Manager - Health Programme : IFRC

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (The Federation) is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation. The Federation has been working with Bangladesh Red Crescent Society for more than 30 years in humanitarian fields mainly disaster response and management, cyclone preparedness, disaster relief and recovery, community based disaster preparedness, risk reduction and mitigation, etc.

The Federation is now looking for a suitable Bangladeshi national for the following position for its Health Program.

Position:                     Manager - Health Programme
Reporting to:              Programme Coordinator, IFRC Bangladesh Delegation 
Duration:                    12 months (with 3 months’ probation and with possible extension)
Location:                    Dhaka  
 No. of position:         One (1)

Responsibilities: The Health manager will undertake all tasks and duties as determined by the needs of the National Society and priorities identified by the Federation under the guidance of Head of Delegation and the technical support from region and zone. Specific tasks and responsibilities includes:

Technical support

• Ensure national society and partners are updated on new policies, strategies, guidelines etc.
• Provide technical support to build capacity of national societies’ health programmes, including planning, capacity building and monitoring.
• Support alignment of national society health strategy and programs with International Federation strategy 2020.
• Strengthen coordination and cooperation between Health and Disaster Management to contribute effectively in operationalization of resilience approach.
• Support documentation of good practices and knowledge sharing.
• Monitor epidemiological data and disease patterns and provide timely relevant information to NS health team and support initial response.
• Participate and contribute in Health, WASH and DRR forums at national levels and if invited outside Bangladesh.
• Strengthen management and implementation skills at all levels of the NS, including trainings if necessary.
• Promote the participation of communities at all stages of programming - in assessments, planning, implementation and monitoring using the community based approaches (e.g. CBHFA, PHAST, VCA).

Coordination and Advocacy

• Work in close collaboration with disaster preparedness, disaster risk reduction, shelter, WASH, OD colleagues to promote an integrated community-based approach that builds community resilience.
• Network, coordinate and work with actors involved in health and resilience in Bangladesh, in particular active PNS, government, academic institutions, donors, I/NGOs, appropriate United Nations agencies (e.g. WHO, UNICEF, UNAIDS), Global Fund for Aids, TB and Malaria (GFATM) etc.
• Attend internal and external meetings, conferences or other public activities and provide appropriate feedback or reports where necessary.
• Support NS to document good practice and encourage their application in subsequent programming
• To support national society representation and participation in relevant regional events and networks.
• Assist Head of Delegation to contribute in positioning IFRC and positioning NS in its auxiliary role to the government.
• To ensure good coordination and collaboration of health activities supported by Partner National Societies and International Federation to ensure maximum coordination.

General/administrative/management

• Assist Head of Delegation, in developing Operational Plan and budget based on health priorities of NS and the Federation’s policies.
• Liaise closely with health team in South Asia Regional Delegation and Asia Pacific Zone on progress, share gaps and needs and contribute towards looking for/ provide support.
• Provide quality reports and develop skills in national society on documentation and reporting.
• Ensure effective working relationships with National Society counterparts.
• Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by Head of Delegation pertaining to Health and WASH.

Monitoring and mentoring of Health Programmes

• Support to establish a simple M&E system within BDRCS in discussion and support from SARD and Zone.
• Communicate and follow up with National Societies to ensure that valid data is submitted in a timely manner
• Develop and maintain an updated database of National Society staff trained and/or participated in meetings & workshops with support from the IFRC
• Regularly visit field of programme implementation areas in coordination with BDRCS staff and provide supportive supervision. 
• Provide the regional health technical person with monthly updates.
• Submit field monitoring report and statistics as laid down.  

Reporting

• Ensure the country delegation timely preparation of the narrative and financial quarterly, monthly and annual reports for the internal and external donor funded programmes/projects.
• Work together with the Programme Coordinator track the spending of the donor funds and where necessary prompt the Head of Delegation about seeking timely no-cost extension when it is required.

Qualification and Competencies:

Education and experience:

• Degree level (or equivalent qualification) in a health related science
• Post-graduate level (or equivalent qualification) in public health MPH, MBA or equivalent
• Qualified medical doctor

Experience:

• Demonstrable substantial experience in leading and managing public health programs in a humanitarian organization in developing countries within Asia Pacific
• Work experience with other international organisations, large NGOs and/or governmental development agencies
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience of working in health within developing countries in Asia Pacific
• Proven experience of working in partnership and building capacity of local organisations
• Proven experience in building relationships and influencing change with senior management figures
• Experience of programme design, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation and knowledge of the principles and practice of beneficiary accountability.

Knowledge and Skills:

• Skill in analytical and strategic thinking
• Skill in design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of all key components of Health programs
• Strong representation and advocacy skills
• Self-supporting in computers (Windows, spread sheets, word processing, email and internet)
• Ability to communicate and present to a variety of audiences, including complex and evolving ideas
• Fluently spoken and written English
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Good influencing, tact, negotiating and networking skills
• Ability to work effectively in teams to achieve common goals
• Ability to build partnerships and alliances, both inside and outside the organisation
• Ability to manage/respond well to change and to work well under stress and/or time pressure
• Ability to travel extensively and spend significant periods of time in the countries assigned
• Focus on results and accountability

Personal qualities:

• Commitment to the Red Cross and Red Crescent principles and values
• Honest and high level of integrity
• Willing to work for vulnerable and people in need.

Interested applicants should submit a letter of application, a Curriculum Vitae along with a recent photograph, and mention their salary expectations, to the Head of Delegation, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, 684-686, Red Crescent Sarak, Bara Mogh Bazar, Dhaka-1217, Bangladesh, latest by 1st September 2013, 1700 hours. Please indicate position applied for on the envelope.

Only short-listed candidates will be notifiedThe IFRC is an equal opportunity employer