Reproductive Health Senior Officer

Background/IRC Summary:

The Syria crisis is often described as the worst humanitarian catastrophe since the end of the Cold War. Today, 13.4 million people in Syria – more than half of the country’s population – are in need of humanitarian assistance with needs increasingly being exacerbated by economic decline. Of these, 6.8 million are refugees and asylum-seekers who have fled the country. This is no short-term humanitarian episode. The devastating human consequences to huge numbers of people will endure for decades. The destruction of relationships, communities, livelihoods, homes and infrastructure will take years to repair.

IRC is offering a robust humanitarian response to the Syria crisis a rapidly expanding portfolio, supported by more than 1000+ staff in Syria Country Program. IRC is undertaking programs in Syria and the neighboring countries of Turkey, Iraq, Lebanon and Jordan in the fields of health, child protection, early childhood development, education, women’s protection and empowerment, non-food items and food distribution, cash assistance, water and sanitation, protection and rule of law, and livelihood programming. Our work in these challenging settings gives rise to some of the most pressing issues facing contemporary humanitarian action, including questions of access, security, funding and coordination.

Job Overview/Summary:

The Reproductive Health Senior Officer (RHSO) will manage the reproductive health program in NE Syria, serving Syrian host and displaced communities, Iraqi refugees, and other vulnerable populations. Based in Al Hassaka with frequent travel within NES (Raqqa and Deir ez Zor), the RHS will oversee Reproductive Health Officers (RHOs), ensuring quality service delivery and program implementation. The incumbent will manage the budget, ensure program quality, and provide training, mentoring, and supervision to staff. The RHSO will coordinate with mobile and static clinics to ensure adequate staffing, medicines, and supplies. Additionally, they will promote collaboration with other sectors (e.g., Protection, WPE, ERD, and ECD) and submit monthly technical reports to the Senior Health Manager. The RHSO will also be responsible for monitoring and evaluating reproductive health services, implementing the Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP), and supporting staff capacity building. Reporting to the Senior Health Manager and working closely with the Health Coordinator, the RHS will ensure effective delivery of reproductive health services in the region

Responsibilities:

Management and Implementation of Program:

• Oversee the design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of reproductive health programs, ensuring coordination with other sectors (health, protection, WPE, ECD) and stakeholders.
• Manage all reproductive health activities, including prenatal and postnatal care, newborn care, family planning, health education, and capacity-building of service providers.
• Contribute to the development of a strategic approach for reproductive health in alignment with the organization’s Strategic Action Plan.
• Support proposal development to integrate reproductive health into broader health programs.
• Recruit, train, and supervise reproductive health staff, including RH Officers, in coordination with HR and recruitment teams.
• Develop and manage the budget, procurement, and spending plans for community health programs in collaboration with the Health Coordinator.
• Ensure all project documents (e.g., monitoring plans, work plans, procurement) are accurate and up-to-date, and create new documents as needed.
• Regularly assess program progress and provide strategies to address challenges, ensuring timely course correction.
• Strengthen referral systems to ensure continuity of care for reproductive, primary, and mental health cases.
• Collaborate on needs assessments and surveys with mobile clinics, CV teams, M&E, and Health Information teams.
• Conduct site visits for program monitoring, data collection, and inventory checks on pharmaceuticals and supplies.
• Work with Community Health Workers (CHWs) to ensure referrals and follow-ups for RH services and train them on RH topics such as family planning and maternal care.
• Collaborate with the Monitoring Officer on data collection, analysis, and reporting of RH trends and program performance

Health Information and MEAL

• In coordination with Health Coordinator and Health Information Systems Manager, develop and or revise tools for data collection, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting as necessary and according to needs.
• Ensure that data compiled from the various parts of the outreach health program are in sync and can be used to link the program.
• Ensure accuracy and quality of data collected from all CVs monthly.
• Conduct monthly data analysis and indicator analysis, in conjunction with the Health Data Unit and act as appropriate.
• Support the Heath information and data Unit to submit up to date and complete data base reports to Health Coordinator each month.
• Design/develop and adjust IEC materials to suite local context

Monitoring and reporting

• Oversee data collection and analysis of RH reports on activities and RH program needs.
• Monitor clinic activities, including ANC, PNC, FP, BEmONC services in supported
• Provide content and analysis for donor proposals and reports and internal Syria Regional Response reports, in coordination with the Health Coordinator.
• Participated in health needs assessments, surveys, and program evaluations

Internal and external coordination

• Closely coordinates with the Senior Health Manager, Health Coordinator, to ensure the health program is working as one unit, and the many arms are supporting each other and being flexible to each other’s staffing, funding, or other needs.
• Develop relationships with referral sites in the area to foster coordination and collaboration and follow up on referral cases.
• Represent the organization at coordination meetings, as designated by the Health Coordinator.
• Perform any other tasks and duties as assigned by supervisor

Minimum Qualifications:

Staff Performance Management, Learning & Development

• Hire, supervise, and build the capacity of team members in relevant technical and management competencies.
• Develop and implement remote management capacity building approaches to build the strengths the teams in Syria.
• Coach, train, supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting annual performance objectives, providing regular and timely positive and constructive performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Approve and manage time, attendance and leave requests to ensure adequate departmental coverage; ensure monthly, accurate timesheet submission and carry out probationary reviews.
• Hold high-quality meetings with each direct report on a regular and predictable basis, minimally monthly.
• Provide a measurable development plan including on-the-job learning with the aim of strengthening technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team, and providing guidance on career paths.
• As required, identify staff performance issues and work with Human Resources to document and address these in accordance with the National Staff Employment Policies.
• Maintain open and professional relations with team members, promoting a strong team spirit and providing oversight and guidance to enable staff to successfully perform in their positions.
• Promote and monitor staff care and well-being. Model healthy work-life balance practices. Support appropriate interventions in response to identified staff care needs of both national and international staff.
• Look for opportunities to support staff in their career growth, where appropriate. As part of succession plan and nationalization goals, identify, train, and develop capability and capacity of national staff to successfully transition role and responsibilities, by the end of assignment.

Required Experience/qualification/Skills:

• Medical doctor, or midwife, with post graduate training in Reproductive Health/ Obstetrics/Gynecology preferred.

• Have at least 3 years professional experience in implementing reproductive health projects
• Have at least 2 years’ experience working in humanitarian or development contexts previous emergency response, conflict/post-conflict experience preferably in a managerial role.
• Demonstrated capacity to provide hands on technical support to health providers, experience setting up and managing trainings strongly preferred
• Demonstrated capacity to analyze and interpret data and to track performance against program indicators
• Skilled in Microsoft Office
• Able to travel to field sites
• Have excellent organizational skills and ability to handle multiple tasks in a dynamic environment
• Can work effectively with various personalities and departments

Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:

• A commitment to IRC’s mission, vision, values and IRC Way – Professional Code of Conduct.
• Credible written, presentation and verbal communication skills; ability to convey information effectively and solid experience providing training and staff development
• Validated sense of professional discretion, integrity, and ability to handle complex situations diplomatically and to effective resolution.
• Excellent management and interpersonal skills and a solid ability to promote harmonious/cohesive teamwork, in a cross-cultural context.
• Validated ability to plan long-term, organize priorities and work under administrative and programmatic pressures with detail orientation and professional patience.
• Highly collaborative and resourceful; ability to establish positive working relationships with senior level management and all other partners to maximize cooperation and productivity.
• Curiosity, a desire to continually learn and develop is a must.
• Analytical ability in creating effective solutions to complex matters while adhering to labor laws and internal policies.

Language/Travel:

• English is required, while Arabic and Kurdish are desired.
• Travel: 50% to field sites in Hasakah, Raqqa, Deir ez Zor.

Key Working Relationships:

• Position Reports to:  Health Coordinator NES
• Position directly supervises: Reproductive Health Officers
• Indirect Reporting (If applicable):
• Key Internal Contacts: MEAL, Logistics, IP, ECD, Finance departments
• Key External Contacts:  NES-RMNCAH – Sub Task Force

Professional Standards: IRC staff must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Global Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality. In accordance with these values, IRC operates and carries out policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti-Workplace Harassment, Respect at Work Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.

Returning National Candidates: We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a citizen of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Middle East Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation, return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs.

Accountability to Clients: IRC staff must adhere to the commitment of contributing to the sustainability and development of its (CR) Client Responsiveness Mechanisms, preserving the culture of prioritizing the needs of our clients and affected communities by systematically listening to their perspectives and using their feedback to make programmatic decisions and give them greater influence over program design and delivery.

Gender Equality: IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer 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.

Diversity and Inclusion: at IRC MENA, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, ethnicity, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.