Context of the position

The Syrian crisis is considered one of the world’s most complex humanitarian emergencies, with a significant percentage of the population suffering from multiple vulnerabilities with several acute crises on top of the 12-year protracted armed conflict. This protracted crisis and economic collapse have left more than 15.3 million people in constant need of humanitarian assistance.

On 6 February 2023, at 04:17 am, a 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck southern and central Turkey and northern and western Syria. A second earthquake of 7.5 magnitude followed at 13:24. As a result, many buildings collapsed amidst already vulnerable living situations and very harsh weather conditions. The Syrian Arab Red Crescent Society (SARC) reported that 1,414 people lost their lives, 2,357 people were injured, and more than six million people are affected in Syria, including almost 300,000 displaced people. Major infrastructure damage has been witnessed with 276 destroyed buildings and more than 300 partially damaged, in addition to the complete destruction of 248 schools. SARC also suffered some losses where 1 of their facilities was destroyed and 8 were partially damaged.

The impacted areas are affected by the long-standing crises that have majorly affected Syria’s infrastructure, provision of essential services and economic status with a very vulnerable population that has limited resilience to withstand an emergency of this scale. The local economy is plummeting and the capacity of all public services and sectors (including health and civil defense) as well as the resources in-country are limited and unable to tackle such a large-scale emergency.

SARC, the leading humanitarian actor in Government of Syria controlled territories, has developed an earthquake response plan. Their response began on 6 February, where all operational teams were mobilized to and continue to respond to date, including more than 4,000 volunteers and staff, 303 vehicles from various sectors including 53 ambulances from the following governorates (Aleppo, Lattakia, Tartous, Idlib, Homs, Damascus/HQ).

The French Red Cross’ (FRC) contribution to the SARC’s response is a bilateral project to support two key SARC departments, namely WASH and Health. This project aims to support earthquake affected communities in Syria by restoring access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services, reinforcing health and hygiene promotion as well as preventing the spread of preventable infectious diseases and epidemic outbreaks.

In addition, it aims to improve SARC’s intervention in Infection Prevention and Control (IPC)* through health care facilities evaluations, trainings and supervisions in coordination with experts from SARC and the WHO.

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*IPC standard precautions include Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), hand hygiene, prevention of accidental exposure to body fluids, safe and appropriate treatment of re-usable medical devices, waste management, cleaning and disinfection of surface and environment, patient screening and triage, respiratory hygiene and individual hygiene for staff, caretakers and patients IPC essential requirements include water supply, solid waste and waste water treatment/disposal, latrines and shower facilities, dead bodies management, vector control and medical waste management.

Objectives and responsibilities of the position

Function and general mission of the DMI:

Under the hierarchical supervision of the Program Coordinator and the technical supervision of the Health Advisor, the role of the Health Delegate is to ensure the implementation of the health components within the earthquake response project in collaboration with the SARC. Alongside the SARC, ensure the effective and efficient planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the project, with focus on the IPC programming in order to ensure the quality of care and safety of patients, caretakers and staff.

Hierarchical link

The Health Delegate works under the hierarchical supervision of the Program Coordinator of the FRC in Syria & Lebanon.

Functional link

The Health Delegate works under the functional supervision of the Health Advisor at the FRC headquarters.

Description of the tasks to be performed

1. Ensure, alongside the SARC, the effective and efficient planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the health interventions within the earthquake response project

• Provide technical guidance to the SARC on the project’s health components which are the following:
  • IPC programming
  • Hygiene Promotion and Menstrual Hygiene Management
  • Pregnancy & new-born kits distribution
• Oversee the implementation of the project work plan, timeline and budget.
• Set up a monitoring & evaluation system and follow up.
• Write project progress and monitoring reports.
• Collect and analyze data on a regular basis in order to monitor the progress of the project, by using the FRC monitoring tool (OSO).
• Support the SARC in conducting project evaluations, and ensure that lessons learned are captured and applied to improve future project implementations.
• Assure coordination of actors involved in the implementation of the health activities of the earthquake response projet
• Support the programme coordinator to foster positive relationships and regular communication with the SARC key focal points from the Health and WASH departments.

2. Contribute to the reporting of activities

• Ensure with the SARC that all necessary information is provided for the narrative reports, including data on activities, outputs and outcomes, challenges and lessons learned.
• Assist the SARC in the preparation of reports in accordance with FRC’s requirements.
• Coordinate with the SARC to ensure that the reporting process is smooth and efficient, and that any issues or concerns are addressed in a timely manner.
• Coordinate with the SARC in order the project stakeholders’ participation, including beneficiaries and local partners, is ensured in monitoring and evaluation activities and the reporting process.

3. Support the SARC to develop a well-planned exit strategy that ensures the project’s sustainability and maximizes its impact

• Conduct with the SARC a review of the project to identify key stakeholders who will be involved in the exit strategy development process.
• Develop and implement a comprehensive exit strategy plan in collaboration with the SARC and other project partners, with clear goals, objectives, activities and timeline.
• Regularly monitor and evaluate the progress of the exit strategy, making adjustments as needed to ensure its success.

Profile

Educational background and experience

• Master’s degree in public health and/or health professional (medical doctor, registered nurse, midwife, etc)
• Experience in IPC programming
• At minimum of 2 years of experience working on public health, primary health care, and/or epidemic response programs, preferably internationally.
• Experience in conducting trainings for health professionals
• Previous knowledge of FRC and RCRC Movement is desirable
• Experience working in a healthcare setting is desirable
• Experience in the Middle East is an asset

Professional skills

• Management skills (including remote management)
• Communication, analysis and reporting skills
• Interpersonal and intercultural skills
• Diplomatic and representation skills
• Flexible and proactive
• Solution oriented mindset
• Autonomous and team-worker

Languages

• English is the working language
• Fluency in Arabic is highly desirable
• French is an asset