Director of Health Program Quality International Rescue Committee

Director of Health Program Quality,

Accès aux Soins de Santé Primaires

International Rescue Committee

Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo;

Deadline for applications: Monday, May 28^th, 2012

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

In DRC, the International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the largest providers of relief and development assistance. With an annual budget of approximately US$ 75 million, $320 million overall grant portfolio and more than 1,000 staff in six provinces, the IRC supports Congolese communities and institutions in seven conflict-affected provinces in the areas of health, governance and community development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, and emergency response.

SCOPE OF WORK

The UK Department for International Development (DFID) has released a tender for a consortium lead to strengthen basic health service provision in the Democratic Republic of the Congo in at least 30 health zones in up to four provinces improving access to primary and secondary care for at least 3.5 million people over the period 2013 – 2018.

POSITION DESCRIPTION

The IRC seeks a senior health professional to provide technical leadership to health programs implemented across four provinces and to be based in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, with travel to field sites. The successful candidate will be responsible for providing overall technical support and guidance to health programs. S/he will have demonstrated success in leading large scale health programs in a similar post-conflict environment.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Leadership and policy

· Provide technical leadership and strategic vision on health policies;

· Ensure that the health policies and strategies applied are consistent with evidence-based public health and best practices and, to the degree feasible, with the guidelines developed by the Ministry of Public Health (MoPH);

· Work with the Field teams to ensure that the Health programs are implemented in conformity with the IRC Program Framework promoting protection of rights, participation, capacity building, partnership and holistic programming;

· Ensure that IRC health project implementation promotes strengthening of local health systems, including capacity building of local communities, local NGOs, Community Based Organizations, and government staff and agencies.

Technical supervision

· Provide technical backstopping and supervision to the team of Senior Technical Health Advisors at national level and to Health Advisors at provincial level, in program design, development, and implementation, ensuring that IRC programs are of high quality and in compliance with accepted standards and best practices.

Management

· Ensure that a system is in place for regular performance assessment of staff, including providing technical support and opportunities for development;

· Assess the technical gaps of the IRC staff and promote formal and in-service training;

· Work in collaboration with the Directors of Health Program Implementation and Research, M&E to assure implementation direction is provided and appropriate monitoring and evaluation systems are maintained to increase quality and program appropriateness over time.

QUALIFICATIONS

· Medical Doctor with an advanced degree in Public Health;

· At least ten years of experience managing health programs, preferably in a conflict or post-conflict environment, preferably in Africa;

· Proven track record of successfully managing large-scale health programs;

· Strong management, assessment, project planning, organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills;

· Proficiency in both French and English;

· Culturally sensitive, with the ability and interest to identify and work with a multi-ethnic team;

· Availability to travel in the country for up to one third of his/her time;

· Strong computer skills: must be competent in Windows MS office programs (Word, Excel), email and database experience;

· Ability to work under pressure in an unstable security environment.

Specific Security Situation/Housing:

The position is based in Kinshasa, it is accompanied. Safe and modest housing as appropriate and reasonable as the context allows will be provided.

Estimated start date: September 1, 2012.

This position is contingent upon funding.

Please apply online: www.ircjobs.org or

http://tbe.taleo.net/NA2/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=IRC&cws=1&rid=8105 .

Congolese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status or disability.