experience working in a multidisciplinary team Experience in SBCC and a training in VPD surveillance or IDSR is an added advantage

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – our Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Equality.

Cookies: https://careers.rescue.org/us/en/cookiesettings