Health & Nutrition Advisor

The Health Support Organisation (THESO) is a leading 501 (3) (C) registered South Sudanese based international nongovernmental, non-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering in Low Middle Income Countries (LMICs). Our mission is to implement evidence-based, culturally Sensitive, innovative projects promoting health, according to perceived public health needs and priorities as understood through quality research. THESO 2030 strategy is contributing to achieving global strategies 2030 Sustainable Development Goals 3, 4 and 6 set targets and beyond in LMICs. To establish well-performing sustainable health, education, and WASH systems in developing countries, THESO is working with governments, UN Agencies and other stakeholders to achieves resilience and sustained outcomes through continuous improvement of the four sectors of Health, Nutrition, Education, WASH and Research.
Context and Background
THESO has been working in South Sudan since mid 2008, and currently runs 4 field programme offices across Africa. THESO strategic plan (2021 ��� 2025) includes expansion of its programme to other countries, deepen its working relationship with host governments and partners at all levels, develop a gradual exit strategy to allow the smooth transfer of specific facilities to government, and support affected people with emergency response, recovery and resilience programmes. The primary focus of THESO South Sudan programme is integrated value-based healthcare, Education, WASH, and community based and health facilities-based management of malnutrition. The special emphasis is given to maternal and child health care services. Using our expertise, we support aid workers and strengthen existing services. We build resilience by helping societies at risk of future disasters, to be better prepared.
We believe that everyone has the right to access and utilise free public health services with dignity. We believe that good health is fundamental to transforming societies in transition that���s why THESO is a Force for Health to build healthy communities.
THESO is seeking to recruit a Health & Nutrition Advisor for its South Sudan programme to be based in Juba.
The Health & Nutrition Advisor is primarily responsible for technical design of value-based health system blueprint, vision & strategy for ministry of health and management of THESO health programmes at national level. The Health Advisor will work in collaboration with the senior management team to support national ministry of health in development of value-based health system policy and guidelines. He/she will work with health teams in the field to deliver high-quality health services to the targeted beneficiaries. The Health & Nutrition Advisor will make frequent visits to the field sites to ensure the highest standards of service delivery. She/He will ensure high-quality clinical services in all THESO-supported health facilities. S/he will monitor service quality, ensure that all staff are trained and well-supported, pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies are properly managed, and apply clinical-level data to national-level quality improvement efforts. The Health & Nutrition Advisor will represent THESO in the national Health Cluster, Health Forum and other technical working groups.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be an innovative and creative person with proven experience in value-based healthcare system strengthening able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation
Technical Monitoring and Program Quality
Work closely with the Programmes Director and Operations Director to ensure smooth running of health programmes and provide technical supervision of, and technical support to MoH and the organisation���s health programming activities;
Ensure activities are consistent with established best practices, acceptable international (WHO/SPHERE) and national standards as well as ensure programmes across different sites in the country are of comparable quality by encouraging transfer of good practices from one field site to another;
Ensure health Programmes utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines according to Ministry of Health Regulation, WHO guidelines and humanitarian principles.
Work closely with the Operation Director, senior management team and field teams to determine the operational needs of the medical program within the scope of the grants;
Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all Programmes (including objectives, indicators and outcomes of health Programmes) according to internal and donor requirements
Review monthly field and donor reports and ensure appropriate follow up and decision making on data relevant to the organisation���s health Programmes;
Where feasible work with government health authorities and international agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA and IOM to ensure implementation of standardized national health information systems
Work with field teams, partner agencies and national health authorities for outbreak preparedness and contingency planning
Ensure timely and adequate provision of supplies and drugs through review of pharmacy consumption reports, national drug protocols, program budgets, acquisition of partner agency and health information materials.
Ensure all stakeholders, including senior management team, the Health Technical Unit and donors are provided with updates, following the established reporting structures.
Program Development
Work with senior management team, field teams, regional desk and the Health Technical Unit in strategic planning for future health Programmes.
Work with program director and management team to draft concepts for future funding following the protocols and formats of each relevant donor.
Provide technical input during proposal development and technical reviews, and feedback to the field to improve the quality of the final proposals;
Strive to ensure as much as possible to integrate health with other THESO sectors (Research, Education, WASH, and Nutrition).
Representation
Represent the organisation to UN, health cluster, international and national NGOs, donors and Ministry of Health at health coordination meetings as well as other meetings which are relevant to country Programmes and enhance the organisations visibility (i.e. task force meetings, assessment missions, camp coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings).
Serve as the principal liaison with health authorities on matters related to the program to ensure programmatic accountability. Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of the organisations Code of Conduct, ethics, values and standpoint with regard to internal and external actors.
Human Resources Management
Assist in the selection and training of qualified health program staff, recommend promotions, and implement disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with the Country Director and Program Director.
Maintain open lines of communications with all field staff.
Train senior national staff to increase their responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of Programmes.
Ensure professional development for expat and national health staff through assessment of training needs and capacity building activities.
Support direct supervisors in ensuring staff performance evaluations and professional development plans are in place.
Work closely with the medical coordinators and health teams to determine the training needs of the medical staff.
Overseeing trainings of all national healthcare staff, including national Doctors, non-physician clinicians, nurses, midwives and other technical staff to ensure that the provided trainings are of acceptable quality and address the identified needs and to ensure sustainability of Programmes
Collaborate with national health authorities and relevant international health agencies for the development of an approved curriculum to meet training needs and implement those plans through the management team and field teams;
Working Relationships
Work closely with country senior management team and the Health Technical Unit
Ensure program progress through communication with Country Director, Programmes Director, Logistics Staff and Finance team to ensure coordination of Programmes supplies are consistent with management of budgets, including budget forecasting, development of spending plans.
Security
Collaborate with security Manager in order to maintain security of health staff in the field
Ensure application and compliance of security protocols and policies
Ensures application and compliance of security protocols and policies
Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within THESO and amongst beneficiaries served by THESO
Compliance & Ethics: Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance and ethics throughout The Health Support Organisation. As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding of The Health Support Organisation��� and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Conducts work with the highest level of integrity. Communicates these values to staff and to partners and requires them to adhere to these values.
���Other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.���
QUALIFICATIONS
���To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.���
Minimum Master���s in Public Health and South Sudanese Citizen are strongly encouraged to applyMinimum 10 years��� experience in value-based healthcare system strengthening & implementation in developing countries or low-resource setting with INGOs or UN Agencies at Managerial level relating to public health.Must have excellent communications skills, both oral and writtenMust have excellent self-motivation skillsExperience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, as well as donor agencies, government officials, and other NGO���s; the ability to work with a broad spectrum of peopleAbility to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independentlyExtremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrationsAbility to relate to and motivate staff effectivelyCreativity and the ability to work with limited resourcesAbility to assume non-medical responsibilities from time to time to cover for other team membersSkills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building, public-private partnerships and project monitoring and evaluation (both quantitative and qualitative methods)Proven capabilities in leadership requiredStrong negotiation, interpersonal and organisation skillsTHESO Values:
We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:
Inclusiveness
Transparency and Accountability
Agility and Innovation
Collaboration
Sustainability
How to applyInterested applicant can submit her/his curriculum vitae, application letter and supporting documents to THESO by email to: [email protected] while copying [email protected]
THESO is an equal opportunity employer and women candidates are encouraged to apply