UN Jobs: ETHIOPIA – HEAD OF MISSION – M/F – Ethiopia

UN Jobs: ETHIOPIA – HEAD OF MISSION – M/F – Ethiopia

Ethiopia

ETHIOPIA – HEAD OF MISSION – M/F

The ALIMA SPIRIT: ALIMA’s purpose is to save lives and care for the most vulnerable populations, without any discrimination based on identity, religion or politics, through actions based on proximity, innovation and the alliance of organizations and individuals. We act with humanism, impartiality and respect for universal medical ethics. In order to access patients, we are committed to intervening in a neutral and independent manner.

THE VALUES and PRINCIPLES of our action, inscribed in our CHARTER :

  1. The patient first
  2. Revolutionizing humanitarian medicine
  3. Responsibility and freedom
  4. Improve the quality of our actions
  5. To trust
  6. Collective intelligence

ALIMA promotes and defends the principles of fundamental human rights. ALIMA has a zero-tolerance approach to perpetrators of gender-based and sexual violence and to inaction in the face of suspected or actual violence. The protection of those who benefit and are impacted by our intervention is our top priority in everything we do. Everyone who collaborates with ALIMA is committed to :

  • Respect the charter, the code of conduct, the institutional policies including the policy of protection against abuse of power and gender and sexual violence, the policy of prevention of corruption and fraud;
  • Report violations of policies, framework documents and procedures to a supervisor, manager or referral agent or to alert@alima.ngo

CARING – INNOVATING – TOGETHER:

Since its inception in 2009, ALIMA has treated more than 6 million patients, and today deploys its operations in 12 countries in Africa. In 2019, we have developed 41 humanitarian medical response projects to meet the needs of populations affected by conflict, epidemics and extreme poverty. All of these projects are in support of national health authorities through 330 health facilities (including 28 hospitals and 300 health centers). We work in partnership with local NGOs whenever possible to ensure that our patients benefit from expertise wherever it is available, whether in their country or in the rest of the world. In addition, to improve the humanitarian response, we conduct operational and clinical research projects, particularly in the areas of malnutrition and viral hemorrhagic fevers. ALIMA also conducts operations in response to the covid-19 pandemic in all our missions.

OUR PROJECT THEMES:

Malnutrition, Sexual and reproductive health including gender-based violence, Primary and secondary health, Pediatrics, Malaria, Epidemics (Hemorrhagic fevers, meningitis, Cholera, Measles, Dengue, Covid-19).

OUR COUNTRIES OF INTERVENTION:

Mali, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Cameroon, Guinea, South Sudan, Mauritania and Senegal.

ALIMA IN ETHIOPIA

At the end of March 2022, ALIMA visited Ethiopia for the first time to develop official contacts and gather enough information to set up an ALIMA mission in the country.

At the end of May 2022, ALIMA conducted an exploratory mission in the Afder zone in order to better understand the context, and to assess the health and nutrition needs, to identify the need for a humanitarian intervention. Three woredas were targeted: Hargele, Barey and Elkare. The selection was based on; the latest national hotspot classification (all three are priority one), several health indicators shared by the Regional Health Bureau (RHB), recent data from the regional nutrition cluster showing rising acute malnutrition levels, the Famine Early Warning Systems Network forecasts on food security (all three would be IPC level 4 – Emergency phase), displacement data (IOM), and last but not least the low presence of other actors and partners.

As a reminder, after four consecutive failed rainy seasons over the past two years, communities in parts of southeastern Ethiopia, including the Somali region, have been severely affected by a prolonged drought. In general, in Ethiopia and the rest of the Horn of Africa, climate change is leading to an increase in the frequency, magnitude, and impact of extreme weather events, including droughts. Prior to 1999, little or no rainfall occurred once every five to six years. However, in subsequent years, insufficient precipitation was reported every two to three years. This resulted in significant economic losses, mainly due to the effect on agricultural productivity. In the Somali Region, the population is highly dependent on natural resource-based livelihoods and is very vulnerable to drought. The combination of poor harvests, inflation, and rising prices on international markets has led to an increase in the price of stable foodstuffs, reducing the purchasing power of households and further fueling the crisis. In addition, the effects of the war in Ukraine on energy prices and global food systems threaten to worsen food security in Ethiopia.

With drought destroying crops and decimating livestock, the livelihoods of millions of agro-pastoralists and pastoralists are at risk in the Somali region. More than one million livestock have already died and 3.3 million people in the region, or 59 percent of the population, are in need of food assistance (WFP). Due to poor animal health and low demand, livestock prices have dropped significantly. With livestock playing a crucial role for the population, particularly as a source of livelihoods and nutrition, the drought is exacerbating the food security crisis and worsening malnutrition, with escalating levels of acute malnutrition reported. In the first quarter of 2022, the number of new cases of severe acute malnutrition (SAM) increased by 37% compared to the same period last year (Nutrition Cluster). Prior to this drought, the Somali Region was documented to have the highest percentage of children under five years old suffering from wasting in Ethiopia (21% according to EDHS 2019), and very high infant and neonatal mortality rates. Given that half of all child deaths have malnutrition as an underlying factor (Maternal and Child Nutrition, Lancer 2013), there is growing concern about child mortality. The shortage of water for domestic use and sanitation activities has also exposed the population to water-related diseases. At the same time, more than 183,000 people in the region have migrated in search of water, pasture, or aid, not including the internally displaced persons (IDPs) who are also affected. This has increased the risk of communicable disease transmission, while in the region only 18.2% of children had received all basic vaccines and 48.8% of children had not received any vaccines (EMDHS 2019). The risk is particularly high among children whose immunity has been weakened by malnutrition. The increase in the number of people displaced by the drought also raises the question of their access to basic services, including health care.

The main data collected during this assessment conducted by ALIMA are as follows :

A significantly higher number of severely malnourished children in the Elkare woreda. The SMART survey and recent screenings in the woredas revealed critical levels of global acute malnutrition (GAM). As a result, there is a high demand for prevention and treatment of acute malnutrition, and nutrition services in health facilities and at the community level are not sufficient to meet the need.

Many people have been displaced due to the drought, mainly from other kebeles in the area, in addition to other IDPs who have remained for long periods in collective sites. IDPs are very vulnerable as they have lost their livelihoods and receive very limited support, mainly from the government (limited food and NFI distribution, WASH, poor shelter…). The increase in the number of new IDPs, particularly in Elkare, makes it difficult to provide health and nutrition services through fixed health facilities. There is also a lack of a mental health program. The WASH situation in the collective sites is critical.

Sexual and reproductive health (SRH) is a concern, with limited services at the health post (HP) level, which lacks capacity to perform deliveries and refer cases. Deliveries are mainly performed at the community level by unqualified personnel. Maternal mortality is very high in the Elkare woreda.

Hospitalization capacity is low in Elkare and Barey, in terms of number of beds, qualified staff, equipment, WASH.

Elkare: The high number of referrals to Hargele Hospital underscores the low case management capacity. The number of SAM cases with complications managed at the woreda level is very low: most are referred to Hargele hospital, which is 2.5 hours away and expensive.

In Barey: there is only one functioning hospital serving 28 HP and a population of 116,000. It is difficult to refer cases to the zone hospital (Hargele), especially from Barey. Referrals from the HPs to the Health Center (HC) are poor due to the limited number of ambulances for each woreda, the time spent for referrals at the Hargele hospital, and the lack of transportation. This results in late referrals and/or people consulting traditional healers.

Most of the community resides around the HPs, which are not sufficiently supported by the health system and not well used by the population. Limited access to and utilization of PHC services is due to lack of road access, lack of transportation, long distances for patients to reach health facilities (HFs) in a timely manner, the lifestyle of the population, scattered HPs, financial barriers, shortages of pharmaceuticals and nutrition, and lack of trained health personnel. Mobile clinics are needed to reach displaced populations and communities living in hard-to-reach areas.

Drought exacerbates the risk of epidemics, which is high especially in Barey, and there is no preparedness and response plan available at the woreda level.

The main activities to come will consist of :

In the short term :

August 2022 : obtain registration / immigration process / bank account and HR…

September 2022 : open and implement a take-off project for the mission.

In response to the drought and nutrition crisis -> Somali region (needs + access)

Assessment done in May-June. Nutritional screening in August if agreement can be obtained from PPN and the Ministry of Health.

Reduce mortality and morbidity associated with AM and pediatric diseases and maternal

In the mid-to-long term

Start an anchor project in the Northern Region (Ahmara / Afar or Tigray) including conducting new assessments.

Mission Location: Ethiopia, Addis Ababa

PROTECTION OF BENEFICIARIES AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS

Level 3: As part of his/her duties, the incumbent will visit programs and come into contact with children and/or vulnerable adults. Therefore, a criminal record check or a certificate of good character will be required. In situations where a criminal record or character reference is not available, a statement of good character will be required.

MISSION AND MAIN ACTIVITIES

  • Under the authority of the Head of Emergency department based in Dakar, you will be responsible for implementing the Country operational strategy validated by the desk, the management and the Board of Directors.
  • In close collaboration with the NGO partners, with the objective of guaranteeing the quality of the programs and strengthening the NGO partners, you will have to: launch initiatives, define the objectives of each department and give the means to the coordinator to achieve them. You will plan, organize and coordinate all activities of the mission and find solutions when necessary.

1. Analysis and strategic planning

  • Analyze the humanitarian, political, economic and social context of the country;
  • Anticipate the evolution of the humanitarian context and define scenarios in order to ensure the preparation of teams for emergencies;
  • Coordinate with each department (logistics, medical, HR, finance) to develop the country contingency plan (EPREP);
  • With the support of the medical coordinator and the project teams, identify and analyze the humanitarian and medical needs requiring an intervention of ALIMA (exploratory missions, analysis of field data);
  • Based on the needs analysis and the contributions of other coordinators, propose a relevant operational strategy (operational objectives, operational setup, means, timeline…);
  • Coordinate the definition of an overall strategic framework for the mission, in the medium/long term (3 years) based on humanitarian and medical needs, internal capacities and identified opportunities;
  • Responsible for drafting the mission’s annual action plan;
  • Coordinate the annual operational review exercises (mini MAP and MAP) and ensure their presentation to the headquarters teams;

2. Representation and Partnership:

  • Meet regularly with humanitarian aid actors, particularly in the health/nutrition and emergency sectors, to ensure proper coordination of actions in the field and pooling of resources. Participate in sectoral and inter-sectoral coordination meetings and convey ALIMA’s position and strategic vision;
  • Maintain close relations and regular exchanges with the administrative and health authorities at the national level (signature and respect of the MoU with the Ministry of Health, registration in the country, activity report, ethics committee…);
  • Identify, develop and maintain a network of collaborators (NGOs, donors, embassies, national authorities, universities, scientific research actors, media, civil society…);
  • Organize and lead the partnership within the mission: identify potential partners, support partners, evaluate partnerships;
  • Supervise the proper conduct of technical and financial partner visits to projects (donor visits, etc.) in collaboration with the relevant coordinators;
  • Define advocacy issues, in collaboration with the Desk Manager, the Medical Desk Referent, and bring them to the attention of identified stakeholders;
  • Intervene in clusters and national technical meetings to feed and influence the definition of humanitarian/medical needs and operational priorities. Advocate at the national level to ensure that humanitarian and medical needs identified by ALIMA are taken into account in country action plans (e.g. HNO, HRP).

3. Search for funding and donor relations

  • Identify potential new donors and funding opportunities at the mission level;
  • Maintain regular links with donors in the country of intervention;
  • Responsible for writing responses to calls for projects;
  • Responsible for the validation and submission of interim and final reports, with the support of the desk team.

4. Implementation, monitoring, evaluation of activities

  • Capitalization of information necessary for a possible advocacy/communication;
  • Ensures, with the technical expertise of the medical coordinator, that each project has a monitoring and evaluation plan and the appropriate tools to track the quality of activities;
  • Supervises, mentors and supports the project coordinators in the implementation of projects and assists them in the management of the projects. He or she is their line manager.

5. Supervision and management of support departments

  • Support for the planning of medical, logistical and administrative activities;
  • Supervises, with the support of the desk’s technical manager, the finance department to ensure proper management of the mission’s financial (budget, cash flow forecast) and administrative resources;
  • Supervises, with the support of the desk’s technical manager, the logistics department, ensuring the proper management of material resources (transport, communication, premises, equipment, etc.) for the mission;
  • Supervises, with the support of the desk’s technical manager, the HR department and ensures good human resources management (updated organization chart, recruitment planning, conflict management…) of the mission.

6. Security : Responsible

  • Analysis of the evolution of the situation linked to the political and security problems of the country of intervention;
  • Analysis of the context and the risks involved;
  • Validation and update of safety rules;
  • Control of the transmission of the safety rules and their respect in all the collaborators on the mission;
  • Decision after agreement of the headquarters to evacuate a base or the mission if necessary;
  • Is responsible, according to the ALIMA procedure, for the management of incidents / in particular major incidents (loss of contact…);
  • He reports to the desk any information related to the security of his teams and any incident according to the procedures in force.

7. Human Resources Management

  • Define job profiles and performance objectives for team members;
  • To carry out the assessments of its team in an approach of professional course;
  • Facilitate training activities to develop and strengthen the skills of teams on HR and cross-functional issues;
  • Propose and support job changes in accordance with ALIMA policies;
  • Propose and anticipate secondments;
  • Promote staff mobility (internal and external) within the framework of current policies;
  • Identify the skills that team members need to acquire to master their positions and organize training to reinforce them;
  • Organize and facilitate team meetings.

8. Communication:

  • Initiate testimony and participate in advocacy if necessary;
  • Participation in donor and public education;
  • Participation in the external communication of the association of the country of intervention.

9. Development of computer tools

  • Push the use of the drive in information sharing and archiving;
  • Provide ALIMA employees with the means to train in the use of these tools.

10. Implementation of prevention measures against abuse of power, gender-based and sexual violence:

  • Make the diagnosis and develop an action plan that will be revised regularly;
  • Organize, with the support of the head office referent, and participate in training and awareness sessions;
  • Ensure that team members, partners (including Ministry of Health staff), and community members attend trainings and awareness sessions and apply abuse prevention standards;
  • Participation in incident management;
  • To help create and maintain a nurturing and protective environment.

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS

Experiences / Training of the candidate

  • At least 5 years of experience in a position requiring a high degree of versatility in a humanitarian setting is essential;
  • Very strong ability to network and conduct active pro-active lobbying.
  • Experience in a “tense” security environment required;
  • Experience in team management, project management, implementation of intervention strategies and security management is essential;
  • Good knowledge of humanitarian operations;
  • Knowledge in a technical humanitarian field
  • Understanding of key administrative and financial tasks;
  • Knowledge of EU, UN, etc. donor procedures;
  • Essential writing skills;

Qualities of the candidate

  • Analytical and synthesis skills ;
  • Ability to organize, adapt and lead a team;
  • Diplomacy and negotiation skills;
  • Coolness, patience and professional maturity.

Languages spoken by the candidate

  • A good command of oral and written English is essential;
  • French is an asset..Arabic is an asset

TERMS

  • Duration and type of contract: 9 months CDD with possibility of extension
  • Starting position: ASAP
  • Salary: According to ALIMA salary grid + valuation of experience + Perdiem

ALIMA supports:

  • Travel costs between the country of origin of the expatriate and the place of mission
  • Accommodation costs
  • Medical coverage from the first day of contract to one month after the date of departure from the country of Mission for the employee and his dependents
  • Evacuation for the employee and his dependents

DOCUMENTS TO SEND

  • To apply, please send your CV and Cover letter
  • Applications are processed in the order of arrival. ALIMA reserves the right to close the offer before the term initially indicated if an application is accepted. Only complete applications (CV in PDF format + Letter of Motivation) will be considered.

Qualified women are encouraged to apply

How to apply

https://hr.alima.ngo/jobs/detail/9440?utm_campaign=Campagne+d%27offres+&utm_medium=Website&utm_source=relief+web


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