Over 80 years ago, Albert Einstein helped create the International Rescue Committee. Today, we are a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future.
Position Summary:
IRC is seeking a Technical Lead for an FCDO funded multi-year anticipated programme in Pakistan. The Programme aims to strengthen Pakistan’s healthcare system to deliver quality services and prevent deaths from communicable diseases and preventable maternal and newborn deaths in Punjab province. Key outcome of the anticipated programme are:
Output 1: Strengthened integrated health security, with a focus on preparing and responding to health emergencies, including pandemics.
Output 2: Enhanced information systems and capacity for evidence-based decision-making to drive health sector performance and accountability.
Output 3: Improved implementation of Universal Health Coverage, with a focus on ending preventable deaths.
The Technical Lead will be responsible for managing the technical design and implementation of the programme. Their expertise will be crucial in achieving the programme’s outputs, which focus on strengthening integrated health security and health system preparedness, enhancing and strengthening health information systems (HIS), and the DoH’s capacity to use data for evidence-based decision-making, performance and accountability and improving the implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) to avert preventable deaths. The technical lead will work with various stakeholders, including but not limited to the DoH government officials in Pakistan at central and provincial levels and partners, to ensure effective implementation of the programme. This position is contingent on the IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in October 2023.
Job Responsibilities:
Strengthened integrated health security, with a focus on preparing and responding to health emergencies, including pandemics:
• Develop strategies and frameworks to enhance health security measures and preparedness for health emergencies through likely hazards and emergency scenarios.
• Coordinate and collaborate with relevant stakeholders to establish and maintain effective emergency response systems focusing on actions to be taken ahead of crisis classification and response.
• Provide technical guidance and support in developing protocols, policies, hazard profiling and guidelines for health emergency preparedness and response and get buy-in from concerned authorities.
Enhanced information systems and capacity for evidence-based decision-making to drive health sector performance and accountability:
• Lead the design and implementation of health information systems that capture and analyze health data for evidence-based decision-making.
• Identify data needs and appropriate tools and processes to collect, manage, and analyze health-related information involving all relevant stakeholders from data collection to decision making.
• Provide technical expertise/support in processes of strengthening data collection, data analysis, interpretation, and data presentation to support evidence-based decision-making.
• Build capacity among programme staff and partners in data management, analysis, and utilization.
Improved implementation of Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with a focus on ending preventable deaths:
• Develop strategies for reorienting health system to primary health care (PHC) as 90% of essential UHC interventions can be delivered through PHC.
• Develop strategies and interventions to improve the implementation of Universal Health Coverage, ensuring access to quality health services for all.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to identify gaps and challenges in the implementation of Universal Health Coverage and develop targeted solutions.
• Provide technical support in developing and implementing initiatives to reduce preventable deaths and improve overall health outcomes.
Requirements:
• Advanced degree (master’s or doctorate) from an accredited university in health, international development, or related field.
• At least 15 years of experience in work in the health sector and health systems strengthening with successful delivery outcomes.
• Experience working with government agencies, donors, and other stakeholders in the health sector in Pakistan
• Previous experience with FCDO funded programmes and commercial contracts with payment by results against milestones/deliverables.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities, including leading teams, managing resources, and driving results.
• In-depth knowledge of global health policies, frameworks, and best practices.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to create cohesion between provincial and federal levels of government stakeholders based on a strong understanding of the decentralized health governance system.
• Deep understanding of health policy processes, political economy, and health governance in Pakistan’s context.
• Knowledge of universal health coverage and social health insurance systems.
• Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.