Health Assistant at the International Rescue Committee (IRC) – 2 Openings

The International Rescue Committee, one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation and post-conflict reconstruction support to victims of natural disaster, oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. The IRC is committed to bold leadership, innovation and creative partnerships. Active in public health, education, livelihoods, women’s empowerment, youth development, and protection and promotion of rights, IRC assists people from harm to home.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Health Assistant

Requisition ID: req10061
Location: Monguno, Borno
Sector: Health
Employment Category: Fixed Term
Employment Type: Full-Time
Open to Expatriates: No
Slot: 2 Openings

Background

• IRC entered Nigeria in October 2012 in response to a widespread flood disaster. Since then, the IRC has expanded its scope and size of the programs as new areas became accessible after prolonged conflict and insecurity, in Adamawa and Borno States.
• The IRC’s response to the humanitarian situation includes integrated health and nutrition services, as well as reproductive health care and women protection services. For its Health and Nutrition program, the IRC is seeking a Nurse to strengthen the work in Monguno LGA, Borno State.

Job Overview / Summary

• The Health Assistant is responsible for supporting patient care at the mobile clinics and overseeing Community Health activities for the population in the catchment area of IRC mobile clinics in Monguno, Borno State.
• Under the supervision of the Clinical Health Officer, the Health Assistant will work to contribute to the overall success of the IRC Emergency Health Program in Monguno, Borno State.

Main Responsibilities
Technical Program Management:

• Assist the Clinical Health Officer and Nutrition Officer in patient care at the mobile clinics.
• Act as the link between mobile clinics and the community to ensure awareness of available services, proper follow-up of patients and defaulter tracing.
• Develop and conduct training of community volunteers on pillars of safe motherhood, infant and young child feeding practices, general child care and hygiene promotion and other relevant health topics, periodically.
• Provide health and nutrition messaging in the communities, in collaboration with community volunteers.
• Collect weekly activity reports from the CVs, review, discuss and submit to the team leader.
• Conduct regular meetings with the CVs, for sharing information, discussing relevant health issues and weekly activity plans for health messaging in the communities.
• Ensure health basic protocols and other IEC materials are well displayed in the facilities and outreach sites.
• Ensure mobile clinic sites are clean and well maintained.
• Establish effective referral mechanism between the mobile clinic and the hospital/IPD.

Human Resource Management:

• Supervise and monitor CVs in the community.
• Jointly with the team, provide ongoing education for clinic staff and CVs.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of health and program supplies.
• Prepare weekly work plans for CHVs and ensure timely implementation of such, in line with project activities, and timelines.

Communication and Reporting:

• Support the Clinical Health Officer in compiling statistical reports from the mobile clinics for submission weekly, monthly and annually.
• Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervisees with constant feedback as may be required.
• Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required.

Key Result Areas:

• Improvement of key health indicators mainly maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality ratio, and community population coverage.
• Increased uptake of health services as a strategy of reducing mortality
• Increased uptake of positive practices related to health, nutrition and hygiene.
• Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees and other vulnerable groups.
• Community volunteers actively participate in health services within their community.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to: Clinical Health Officer (directly), Senior Health Officer (indirectly)
• Position Directly Supervises: Community Health Volunteers and Incentive Staff (Routine Immunization providers & paramedics).
• Key External Contacts: IRC’s partner organizations (community level), the Community leadership, other NGOs (during external referrals).

Qualifications

• Must be resident in Monguno; indigene preferred.
• A registered Nurse or a well experienced Community Health Extension Worker (CHEW).
• A mature person of high professional discipline and moral integrity, able to work under stress as the situation may dictate.
• Must possess the practicing license or qualifying certificate.
• Certificate in reproductive health or nutrition is an added advantage.

Demonstrated Professional Competencies:

• Two to three years’ experience in Clinical Medicine or Public Health.
• Proven experience in Community-based programming with the ability to motivate and lead community volunteers.
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Experience in working in a team.
• Flexible to travel and work in different locations.
• Ability to speak local languages will be added advantage.
• Proficiency in computer skills, especially in MS Word and Excel is an added advantage.

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.