NW Syria Health Program Manager (PM)

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Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

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Pre hire checks

1.          Scope

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2.          Context

About Relief International

Relief International (RI) partners with communities impacted by conflict, climate change, and disaster to save lives, build greater resilience and promote long-term health and well being.

Currently, RI is active in 14 countries around the world, including some of the most fragile: Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Türkiye, and Yemen.

Relief International includes the four corporate members of the RI Alliance: Relief International Inc., Relief International-UK, Relief International-France and Relief International-Europe Under our alliance agreement, we operate with a single, shared management structure.

About our Country Program/ Regional Programs

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Middle East Region

RI operates in six countries in the Middle East region:  Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Türkiye and Yemen, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity.  We employ more than 4,000 staff (direct and indirect) in the Middle East region and implement a range of humanitarian and development programs valued at approximately $70 million USD on an annual basis.

Africa/ Asia Region

RI operates in seven countries in the Africa/Asia region: Afghanistan, , Iran, Myanmar, Pakistan, Philippines, South Sudan, and Sudan, with a focus on the four RI sector pillars: Health, WASH, Education and Economic Opportunity. We employ more than 3,000 staff (direct and indirect) in the Africa/Asia region and implement a range of humanitarian and development programs valued at approximately $60 million USD on an annual basis.

3.          Job Profile

The PM will be responsible for overall management of the NW Syria health and Nutrition program. The PM will be responsible for the direct implementation of the program in addition to RI’s partners programs implementation, working under the supervision of the deputy hub director to ensure objectives are on track, work plans in place and program progress is on track. This will require him/her to work constructively with colleagues across RI NWS team, Whole of Syria team based in Amman, and other regional and global offices. This position requires an individual who is accustomed to the pace of emergency response programming, has experience in successfully leading a diverse team, does not require close supervision or direction, is flexible and highly responsive, and can work well under pressure.

4.          Key responsibilities

Accountability and Complexity

Program Management:

·       In close coordination with the Hub deputy director and the WoS Health Adviser, ensure support to the design of new health and nutrition interventions, and be responsible for the overall supervision and successful implementation of the NW Syria health and nutrition programs.

·       Work in strict coordination with the protection program colleagues, to ensure meaningful integration of sectors and complementarity of services, and ensuring that gender and protection mainstreaming considerations are integrated into all aspects of humanitarian programming to mitigate risks, prevent violations, and promote the safety and dignity of affected populations.

·       Lead all aspects of programme implementation under the overall guidance from the Deputy Hub Director, the WoS Health Adviser, and in coordination with NWS Area Manager (based in Syria) as needed.

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·       In coordination with the deputy hub director and the WoS Health advisor, ensure quality and timely implementation of the health programme.

·       Ensure that there are necessary and appropriate operating procedures in place for the projects to implement their activities that fall under one program.

·       Hold regular meetings bringing together the program teams in Gaziantep/NWS and the technical team in Amman, to ensure regular communication, and prompt identification of challenges and solutions, to guarantee quality services delivery and timely achievement of targets and objectives;

·       Hold regular meetings with the other departments at hub level to ensure that synergies are in place, and the required support is provided; ensure that the deputy hub director and the WoS Health Advisor are kept informed/participate on all programme related issues and relevant updates as needed.

·       Under the guidance of the WOS Health Advisor, provide needed support to ensure that the technical support is streamlined to the service delivery.

·       Evaluate activity progress (implementation plans, action plans, on track/off track assessments etc.) and determine necessary actions to address potential delays and issues.

·       Participate in monthly BVA meetings to review program spending, update spend down plan accordingly and mitigate any potential under/overspending. The Health Programme Manager is responsible for the timely updating of all the related budget lines, and for their accuracy.Develop and update project implementation tools (PITs) that ensures efficient implementation across different projects towards achieving the set objectives and results.

·       Close follow up with the operations on the procurement plans to ensure efficient supply chain management processes are in place. Ensure that the required technical checks and verification processes for the procurement of the medical supplies are in place.

·       Conduct periodic field visit to program sites inside Syria to monitor program implementation and provide technical support to field teams.

·       Regular review of MEAL findings and recommendations and providing action plans for the corrective measures that can address those findings.

·       Monitoring the projects achievement versus the set indicator targets and quality benchmarks.

·       Draft and finalize donor reports and other technical reports in in collaboration with the Grants Unit, provide program reports that are timely and meet institutional and donor requirements. The PM is ultimately responsible for all relevant donor reporting for the Programs.

·       Ensure compliance to Donor and RI policies and procedures relevant to the program implementation;

·       Represent RI’s health programme in relevant coordination and donors meetings, in collaboration with the hub and country office leadership;

Program Development:

·       In coordination with the WoS Health Advisor, assess the humanitarian needs of the populations affected by the Syrian conflict, maintaining an up to date record for the needs and produce analysis that can be considered in the future programming.

·       Stay up to date with all regional and country-specific response plans by the U.N., donors active in the relevant clusters, and other key actors

·       Interface with donors when needed on all aspects of program implementation, in coordination with the deputy hub director and WoS Health advisor.

·       Share methods, approaches and tools with RI colleagues across the region, and contribute toward RI’s regional response strategy by ensuring programmatic coherence, innovation and responsiveness.

·       In coordination with the MEAL team, ensure a high-quality implementation and documentation of results and impact, including lessons learned, for health programming.

·       In coordination with the WoS team, lead the proposal development/budget modification process, in consultation with the Grants Unit, finance, Health Advisor, security, operations, and MEAL, overseeing the proposal process and adherence to deadlines, and seeking the relevant verification from RI management;

·       Identify gaps and make adjustments to programming to ensure RI is meeting targets and being responsive to new health and nutritoin needs in the area. Keep the Hub Deputy Director and the WoS Health Adviser regularly informed and discuss with them about possible new interventions and approaches;

Staff management:

·       Overall supervision of the health program staff in NWS and Türkiye offices and regularly review work plans and implementation plans to ensure successful implementation of the project’s activities.

·       Ensure a positive and collaborative both within the health programme at hub level and with other departments and the Whole of Syria team;

·       Supervise, train, and coach direct reports by developing clear and time-bound goals and objectives, following up on progress, providing regular and constructive feedback, and conducting performance appraisals, and ensure the direct reports are applying the same for their own direct reports.Ensure that capacity plan is in place for all the programs unit in line with the career development objectives for the program staff, and work closely with the HR to ensure training opportunities are identified and utilized (both internal and external) based on the needs.

·       Ensure all positions are filled, any vacancies are posted, and HR procedures are followed for new hires; for the creation of new positions, ensure TORs are designed in collaboration with the WoS Health Advisor;

·       Create a positive work environment that ensures smooth cross-functional coordination that can contribute to achieve the program objectives; particular attention needs to be paid to ensuring close coordination between the health program team in Gaziantep/NWS and the one in Amman to ensure quality and timely delivery of services and implementation of project activities;

Partnership:

·       Act as RI’s program focal point for the coordination with the implementing partners.

·       Follow up the partners’ workplans and ensure a successful implementation towards achieving the projects’ objectives and targets.

·       Provide a continuous review of the partners’ performance and implementation.

·       Review and provide structured feedback on the partners submitted reports.

Representation and Coordination:

·       In coordination with the Liaison and Access Manager, support the  coordination with the recognized stakeholders at Türkiye and NWS levels.

·       In coordination with the hub leadership, leading and representing RI in the coordination with the health governing bodies in NWS such as but not limited to the health directorates in Idlib and Aleppo, the local councils, taskforces,… and maintain a positive, continuous and visible presence of RI.

·       Upon request of the hub leadership, facilitate donor meetings and ensure feedback is incorporate into program workplans and addressed

·       In collaboration with the Grants Unit, organize and lead program kick off meetings, grant review meetings and grant closeout meetings and lead in the development and oversight of the RI project management tools.

Behavior and conduct

·       Ensures that behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies

·       Acts with integrity and holds themselves accountable for being respectful, inclusive and professional

·       Reports any concerns

Management and leadership:

·       Ensure the highest standards of behavior inside and outside of work promotes the values in RI’s code of conduct and safeguarding policies

·       Be a model for ethical conduct standards for other team members

·       Embrace diversity, and model inclusive and equitable behaviour.

·       Ensure own actions and the actions of the teams’ members they manage do not adversely impact the safety of the RI team and the vulnerable communities we serve

·       Ensure donors, partners and communities are aware of RI conduct and reporting mechanisms

·       Ensure safeguarding is embedded in all the work we do

·       Be responsible for ensuring a culture and systems in place for reporting

·       Report any concerns

5.          Person Specification

Skills, knowledge and expertise required for the role.

This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.

·       Master’s degree or equivalent years of experience in medicine, public health or other related health fields

·       Minimum of five years professional experience leading, managing, and implementing Health and nutrition emergency response and/or early recovery programs in similar contexts, experience in Syria is an added advantage ;

·       Previous experience in managing multi donor big programs with value of more than 10M USD. Demonstrated background and knowledge of major humanitarian donors particularly, BHA, ECHO, and UN agencies including WHO.

·       Experience of program management in a remote management context.

·       Comprehension and awareness of the Syrian crisis in general and NWS context in specific.

·       Demonstrated experience in management of health, WASH for health, and Nutrition programs;

·       Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skills required;

·       Fluent English required. Arabic and Turkish language skills are preferred;

·       Strong English writing skills are required;

·       Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and tasks efficiently;

·       Strong budgeting and budget monitoring skills including a high level of proficiency with MS Excel.

·       Demonstrated experience in successfully managing a multicultural team, and a commitment to capacity building

·       Excellent team and time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail;

·       Demonstrated experience of upholding humanitarian principles and actively engaging the most vulnerable communities. Committed to promoting RI’s focus on accountability, innovation and partnership building.

6.          RI Values

Guided by the humanitarian principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence, as well as “Do No Harm,” Relief International Values:

·                Integrity

·                Adaptability

·                Collaboration

·                Inclusivity

·                Sustainability