PROGRAM/DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
Mercy Corps does high-quality, analytical work in very difficult places. We have been operating in Uganda since 2006 and currently implement development programs in the Acholi and Karamoja sub-regions of Uganda with funding from USAID, EC, SDC, and USDA. We were awarded a market-development focused 5-year USAID/Food for Peace-funded program working in the northern half of Karamoja, and are in search of Health Facility Support Officers for Abim District with support to Kaabong District. The project, called Growth Health and Governance (GHG) 2012-2017, aims to support the immediate needs of program beneficiaries while promoting long-term development by spurring systemic improvements in key economic sectors of northern Karamoja. The Health Facility Support Officer will lead the daily implementation of program interventions focused at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of Health Centre III and HC II-level facilities in the target area.
GENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The primary focus of the Health Facility Support Officer (HFSO) will be to implement and support a program that improves the organizational performance of HCIII and HC II-level facilities in line with government standards and priorities. Support will be strongly focused on the management of facilities, with less support on the technical skills of facility staff. This will include a focus on accountability of health resources and improving the communication between the facility and the community it serves. This will be achieved by strengthening the governance of facilities through a Citizen Report Card process and capacity building of the Health Unit Management Committee. It will also include supporting a pre-internship and COBERS program designed to encourage Ugandan medical students to work in Karamoja and other various activities. The HFSO will work in coordination with the Health and Nutrition Manager and maternal child health/WASH and nutrition officers of program partner World Vision in achieving GHG’s strategic objective 2.
The ability of the HFSO to innovatively and effectively implement the Citizen Report Card process will be the position’s main success factors. The second success factor will be the degree to which the Officer facilitates the harmonization of health activities within MC teams and World Vision, to avoid compartmentalization of activities. Lastly, success will be measured by the degree to which he/she drives results, making critical decisions and producing scheduled outputs at deadline and to expected quality.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:
Mentorship and Supervision of Health Facility:
Work with the Health Facility Support Team leader in assessment of the organizational and management strengths and weaknesses of health facilities management systems. Continuous support and supervision to district, sub-county and facility level officers to improve performance of the public health system.
Health Facility governance:
• Advocate for oversight at district and sub-county level through continuous dialogues for support to Health Unit Management Committees
• Collaborate with local government stakeholders to rollout the Citizen Report Card process, supporting activities in Abim and Kotido as needed
• Document results and communicate findings for improved accountability at community, sub-county, district and regional levels
Collaboration/networking
• Establish and maintain productive working relationships with sub-county and district leaders and health departments, representing Mercy Corps in coordination meetings and soliciting their participation in all activities where appropriate;
• Work in synergy with all SO2 maternal child health/nutrition teams in achieving GHG’s program objective 2.
• Ensure close coordination and sharing of information with other stakeholders such as district health offices, NGO’s and local authorities, as appropriate and advised by the line manager.
• Ensure an integrated approach to program implementation in order to maximize resource utilization and synergy between the staff and different MC programs
Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Take primary responsibility for district data gathering and documentation of program activities
• Compliance with M&E procedures and policies to ensure program impacts and desired results
• Analyze project implementation strategies to identify constraints to program success and provide timely recommendations;
• Submit timely weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports that will be indicative of program progress during implementation.
• In collaboration/consultation with the World Vision MCHN staff periodically supervise various activities implemented on the ground by the partner;
• Where needed support external evaluations by research partner Feinstein International Center and other organizations;
Other job deliverables
• Work closely with the pre-intern and COBERS Ugandan medical students placed in Karamoja health facilities
• Recommend program priorities and explore, evaluate and present new opportunities that leverage impact and/or complement core program activities;
• Work with the gender advisor to ensure that the needs and priorities of women, men, boys and girls are effectively addressed in the program cycle. This includes but is not limited to, the collection of sex-disaggregated and gender responsive data, developing and implementing gender responsive strategies and plans that reiterates Mercy Corps Uganda’s commitment to the promotion of gender equality in its organizational culture and programming.
• Where needed support ongoing GHG assessments in economic development, Gender, conflict and governance & facilitate the integration of health related economic opportunities in all GHG program objectives
• Conduct oneself professionally and with sensitivity, awareness and respect when working with diverse groups of people, including Mercy Corps staffs, beneficiaries and partner agencies.
• Adhere to Mercy Corps policies and procedures
• Other duties as assigned by the line manager
QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
• A Degree in Public Health, Nursing or a related field.
• At least 2 years of professional experience working with the government health system is desirable.
• Experience in delivering capacity building programs especially on organizational capacity of health facilities and establishing support programs.
• Demonstrate knowledge and experience in strengthening HMIS data collection, analysis & reporting
• Demonstrable writing and analytical skills.
• Demonstrable quantitative skills, including familiarity with financial accounting
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, community consultations and organizational development
• Excellent reporting, communication and representation skills
• Fluency in Ngakarimojong is required
• Ability to ride a motorcycle and he/she should be in possession of a valid driving/riding permit
• Proven knowledge and capacity in using computer basic applications Ms word, Excel and internet
• Intimate knowledge of Uganda’s public health environment and strong familiarity with the publicly funded Health Centre system, particularly in the context of Karamoja. l
HOW TO APPLY:
Applications: Submit your E-mailed application including a cover letter clearly stating your salary requirements, CV (with 3 referees), and copies of academic qualifications/certificates through the Human Resource Manager to mcjobs@ug.mercycorps.org
Deadline for Submission: Close of business on February 1, 2016 Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by Mercy Corps. Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer; female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply**.