Sudan: Community Health Delegate

We help to reduce vulnerabilities and strengthen resilience by responding to disasters and crises and by supporting community and institutional risk reduction and preparedness.

In the Netherlands with more than thirty thousand volunteers and internationally with the aid of specialists or by sending relief supplies or money.

Together we act before, during and after disasters to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. We do this without regards to nationality, race, religious beliefs, class or political opinion.

Our seven principles guide our humanitarian work: humanity, neutrality, independence, voluntary service, unity and universality.

The International Department is amongst other responsible for all NLRC international support for victims of disasters and conflicts and for vulnerable people exposes to hazards.

To strengthen the NLRC team in Sudan, the department is looking for a:

Position title: Community Health Delegate

Duty station: El Geneina, West Darfur (Sudan)

Time period: March 2016 – February 2017 (12 months with possibility of extension)

Position advertised contingent upon funding

Status: Choose Single posting

Rationale

The beginning of partnership between the Netherlands Red Cross (NLRC) and Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) dates back to early 1980s with the launch of the community-based health care services for internally-displaced population (IDP) in Kassala, Khartoum, River Nile and Northern Kordofan States. Over more than two decades, the two National Societies have collaborated in addressing acute needs of vulnerable people of Sudan through implementation of wide-range programme in the areas of primary health care, nutrition, water and sanitation, food security and livelihoods support, HIV/AIDS awareness raising and stigma reduction, and local capacity building.

In 2012, NLRC renewed its commitment to work with SRCS in a long term programmatic partnership.

NLRC provides support to International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) and International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC operations multilaterally. NLRC has two international staff in Sudan, supporting joint operations: the Country Representative based in Khartoum and a WASH Delegate based in Kassala.

We are currently exploring possibilities to further expand these activities, and additional projects may be developed in the coming months.

Due to the nature, scope and focus of the NLRC support, there is a need for an experienced Community Health Delegate, to be based in El Geneina, West Darfur, Sudan. The delegate will provide technical community health/public health project support to the SRCS for the implementation and reporting of a new “West Darfur Emergency Response” Project and will support the capacity building of SRCS West Darfur Branch in project implementation; community mobilization, health and hygiene promotions. The delegate will provide technical support and backup to the SRCS in the Health and WASH sectors, and contribute to assisting the SRCS in responding to the immediate health needs of the target beneficiaries and communities as mentioned in the IFRC emergency appeal for the Darfur population movement.

Summary statement and responsibilities

The main responsibility of the Community Health Delegate is to support the implementation of the “West Darfur Emergency Response” Project and to empower the SRCS - its staff at the West Darfur Branch and community volunteers - in effective, qualitative and efficient community-based health program implementation. Specific duties will include the following:

· Act as the technical community/public health focal person for the “West Darfur Emergency Response” project in West Darfur, and as such provides technical and managerial support lead for the planning, monitoring, reporting and financial management of the various project activities in partnership with SRCS West Darfur Branch.

· Support capacity development of SRCS relevant staff through coaching, mentoring and on-the-job technical training, in particular in (but not limited to) the following areas:

1. Planning, monitoring, reporting and financial management;

2. Community mobilization, health, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene promotion activities and volunteer mobilization.

· Facilitate the establishment of a workable and efficient monitoring system for the West Darfur Emergency Response, and conduct joint planning and monitoring visits and/or internal evaluations.

· Be responsible for adequate financial monitoring throughout the implementation of the project.

· Request timely technical Health/ WASH advice and expertise from the WASH delegate in Kassala, the NLRC headquarters in The Hague and/or from in-country or regional resources, and follow-up on recommendations made.

· Ensure regular and efficient networking with relevant stakeholders in El Geneina, West Darfur and Khartoum as well as represent NLRC in relevant health related meetings, conferences, workshops.

· Participate in the Red Cross humanitarian response in case of a natural disaster, at the request of the SRCS and NLRC.

· Support the identification, formulation, implementation and evaluation of other activities supported by the NLRC in Sudan and possibly other sectors or countries, when requested by NLRC.

Position in the organization

The line reporting is with the NLRC Country Representative in Khartoum.

Furthermore, the delegate will adhere:

• To collaborate and coordinate closely with West Darfur Branch, SRCS HQ Health, Wash, and DM Coordinators, supporting the SRCS lead role, and to respect at all times the relevant policies and strategies of the SRCS.

• To work closely with the current WASH delegate in Kassala state, mainly on the WASH components of the West Darfur Emergency Response Project.

• To work with/in the NLRC relevant technical policies, guidelines and staff, ensuring alignment with donor requirements.

Requirements/Qualifications

• A graduate degree in international public health or related field or relevant experience in the management of community-based health projects in developing countries.

• At least 7 years-experience and proven expertise in the technical areas of community health/public health and/or hygiene promotion programs.

• Demonstrated experience in the design, implementation and management of community health projects, including proposal development, planning, monitoring and evaluation .

• Strong expertise and understanding of key issues in the field of public health, including water and sanitation, community based programming affecting East-African populations.

• A relevant experience and strong understanding of capacity building dynamics.

• Experience with the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement, including volunteer management experience, would be an asset.

• Demonstrated experience of developing effective working relationships and lobbying with senior stakeholders from communities, government agencies, international organisations, donors, NGOs, etc.

• Excellent communication skills with strong interpersonal and coaching skills, including the demonstrated ability to guide and inspire colleagues and others.

• Fluency in written and spoken English, knowledge of Arabic is considered a strong advantage.

• Understanding of and commitment to NLRC mission, values and programming approaches;

• Working experience in Africa, and both in emergency or recovery and development context;

• Willingness/ability to live in a remote location and to follow strict security guidelines set by Red Cross/Red Crescent;

• Excellent computer, writing, reporting and communication skills.

Key competencies

• Is conscientious and efficient in meeting commitments, observing deadlines and achieving results.

• Natural team-player, with demonstrated ability to coach, inspire and support colleagues.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to establish and maintain effective partnerships and working relations in different cultural and organizational settings.

• Ability to work with minimal supervision, to establish and achieve clear goals.

• Please send your resume in English and letter of motivation with reference to Annemieke van Teeffelen before 15 February 2015 to: http://werkenbij.rodekruis.nl/en/Vacancy/Apply/58978

• For more information about the position, you can contact Ms Maartje Holdorp at mholdorp@redcross.nl.

• An assessment can be part of the selection procedure.

• Please not that employment in this position is contingent upon funding.