Organization Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC works with people forced to flee from war, conflict and disaster and the host communities which support them, as well as those who remain within their homes and communities. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we improve outcomes in the areas of health, safety, economic wellbeing, education and power. Given the disparity faced by women and girls, IRC seeks to narrow gender inequalities and ensure social inclusion of all vulnerable groups in broader policies, processes and actions affecting their lives.

The IRC has been working in Uganda since 1998 supporting refugees, vulnerable host communities and various institutions in the country notably the government, community-based organizations, the civil society and the private sector. Currently, the IRC in Uganda has presence across six sub-regions and six refugee settlements, implementing programming in the sectors of health, Protection and Rule of Law (PRoL), Women’s Protection and Empowerment (WPE), Economic Recovery and Development (ERD), and education. IRC Uganda also implements cross-cutting programming focused on systems strengthening and accountability to affected persons.

Program Overview

The IRC led consortium has been awarded a four-year project – PROSPECT SRHR by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands (EKN) to be implemented in the West Nile region. The PROSPECT SRHR aims at improving the sexual reproductive health and social wellbeing of adolescents, youth, and women in West Nile by reducing maternal mortality, number of teenage pregnancies, instances of SGBV and child marriages, and rates of new HIV infections. The project will be implemented in 6 districts with three cluster offices in Yumbe, Adjumani and Terego. IRC as the lead, will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Sports, and the Ministry of Gender, Labor and Social development, and district local governments. More coordination and collaboration efforts will focus across development and Implementing partners especially in the region including USG and non-USG partners especially those implementing Regional Health Integration to Enhance Services.

Job Overview

The Maternal and Child Health Officer will be responsible for promoting, coordinating, and co-leading MCH interventions for girls and women at health facility and community levels. In collaboration with the Community Health Coordinator and District Health Teams (DHTs), this role will develop health facility and community outreach plans and identify culturally and linguistically appropriate maternal and child health information and services. This role will ensure that project beneficiaries have access to medical services, and supportive mainstream social services that address their unique needs during pregnancy, delivery and postnatal care. 

Major Responsibilities:

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Support and contribute to the design, implementation and monitoring of all RH/FP/HIV activities.
• In collaboration with the MNCH/FP/HIV team identify barriers to MCH, RH/FP uptake of services and develop innovative approaches/strategies to address the barriers.
• Support provision of quality of MNCH, RH/FP/HIV services.
• Mentor and provide support supervision to health care providers providing MNCH/FP/HIV services in Program supported facilities and outreaches.
• Work closely with the community program teams to create demand for MNCH, RH/FP/HIV services
• Work with other program teams to provide integrated outreaches.
• Participate in the development of work plans and implementation.
• Provide direct technical assistance and support to program counterparts, health facilities, in the areas of expertise including MNCH, RH/FP/HIV.
• Monitor program outputs and results related to MNCH, RH/FP/HIV and work closely with the M&E team and other Program staff to ensure that results are documented and reported accurately.
• Work jointly with the other service delivery teams to coordinate planning and scheduling of activities with the relevant technical team leaders and technical advisors.
• Propose innovative program approaches and interventions aimed at improving MCH, RH/FP and HIV outcomes
• Design innovative ways of working with young adolescent mothers to promote uptake of quality MCH RH/FP/HIV services
• Participate in the development/review of strategies, including technical direction for achieving program goals.
• Apply the best practices in MCH, RH/FPHIV to guide strategic planning and implementation.
• Provide support to operationalize health policies, ensure client responsive services and optimal use of government and donor resources.
• Prepare technical documentation and reports related to: project MCH, RH/FP/HIV activities; results for donors, government stakeholders and partner organizations.
• Support other program related activities in other program Districts.
• Any other duties that may be delegated to you.

Minimum Qualifications:

Job Requirements:

• Minimum of a BSc in Nursing, Clinical Medicine Degree.
• At least 5+ years’ hands-on experience in the field of reproductive health, family planning, & HIV
• Experience in public health management, training and capacity building.
• Training of Trainer skills are essential for this role
• Experience in providing technical assistance in MCH, RH/FP/HIV services
• Demonstrated collaborative approach including working with Government officials with good negotiation skills, diplomacy and tact

Demonstrated Skills and Proficiencies:

• Knowledge of the local government health care system.
• Highly organized self-starter with proven success prioritizing multiple tasks, making critical decisions, and delivering results in a fast-paced environment with tight deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to prioritize and manage time effectively.
• Demonstrated understanding of coaching and service provider mentorship.
• Good community mobilization skills
• Possesses initiative, patience, tact, and able to work with minimum supervision
• Able to work under pressure
• Good interpersonal and communication skills
• Demonstrates adaptability and flexibility in all aspects of working.
• Ability to work effectively in a team and support others in their work.
• Excellent computer skills in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, internet etc.
• Fluency in English and any of the local languages.
• Familiarity with the political, social, economic and cultural context of working in the district.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, and we value diversity in our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided with reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request reasonable accommodation.

Professional Standards

IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality.  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.

NB: This advert will close on 1^st December 2024.