The International Rescue Committee, one of the world's largest humanitarian agencies, provides relief, rehabilitation, and post-conflict support to victims of oppression and violent conflict in 42 countries. IRC is committed to ambitious leadership, innovation, and creative partnerships. The IRC restarted operations in Sudan in November 2019 after successfully obtaining re-registration in Khartoum with the transitional government and launching initial programs to support displaced populations in urban settings around Khartoum. Sudan is currently experiencing multiple challenges that include macroeconomic crisis, armed conflicts and displacement, protracted refugee situations, natural disasters, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic. The result of this crisis is large-scale humanitarian need across the country, leaving an estimated 9.3 million people in need. In November 2020, fighting in the Tigray region of Ethiopia led to the flight of around 60,000 refugees to eastern Sudan, further worsening the humanitarian need. In response to growing needs in recent months, the IRC has established a fully functional country program following on the work initially done through the emergency response team and expanded humanitarian activities in the east of the country in response to the Tigrayan refugee crisis. The IRC currently has two field bases in Gedaref and Damazine in addition to the head office in Khartoum, and in line with the newly developed three-year Strategic Action Plan that runs from FY2022 to FY2024, the IRC wilt continue strengthening ongoing programming in Khartoum, Gedaref and Blue Nile states and undertake programmatic expansion to new states including Kassala, South Kordofan and South Darfur states.

The GAVI project Health Officer will support the implementation of the IRC's health programs in Gedaref to ensure the delivery of high-quality services. They will be responsible for programmatic, operational, financial, and staffing aspects for the health team, as well as representation with key actors in the field, including the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, and other NGOs.           

The position will be working in an office environment in Gedaref with travel to project areas at the localities of implementation of the project. Occasionally, the Health Officer will be required to travel to additional new areas for assessments that need initial implementation or

   monitoring visits, which may include remote locations with long periods of travel and reduced access to mobile phone service and electricity.

Duties & Responsibilities of the Job:

Program management.

• Ensure the objectives, outputs, indicators, and activities of the GAVI project in the target location are on track
• Oversee the timely and quality implementation of all GAVI project activities in the target location in close coordination with the health Manager.
• Lead the community activities on the project in close collaboration with the SMOH and Community leaders
• Organize and facilitate basic and refresher training for local partners, CHVs/CHWs, as per the national and IRC guidelines, in close collaboration with the health manager
• Build strong relationships with SMOH, community leaders, and other stakeholders in the targeted locations. 
• Conduct a regular supervision visit to supervise and evaluate the field activities and provide regular feedback to the Health manager in a constructive way. 
• Submit the timely request and follow up with the SC team, the vaccination logistics officer, cold chain technician for all essential supplies, tools, and other items required for the GAVI project. 
• Ensure the  timely preparation of the necessary documentation for the incentive of timely processing of payment requests
• Participate and support internal and external project evaluation exercises
• Provide on-the-job training, guidance, and support for vaccinators, CHVs/CHWs. Plan and coordinate the timely and quality implementation of health activities in supported health facilities.
• Coordinate immunization outreach activities between the health facilities and the communities
• Coordinate advocacy activities with the communities and key stakeholders
• Plan and coordinate the supply of vaccines, drugs, medical supplies, and other items to Supported HFs.
• Ensure procurement of inputs & recruitment of staff for the project are initiated in a timely manner
• Participate in the assessment and surveys
• Perform other tasks as may be assigned by the Supervisor.

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Provide technical supervision and support to SMOH health workers in IRC-supported HFs. 
• Ensure that GAVI activities utilize standardized protocols, policies, and guidelines, as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and WHO/UNICEF.
• Ensure that program activities are consistent with established best practices.
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for the project in line with national, internal, and donor requirements.
• Ensure regular follow-up on the project's achievements of the project targets.
• Ensure appropriate follow-up and data relevant to the project activities. 
• Ensure all stakeholders SMOH are provided. With Aupdates, following the established reporting structures.

Program Development and Reporting

• Participate in the program business development for Gedaref state.
• Monitor evolving needs of the target communities and recommend adjustments to programmatic priorities as necessary.
• Actively participate in the drafting of quality and timely internal and external reports

Coordination and representation

     Build strong relationships with SMOH, community leaders, and national partner stakeholders in the state.

 Collaborate with other sectors to ensure a holistic approach in line with the IRC Sudan integrated program strategy.

Represent IRC in relevant meetings state and locality levels.

• At least a bachelor’s degree in medicine, community/ Public health, or other related fields. At least 3 years of experience in the management of health programs, especially in immunization and vaccination
• Experience in project management in humanitarian organizations.
• Proficiency in the English language (written and spoken) and in the Arabic language (spoken) is required.

IRC and IRC employees are required to abide by the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way — Code of Conduct, which are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. Following these values, IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality & Equal Opportunity

We are committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer generous benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce, including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols, and other supportive benefits and allowances. We welcome and strongly encourage qualified female professionals to apply.

We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our organization. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of IRC acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organization without authority, except in the normal execution of duty.