Health Coordinator

SAMS is looking for an national Health Coordinator to oversee its health department activities in Iraq. Under the direct supervision of the Country Director and close collaboration with Program Consultant, the Health Coordinator will be based in Erbil, with the frequent travel to other Iraqi regions/cities to meet with government officials and communities, as well as, NGOs, international agencies, and other stakeholders. He/she will be responsible for the overall direction and implementation of SAMS’ Health projects in compliance with organizational and donors regulations. Duties may include coordinating with key stakeholders, recruiting competent personnel, developing projects’ proposals/concept papers, conducting needs assessment, and refining SAMS local policies in collaboration with relevant departments in the HQ or Regional Office.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Health Programs Development and Management
• • Update SAMS Iraq’s health sector strategy according to prevailing needs and country priorities.
  • Lead on planning and implementation of health programs’ activities and proposal writing. Ensuring strategically coherent program direction, well-managed growth, and compliance with SAMS and donor regulations.
  • Conduct a detailed mapping assessment of local and international humanitarian actors operating in Iraq, including information on current programs and gaps (by location/sector) and donor priorities, in collaboration with Program Manager/Consultant. .
  • Continually seek out ways to build the capacities of the health team members, individually and collectively.
  • Ensure that health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines, as outlined by national and international standards. Ensure that all health activities are consistent with established best practices.
  • Participate in conducting surveys, needs assessment and evaluation related to the availability, accessibility and quality of health services in Iraq.
  • Ensure that detailed, realistic and feasible project implementation plans are developed, and modified as needed, in collaboration with Iraq country teams, Regional Office, and SAMS HQ.
  • Ensure sound data collection and information management systems are in place for ongoing performance analysis and programmatic action based on data and identified needs.
  • Participate in the design of robust M&E plans and design/adapt health information systems including surveillance systems for SAMS’ health programs in Iraq.
  • Ensure that the stated goals and objectives of all health projects are met with strong monitoring and evaluation (M&E) followup, including any required operational research, with technical support from the Health Information Management team in the Washington D.C Programs Unit and the Regional Office as needed.
  • Ensure timely reporting of health data and review M&E and accountability data with health staff to identify and address areas for operational improvement.
  • Conduct routine monitoring visits to implementation sites to ensure donor compliance and quality program implementation.
  • Provide overall leadership and management of SAMS Medical Missions to Iraq in close coordination with SAMS HQ, local authorities and partners.
  • Mitigate any potential Safety & Security (S&S) risks by reviewing security briefs, alerts and notifications and ensuring that programming staff fully aware and compliant with SAMS’ S&S policies and Standard Operational Procedures.
  • Write all health programs related reports in collaboration with programs consultant, grants and finance departments, ensuring high-quality, well-written and timely reports; meeting donors, SAMS, and partners requirements.
  • Maintain an effective referral system and provide feedback on referrals to partners and designated clusters.
• Medical Logistics
• • Promote the quality of SAMS’ health programs by setting up quality assurance mechanisms and checks in collaboration with other staff and programs teams.
  • Contribute to (drafting and review) donor proposals and budgets that include pharmaceutical/medical supply components, in close collaboration with Grants and Operations departments.
  • Adapt, set up, and implement the SAMS’ approved drug management tools/system, including training any relevant staff for support and/or handover.
  • Ensure quality of field pharmaceutical supply chain, including storage, export/import, distribution, medicines management within healthcare facilities; healthcare waste management, controlled drug management, etc.
  • Coordinate with in-country health staff, and Health Authorities as needed, to guarantee that SAMS’ medicine selection, treatment protocols, and administration/dispensary guidance conform to national, international, and donor rules and regulations.
  • Support set-up/construction of medical infrastructure (clinics, mobile teams, isolation facilities, maternity, etc.) in compliance with infection control standards in collaboration with other programs coordinators.
• Representation, Networking and Partnership Development
• • Extend technical support and supervision to subordinates and SAMS’ implementing partners as the need arises.
  • Serve as SAMS’ representative in the Health Cluster, working closely with the Ministry of Health and WHO.
  • In coordination with the Program Consultant, actively develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders in Iraq including donors, government actors, UN agencies, international and local NGOs, and other relevant actors.
  • Develop strategic partnerships with local organizations wherever possible.
  • Represent SAMS to local communities, government departments, international agencies, local partners and donors as required.
  • Assist in organizing donor site visits by supporting field staff in the smooth design and implementation of agendas and visit activities.
  • Develop evidence-based advocacy points to be presented through the Health Cluster, INGO Forum, and Humanitarian Country Team (HCT).

REQUIREMENTS:

Minimum requirements of this position are:

• Bachelor’s degree in medicine, nursing or health-related fields.
• At least five years of programmatic experience for NGOs, including at least two years of field experience.
• At least three years of health projects management experience in humanitarian or development settings.
• Experience in community outreach programs reaching, engagement of tribal leaders discussions and coordination with local authorities.
• Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English; Kurdish language is an advantage.
• Knowledge of institutional donor requirements for proposal development and grant management, such as USAID, U.S. Department of State, Global Affairs Canada, DFID, ECHO, etc.
• Strong interpersonal, communication and leadership skills.
• Computer literacy; especially Microsoft Office softwares (Word, PowerPoint and Excel)
• Knowledgeable of the Iraqi health systems, regulations and common practices.

Desirable profiles may have one or more of the following:

• Advanced studies, certificates, or trainings related to public health and humanitarian response programs.
• Master’s degree in public health, epidemiology, health management or related fields.
• Experience with international organizations.
• Experience supervising medical professionals and volunteers.
• Experience in Public Health relating to Essential Medicines, National Drug Policies, Quality Assurance or clinical pharmacy, and outbreak control

Experience in set-up and construction of medical infrastructure, and including during outbreaks.

To apply, send your resume and cover letter to iraq-hr@sams-usa.net.