Job Description

Job Title: Emergency Health Officer
Band / Level / Grade:  8B
Department: Emergency
Location: North, Based in Sana’a

BACKGROUND: 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.

The IRC responds to people’s acute and longer-term needs with integrated programs that improve health and safety, prioritize children’s education, foster economic wellbeing, and empower communities to regain control over their lives. Our work gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, conflict sensitivity, coordination, and impact.

The IRC Yemen began its programs in October 2012. Since establishing its presence in the South of Yemen, in the Red Sea Coastal city of Aden, the organization has grown from just an implementing small project to handling large scale emergency and relief operations. Following the war which broke out in Yemen in March of 2015 and the humanitarian disaster, which was crafted by the same, IRC launched one an emergency response program in the southern governorates of Aden, Lahj, Abyan, Shabwah and Al Dhale, and expanded later in Sana’a and Hodeidah in the North.  Currently IRC Yemen is operating in eight governorates in the south and north of Yemen through direct programming and through local partnerships, in Health, WASH, Nutrition, Emergency, Economic Recovery Development, Education, Child Protection, Gender and Women Protection and Empowerment.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) have been working in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) for more than forty years. Today, the IRC has more than 2,200 staff working across the region, including in Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Syria, and Yemen to support those affected by some of the world’s most complex and protracted humanitarian crises.

SCOPE OF WORK:

IRC is seeking a qualified and experienced Emergency Health Officer who will be responsible for supporting the overall implementation, supervision, and monitoring of the health and nutrition emergency activities in the event of an emergency implemented directly by IRC and through partners in Yemen.

JOB SUMMARY:

The Emergency Health Officer will be a critical member of the IRC's emergency response team in Yemen, playing a central role in supporting the implementation, supervision, and monitoring of the organization's critical health and nutrition activities. This includes both directly delivered initiatives as well as coordinating with local partner organizations. Key responsibilities will involve providing technical assistance to implementing partners, ensuring the response plan stays on track, and mitigating any risks of deviation. The officer will also be tasked with mobilizing and handling medical personnel and supplies, collaborating with local authorities and first responders, establishing temporary treatment facilities, and collecting/analyzing data to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions. Thriving under pressure and demonstrating exceptional leadership, crisis management, and public health expertise, this dynamic role is critical for guaranteeing the timely delivery of life-saving medical care and public health services to affected populations during sophisticated, resource-constrained emergencies

WORKING RELATIONS:

-    The position holder will be based in Amanat Al Asimah governorate – Sana’a with field visits to the emergency response locations. They will be reporting to the Senior Emergency Health & Nutrition Officer.
-    Work closely with All departments at the Sana’a IRC Office, Collaborate and coordinate with INGOs and NGOs, government authorities, community leaders, and others.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support to all IRC-implemented emergency health/nutrition responses, including leading the emergency response, and applying technical knowledge and skills to the delivery of the activities.
• Lead and supervise the assigned emergency health and nutrition partnership portfolio including day-to-day management, technical support, development and training, appraisals, etc.
• Plan and complete rapid assessments in emergency locations in collaboration with the emergency team and partners. Supervise the process of data collection, collation, and dissemination to meet the requirements and deadlines set by IRC and/or external partners.
• Undertake regular and frequent supportive field visits, and supervise the progress of activities, including regular clinical supervision of frontline medical teams in static facilities and mobile health teams, assessing technical and qualitative performance, and providing on-the-job training, mentorship, and mentoring as required to ensure quality service delivery.
• Coordinate the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics as per the project's requirements, national standards, internal guidelines, and donor expectations. Ensuring accurate and timely reporting of activities for internal and external reports (e.g., weekly, monthly, quarterly, and final reports).
• Participate in due diligence of partners to assess their capacity to implement health/nutrition activities.
• Participate in the review of partner proposals submitted for funding.
• Review reports submitted by implementing partners.
• Implement relevant policies and standards relating to health and nutrition humanitarian action including Sphere and HAP standards, Ministry of Health, and donor guidelines and standard process.
• In collaboration with the Supply Chain department, handle the correct and timely forecasting and procurement of required stocks and supplies.
• Ensure rational utilization of beneficiary commodities, tracking, reporting, and replenishment at the point of use.
• Ensure close coordination with the local authorities, as well as, MoH for all the implemented activities.
• Promote and actively participate in initiatives and efforts to build team engagement, inclusion, and cohesion in IRC [team/office]
• Foster ongoing learning, honest dialogue, and reflection to strengthen safeguarding and to promote IRC values and adherence to IRC policies. 
• Educate/raise awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and response processes
• Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: (Qualifications, Skills and Abilities):

A.    Education:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in medicine.

B.     Experience:

• Four years or more working in health/emergency projects.
• Proven 3 years of experience in Health programs, preferably with INGOs.
• A Minimum of Five years of clinical professional experience in hospital settings.

C.     Skills and Abilities:

• Ability to work collaboratively with communities and other departments within IRC, health facilities, and other organizations.
• Strong social skills and health workers training skills.
• Fluency in both Arabic, and English is preferred.
• Skills in reporting, including narrative writing and data analysis.

D.    Proficiencies:

• Knowledge and skills in crafting and implementing appropriate and effective health interventions for crisis-affected populations.
• Analytical skills that demonstrate an understanding of the current context, priorities, and issues in monitoring, data collection, and evaluation
• Demonstrates Self Awareness and Ethical Awareness
• Works Collaboratively with others.

Professional Standards: The 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. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, age, marital status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

IRC strives to build a diverse and inclusive team at all levels who as individuals, and as a group, embody our culture statement creating a working environment characterized by critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity for us to achieve our aspirations as a team and deliver the best possible services to our clients.
Commitment to Client Responsiveness: By committing to Client-Centered Programming, at the IRC Yemen, we place the people we serve - our clients - at the center of our programming and services. The IRC Yemen Staff have an important role to play in supporting the implementation of client-responsive programming through raising awareness among the community and clients about the existing feedback mechanisms and how to use them including the response processes, access, and eligibility to services, and contribute to building an institutional culture that prompts staff to listen to clients.