Introduction

Expertise France Expertise France (EF) is a public agency created on 1st January 2015 and merging 6 French public agencies under the supervision of the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Economy and Finance with a strong inter-ministerial vocation. EF offers program engineering and technical assistance by developing and implementing international cooperation actions worldwide. EF operates in various fields of development and institutional cooperation including safety and security reform, post-crisis/ stability, public health, human rights, strengthening of institutions and NGOs, and governance. Carrying out large-scale, multi-stakeholder programs, EF can ensure the cooperation between individuals, teams, and institutions with very different statuses, cultures, and specialties. Besides, EF has acquired sound experience in the administrative and financial management of large-scale international programs.

1. Context

Armed conflict in North-Eastern Syria (NES) from 2013 to 2017 caused s wide-scale destruction of the basic and communal infrastructure, significant loss of life, physical and psychosocial trauma, and led to widespread displacement. As coalition forces liberate areas previously held by ISIS and restore security, stability has been returning to these areas. However, the lack of essential services and basic infrastructure in these areas continues to expose communities to physical, social, and psychological adverse effects. The influx of displaced populations puts additional stress on an already fragile health service delivery system and overburdens the health workforce.

Expertise France is supporting and improving the living conditions of the population through the progressive recovery of essential services for stability and sustainability, focusing on health service delivery in conflict-affected areas by strengthening service delivery quality, diversity, and availability through the Health and Recovery in North-East Syria (HERNES) program.

In that context and capitalizing on the achievements of the HERNES I program to build the second phase of the program, Expertise France aims at looking for a Senior Health Project Officer based in Erbil.

2. Main Responsibilities, Qualifications, & Core Competencies

The Senior Health Project Officer is expected to co-ordinate the health-related aspects of the program liaising closely with the implementing partner, the EF experts, and the M&E Unit. He/she will report to the Project Manager (PM) and shall support the PM, in day-to-day coordination of the HERNES program activities. The Senior Health Project Officer will also manage the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) and the Primary Health Care (PHC) Officers, technically assisted by EF experts, to monitor the partner’s implementation and maintain the quality of healthcare services.

The main responsibilities of the position, and the core competencies required include:

 role and responsibilities

Project Implementation:

1. Provision of technical recommendations on the project-related health activities, ensure that the quality of services is maintained throughout the project period and that the overall project health response is effectively implemented as planned (ex. provide guidance on protocols, list of medicines and technical equipment used if possible)
2. Identify the training needs of partners and beneficiaries in the context of the project.
3. Prepare and facilitate together with the project team, EF experts, and local partners the planning and the designing of workshops and training.
4. Support the technical experts, and project team to develop training materials (including e.g. manuals, presentations, and other teaching materials) and IEC materials for the program.
5. Actively assist and participate in project events (meetings/workshops/training).
6. Undertake other program administration tasks as and when necessary.
7. Ensure transparency, ethical conduct, accountability, and efficiency in project implementation.

Team Management.

1. Support the recruitment process of RMNCH and PHC Officers if needed.
2. Manage a project team comprised of RMNCH and PHC Officers. Ensure clear assignment of their responsibilities, determine their monthly objectives, and evaluate their performance.
3. Supporting the RMNCH and PHC Officers in all aspects of the program implementation and technical support as requested.

External Representation, Coordination, and Communication.

1. Establish, strengthen, and maintain close coordination with EF partners and coordination platforms (NES Forum, HWG, WHO) implementing or coordinating activities in the NES and beyond.
2. Provide a quarterly update of the NES health mapping in link with the NES Health Working Group.
3. Attend meetings with other NGOs and coordination platforms (NES Forum, HWG, WHO).
4. Support the Communications expert in the production of communications tools: video, leaflet, press release/ press kit.
5. Identify and contribute to the development of new activities and partnerships.

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Reporting

1. Report on the identified, gaps, risks, challenges and provide solutions to solving day-to-day operational and implementation issues related to the provision of health services by the HERNES Program, recommend and monitor those services so to align with International Standards.
2. Coordinate with the EF experts and Head of the M&E team to monitor service delivery and program implementation.
3. Report on project activities as requested by the Project Manager and according to the project work plan.
4. Participate in designing research/studies related to the health sector in NES, support EF experts in drafting the research/studies ToRs including defining the objectives, and the methodology, and ensuring the proper technical translation of the research findings together with other project team members, partners, and experts.
5. Contribute to developing operating tools for project interventions.
6. Report regularly to the Project Manager and the technical expert about project management and technical matters.
7. Working closely with the Implementing Partner, EF Experts, Head of M&E, Third Party Monitoring consultant (TPM); the Senior Health Project Officer identifies, develops, and documents program lessons learned success stories, and significant change stories reflecting the potential impact of health service delivery under the HERNES program.

Perform other job-related tasks as requested by the PM.

Core Competencies

1. Program Monitoring and Quality Assurance: Strong understanding of the project management cycle, focusing on key performance indicator (KPI) tracking, reporting, and knowledge management.
2. Health Services delivery: Understanding and experience of health services delivery at the primary and secondary level, minimum standards for health infrastructure, workforce development, medicines, and supplies.
3. Knowledge and understanding of current international approaches to and standards for health services delivery in fragile settings
4. Health Information Systems: Strong understanding of standardized public health reporting mechanisms; health management information systems (HMIS), particularly the District Health Information System (DHIS) -2; Disease Early Warning Systems (DEWS); and 4Ws.
5. Good understanding of the log frame approach and indicators, experience in research and/or monitoring and evaluation
6. Coordination: Excellent Interpersonal Communication skills; coordination, networking, and liaison with public and private sector partners; and ability to undertake culturally- sensitive community engagement.

1. Qualifications & Experience

The qualifications and experience required for the position are as follows:

1. Public Health, Medical, Nurse or Midwifery Qualifications
2. At least 5 years of experience working as part of a health-focused  program with national or international Non-Government Organizations (NGOs).
3. Mandatory fluency in Arabic and English (written and spoken).
4. Good Computer Literacy: English Typing, Email Communication, MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
5. Reporting Lines

The Senior Health Project Officer will report directly to the Project Manager, and work in close coordination with the program team, and EF staff.

3. Duty Station & Travel

The position is based in Erbil and ONLY for candidates holding a valid residency and work permit in Iraq

4. Application Procedure

Only applicants who apply as per the below details will be shortlisted.

• This position is only for applicants who can secure their stay in Erbil
• Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

• Deadline of submission: 4th January 2022
• All applications must include the following (In English and in PDF format only) :

• Detailed CV
• Cover Letter (explaining suitability for the position)

• Applications should be sent to erbil.recrutment@expertisefrance.fr , using the following subject:“ Senior Health Project Officer HERNES II”
• Expertise France reserves the right to close the announcement prior to the stated deadline as applications are screened on a rolling basis and only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.
• Incomplete applications cannot be considered. Wrong title formats will not be considered.