Position: Health Coordinator
Location: Kisii, Kenya with frequent travel to programme sites and Nairobi
Programmes:Integrated Primary Health Care (including Safe Motherhood), Nutrition, Sanitation, Hygiene Promotion and EP & R programmes in Nyanza province
Responsible To: Project Coordinator
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 24 Months
Salary: £24,920 - £25,670 per annum (dependant on relevant experience) inclusive of annual Cost of Living Allowance.
Benefits: Insurance cover, accommodation, R&R and annual leave
entitlement of 24 days per annum rising to 30 days at the completion of 12
months of continuous employment with Merlin Location: Kisii, Kenya with frequent travel to programme sites and Nairobi
Programmes:Integrated Primary Health Care (including Safe Motherhood), Nutrition, Sanitation, Hygiene Promotion and EP & R programmes in Nyanza province
Responsible To: Project Coordinator
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 24 Months
Salary: £24,920 - £25,670 per annum (dependant on relevant experience) inclusive of annual Cost of Living Allowance.
Closing date for applications will be the 7th September 2011
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Please note: this is an unaccompanied position.
Merlin International Profile Merlin specialises in health, saving lives in times of crisis and helping to rebuild shattered health services. Each year, Merlin helps more than 15 million people in up to 20 countries.
Context and Background Merlin has been operational in East Africa since 1997 with programmes in Kenya since 1998 and Somalia since 2004. During this time Merlin has developed a strong reputation in the respective health sectors through its emergency response programming, provision of technical assistance and support to longer term health system strengthening.
In Kenya Merlin currently operates in two regions - Nyanza Province in the Western Highlands and Turkana Province in the Arid and Semi Arid region of northern Kenya. Currently Merlin's programmes in Nyanza focus on the prevention and control of highly prevalent malaria, HIV/AIDS and TB.
In Turkana, Merlin is responding to the humanitarian needs of pastoralist communities caught in the vicious cycle of drought, food insecurity and lack of access to essential health services.
The overall objective of Merlin’s work in Kenya is to contribute to a reduction of health inequalities and to a reversal in the current downward trend in health related indicators.
Merlin does this by responding to emergency needs as well as continuing to build on lasting working relationships with communities and local partners; supporting the strengthening of the Kenyan health system; approaching health problems with innovative interventions; developing answers to key practical questions through operational research; and using the lessons learned at local levels to feed into national-level programming and planning.
Main purpose of the role
The Health Coordinator have overall responsibility for the technical management of Merlin’s integrated health, nutrition, sanitation, hygiene, emergency preparedness and response (EP&R) and safe motherhood projects in Nyanza province in collaboration with the Project Coordinator and Country Health Director.
The Health Coordinator will have overall responsibility for the management and development of Merlin health programmes in the district and ensures that the implementation of the projects are carried out in line with Kenya Ministry of Health policies and guidelines and Merlin’s strategy, internal procedures and policies.
Overall Objectives (scope)
- Plan
and implement Merlin’s response to the present unmet health needs in
Nyanza province, in close collaboration with the PC and Country Health
Director, Merlin existing programme site teams, MoH and other actors.
- Assist
in the analysis of health / humanitarian contexts in Nyanza province.
- Establish
mechanisms and strategies for providing response to further identified
needs.
- To
lead in assessments and contribute to the development of the longer term
Merlin strategy and programming in Nyanza province.
Responsibilities
Technical Programme Management/Development
Technical Programme Management/Development
- In
collaboration with the Project Coordinator, be technically responsible for
the implementation and further development of Merlin supported primary
health, prevention and control of highly prevalent malaria, HIV/AIDS and
TB programmes in the Nyanza province district.
- Develop
and implement quality programmes in the district in close coordination and
collaboration with the district health authorities.
- Co-ordination
of all health related project activities in close collaboration with local
partners and stakeholders to ensure objectives are achieved.
- Liaise
with key representatives of the Kenyan Ministry of Health at national,
provincial and district levels to ensure that the programme remains in
line with national strategy and to ensure the sustainability of activities
at the end of the project period.
- Develop,
plan and implement project activities in close collaboration with medical
and non medical personnel, ensuring coherence and integration of
activities and contingencies for changes in project direction and
priorities related to the humanitarian context.
- Ensure
accurate collection and analysis of data. Compile epidemiological reports
for inclusion in project situation reports and any other pertinent
reports, including dissemination of the same.
- Regularly
monitor progress of project implementation and conduct assessments of the
health needs of the community and prioritize project activities based on
findings.
- Together
with the Project Coordinator responsible for encouraging community
participation in health activities to ensure the long term ownership and
effectiveness of the programme.
- Ensure
that the medical supply stocks are sufficient and that drugs are stored and
used correctly.
- Work
with district health facilities, community representatives and persons
responsible for training health workers at different levels to ensure
close links between health facilities and communities.
- Be
the lead in emergency preparedness and response planning including design
of mitigation, response and recovery interventions.
- Prepare
monthly, quarterly, mid-term and final technical project reports for
submission to the PC.
- Assist
the Project Coordinator, Country Health Director and senior management
team at country level in designing new programmes including undertaking
assessments, proposal and log-frame writing, and budget preparation.
- Deputise
the Project Coordinator and perform any other duties assigned.
Representation and Coordination:
- In
liaison with the Project Coordinator, co-ordinate and represent Merlin
with the provincial and district health authorities and ensure all project
activities are carried out with their approval in line with national
strategy and, as far as possible, their participation.
- Ensure
that local health authorities receive regular activity reports.
- Contribute
towards the dissemination of Merlin’s health work through publications
(general, health sector, academic) in consultation with Country Health
Director and health department.
- Co-ordination
and representation with the MoH and other NGOs in the region to avoid
project activity overlap whilst sufficiently addressing the full needs of
the communities.
- In
consultation and coordination with the Project Coordinator and Country
Health Director, liaise with relevant project donors over matters related
to specific projects including reports, amendments and extensions, funding
for continuation of projects, as well as answering questions raised by
donors.
Programme Support:
- Provide
technical support to all project team members and review all work plans
for technical soundness.
- Assist
Kisii Project Coordinator and Country Health Director to establish systems
and standards for regular assessment, monitoring and evaluation of the
programme against its strategic aim, objective and expected output.
Staff Management / HR:
- Assist
with recruitment of technical project personnel.
- Support
project personnel, with the aim of ensuring that individuals work
effectively together to achieve project objectives.
- Responsible
for organizing training of all health staff and local partner staff to
ensure the maximum use of their skills and their full and effective
participation in project activities whilst conforming to Merlin and MOH protocols.
- Ensure
that staff are fully conversant with and trained in donor and Kenya health
authorities guidelines, protocols and data collection forms.
- Conduct
induction in the field for new staff on Merlin health policy as well as
project aims, objectives, and activities.
- Responsible
for international staff health within the project areas including first
aid provisions, medical evacuation and general monitoring of staff welfare
with the Country Health Director.
Person Specification Essential Qualifications,
experience and competences
- A
medical doctor or nurse with post graduate degree in health related field
such as public health with significant experience in managing health
programmes in a developing country context.
- Previous
relevant experience of the programmatic aspects of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis,
malaria control and epidemic management within a humanitarian aid
organisation.
- Proven
experience in project proposal development, logical framework and report
writing
- Experience
in budget management.
- Experience
of assessing evolving health needs quickly and calmly under pressure as
required.
- Good
computer skills to allow reporting and representation.
- Flexibility
and relationship building skills.
- Ability
to successfully work in a multi-cultural and diverse team.
- Excellent
communication skills, with good spoken and written English.
- Ability
to understand the cultural and political environment and to work well with
local representatives and programme staff in a consultative and
participatory approach.
- Proven
problem solving and organisational skills.
- Excellent
management and capacity building skills to enable the motivation,
encouragement, participation and development of team members.
Desirable
- Experience
in epidemiological analysis.
- Experience
of working in Kenya and knowledge of the Kenya context in an advantage.
- Ability
to reflect on from personal and programme performance and act upon lessons
learnt.
- Willing
to travel extensively and ability to work in dynamic work environments.
How to Apply
To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system.
In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this.
Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.
If you are unable to apply online please download and complete an application form and email it to: applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs and any application must therefore be made online or by completing our application form. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Data Protection In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment should an offer of employment be made.
This information will be stored in manual and/or computer form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.
To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system.
In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this.
Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.
If you are unable to apply online please download and complete an application form and email it to: applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs and any application must therefore be made online or by completing our application form. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Data Protection In accordance with the 1998 Data Protection Act Merlin will hold and use personal information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment should an offer of employment be made.
This information will be stored in manual and/or computer form. This information may also be disclosed to third parties in accordance with the Data Protection Act.
In cases where a job offer is conditional on ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States due to donor funding requirements, Merlin will use the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.
You can now click on this link www.kenyanvacancies.com to visit our sister website for more vacancies.