Post:Health Advisor
Organization: Merlin
Location:London
Salary:Very Attractive
Position: Health Advisor Department: Health & Policy Responsible to: Head of Health Responsible for: Direct line management of Health Officers. Strong technical & functional line on a number of health related issues. Works with: Health & Policy Team; Country Health Directors, Regional Managers and their teams; Merlin Response Team; Head Office staff, Evidence and Impact Adviser Grade : A Salary: £42,370- £44,370 per annum Location: London (or specifically agreed regional deployment may be considered) Duration: Fixed Term (12 months), possible to extension
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis.
Merlin Merlin is an international health charity, saving lives in the world’s toughest places. Merlin responds with healthcare, when people are overwhelmed by natural disaster, conflict or disease and in need of immediate help. We focus on treating those who are beyond the reach of existing health services. After the immediate crisis, Merlin stays on to assist recovery. Using our expertise, we support health workers and strengthen existing health services. We build resilience by helping those at risk of future health disasters, to be better prepared. We think everyone should have access to lasting healthcare. We believe good health is fundamental to transforming people’s lives, that’s why Merlin is A Force for Health
As of 16 July, Merlin is joining Save the Children to create a world-class humanitarian health force for children and their families living in some of the toughest places in the world. By combining Merlin’s unique network of frontline health workers with Save the Children’s life-saving work in over 120 countries, more children affected by disaster or conflict will be reached.
Both organisations are really excited by this opportunity to dramatically increase our reach and impact for children and their families.
For those teams transferring as part of this plan, our expectation is that there will be a phased transition of Merlin’s overseas programme operations and head office teams to Save the Children, which we are aiming to complete within 18 months. During this time Merlin’s life-saving work for children and their families around the world will continue.
New appointment to our Head Office in London will be made on fixed term contracts.
Department The Health and Policy Department leads the effective development and implementation of quality health programmes whilst simultaneously expanding Merlin’s national and international health sector profile. This is achieved through strategic planning and programme development, technical leadership and support to field teams and Head Office colleagues, quality control, policy and research work, training, hosting external events, publications and extensive UK and international networking. The team has 12 members including Director of Health & Policy, Head of Health; Health Advisors and Officers, a Policy Team (some based overseas), and a Departmental Administrator as well as short-term specialist secondments .
Main purpose of the role To provide strategic and technical leadership to ensure the effective development and implementation of quality health programmes based on best practice in response to the major health burdens affecting targeted countries/populations. Additionally, contribute to the expansion of Merlin’s organisational impact and health sector profile and influence on practice and policy through associated health related activities.
Overall Objectives (scope)
• To provide strategic and technical leadership on the health aspects of Merlin programmes through direct technical support to the field based Country Health Directors, MRT and Regional Managers at Head Office in collaboration with assigned Health Officer.
• To ensure programme quality through the effective, systematic monitoring and evaluation of programmes under their responsibility.
• To actively incorporate lessons learned into future health policy/guidance and programme design and monitor the applications of recommendations.
• To actively contribute to the expansion of Merlin’s organisational impact and health sector profile and influence on practice and policy through associated health related activities.
Responsibilities
• Technical Leadership o Lead in the health assessment, design, planning, ongoing implementation and monitoring of programmes. o Provide technical support to the Country Health Directors, MRT and Regional Programme Managers where appropriate. o Act as a reference person for all health related requests and enquiries from country programmes. o Act as Merlin’s focal person for specific thematic health topics as agreed with the Head of Health or Director, Health & Policy.
• Programme Development o Actively contribute to the strategic development of Merlin’s country programmes portfolio through horizon scanning and engagement in global health debate. o Identify and secure health specific funding opportunities including institutional donors, research grants and alternative funding streams (e.g. private donors). o Actively promote and lead the mainstreaming of specific thematic health topics across Merlin programmes.
• Quality Control o Commission and undertake regular technical review visits to country programmes. o Technically approve programme proposal, reports specialist ToRs, evaluation and survey methodologies. o Review and approval of all health related budget lines (staff, drugs, materials, training, evaluation) etc. o Ensure adherence to international and Merlin agreed policy and standards within their country portfolios.
• Policy Development o Actively contribute to the development, implementation and adherence to technical policy and guidance.
• Human Resources o Line management of the Health Officer assigned to specific regional portfolio. o Recruit and select senior and specialist health personnel in collaboration with the HR Department. o Undertake briefing and de-briefing of all health personnel o Contribute to the performance appraisal and career development of senior health personnel through Merlin appraisal system. o Advise on staff health for all international personnel departing to the field.
• Representation o Actively assist the Director, Health & Policy and Health of Health with Merlin representation to donors, in health forums, academic institutes and with other NGOs at national and international level. o Actively support the Marketing and Communications Department in the health aspects of Merlin’s profile and fundraising activities.
• Operational Research o Identify and develop operational research and publication opportunities arising from Merlin programmes in collaboration with leading public health institutions where appropriate.
• Training o Participate in the development and delivery of the health aspects of Merlin’s strategy and other collaborative initiatives with leading public health institutions.
Dimensions and Limits of Authority
• Technical approval of all programme proposals and reports, assessment/evaluation/specialist terms of reference, survey methodology and design, health related job descriptions.
• Commission and/or undertake technical programme reviews.
• Initiate independent evaluation of Merlin’s health programmes (in close consultation with Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability Coordinator)
• Review and approval of all health related budget lines (staff, drugs, materials, training, evaluation) etc.
• Recruitment and approval of senior & specialist health posts.
• Input into appraisal and career development of health staff
Person Specification Essential Qualifications, experience and competences
• Medical or nursing qualification or relevant health background (e.g. experienced public health practitioner) and relevant higher degree (e.g. Masters in Public Health, Masters in Health Policy, Planning & Finance).
• Additional qualification in tropical health or equivalent acquired through significant experience at field and or head office level. • Significant proven field experience in managing and implementing health programmes in relief and transitional-development contexts.
• Considerable experience in needs assessment, programme evaluation, and programme development and writing of funding proposals and reports.
• Advanced experience of writing and critically appraising high quality proposals and compliance reports
• Strong practical experience or knowledge of epidemiology and basic study methodologies.
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office and Epi-Info.
• Substantial proven experience of supporting health programmes through distance management.
• Considerable proven experience of confidently and professionally representing organisations to health sector and donors at senior level.
• Ability to communicate effectively to a wide range of audiences.
• Excellent verbal and written language skills. Fluent English.
• Strong proven ability in the development and delivery of health training courses.
• Experience of working and constructively participating within a multi-disciplinary team
• Experience of establishing strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures • Experience of proactively identifying and addressing issues
• Experience of a flexible approach to managing and prioritising a high and diverse workload in a fast paced environment with tight deadlines
• Understanding of and commitment to Merlin’s mission and values
• Able and willing to travel to remote and insecure locations often at short notice
Desirable Qualifications, experience and competences
• Working knowledge of French
• Additional specialist qualification and/or significant proven experience in health systems management, reproductive & child health, specialist disease control, evaluation, or health related research.
• Previous regional knowledge or experience in Africa, Central & SE Asia, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.
Data Protection Please note, on submitting your application, you are agreeing to Merlin holding and using the information that you have given for the purposes of recruitment and employment – should an offer be made. Where required by donors funding requirements, some job offers are conditional on our ensuring that potential employees’ names do not appear on counter terrorism lists generated by the United Nations, European Union or the United States. On submitting your application, you are agreeing to Merlin using the information that you have given for checking that your name does not appear on these lists.
How to apply:
To apply for this job, please go to www.merlin.org.uk/jobs and apply using our online recruitment system. In order to apply for a job with Merlin online you will need to complete a short registration process and create an account – the online recruitment system explains how to do this. Once your account has been created, you will be able to save the information that you have entered in your application and re-visit it at any time before you submit it.
If you are unable to apply online for any technical reason, please contact applications@merlin.org.uk.
Please note that we do not accept CVs. Unfortunately due to the number of applications we receive, only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
- See more at: http://reliefweb.int/job/615044/health-advisor#sthash.Sut1tSW9.dpuf
Closing date: 24 Nov 2013
How to Apply
http://reliefweb.int/job/615044/health-advisor