Health Technical Advisor

Introduction

Cordaid, in its intervention strategy for the implementation of development projects, places particular emphasis on the development of thriving communities. To achieve this, it relies on four essential pillars: health, education, security and justice as well as the economic recovery of households.

Position and responsibility

Under the direct supervision of the Program Director, the Health Technical Advisor is also responsible for providing technical leadership on health-related project outputs and outcomes, representing Cordaid program programming within the Health Cluster, and engaging with key stakeholders including WHO, UNICEF, government and local health authorities, and others.

General objective of the posting

The purpose of this position is to provide overall management of health projects for Cordaid CAR. The Technical Advisor will be responsible for the day-to-day implementation of project activities to achieve results-based outputs and outcomes, management of the project budget to ensure timely expenditures in accordance with donor regulations, supervision of the project team including field staff and local partners, and focal point for liaison with key stakeholders including UNICEF, government and local authorities, relevant clusters and other NGOs.

Specific objectives

Implementation

Directly supervise and manage health projects on a day-to-day basis, ensuring achievement of project outcomes and outputs as they relate to improved health service delivery.
Establish and maintain effective project management tools for implementation, work plan management, procurement, budget management and expenditure planning, quality assurance monitoring, beneficiary accountability and programmatic and financial reporting.
Procurement of equipment and supplies for the project in accordance with work plans and budget, including the development and implementation of procurement and distribution plans
Recruitment and capacity building of local project staff
Ensure compliance of grant management for the project in accordance with donor and CORDAID regulations.
Management and supervision of the local partner, including day-to-day implementation, quality assurance and capacity building.
Technical Supervision
Direct technical field operations and supervision of health objectives
Supervision and facilitation of key health training modules, including Integrated Management of Childhood Illness (IMCI) and Community Integrated Case Management (ICCM), in collaboration with key stakeholders and local partners.
Oversight of integrated nutrition objectives - Community Based Management of Acute Malnutrition (CMAM) and Integrated Young Child Feeding (IYCF), in coordination with the Health Program Manager.

Supervision and management of staff

Coordination with the Health Program Manager, finance, program, supply chain management and procurement, monitoring and evaluation, human resources, and administration teams to ensure quality and timely project implementation and management.
Supervise and support local partner staff.
Coordinate and provide technical supervision and capacity building to MOH staff as needed.

Financial Management and Compliance

Manage the overall project budget in accordance with donor requirements and the WVI field finance manual.
Develop and manage the monthly expenditure plan, ensuring timely expenditures and managing the burn rate; develop budget revision requests as necessary.
In collaboration with the finance team, prepare project financial reports and explain any variances.
In collaboration with the finance team, ensure that project expenditures are recorded and documented in a timely manner to ensure compliance and prepare for audit.

Monitoring and Evaluation

In collaboration with the monitoring and evaluation team and the support office, develop a progress monitoring and evaluation plan and a data collection plan for monitoring and evaluating key project indicators.
Quarterly reporting on project indicators
Planning and overseeing project evaluation

Reports

Oversight of CMAM database and HMIS/health facility reports.
Prepare and share monthly management report on project progress.
Prepare and share quarterly and final donor narrative and financial reports, including progress against project performance indicators.
Other reports and communication materials as needed, including Health and Nutrition Cluster reporting requirements.

Representation, Coordination and Engagement

Representation of Cordaid CAR in the Health Cluster, backstop representation role in the Nutrition Cluster, and representation in other UN OCHA/Cluster coordination working groups or forums related to health and nutrition.
Liaise and coordinate with relevant government and local authorities in line ministries for the delivery of health and nutrition services.
Maintain good relations with donors, particularly those donors funding the health, nutrition and HIV portfolio.
Liaise and coordinate with key stakeholders and partners, including UN agencies, NGOs conducting health, nutrition, or other programs in Cordaid’s program operational areas, UN logistics (convoy management), as appropriate and necessary.

Qualifications

Education/Experience

PhD in health or Master's degree in health sciences, public/community health or related field preferred;
At least 5 - 8 years of experience in the public health sector; experience with complex emergencies or CAR is considered a strong asset.

Technical Skills and Abilities:

Clear understanding of health programs, nutrition, etc.;
Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to write and edit technical components of project reports and related communication materials;
Ability to advise and mentor a diverse team of field practitioners and partners;
Significant international and/or cross-cultural experiences;
Computer literacy in Microsoft products or equivalent;
Strong interpersonal and public relations skills;
Availability and ability to travel regularly and on short notice;
Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and French;
Proficiency in MS Office suite, including Word, Excel and Outlook.