Health Program Manager at Premiere Urgence Internationale (PUI)

Première Urgence Internationale (PUI) is a non-governmental, non-profit, non-political and non-religious international aid organization. Our teams are committed to supporting civilians’ victims of marginalization and exclusion, or hit by natural disasters, wars and economic collapses, by answering their fundamental needs. Our aim is to provide emergency relief to uprooted people in order to help them recover their dignity and regain self-sufficiency. The PUI Nigerian Mission has been officially opened in April 2016, with a focus on meeting urgent needs, including improving access to food commodities, primary health care and nutrition for Internally Displaced People (IDP) and host communities (HC) living in Maiduguri Metropolitan Council (MMC).

The progressive sectorial widening allowed PUI to start implementing an integrated approach from 2017 in food security, livelihoods, and nutrition and health sectors, with the support of ECHO, FFP, OFDA and CIAA/CDC, in line with PUI’s global strategy. In mid-2018, PUI developed its comprehensive response by adding Protection and Community Outreach (PCO) activities to the existing programs in Bolori II. In 2018, PUI also scaled up its intervention with the opening of Monguno LGA base, with the main objectives of reducing morbidity and mortality of the most vulnerable population and promoting protection amongst the whole affected community.

The severity of the needs and the reduction of the humanitarian access make PUI positioning in Health and Nutrition crucial, especially in Monguno where PUI has taken over some core activities from ALIMA at the beginning of 2021, after they closed their program there. At the end of 2020, PUI launched an exploratory mission, along with INGO colleagues in Zamfara State (North West), and has developed a strategy for its upcoming intervention in the area. In 2022, PUI continues with its intervention as it considers the opening of PULKA field office, with the main objectives of reducing morbidity and mortality of the most vulnerable population and promoting protection amongst the whole affected community.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Health Program Manager

Location: Maiduguri, Borno
Contract Start Date: ASAP
Contract Duration: 7months (with possible extension)

General Objective

Under the direct management of Maiduguri Base Field Coordinator and with the technical support and supervision from the medical coordination team based in Maiduguri Coordination, the Health Program Manager role is to ensure an effective, timely and qualitative implementation of activities under his responsibility while abiding by PUI and donor requirements.
The Health Program Manager supervises the implementation of PUI health and nutrition interventions in Bolori II Maiduguri town.

The intervention comprises the following main activities:

Management of one Primary Health Care center (PHCC) in Maiduguri including comprehensive services of primary health care (OPD, ANC, PNC, FP, CMR, SC and OTP).
Implement the Routine immunization services at all the PUI health facility in conjunction with MoH and WHO
Management of the medical supplies at the facilities Supplied by PUI central pharmacy in Maiduguri
Management of referral to secondary health facilities in Maiduguri using referral MoUs already signed with referral hospitals.
Management of a Community health Workers’ network ( CHWs and CNMs) (15 individuals receiving monthly incentives from PUI) engaged in health, nutrition and hygiene oriented awareness raising and in multi-sector needs identification and internal / external referral
The Primary Health Care facility (PHCC) is managed in direct collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Health (MoH) with some MoH staff present in the facilities and receiving incentives from PUI.
Management of the Nutrition program in Ngarannam facility in Bolori 8 sub-wad which comprises of active/passive case finding and referral.
SAM cases to appropriate partner programs; and distribution of MNP to the 6 – 23 months old children.

This position will be critical to:

Foster good practices among the community regarding IYCF to reduce prevalence of Severe Acute Malnutrition and Moderate Acute Malnutrition in the areas of intervention.
Ensure that the SAM cases identified are referred for treatment appropriately.
Ensure continuous training of all staff and community volunteers pertaining to PUI nutrition response
Ensure a full integration of the nutrition component into the Health & Nutrition approach implemented by PUI
Ensure close link with other partners in the areas of interrvention ( Protection and FSL Partners).

Responsibilities and Tasks Generally

Programs: He/She ensure proper implementation and monitoring of health/nutrition activities falling under his/her responsibility, while observing PUI’s health policy.
Human Resources: He/She supervises the teams running the PHCC, Outreach Health facility, a nutrition activities team, and a Community Outreach Network.
Logistics and Administration: He/She ensures compliance of activities falling under his/her responsibility with logistical and administrative procedures.
Representation: He/She represents the association before partners, authorities and local actors involved in the implementation of health programs in bolori II
Safety: He/She contributes to efforts aimed at ensuring compliance with safety rules at the site, and transmits all information relating to safety concerns to his/her immediate supervisor.
Strategy: He/She contributes to the development of new interventions on the basis of identified needs.

Responsibilities and Tasks Specifically
Project Planning, Implementation and Meal:

Ensure that project action plan is prepared at the start of the project and reviewed periodically based on the feedback from the monitoring of the project. This also includes identification of support requirements from other sectors within the organization;
Develop the program monitoring tool with the Field Coordinator and the MEAL Department.
Launch the implementation of the activities in a timeframe coherent with donor’s requirements.
Ensure the coherence and the homogeneity of the activities under his/her responsibility (indicators and results follow up) and develop proper assessment mechanisms.
Lead regular field reviews ensuring best practices standards are met;
Inform His/her line manager of any relevant issue related to the project implementation.
Ensure follow-up and analysis of epidemiological data, in collaboration with the Medical Coordinator.
Participate to needs analysis of programs in relation to medical equipment, medications and medical consumables.
In link with the MEAL department at coordination level, makes sure that MEAL activities are properly implemented for the activities under his/her responsibility

Information Management, Assessment and Referral System:

In collaboration with the MEAL Department, and other relevant Program Departments, with the support of the Field Coordinator and the Medical Coordinator:

Develop tools and strategies to ensure qualitative and timely data collection, communication and analysis;
Develop referral pathways tailored to the type of cases identified, internally and externally. Develop the tools and processes to monitor the referrals;
Develop tools pertaining to multi-sector rapid needs assessments responding to identified / emerging needs in the area of intervention
Formalize external referral pathways through MoUs with relevant partners;
Contribute to the design and lead the management of the internal / external referral and follow up database system
Provide support to Other PUI teams in communicating with the community and targeting/tracking potential beneficiaries.
Ensure proper archiving of all the documents, tools and training materials produced in the context of project/s and ensures the availability of the verification sources mentioned in the proposals.

Capitalization, Reporting and Development:

Ensure internal and external qualitative reporting on all activities under his/her responsibility is done in relevance to PUI internal tools and requirements
Update and transmit on a monthly basis the PMT (Project Monitoring Tool) as a tool to follow up the implementation of the project;
Write regular reports on all activities as requested by the Field Coordinator or the Medical Coordinator;
Produce qualitative intermediary and final reports for donors;
Capitalize lessons learnt and good practices throughout the project;
Participate in the writing of comprehensive activity forms for all major operational aspects, in direct collaboration with the MEAL teams and with his/her supervisors;
Participate in the development of comprehensive support documents for activities implementation by his/her team
Create/review SOPs and propose relevant improvement, under Field Coordinator and Technical Coordination’s management;
Contribute to the definition of vulnerability criteria and assessment methodologies allowing more accurate targeting of PUI’s activities in the area of intervention;
Participate to identifying health-related needs in coordination with the Field Coordinator and the Medical Coordinator
Participate to the operational development of the mission through active participation to the mission annual programming process.
Contribute to the design and drafting of new proposals and budgets in collaboration with the Field Coordinator and the Medical Coordinator.

Team Management and Capacity Building:

Prepare job profiles for members of his/her team, has them endorsed by the Field Coordinator and the Administrative Manager, and participate actively in the recruitment process (interviewing, testing, etc.), as well as in any decisions related to the termination of employment contracts of team members; Pro-actively propose HR changes within his/her department to Field Coordinator and HR Manager;
Familiarize himself/herself with all PUI internal HR regulations, and ensure that they are known and respected by his/her team;
Ensure that the defined appraisal system is applied for all members of his/her team
Create coordination mechanisms specific to his/her team, and ensure proper supervision;
Identify the training needs of the team and addresses them (organizational and technical support, methodology, organization of training sessions …) and interact with the HR manager in planning/conducting training;
Follow the training received by the teams and gather contents for capitalization;

Representation and Coordination:

In coordination with the Field Coordinator, represent PUI in the project area with any relevant stakeholders, local, national and international partners, local community representatives in order to facilitate the implementation of the project’s activities;
Set up a network, coordinate and communicate to the stakeholders acting in the same areas; ensure effective coordination and collaboration with key stakeholders and partners – NGOs, civil society organizations (CBOs), community groups
In the event of visits from Donors, participate actively in the preparation and the smooth organization of the visit.

Logistics and Finance:

Ensure budgeted action plans are prepared at the beginning of the project and that they clearly reflect the activity plan of the project;
Be responsible for the budget lines under his/ her management, and provide forecasts on these budget lines on a monthly basis contributing to the monthly budget follow-up process;
Comply with all logistics rules, procedures and processes, ensuring the timely supply of all logistics needs for the successful implementation of his/ her activities;
Be responsible for the eligibility and good utilization of funds allocated to the activities under his/ her management ;
Analyze and propose solutions of budgetary reallocation if needed, after receiving a monthly updated financial follow-up (FFU) from the Finance Department;
Fill the cash forecast according to his/her budget areas as per PUI internal procedures.

Safety and Security:

Ensure that the safety and security rules are known and respected by his/her team;
Contribute to data collection on safety and security issues in his/her field of operations and disseminate them to the Field Coordinator regularly or on an ad-hoc basis if urgent.
Ensure that projects, methodologies, or selection criteria do not place beneficiaries, PUI staff or any other persons in harm’s way.
He/she alerts the Field Coordinator without delay, in case of impending danger to teams or beneficiaries.

Consortium Specificities:

In addition to PUI internal frame, the Health Project Manager will have to abide by consortium procedures, tools and implementation / MEAL / communication schemes.
The tasks and responsibilities defined in this job description are non-exhaustive and can evolve depending on the project’s needs.

Priorities of the Department

Implementation of all health and nutrition activities including methodology design, planning, and progress reporting and monitoring tools with the objective of improving health care services provision to IDP and host communities in Monguno.
Ensure implementation of Clinical management of rape survivors and routine immunization services. Launch of ANC/PNC/FP in PUI health facilities
Launch the Community Workers network after finalization of the design of their activities, responsibilities, tools and data management systems.
Provide training and resources for the CHWs and the Community outreach officer to operate.
Re-organize the set ups at health facilities and make structural adjustments to ensure required measures to attend suspected cases of COVID 19 patients in the OPDs are in place.

Mandatory Requirements
Educational Qualifications:

A relevant Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited Institution preferably in Nursing plus Master’s Degree in Public health and strong experience in Project Management are required.
MBBS from a recognized university with a valid practicing license from Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN) and a strong experience in Project Management required also.

Work Experience:

At least 3 years of experience as a manager in humanitarian projects in the Health and Nutrition sector, and a strong experience in community based Health and Nutrition activities and health surveillance monitoring.
Experience in liaising with governmental authorities is an added value.

Knowledge and Skills:

Good knowledge in Health and Nutrition in emergency context
Good reporting skills
Knowledge in MEAL process
Computer skills: Excellent knowledge of the MS office software including word, excel and outlook.

Language Skills:

Fluency in English required, Hausa and Kanuri are an asset

Assets:
Interests:

Commitment to the NGO values and principles.
Strong understanding of the political situation in the area.

Required Personal Characteristics (fitting into the team, suitability for the job and assignment):

Ability to provide/structure instructions clearly and concisely both orally and in writing
A high sense of discretion and integrity when dealing with sensitive protection information
High degree of responsibility, initiative, alertness, emotional stability, the ability to prioritize a heavy workload and to delegate accordingly
Professional attitude and the ability to build successful working relationships with contacts outside of the projects.
Demonstrate an integrated approach and attitude through normal work activities and a thorough understanding of community-based
protection issues in the country of operation
Self-motivated, flexible and adaptable to the needs of the team and organization
Strong commitment to support/develop capacity of national staff and developing second layer of leadership
Team player: proven management ability and inter-personal skills
Excellent communication skills
Problem solving and leadership skills
Ability to work independently while taking initiatives and showing a sense of responsibility
Sense of diplomacy
Analytical skills
Organization, rigor and ability to meet deadlines
Ability to live in a large community
Ability to work in volatile and secluded contexts
Ability to integrate the local environment into operations, in its political, economic and historical dimensions
Ability to manage teams remotely