GAVI project Coordinator (contingent of funding availability)

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.

The International Rescue Committee has been working in Somalia since 2006, providing essential services to conflict and disaster affected communities. The IRC has been operational in Central Somalia (Mudug and Galgadud regions) and Mogadishu implementing interventions in the areas of livelihood, WASH, Governance and peacebuilding, GBV, Nutrition, education and health reaching out to more than 200,000 conflict and drought affected people.

Job Description

Within the International Rescue Committee (IRC) health and Nutrition sector, the Project Coordinator will take direct responsibility for facilitating Gavi’s goal of “leaving no one behind with immunization” in the targeted regions of Benadir, Galguduud, Mudug, and Southwest states in Somalia under the Health and Nutrition coordinator. As the key member of the Technical Support Team in the project, the project coordinator is responsible for providing high quality technical guidance to programme implementation team, coordinating the delivery of high quality, innovative, cost-effective immunization programmes both in emergency as well as long-term development, resulting in immediate and lasting change for children. The project coordinator will be accountable for contribution to the development, planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation and administration of the immunization programme in support of achievement of planned objectives of the work plan, aligned with country programme goals, objectives, and strategy. He/She will also lead a consortium of local partners. The project coordinator will work with the Somalia health and nutrition Coordinator and Health Technical Unit to roll out and submit solicited/ unsolicited proposals and donor and government reports.

Responsibilities:

Technical

• Ensure Project efficiency, effectiveness and vaccination coverage are enhanced through effective implementation and monitoring.
• Ensure Progress reports and project work plans are timely prepared, and practical technical assistance is provided in new vaccines, routine immunization, cold chain.
• Appropriateness and completeness of supply order, distribution and documentation, and adherence to established allotments are ensured.
• The capacities of partners and country staff are empowered through effective capacity building activities in the development, implementation and management of the Immunization Programme.
• Effective communication, networking and collaboration are achieved with internal and external partners.
• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities, conduct assessments on immunization health needs in new project areas and adjust the programmatic priorities as necessary in collaboration with the Community Health Manager.
• launch Immunization-focused studies, documentation and dissemination of innovations and good practices by working with quality programmes team.
• Provide elaborations and as required directions and training to Immunization project staff involved in delivering projects focusing on appropriate approaches and methodologies; conceptual and practical frameworks; standards and tools for effective and quality delivery of immunization programmes.
• Ensure that project intervention in Somalia adhere to IRC’s core policy documents and guidelines, including the Program Framework, IRC’s DM&E guide and log frame, IRC’s Health Unit policies and procedures (Minimum and Core indicators, EPI strategy, etc.)
• Promote the quality of the IRC’s assigned immunization programs by setting up monthly quality of care assessments and analysis of findings and feedback to the supported target location. This will include EPI audit reports and checks in collaboration with the country and HQ based health staff.
• In collaboration with HNC, ensure undertaking regular client feedback and response activities at the field level by working with the partner’s staff and M&E coordinator to develop context-appropriate tools and ensure client exit interviews occur at the target locations on a biannual basis.
• In the case of a major humanitarian crisis, the role holder will be expected to work outside the standard role profile and vary working hours accordingly.

Monitoring & Evaluation

• Ensure that all project staff, including the partners, understand and are able to adapt their roles in both emergency and development contexts.
• Participate in the design of robust program’s M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs in Somalia
• Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of the GAVI project are overseen and met by strong monitoring, and evaluation follow up, and reports are written and submitted to concerned bodies promptly.
• Participate in designing robust program’s M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for the IRC health programs in Somalia.
• Conduct monthly review of all project epidemiological and procurement data including appropriate analysis and develop monthly reports.
• Conduct program performance reviews for all project target locations every quarter, collaborate with the HNC, M&E coordinator and field-based staff ensure feedback sessions happen with partner staff to discuss corrective action.
• Conduct regular project review meetings, incorporating both qualitative and quantitative data, with field based staff to assess the level of achievement of project targets for the assigned partners.
• Work with the field teams to develop specific implementation plans and M&E systems for each assigned health grant in collaboration with the HNC and the M&E Manager.
• Monitor program implementation against work plans and overall project objectives, documenting progress and achievements, providing analysis and adapt program strategy and implementation accordingly
• Ensure effective and high-quality reporting, monitoring and evaluation systems for internal and external use, capturing best practices to support program decision-making.

Program Management

Grant Management:

• Ensure that the project intervention are implemented according to internal IRC and donor regulations with an overall review by the Health and Nutrition Coordinator
• Participate in grant opening, midterm review and grant closing meetings for all health grants and ensure that the same process is implemented in the field
• Support partners staff in use of grant management tools such as the budget tracking tools, activity progress monitoring tools, procurement, and spending plans, etc.

Budget Monitoring:

• Conduct monthly BVA reviews and make appropriate recommendations to the finance and logistics staff as well as to the field-based health staff
• Ensure that assigned budgets are spent according to plan and as per contractual agreements with respective donors
• In collaboration with partners staff develop spending plans and monitor the implementation of these spending plans for respective grants
• Work with finance to undertake budget recoding as required.

Human Resource Management

• In collaboration with the Somalia Health Coordinator, Coordinate the development of goal sitting plans for project staff based on performance reviews in collaboration with the human resources department and contribute to the training of health staffs (mentoring, on-the-job sessions as well as formal trainings).
• In consultation with the Health and Nutrition Coordinator and Admin & HR Coordinator, review applicants for all positions and assist in the recruitment of qualified health staff.

Representation

• Represent IRC to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.
• Attend relevant meetings and prepare meeting notes as required and share these with all concerned.

Qualifications

• Education: Advanced university degree in Medicine, Health, Public Health, Nursing, or a field relevant to international development assistance in Immunization, RMNCAH, Child Survival and Health Care; Background/familiarity with Emergency is a plus.
• Work Experience: Minimum 5 years professional experience in some combination of project management
• Experience in project management, technical tools and materials development and monitoring and evaluation is highly desired.
• Experience working with health clusters and diverse partners including leading/implementing immunization strategies (Routine Immunization SIAs, Vaccine preventable disease surveillance, PHC+ immunization projects
• Demonstrated Skills and Competencies: Demonstrated expertise in working with donors, project design, proposal development, and monitoring and evaluation, with the ability to turn concepts and strategy into measurable action. Able to work with remote, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary teams.
• Communicate effectively and clearly, has strong interpersonal verbal and written communication skills and ability to facilitate collaboration.
• Comfortable in a high-visibility, individual contributor role with the ability to work cross-functionally and with all levels of the organization.
• Language Skills: Fluency in English and proficiency in Somalia is an advantage.
• Working Environment: Up to 50% travel will be required depending on the security situation in regions. This position will be based in Baidoa.