Health Field Officer

CONTEXT

The Health program in Bekaa aims to improve the quality and accessibility of health services for a population that already before the Syrian crisis was often underserved, and that now is seeing their vulnerability increasing due to the combined effects of the socio-economic crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the cumulative effects on the health system caused by these.

The focus of the primary health care (PHC) strategy in Lebanon is on mother and child health (MCH), non-communicable diseases (NCDs), and strong integration with other ICRC health programs such as Mental Health and Psycho-Social Support (MHPSS), Physical Rehabilitation Program (PRP), and Hospital Support Program, to ensure continuum of care for patients in need.

Certifications / Education required

• Degree in medicine or nursing.
• Qualifications in public health or health management a strong asset.
• Fluent written and spoken command of the local working language as well as French and/or English.
• Licence to practice in his/her own country.

Professional Experience required

• 3 to 5 years of total work experience (including 2 years of clinical experience) with minimum 2 years’ experience in the humanitarian sector.
• Good connections with local health authorities or groups of interest for the ICRC.
• Excellent knowledge of the assigned geographic area.
• Licence to practice in country of residence.

Purpose

The Health Field Officer contributes in implementing, running and monitoring the health program(s) in cooperation with the Health team with particular focus on PHC, as well as on stabilisation hospitals support program, according to the objectives set out in the delegation’s annual Planning for Results for the specific Area of Responsibility (AoR). Based on the skills required for this position, she has the capacity to oversee programmes with a degree of autonomy and/or deliver services with autonomy and contributes actively to planning and coordinating health activities at field level.

Functional responsibilities:

Implements the health programs (assessment, planning, monitoring and evaluation) in the Bekaa in accordance to the general and specific set in the PfR.

Participates in analysis of and reflection on the overall health situation in Bekaa and contributes to realistic project proposal within the delegation’s objectives and priorities.

Conducts assessments and regular field visits to monitor activities and health-related threats to the population.

Has prime responsibility for the implementation and follow up of the PHC Programme in the Bekaa.

Liaises with the ICRC midwifes in Rafic Hariri University Hospital (RHUH) in order to follow up Mother and Child Health (MCH) services in the supported facilities to ensure the continuum of care between the services, including facilitation of referrals of Gyn-Obs emergencies.

Liaises with the ICRC Hospital team (Hospital Program Manager and HFO3 in charge of Hospitals) to establish where needed, and maintain where present, functional referral pathways and timely case follow-up.

Is responsible, on a rotation system with all other Health Field Officers across the country working on the hospital file, of answering calls received on the hotline for patients’ referrals to RHUH or other supported hospitals, with a particular focus on stabilization of weapon wounded.

Visits and closely monitor patients admitted in ICRC contracted stabilization hospitals, in close collaboration with and under the supervision of the Hospital Program Manager and the HFO 3 for Hospitals.

Ensures regular ordering and delivery of supplies to the supported PHCs, limiting stock out and closely follow up their management and consumption.

Ensures appropriate ordering and delivery of biomedical equipment to the supported PHCs, along with training and follow up on their utilization.

Participates actively in capacity building of the supported health centres and communities: analyses gap of competencies and contributes to the development, organization and dissemination of trainings according to the needs and in line with programmes strategy and ICRC framework.

Ensures regular follow-up and support is provided for all capacity building activities.

Participates in internal and external training as agreed with HFO3 and HoSD.

Plans and organizes field trips and meetings according to the needs.

Accurately interprets from English to Arabic and vice versa during field trips and when necessary.

Liaises and builds networks with authorities, external interlocutors and relevant stakeholders to facilitate communication on and coordination of activities, thereby ensuring more efficient implementation of health programmes.

Works closely with the health team and other departments at Sub-Delegation level and timely shares relevant information.

Coordinates with other departments or other actors for the referral of beneficiaries according to criteria.

Presents the ICRC principles, mandate and activities to interlocutors and beneficiaries if needed.