Medical Advisor (Roving) at Albarka Health Spring Foundation (AHSF)

Albarka Health Spring Foundation (AHSF) is a non-governmental organization dully registered with Nigerian government through Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC/IT NO: 91613). Existing since October 2016, AHSF focuses on improving the quality of life of vulnerable population across communities in North East Nigeria. AHSF operates both in emergency and developmental context and have its program principally rooted in identifying gaps that affects population or increases vulnerability of population and bridging those gaps through resource base planning and implementation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Medical Advisor (Roving)
Location: All AHSF locations in Nigeria
Employment Type: Contract
Contract Duration: 6 Months (Renewable)
Expected Start Date: As soon as possible
Position Reports to: Program Coordiator
Position directly supervises: Health officer, Health assistant, Nurse /midwives, Pharmacy technician

Job Description

• Currently, AHSF Nigeria implements programs in Primary Health Care Centre PHCC), Nutrition, Environmental Health (EH), WPE, Protection, Child protection, Education, Food security & livelihoods. With a background of poor Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) indices, made worse by the ongoing humanitarian crises and advent of COVID-19 pandemic; the RMNCH outcomes in Northeast Nigeria could face a downturn, without intensified intervention. Over the years, the AHSF has provided comprehensive Primary Health Care service including SRH services (including Curative care, Immunization Family Planning (FP), Antenatal Care (ANC), Basic Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care (BEmONC), Post-Natal Care (PNC), treatment and prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), Post Abortion Care (PAC) and Clinical Care for Sexual Assault Survivors (CCSAS). The AHSF seek to engage the service of a Medical Advisor to support project implementation of quality PHC services in communities within Northeast and Northwest.
• The medical advisor will lead and provide guidance in mode of operations of AHSF medical teams and also support medical and health team supporting the Primary Healthcare centres (PHCCs) supported by the AHSF. He/she will monitor the quality of care, the medical prescriptions and approves the requests for diagnostic tests.

Job Overview

• Medical Advisor play a pivotal role in the strategic direction and operational effectiveness of NGOs, particularly those focused on healthcare delivery. Their responsibilities encompass a broad spectrum of activities, including:

Clinical and Technical Leadership:

• Technical and programmatic support to implement high quality care and support in Health/Nutrition activities.
• Program Design and Implementation: Provide medical expertise in designing and implementing health programs and projects thereby, contributing to the development of lessons learned from programs and projects related to Medical Services and apply these lessons to modify existing programs and improve the design of new programs
• Clinical Protocols and Guidelines: Develop, review, and update clinical protocols and guidelines to ensure adherence to best practices.
• Quality Assurance: Oversee the quality of medical services and patient care, ensuring compliance with relevant standards and regulations.
• Training and Capacity Building: Conduct training programs for healthcare staff to enhance their clinical skills and knowledge.

Strategic Planning and Policy:

• Needs Assessment: Conduct assessments to identify health needs and priorities within the target population.
• Program Development: Contribute to the development of strategic plans and proposals for new health programs.
• Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies that support the health and well-being of the target population.
• Partnership Development: Build relationships with key stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and other NGOs.

Research and Evaluation:

• Data Analysis: Analyze health data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
• Research Collaboration: Collaborate with research institutions on relevant studies and projects.
• Program Evaluation: Evaluate the effectiveness of health programs and recommend necessary adjustments.

Resource Management:

• Budgeting: Develop and manage budgets for medical programs and projects, and periodic scheduling of meetings with other program teams such as monitoring and evaluation, Finance, programs in tracking budget line, cash flow, income statement and balance sheet.
• Procurement: Oversee the procurement of medical supplies and equipment.
• Human Resources: Contribute to the recruitment and management of healthcare staff tracking and approving leave plans, Duty rosters for smooth medical services,

Emergency Response:

• Disaster Preparedness: Develop and implement emergency response plans for health emergencies.
• Crisis Management: Provide medical leadership during health crises.

Representation and Advocacy:

• External Relations: Represent the NGO at relevant forums and conferences.
• Media Relations: Communicate with media about the NGO’s work and address public health concerns.
• Donor Relations: Build and maintain relationships with donors to secure funding for health programs.

Major Responsibilities

• The Medical Advisor shall be responsible for the supervision and day-to-day management of health activities within communities of Borno, Zamfara, Sokoto and States AHSF is operating in, including support to primary health care facilities, AHSF CWC, and mobile health services in the IDP camp and hard to reach areas.
• Apply medical knowledge and skills to prevention, diagnosis, and treatment according to national guidelines and protocols, and ensure patient follow-up as needed.
• The Medical Advisor will identify need for referral to secondary care and prepare the patient for referral including referral notes, pre-referral treatment and arrangement of transport.
• S/he will provide on-the-job support to the facility staff, including training and skills development as needed.
• Ensure adherence to infection prevention and control within and around the facilities
• Together with the clinical officer, recruit, train and supervise community volunteers for community sensitization and outreach activities.
• Coordinate with State Primary Health Development Board and other actors in the area and maintain good relations with them,
• In coordination with the Health Manager, identify opportunities to strengthen the health program.
• S/he will oversee the stock management of medicines, medical supplies, and Medical equipment and prepare timely requisitions for replenishment based on consumption records.
• S/he will collect weekly morbidity reports and monitor disease trends in order to preposition adequate supplies as may be required.
• Participate in outbreak response and control coordination when applicable and carry out community-based public health interventions during communicable disease outbreaks.
• Participate in and support midwives, community mobilizers and community volunteers in activities that aim t increase women’s RH awareness and service utilization.
• Seek out and nurture quality partnerships with community structures and support staff in coordination of activities with community volunteers.
• Collaborate with other relevant sectors such as Reproductive Health, Women Protection & Empowerment, Child Protection and Environmental Health to ensure holistic service package is available in response to the needs.

Staff Management:

• Monitor and supervise the AHSF health staff and ensure that work is done properly and efficiently
• Routinely monitor staff performance according to their job description and provide written feedback in a timely manner.
• Develop ongoing education programs for health staff, and conduct trainings and on-the-job training for health staff.
• Review personnel issues and concerns of health staff and assist in determining and implementing solutions.
• Determine personnel needs for field-level activities, and in coordination with the Health Manager and Human Resources Lead assist in recruitment of staff.
• Recommend promotions, disciplinary action and termination of health staff to the health Manager
• Monitor staff daily attendance to duty posts and ensure timesheets are correctly filled and submitted monthly.

Grants Management:

• Ensure project activities are implemented according to the work-plan and within the allocated budgets.
• Prepare weekly work-plans with the health teams.
• Provide recommendations and interventions to correct any identified deviations that impact budget adherence.

Reporting:

• Monitor closely the morbidity and mortality trends together with all the other health indicators to ensure that prompt actions are taken.
• Provide weekly activity reports to the Project Coordinator.
• Attend meetings concerning overall health program issues
• Supervise and regular review and revise training manuals to maintain consistency with the acceptable protocols.

Operations:

• Maintain an updated record and compile and submit monthly reports of all services given.
• Monitor and ensure the proper usage of health and program supplies.
• Prepare weekly workplans and ensure timely implementation of the project activities.

Communication and Reporting:

• Work with the Health Clinical Officer in compiling statistical reports from the mobile clinics for submission weekly, monthly, and annually.
• Ensure adequate flow of information for all supervisees with constant feedback as may be required.
• Carry out other relevant or requested duties as may be required.

Key Result Areas

• Improvement of key health indicators mainly maternal mortality ratio, neonatal mortality ratio, and community population coverage.
• Increased uptake of health services as a strategy of reducing mortality.
• Increased uptake of positive practices related to health, nutrition, and hygiene.
• Timely and quality health care services to displaced persons, refugees, and other vulnerable groups.
• Community volunteers actively participate in health services within their community.

Coordination and Representation:

• Focal person for intersectoral integration between Reproductive health and Women Protection and Empowerment sector at comprehensive women centers/other supported facilities
• Ensures teamwork and professional relationship between the different sectors and government agencies.
• Works closely and coordinates with AHSF procurement, finance, and grant staff to ensure activities are conducted within the timeframe and compliance of the grants.
• Undertake/participate in liaison, coordination, and information sharing activities with national NGOs, international organizations, MoH, donors and community stakeholders.
• Represent AHSF during site visits of external guests and AHSF head quarter visitors.

Others:

• Prompt reporting concerns or incidents to AHSF management and liaising with community leaders and other external parties as required to maintain/enhance the security environment for AHSF programs.
• Other duties as assigned by the supervisor to enable and develop AHSF programs.

Qualifications

• Degree in Medicine and Surgery, from a recognized institution, licensed by the Nigerian Medical Dental Council with strong public health background, MPH Masters in Public health will be an advantage.

Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years post-internship experience in clinical medicine and public health.
• Experience in supervising health staff at the primary health care level
• Ability to work with displaced communities with diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
• Able to work in location with basic living conditions and with limited communication options.
• Proficiency in computer skills, especially in MS Word and Excel.:

Other Internal and / or external contacts:

• Internal: All other AHSF sectors offering integrated services in BORNO, ZAMFARA AND SOKOTO. SPC, Program Coordinator, Finance Manager, Procurement & Logistics Manager, Executive Director.
• External: SPHCDA, WHO, Ministry of Health, other INGOs.

Qualifications:

• Quality oriented
• Self-motivated, resourceful, honest, highly responsible, committed, and punctual.
• Ability to independently organize work, prioritize tasks, respect and adheres to deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and lead teams.
• Familiarity with local context
• Ability to maintain beneficiary confidentiality and respect at all times is essential.
• Professional skills to provide sensitive and appropriate medical counselling.
• Clear understanding of gender equality and gender issues for women and girls
• Ability to speak Hausa language and other local languages of the Northeast is preferred.
• Excellent communication skills, good spoken and written English needed for concise reporting.
• Professional competency in Microsoft Office Suite, especially Word, Excel, Outlook – preferred

Working environment:

• Borno, State is categorized as security phase medium risk (Yellow). The Medical Advisor is thus expected to work closely with AHSF safety and security team (SST) and comply with all security protocols/ guidelines.
• Zamfara and Sokoto are categorized as security phase High risk (Red and Orange) kidnapping and benedictory.

Research, Learning and Analysis:

• Creates an atmosphere of trust and an enabling environment where staff can contribute their best and develop their potential.
• Treat beneficiaries with dignity and apply AHSF Code of Ethics and Conduct, the UN Convention for the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) in the field, including sensitizing Field Staffs and vendors/agents on such principle.
• People Living with disability and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Application Closing Date
21st August, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online