Community Health Officer At Trócaire

Trócaire works in partnership with local organisations, supporting communities in over 20 developing countries across Africa, Asia, Central America and the Middle East to bring about lasting change. Trócaire envisages a just and peaceful world where people’s dignity is ensured and rights are respected; basic needs are met and resources are shared equitably; where people have control over their own lives and those in power act for the common good.

Trócaire has been working in Gedo in health & nutrition and education for the last 30 years. Currently, Trócaire implements Health, Nutrition, Humanitarian and Education Programme activities and in partnership with local organisations working in Gedo in the livelihoods, protection and resilience sectors as partners.

The Health and Nutrition programme is recruiting a Community Health Officer. The CHO will be responsible for supervising the ICCM supervisors and supporting CHWs in providing health education, working with the community in arranging place/site for iCCM. In addition, CHO will be responsible for supporting the iCCM program in the provision of treatment of key illnesses for children under five. S/he will support the iCCM CHWs on the timely treatment of children for diseases such as pneumonia and diarrhoea, as two of the highest contributors to morbidity in most areas in Somalia. The CHO will be responsible for sensitizing communities and supporting them to identify main health problems and how to address those health problems. S/he will identify what treatment interventions and actions should be taken for treating a child under 5 years from diarrhoea, pneumonia and malnutrition, referral of children with danger signs, pre-referral treatment of those children, and providing treatment at home.

Reporting to the Community Health Programme Coordinator. This is fixed-term position for one year and is based in Gedo region of Somalia.

Safeguarding

The successful applicant will be expected to sign up to and adhere to Trócaire’s Safeguarding Policy.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

Programmes

• Identify and report immediately to the Community Health/iCCM Project Coordinator any problem that may interfere in achieving program objectives.
• Compiling reports from iCCM supervisors and giving feedback and ensuring that reports are of good quality through regular verification of the data and meet the indicator expectations.
• Data collection, insertion, data processing analysis and develop a report.
• Detail the achievements and share the lessons via regular monthly meetings with the team, CHWs, and community committee members to discuss all related issues.
• Develop a monthly plan and discuss with the team the required activities that need to be implemented.
• Conduct a regular supervision visit to supervise and evaluate the field activities and provide regular feedback to community health volunteers in a constructive way and accurately address the training gaps during encouraging supervision visits.
• Ensure that the CHWs have adequate stocks and provide the medicines according to the previous month’s consumption.
• Preparation PR and follow-up with finance section and logistics and ensure the availability of the required logistic (medicine and CHWs supplies and IEC materials).
• Assist in the training needs, coordinate training sessions and community meetings.
• Assess, classify and handle the sick child aged two months up to five years for danger signs, symptoms and conditions regarding Diarrhea, pneumonia, and severe acute malnutrition, and ensure all other complicated cases are referred on time.
• Conduct weekly supervisor meetings with CHCs.
• S/He will ensure integration of protection and gender throughout project implementation. This includes the introduction of mechanisms to enable women to participate in decision making around public health issues.
• S/He will carry out any other relevant tasks assigned by line manager within the scope the role.

Logistics & Procurement:

• S/He will work with Procurement and Warehousing team to prepare and execute a procurement plan to ensure favourable lead time for the procurement team.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• S/He will work with the Trocaire management team in the field in monitoring and reporting progress, and, adopts agreed changes in project design to conform to varying contexts.
• S/He will develop a monthly activity schedule based on the project work plan to facilitate timely implementation.
• S/He will in collaboration with the MEAL team, set up programme impact/process monitoring systems and collect relevant secondary data relating to disease patterns, facilities and Trocaire programmes.
• S/He will contribute to the preparation of monitoring and assessment tools in collaboration with the MEAL team.
• S/He will prepare and timely submit weekly/monthly reports to the Humanitarian Coordinator.

Coordination

• Where necessary, S/He will strengthen relationships between Trocaire, UN agencies and beneficiaries, (community leaders and government agencies) working closely with all project stakeholders.

Other Duties

• Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned by line management.
• Leading: Reflecting our values of Participation & Accountability, acts to inspire and lead others to achieve their potential, demonstrating Trócaire’s values with integrity in order to achieve our organisation’s objectives.
• Communicating: Reflecting our value of Participation, being one organisation, communicating clearly and transparently across, teams, units, divisions, locations and other external organisations. Getting our message across with impact.
• Collaborating: Reflecting our values of Participation & Solidarity, partnering effectively as One Trócaire organisation and, in solidarity, maintains positive relationships built on trust and respect.
• Stewardship of Resources: Reflecting our value of Accountability and decision-making around the best use of resources. Using our resources transparently, sustainably, ethically, fairly & with integrity; acknowledging Trócaire’s reputation in the use of resources.
• Delivering Results: Reflecting our values of Accountability & Perseverance, getting a quality job done through effective performance, planning and decision making.
• Continual Improvement & Learning: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, constantly looking to learn and develop self, employees, and partners to better fulfil Trócaire’s’ mission.
• Flexibility & Change: Reflecting our values of Participation & Courage, adapts positively to change and to different ways of doing things; manages or takes part in change processes in a way that is appropriate to role in the organisation.

Person Specification – Essential Requirements

(E) Qualification

University degree or higher qualification in Community Health or have nursing/medical background with experience in public health programmes

(E) Experience

• Minimum two-year professional experience in implementing and supervising community health mobilization projects and coordinated Child Care Program.
• Proven track record in crafting community mobilization, sensitization and awareness-raising activities.
• Training and capacity building skills.
• Knowledge and experience of undertaking assessments and analysing the results.
• Fluency in written, spoken English and Somali languages is mandatory.
• Knowledge of different working standards and ethics including SPHERE.
• Demonstrable experience in managing teams, supervising and training others.

Ability to prioritize and commit to meet deadlines.

(E) Skills

• Leadership and good interpersonal skills including the ability to listen; negotiation skills at different levels; flexible and adaptable to work under unstable environments and under pressure with limited support.
• Capacity Building skills
• Ability to present concise reports, reflecting the problems and possible solutions.
• Good computer skills (Microsoft Office).

Strong problem-solving skills and analytical skills.

(E) Qualities

• Believes in the values of localisation, working in partnership
• Is committed to justice, equality.
• Shows drive, initiative, courage, integrity and accountability
• Flexible and willing to work additional hours to ensure that the required results are delivered.
• High level of reliability, objectivity and honesty.
• Willingness to work in Somalia environment in unsocial hours and harsh conditions.

Person Specification – Desirable

(D) Qualification

• Relevant post-graduate qualification in health or related field.

(D) Experience

• Experience of working in Gedo.
• Experience in Project Management, CHAST and CHS will be an added advantage.