Health Advisor

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short-listed regularly, and we may offer this post before the closing date.

Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.

The Health Support Organisation (THESO) is a South Sudanese-based 501 (C) (3) registered non-profit organisation dedicated to saving lives and relieving suffering through evidenced value-based humanitarian and developmental programs.

For over 15 years, THESO has been a beacon of hope, transforming lives in developing countries through evidence-based, sustainable humanitarian and development programs. We offer a strategic platform for donors to invest in impactful initiatives across health, education, WASH, nutrition, and livelihoods because we see the strength and resilience of our beneficiaries. We believe in their potential and strive to create a world where they can access the essentials for a dignified and prosperous life. Partnering with THESO means collaborating with a trusted, results-oriented organisation that delivers lasting change for millions through our diverse programs in health, education, WASH, and more, we empower beneficiaries with the tools and opportunities they need to build a brighter future for them. Our comprehensive expertise in health, education, WASH, and more, combined with our deep understanding of local contexts, creates fertile ground for innovative partnerships that deliver transformative impact.

THESO stands as a committed partner in achieving national development goals as we stand beside governments and communities on their journey towards self-sufficiency and dignity. We align our programs with government priorities, providing evidence-based, culturally sensitive interventions that complement and strengthen existing systems. Our expertise in key areas like health, education, WASH, and food security empowers communities and contributes to sustainable economic growth.

At THESO, you’re not just an employee, you’re a changemaker. You’re part of a dedicated team driven by a shared passion: to alleviate suffering and empower communities. We offer a dynamic and fulfilling work environment where your expertise and talent make a tangible difference in the lives of millions.

Make a difference by volunteering your time and skills with THESO and experience the transformational power of hands-on service. Whether you’re a medical professional, educator, engineer, or simply someone with a generous heart, your contribution counts. We offer diverse volunteer opportunities across various sectors, allowing you to connect with communities, share your knowledge, and be a catalyst for positive change. Let’s work together to build a brighter future by co-creating a future where no community is left behind, and where health, education, and dignity are fundamental rights for all.

THESO is seeking to recruit a Health Advisor for its South Sudan program to be based in its Operations Office in Juba working closely with the administrative office in Washington DC.

Working closely with the National Ministry of Health, the Health Advisor is primarily responsible for the technical design of an evidenced value-based health system blueprint, vision & strategy for the Ministry of Health and management of THESO health programs at the national level. The Health Advisor will work in collaboration with the senior management team at the Juba and Washington DC offices to support the National Ministry of Health in the study of the best healthcare systems in the world. Identification and recruitment of technical health system specialists to facilitate the development of evidenced value-based blueprints for South Sudan’s health system transformation. He/she will work with health teams in the field to deliver high-quality health services to the targeted beneficiaries. The Health Advisor will make frequent visits to the field sites to ensure the highest standards of service delivery. She/He will ensure high-quality public health services in all THESO-supported health facilities. S/he will monitor service quality, ensure that all staff are trained and well-supported, pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies are properly managed, and apply clinical-level data to national-level quality improvement efforts. The Health Advisor will represent THESO in the national Health Cluster, Health Forum, and other technical working groups. The health system transformation aims to build on the strengths of the existing South Sudanese health system and, at the same time, to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing and complex world. THESO seeks to provide relevant information to support policy-makers and analysts in the development of health systems in South Sudan. They are building blocks that can be used:

• to learn in detail about different approaches to the organization, financing, and delivery of health services and the role of the main actors in health systems;
• to describe the institutional framework, process, content, and implementation of healthcare reform programs;
• to highlight challenges and areas that require more in-depth analysis;
• to provide a tool for the dissemination of information on health systems and the exchange of experiences of reform strategies between policy-makers and analysts in different countries.

THESO remains focused on technical assistance to the Ministry which is focused on our vision of transforming the health system to ensure improved quality human capital development and sustainable health outcomes.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be an innovative and creative person with proven experience in evidenced, value-based healthcare system transformation able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation

Technical Monitoring and Program Quality

• Work closely with the Programmes Director and Operations Director to ensure the smooth running of health programs and provide technical supervision of, and technical support to MoH and the organisation’s health programming activities;
• Ensure activities are consistent with established best practices, and acceptable international (WHO/SPHERE) and national standards as well as ensure programs across different sites in the country are of comparable quality by encouraging the transfer of good practices from one field site to another;
• Ensure health Programs utilize standardized protocols, policies, and guidelines according to Ministry of Health Regulation, WHO guidelines, and humanitarian principles.
• Work closely with the Operation Director, senior management team, and field teams to determine the operational needs of the medical program within the scope of the grants;
• Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all Programmes (including objectives, indicators, and outcomes of health Programmes) according to internal and donor requirements
• Review monthly field and donor reports and ensure appropriate follow-up and decision-making on data relevant to the organisation’s health Programmes;
• Where feasible work with government health authorities and international agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, and IOM to ensure the implementation of standardized national health information systems
• Work with field teams, partner agencies, and national health authorities for outbreak preparedness and contingency planning
• Ensure timely and adequate provision of supplies and drugs through review of pharmacy consumption reports, national drug protocols, program budgets, and acquisition of partner agency and health information materials.
• Ensure all stakeholders, including the senior management team, the Health Technical Unit, and donors are provided with updates, following the established reporting structures.

Program Development

• Work with the senior management team, field teams, regional desk, and the Health Technical Unit in strategic planning for future health Programmes.
• Work with the program director and management team to draft concepts for future funding following the protocols and formats of each relevant donor.
• Provide technical input during proposal development and technical reviews, and feedback to the field to improve the quality of the final proposals;
• Strive to ensure as much as possible to integrate health with other THESO sectors (Research, Education, WASH, and Nutrition).

Representation

• Represent the organisation to the UN, health cluster, international and national NGOs, donors, and the Ministry of Health at health coordination meetings as well as other meetings which are relevant to country Programmes and enhance the organisations visibility (i.e. task force meetings, assessment missions, camp coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings).
• Serve as the principal liaison with health authorities on matters related to the program to ensure programmatic accountability. Contribute to the creation of a positive image and overall credibility of the organisation, notably through the application of the organisations Code of Conduct, ethics, values, and standpoint with regard to internal and external actors.

Human Resources Management

• Assist in the selection and training of qualified health program staff, recommend promotions, and implement disciplinary action and termination of staff in consultation with the Country Director and Program Director.
• Maintain open lines of communication with all field staff.
• Train senior national staff to increase their responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure the sustainability of Programmes.
• Ensure professional development for expat and national health staff through assessment of training needs and capacity-building activities.
• Support direct supervisors in ensuring staff performance evaluations and professional development plans are in place.
• Work closely with the medical coordinators and health teams to determine the training needs of the medical staff.
• Overseeing training of all national healthcare staff, including national Doctors, non-physician clinicians, nurses, midwives, and other technical staff to ensure that the provided training are of acceptable quality and addresses the identified needs and to ensure sustainability of Programmes
• Collaborate with national health authorities and relevant international health agencies for the development of an approved curriculum to meet training needs and implement those plans through the management team and field teams;

Working Relationships

• Work closely with the country senior management team and the Health Technical Unit
• Ensure program progress through communication with Country Director, Programmes Director, Logistics Staff, and Finance team to ensure coordination of Program supplies is consistent with management of budgets, including budget forecasting, and development of spending plans.

Security

• Collaborate with the security Manager in order to maintain the security of health staff in the field
• Ensure application and compliance of security protocols and policies
• Ensures application and compliance of security protocols and policies
• Actively promote PSEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse) standards within THESO and amongst beneficiaries served by THESO

Compliance & Ethics: Promotes and encourages a culture of compliance and ethics throughout The Health Support Organisation. As applicable to the position, maintains a clear understanding of The Health Support Organisation’ and donor compliance and ethics standards and adheres to those standards. Conducts work with the highest level of integrity. Communicates these values to staff and to partners and requires them to adhere to these values.

“Other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all-inclusive.”

QUALIFICATIONS

“To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function with or without reasonable accommodation.”

• Minimum master’s in public health with extensive experience in health system transformation/Health Systems in Transition.
• Minimum 10 years experience in public health programming & implementation in developing countries or low-resource settings with INGOs or UN Agencies at the Managerial level relating to public health.
• Must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Must have excellent self-motivation skills
• Experience in effectively dealing with international and headquarters staff, as well as donor agencies, government officials, and other NGOs; the ability to work with a broad spectrum of people
• Ability to exercise sound judgment and make decisions independently
• Extremely flexible, and have the ability to cope with stressful situations and frustrations
• Ability to relate to and motivate staff effectively
• Creativity and the ability to work with limited resources
• Ability to assume non-medical responsibilities from time to time to cover for other team members
• Skills and knowledge in program sustainability and capacity building, public-private partnerships, and project monitoring and evaluation (both quantitative and qualitative methods)
• Proven capabilities in leadership required
• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, and organisation skills

THESO Values:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence. We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and Accountability
• Agility and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability