Job Description

COMMUNITY HEALTH OFFICER

Position: Community Health officer

Job Grade: Band 5

Location: Dhusmareb

Reports to: Branch Health Officer

Supervises Volunteers

Background

The Somali Red Crescent Society (SRCS) is an independent, non-political humanitarian organization that was founded in April 1963 and was established with presidential decree No. 187 in 1965. It was then recognized by the ICRC in 1969 and in the same year became a member of the International Federation of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent societies.

Overall Job Purpose

Support the design, implementation, supervision and evaluation of the district community-based surveillance strategy aimed at preventive measures by reporting the suspected health risks among the communities. Review and monitor implementation of community-based surveillance activities including hygiene and sanitation promotion, malnutrition signs, and other health risk signs, and submit periodic update reports to the Community Health Officer in line with health policy and donor requirements.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Programme Implementation

• Ensure that surveillance guidelines, protocols and monitoring systems are adhered to by the volunteers for efficient data collection, correlation, analysis, interpretation for timely reporting and dissemination of information/alerts on disease outbreaks;
• Provide technical support in the implementation, supervision, and evaluation of the community-based surveillance programme at the district level
• Supervise and coach volunteers in the community to ensure that those who see health risks send coded SMSs to the dashboard.
• Support, mentor, supervise and capacity build volunteers
• Implement effective community-based surveillance to receive the warning signs in real time before the outbreak of the diseases.
• Review the CBS platform “Nyss” daily in collaboration with Community Health Officer, to ensure timely warning to health authorities, to follow up and document on the actions taken, to monitor support needs and activities by the volunteers,
• To provide input into necessary adjustments of the CBS platform to be a useful tool for the CBS activities etc.; ensure data protection at all times
• Coordinate and supervise the early response activities among the communities at district level.
• Mobilize, supervise and train volunteers on proper hygiene and sanitation practices among the communities. 
• Provide CBS related trainings and follow ups to the volunteers in the community.
• Work with the Community Health Officer and other SRCS branch staff, volunteers and supervisors to document the functionality and effectiveness of CBS in the district, guided by accurate data collection; provide input into reports, publications on the project and advocacy.
• Support communication to authorities in collaboration with branch staff at district level.
• Ensure accurate information sharing with all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner 
• Support health assessments and mappings in the community
• Report immediately on any challenges (incl. security concern, emergencies) occurring in the community to the community health officer and branch health officer or branch coordinator
• Perform any other specific duties assigned to you, as may be required by the functional supervisor. 

Operations Management

• Provide data as input into the development, implementation and evaluation of the Branch community health programme and into annual work plans and budgets in line with strategic priorities
• Identify capacity-building needs of the volunteers and ensure they are properly trained and well supported to implement programme activities
• Work closely with community health officer to ensure availability of adequate medicine and related supplies in order to avoid stock-outs

External Relationships

• Develop and enhance relationships with strategic partners, donors, local authorities, and humanitarian actors at district level to maximize support for humanitarian response
• Represent SRCS in relevant meetings at district level
• Perform other related duties as assigned by the Community Health Officer.

Experiences and Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional practice in Public Health, Nursing, Medicine or other health science related.

Professional Training

ü  N/A

Certification/Licensing

N/A                                       

Job Competencies & Experience

Competencies

ü  Demonstrating consistency in upholding integrity and ethics

ü  Demonstrated knowledge and commitment to the fundamental principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

ü  Team leader with demonstrated mentoring and coaching skills

ü  Effective communications and interpersonal skills

ü  Demonstrate openness to change & ability to manage complexities

ü  Demonstrated conflict resolution skills and ability to manage inter­group dynamics and mediate conflicting interests

ü  Excellent writing skills, analytical capacity to synthesize project outputs and findings for the preparation of quality programme reports

ü  Maturity & confidence in dealing with senior and high ranking officials

ü  Remain calm, in control and good humored even under pressure

ü  Respond positively to critical feedback and differing points of views

ü  Proficiency in computer office packages word, excel, power point.

Language Requirement

Demonstrate proficiency in Somali and English languages

Relevant Experience

At least 2 years of related experience, preferably at the regional level in the implementation of public health surveillance, outbreak investigation and response or other public health related positions particularly in Epidemiology, First Aid, Integrated Community Case Management or other community health programs

Previous experience in implementation of Disease Surveillance and Response is a plus

Working experience at field level with recognized organizations with expertise in health and emergency response

Knowledge of district health infrastructure and systems

Sound knowledge and skills in database management and statistical analysis, monitoring and evaluation or public health information management

Skills Required

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