SYRIA/LEARN – HEALTH SPECIALIST (H/F) – AMUDA at Solidarités International

Desired start date: ASAP

Duration of the mission: 6 months (renewable)

Location: Amuda

ABOUT THE MISSION

The LEARN Consortium is a partnership between four (4) International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs), and two (2) national partners. A three-year program funded by USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), with an application submitted for further funding after the three years, it leverages the respective expertise from the I/NGO partners to deliver Health, Shelter, MPCA, protection, humanitarian coordination, and WASH services to the most vulnerable communities in North East Syria (NES). The main activities being implemented are related to the rehabilitation and running of Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs), emergency WASH (water distribution and rehabilitation of water infrastructure), private and public institutional shelter repairs, distribution of essential kits (new arrivals, hygiene, shelter repairs) and MPCA to cover basic needs. A livelihoods component is being added to the ongoing programming from October 2021. The program incorporates a Rapid Response Mechanism.

The implementing partners are based in, and implement throughout, NES. The Consortium Management Unit (CMU) is the oversight structure for the program that aims to facilitate smooth coordination, oversee program delivery, lead donor communications, ensure compliance and manage risk. The CMU is led by the Chief of Party (Jordan) and Deputy Chief of Party (NES), together with a team of Specialists.

ABOUT THE JOB

General objective:

The Health Specialist contributes to the implementation and adaptation of the LEARN sector strategy, including facilitating integration of Health with other LEARN sectors.
The Health Specialist collaborates with DCOP, other specialists and LEARN partners to identify, design and monitor referrals from/towards the health program
The Health Specialist will ensure that effective partnership and collaboration are maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, lessons learnt, program coordination and information sharing.
He/she will provide technical input and advice, working with all LEARN partners and sectors, and has strong intersections with support services, especially logistics (jointly owning the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Commodities component of the Consortium – processes, quality control, donor communication, support to stock and medicine data management)

The main challenges:

Deployment of a multi-partner, multi-million dollars project in a complex area of intervention
Coordinates and supports consortium partners, both technically and also in communication, harmonization and integration to achieve the aims of the project
Develop a positive work relationship internally to the consortium, as well as externally towards health actors present in the area
Support the health partners and DCOP the revision of the health component of the LEARN Rapid Response Mechanism (triggers, core activities, handovers)
The position requires a high mobility inside and outside the intervention area

Priorities for the 2/3 first months:

Lead on the health coordination agenda, focusing on a set of keys areas already identified by LEARN partners.
Ensure smooth information sharing across the sectors where relevant to health.
Support the joint learning exercises and revision of joint priorities for the health program and identify priority referrals and integration pathways with other sectors
Support Phase III implementation including learning from the closing Phase II (and development of community-based programming in the health sector), including timely and quality donor submissions.

Responsibilities and main activities:

The Health Specialist contributes to the implementation and adaptation of the LEARN sector strategy and the wider LEARN strategy, including facilitating integration of Health with other LEARN sectors.

The Health Specialist will ensure that effective partnership and collaboration are maintained for advocacy, technical cooperation, program coordination, information sharing and knowledge networking. He/she will provide technical input and advice to the implementing health and program teams at RI, UPP, PIN and SI. Reporting to DCoP LEARN, the Health Specialist will ensure robust health sector interventions, update the consortium on day-to-day health sector progress, issues and challenges, and support the health partners in implementing a harmonized system for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health sector interventions.

The key areas for the Health Specialist are: coordination, donor relations/communications, medical expertise (especially the RRM and working closely with the MEAL Specialist around quality), monitoring (field visits and project activity against workplan), institutional strengthening (including harmonization) and compliance/risk management. The Health Specialist works with all four partners, and local partner KRC, and has strong intersections with support services, especially logistics. Partners have identified 7 key areas for cooperation; the Health Specialist will lead on and be dedicated to this health agenda. The Health Specialist drives the lessons learnt agenda in health. Further, the Health Specialist will be expected to lead on the integrated programming agenda. The role also requires a strong and up-to-date contextual understanding to bring to the table an understanding of gaps, needs and contextual impact.

YOUR PROFILE

Specific skills and experience:

Education:

An advanced medical degree as well as a degree in public health, nutrition or a related field (M.P.H; MSc health policy and Management; MS epidemiology; MS global health, etc.)

Experience:

Strong experience in health program management and/or coordination in emergency response programs, preferably in a conflict setting, including experience with major grants;
At least 5 years of professional experience within a humanitarian and/or development organization;
Experience managing and coordinating emergency/rapid responses – outbreaks, population displacement, etc.;
Knowledge of humanitarian principles, Sphere and HAP Standards;
Previous experience of working in a consortium (desirable)
Experience managing OFDA grants / technical guidelines of OFDA (desirable)

Soft skills:

Excellent analytical and writing skills
Strategic planning, monitoring, and evaluation
Excellent abilities to coordinate with people of different sectors/departments
Excellent interpersonal, communication, and representation skills
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently
Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail
Strong grasp of all stages of program cycle management and quality standards in humanitarian programming, including safeguarding and accountability mechanisms
Experience of working in complex and volatile contexts, including familiarity with the humanitarian context of Syria or the Middle East, would be an advantage

Language:

English: Full English proficiency
Knowledge of Arabic would be appreciated

SI WILL OFFER YOU

A salaried post:
According to experience, starting from 2860 euros gross per month (2600 base salary + 10% annual leave allowance paid monthly) and a monthly Per Diem of 700 USD

SI also covers accommodation costs and travel expenses between the expatriate’s country of origin and the place of assignment.

Vacation: During the assignment, a system of alternation between work and time off is implemented at the rate of on 7 working days every three months. For a one-year assignment, the expatriate will have a 7 working days break at 3/6 and 9 month (with 850 USD allocated by Solidarités).

To these break periods, it is necessary to add the granting of 1 additional rest day per month worked > i.e. 12 days in addition for a 1-year contract**.**

Social and medical cover:
Expatriates benefit from an insurance package which reimburses all healthcare expenses (including medical and surgical expenses, dental care and ophthalmological expenses, repatriation) and a welfare system including war risks. Essential vaccination and antimalarial treatment costs are refunded.

LIVING CONDITIONS:

The candidate will be based in North East Syria. S/he will live in a guesthouse shared with the other CMU members.

S/he will make regular field visits and stay in partners’ field guesthouses to allow closer proximity to the sites of project implementation.

In the main base, living conditions are comfortable with some opportunities and places to socialize. In the operational bases, living conditions are more basic with less opportunities and places to socialize.

SECURITY:

Security inside NES is volatile and justifies specific arrangements for accommodation and movement in the areas of intervention. Adherence to strict security procedures is necessary, while the security levels can vary according to the different geographical locations and the changes of context.