American Red Cross Job Vacancy : Health Delegate, Measles & Rubella Initiative

American Red Cross Job Vacancy : Health Delegate, Measles & Rubella Initiative
February 18, 2015 Job Description


SUMMARY :

The American Red Cross (ARC) International Services Department (ISD) seeks to prevent and alleviate human suffering around the world by responding to disasters, building safer, more resilient communities, and educating future humanitarians. With programs and partners in 70 countries, the American Red Cross working to strengthen the global Red Cross Red Crescent Network in order to deliver critical assistance to some of the most vulnerable communities in the world, reaching 100 million people annually.

BACKGROUND :

The American Red Cross is a founding member of the Measles & Rubella Initiative– a partnership committed to reducing measles and rubella deaths. Launched in 2001, the Measles & Rubella Initiative provides technical and financial support to governments and communities on vaccination campaigns and disease surveillance. To date, the Initiative has supported the vaccination of more than 1.8 billion children, helping to reduce measles deaths by 78% globally. Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies support immunization campaigns by educating and mobilizing communities to participate. Volunteers hold community events and go house to house to educate families on the importance of immunization and the specifics of the upcoming campaign. During the campaign, Red Cross Volunteers assist at vaccination posts.

The American Red Cross seeks a Health Delegate to provide direct technical assistance to Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies to plan and implement successful social mobilization programs for immunization campaigns. The delegate would work with National Societies to strengthen their capacity to educate and mobilize community members and change key long-term behaviors (i.e., completing routine immunizations). Subject to resource availability, the delegate would also work with national societies on raising routine immunization levels for measles and other vaccines.

This position is based at the Nairobi, Kenya office, with frequent travel internationally and through the region (up to 75%). This is a full time position for a minimum of 366 days with the possibility of extension. This is an accompanied post with family.


RESPONSIBILITIES :

• Provide technical support to National Societies regarding planning, implementation, and evaluation of social mobilization programs. This support may focus on behavior change communication, volunteer management, supervision, coordination, advocacy, training, and monitoring and evaluation. Support will be provided through periodic in-country support visits of up to two months in duration.
• Work with National Societies to develop realistic targets for volunteer participation, and effective volunteer management and supervision systems for use during and after immunization campaigns. Facilitate coordination of National Societies’ immunization activities with their ongoing programs and projects.
• Assess project proposals, provide feedback, participate in preliminary assessment missions and report to American Red Cross and the Measles & Rubella Initiative partners regarding capacity, gaps, needs and concerns about social mobilization planning. Where necessary, work with in-country partners to revise and refine proposals, plans of action, and timelines.
• Enhance, develop and disseminate guidelines and tools for social mobilization and community education. Assist countries to monitor the knowledge and experiences acquired to ensure organizational memory of the strengths and constraints for future programming.
• Stimulate a solid working relationship between the National Society and its government, especially with health related ministries and other implementing partners. Ensure National Society knowledge of and participation in the Inter-agency Coordinating Committee for Immunization (ICC). Ensure National Society representation at national, provincial, and district levels, especially in district micro-planning for immunization campaigns.
• Promote the best possible coordination and cooperation among implementing partners. Provide links among local partners, including the National Society, and the Measles & Rubella Initiative and other international partnerships.
• Produce regular situation reports for circulation within ARC, IFRC and the Measles & Rubella Initiative to ensure that stakeholders are kept informed. Ensure lessons learned are shared with ARC and reflected in future programming.
• Provide targeted support to ARC staff implementing immunization activities in countries other than those the delegate is currently physically working in.
• Participate in relevant meetings, conferences and events to liaise with partners and develop the profile of the American Red Cross in immunization.
• Provide support to in-country visitors and teams. Ensure adequate planning and activities to fill time in a productive way.
• Assist ARC with funding proposals and donor reports.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Supervisor.

Qualifications:

QUALIFICATIONS :

• Masters degree in public health, international development or related field
• Minimum 5 years experience required. Experience working in Africa or Asia with a humanitarian aid organization is preferred
• Experience with immunization campaigns and community/volunteer-based organizations preferred
• Ability to establish and maintain strong working partnerships with international organizations, government bodies and local NGOs
• Excellent inter-personal and cross-cultural skills
• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing
• Fluency in French and/or Portuguese is an advantage, not a requirement.
• Position will require up to 75% travel.

As an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer, well-qualified women, minorities, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to Apply

Submit your CV and Application online : Click Here