Health Project Manager

Role & Responsibilities

Manage the implementation and coordination of all health activities in the project location. Providing management, strategic direction, management and monitoring of the health project in Renk. Manages relationships with local health actors.

Project Overview

Upper Nile State is affected by multiple humanitarian crises including inter-communal violence, displacement, food insecurity, flooding, and locusts. In accordance with its humanitarian mandate, Medair plans to continue with a multi-sector response program to support vulnerable populations in Renk County including provision of primary healthcare, full CMAM program, WASH services and community-based behaviour change through Care Groups.

The project goal will be to reduce the morbidity and mortality of displaced populations and acutely vulnerable host communities in South Sudan through the provision of emergency health services in a defined location.

Workplace & Working Conditions

Field based position is based in Renk, South Sudan. Working and living conditions may be very different to that previously experienced.

Starting Date / Initial Contract Details

As soon as possible. Full time, ideally 12 to 24 months.

Key Activity Areas

Health Project Management

• Manage and oversee the health project in order to meet the project objectives within budget and within the allotted time frame and report promptly any operational concerns to line manager and country health advisor (e.g. projected failure to meet objectives; increased beneficiary needs; projected over or under spending on project budget).
• Provide strong leadership of the assigned health project, working to ensure both short and long-term positive impacts and outcomes for the beneficiaries, local health authorities (where applicable) and local health staff.
• Contribute to development and implementation of an appropriate and effective health strategy including proactive planning for responsible exit in consultation with country health advisor, other health staff and field managers.
• Set clear objectives and indicators for health activities in collaboration with the country health advisor, health staff, field managers and, where appropriate, with the local communities.
• Continuously monitor and supervise health activities, evaluating progress through outputs and impacts using both quantitative and qualitative data, and involving the health team (and where applicable local health authorities and relevant partners) in analysis and taking appropriate action as needed to ensure continued progress.
• Provide input into the integration of accountability to affected populations (AAP) in all aspects of the project.
• Ensure accurate and timely reporting of activities according to Medair, donor and other applicable timeframes and formats.
• Support the development of new proposals by providing relevant information and data linked to the assessed needs and gaps and the Medair country strategy, in conjunction with the relevant field managers and the country health advisor.

Monitoring and Evaluation/Quality Management

• Provide the necessary support to health project implementing staff to adhere to the nationally approved guidelines governing health programme service delivery and reporting.
• Ensure health project is implemented in line with donor proposals and requirements and in accordance with Medair, donor, country and international standards i.e. Sphere and HAP standards.
• Promote and use the Medair intranet and other operating procedures, ensuring that all standardised formats are used and guidelines are followed. Coordinate with the Monitoring & Evaluation team in Juba to support annual SMART and KPC Surveys.

Staff Recruitment, Management and Capacity building

• In collaboration with the Health Advisor, develop/update Job Descriptions of all health technical and support staff
• In collaboration with the Project Coordinator and Human Resource Officer, recruit the required project staff in line with Medair’s. South Sudan recruitment policy and South Sudan Labour Laws.
• Line-manage the Health Managers of the assigned projects, including day-to-day management, appraisals, etc.
• Facilitate regular meetings to assist information sharing between project staff, to ensure all staff members are aware of project objectives and current work plans and to provide the opportunity for feedback.
• Provide coaching and technical supportive supervision to staff in order to develop ownership and full responsibility for health activities.
• Identify areas of development among health project staff and consequently develop and execute suitable capacity building plans.
• Discuss, agree on and set SMART performance objectives target for health managers and undertake periodic performance appraisals in line with HR policy.

Health Programme Reporting

• Submit timely and quality internal and external project reports.
• Submit the necessary data and information to the Health country advisor to develop and submit periodic donor reports.

Financial Management

• Manage the project budget for the assigned project(s) and ensure all expenses are according to budget and meet the Medair standards with regard to financial management, including accountability and good governance.
• Authorisation of expenditure on applicable budget.

Logistics

• Ensure the procurement of buffer medicines, equipment and supplies is completed to avoid stock outs.
• Liaise, as necessary, with the health, logistics and finance staff to ensure items are procured, transported, stored, managed and accounted for correctly. Ensure timely request and delivery of supplies from Gift In Kind donors.
• Develop and execute strategies and mechanisms to track and account for supplies in order to prevent stock outs.
• Timely communicate to health advisor breaks in GIK pipeline in order to follow up at Juba level and/or explore alternative means of acquiring the supplies.

Communication and Coordination

• Develop and maintain appropriate, regular, transparent and supportive communication structures with the assigned health team, Medair in-country and GSO health managers and advisors and other relevant stakeholders (e.g. beneficiaries, community leaders, local and national government officials, UN agencies and other NGOs), with the objective of ensuring good cooperation and partnerships.
• Participate in health coordination meetings at State level, Medair internal trainings, and other technical working groups or meetings as required, representing Medair and feeding back to the health staff and field managers on relevant issues.

Team Spiritual Life

• Reflect the values of Medair with team members, local staff, beneficiaries, and external contacts.
• Work, live, and pray together in our Christian faith-based team settings. Fully contribute to the rich spiritual life of your team, including team devotions, prayers, and words of encouragement.
• Encouraged to join and contribute to Medair’s international prayer network.

This job description covers the main tasks that are anticipated. Other tasks may be assigned as necessary.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in Nursing / Midwifery or qualification as a Medical Doctor.
• Strong working knowledge of English (spoken and written).

Experience

• 2 years post-qualification professional experience in a relevant field. 1 year of management experience.
• 1 year of overseas experience in primary health care or emergency context.
• Knowledge and experience of primary health care principles and management.
• Good numerical, report writing and administration skills. Problem solving ability
• Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and CHS and other international humanitarian guidelines.

All new deploying international staff to Medair’s country programmes (and other roles which require field travel) should be fully vaccinated with a WHO-approved COVID vaccine, supported with a COVID vaccination certificate as evidence.