Organizational context (where the job is located in the Organization)
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC or “the Federation”) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network. The Federation is a membership organisation established by and comprised of its member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. Along with National Societies and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the Federation is part of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement. The overall aim of the IFRC is “to inspire, encourage, facilitate, and promote at all times all forms of humanitarian activities by National Societies with a view to preventing and alleviating human suffering and thereby contributing to the maintenance and promotion of human dignity and peace in the world.” It works to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people before, during and after disasters, health emergencies and other crises.
The Federation is served by a Secretariat based in Geneva, with regional and country offices throughout the world. The Secretariat is led by the IFRC Secretary General and provides the central capacity of the International Federation to serve, connect, and represent National Societies.
The Health Programme Manager reports the Programme Coordinator and is a part of the technical programme team in the IFRC Myanmar Country Office under the Head of Country Office and has a technical reporting line to the Head of Health Unit for Asia Pacific. He/she is a member of the Asia Pacific Regional Health & WASH Team.
This role leads the technical coordination in health with health focal points from movement partners, MRCS and external RC organisations. The Health Programme Manager will work closely with other technical teams to include emergency health, community health and WASH
The Health Manager shall be based in Yangon, with frequent travelling across the country as required.
Job purpose
The Health Programme Manager will assist the Myanmar Red Cross Society (MRCS) by providing technical support in all health WASH aspects.
Support the MRCS in building its health and care capacity as described in MRCS Strategic Plan for 2016- 2020 and the Federation Strategy 2030 and in providing quality health and care services to the Myanmar people and advocating on behalf of the most vulnerable.
She/he is expected to ensure that IFRC health programmes are consistent with the IFRC’s health plan and budget (2020), responds to local needs and contexts in developmental and disaster situations, and demonstrates RCRC contribution to the health, nutrition and WASH SDGs in Myanmar.
Job duties and responsibilities
Technical Support and Project Management
Provide technical and programming support to the MRCS’ health and care programmes and services, in line with the IFRC Country Office plans and budget.
Provide technical support to the MRCS’ Health Department staff and volunteers in management, coordination and implementation, monitoring and evaluation of health, nutrition , public health in emergencies (PHIE) and pandemics and epidemics programmes; this should include quarterly field monitoring visits and constructive feedback to MRCS
Supports MRCS in directing its objectives in community-based programming to contributing to a common goal of increasing community safety and resilience.
Support the MRCS in taking an integrated approach for community-based health and care, WASH and other programmes through close cooperation between various departments of the MRCS, while giving priority to ensuring the successful implementation of programmes using the Community Based Health and First Aid (CBHFA) approach in target communities.
Assess and analyse trends, emerging needs and conditions in the country for IFRC involvement in the health sector and advise accordingly the Head of Country Office.
Manage the health budget, expenditure and procurement within the IFRC support in the country, monitor the implementation and ensure the timely and efficient financial reporting, and support CBHR delegate based in Rakhine with budget responsibilities as required.
Support the MRCS national HQ in submitting timely and accurate technical reports in accordance with the IFRC reporting formats and in line with the reporting requirements agreed in Pledge Management Notes and Memoranda of Understanding. Ensure the production of regular, timely and accurate narrative and financial reports for the IFRC Secretariat and donors.
Support the implementation of the MRCS’ Standard Operating Procedures - including financial and narrative reporting processes at HQ and branch level.
Support the effective monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes by the MRCS’ Health Department, ensuring appropriate beneficiary feedback mechanisms and impact analysis.
Support MRCS in developing and implementing WASH projects as integrated with Health programme
Support the development of beneficiary-focused quality programmes, including the preparation of proposals, in accordance with the key areas of MRCS’ health strategies.
Support the MRCS in developing the CBHFA as a mainstream approach which incorporates all activities of different programmes and sectors at a community level, including for emergency preparedness and response.
Support MRCS in developing programmes that address gender and diversity including being responsive to people with disabilities.
Collaborate with ‘One Health' initiative to ensure engagement with environmental and animal sectors in epidemic and pandemics preparedness.
Support implementation of the NS Preparedness for an Effective Response (PER) assessments and follow up actions, in close coordination with IFRC Disaster Management Delegate for Myanmar.
Provide guidance and support to NS in developing epidemic and pandemic preparedness plans that are consistent with their mandates and roles as agreed with national authorities.
Support the development of IFRC Myanmar Country office’s and Myanmar Red Cross Society’s Business Continuity Planning processes for pandemics.
Capacity building and knowledge management
Assist the MRCS in developing its capacity of managing the health and care programme, including planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, reporting and taking initiatives, as outlined in the MRCS’ strategies and policies relating to health and care, including the development of MRCS’ Health Framework and Health Policy.
Assist the MRCS in developing the health and WASH projects and programmes which conform with its capacity and mandate in the country and ensuring their sustainability; this includes the development of new programme proposals
Support the MRCS to ensure that all projects and programmes are in line with the objectives and standard procedures agreed upon between the MRCS and its partners.
Assist the MRCS in developing and implementing Human Resource procedures (staff recruitment, staff development and performance reviews) in the Health and Care and First Aid Departments.
Support the development of mechanisms to enhance the existing skills of MRCS staff and volunteers, especially in the Health Department, including participatory problem identification and analytical skills. Enhance technical knowledge and skills of MRCS staff and volunteers in health and development.
Develop MRCS’ health team capacities adequately tapping on Asia Pacific regional and global health and resilience tools, resources and training opportunities.
Document health best practices and lessons learnt with the technical support from the Asia Pacific Regional Office.
Assist the MRCS in training its staff and volunteers as per the needs identified including Epidemic Control for Volunteers, CBHFA, Health in Emergencies or other, and supporting the peer exchange and staff for international training activities.
Policy development, strategic planning and coordination
Support the development of appropriate networks with governmental, international and non-governmental organizations at national and regional levels, to improve coordination and identify other areas of collaboration for the MRCS and the IFRC, attend relevant regional and national health networks and clusters with MRCS.
Reinforce and support MRCS collaboration with the Ministry of Health Sports in order to ensure that the MRCS’ health programmes and services adhere to national standards and guidelines and actively supports the strengthening of the public health system in the country.
Ensure the close integration of health and care programmes with other programmes and sectors, in close co-operation with the IFRC Head of Country Office.
Promote the MRCS/IFRC activities in health and seek to facilitate co-operation and experience sharing with other organizations, including within the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement working bilaterally in-country.
Assist the MRCS’ Health Department in its strategic planning, with specific emphasis on the development of strategies and policies relating to health and care, as well as the general integration, coordination and quality enhancement.
Assist in the implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the MRCS’ strategies and policies relating to health and care.
Emergency response and recovery
Act as a technical lead in the provision of health and nutrition support and advice in the IFRC overall disaster preparedness and response in Myanmar.
Act as a technical lead in public health in emergencies (PHIE) and during pandemics and epidemics preparedness and response
Provide advice in planning, implementation and management of health components of MRCS emergency response and recovery programmes in the country.
Work to integrate quality health activities in emergency response and preparedness across sectors including National Disaster Response Teams, WASH and Livelihoods/Food Security
Complete regular surveillance monitoring on disease outbreak and trends by networking with WHO and MOH, and published media, and submit these to the Head of Health Unit for Asia & Pacific on regular basis
Assist MRCS with development of funding proposals and concept notes to address emergency health preparedness and training activities as requested. Ensure a strong IFRC that is effective, credible and accountable As a member of the IFRC Secretariat Asia Pacific Health & WASH Team, contribute to country and regional information management, trends analysis and strategic thinking.
Coach and mentor the MRCS counterparts and link into wider organizational capacity development mechanisms.
Support the IFRC Country Office in ensuring that the physical and mental health needs of staff are well-looked after, and that staff health procedures and medical evacuation plans are updated regularly, in coordination with Country Office Human Resources Manager and APRO staff Health Focal Point.
Duties applicable to all staff
Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation Secretariat’s goals.
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles.
Perform any other work-related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Position Requirements
Education required Preferred
IMPACT Training is required.
Graduate degree in health or health related science is required.
Post graduate qualification in public health is required.
Experience
A minimum of five years’ experience in public health is required.
A minimum of three years’ experience in managing community based health programme is preferred.
A minimum of three years’ experience of working for a humanitarian aid organisation in a developing country is required.
Experience of working within the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement is required.
A good understanding of Southeast Asian country context is preferred.
Proven experience in financial management, including budgeting is required.
Experience of coaching/skill transfer/ training, and staff development is required.
Knowledge and Skills
Strong communications and networking skills is required.
Ability to work to tight deadlines and handle multiple tasks is required.
Proven good judgment and ability to work with complete integrity and confidentiality is required.
Demonstrated track record in innovating, contributing to a learning culture, sharing knowledge and new approaches to engaging partners is required.
High degree of discretion, tact and sensitivity in dealing with internal and external clients and stakeholders at all levels is required.
Ability to work within a multi-cultural, multilingual, multidisciplinary environment is required.
Expert in project management (certification preferred) including writing project proposals and project reporting is required.
Proficient in computer literacy (use of Microsoft Office applications) is required.
Proficient in collaborative and cooperative approaches in teamwork is required.
Languages
Fluent in English is required.
Fluent in French or Spanish or Arabic or other (regional) language is preferred.
Competencies
Values : Respect for diversity, Integrity, Professionalism, Accountability
Core Competencies : Communication, Collaboration and teamwork, Judgement and decision making, National society and customer relations, Creativity and innovation, Building trust.
Managerial Competencies : Managing staff performance, Managing staff development
Functional Competencies : Strategic orientation, Empowering others
This vacancy is archived.