Job Description

Over 80 years ago, Albert Einstein helped create the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Today, we are a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC has been present in Liberia since 1996, serving as a lead partner in the health sector. The country program supports the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening the health care systems and service delivery at all levels in accordance with the MOH national standards.

In recent years, IRC Liberia has deepened its commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia to strengthen its health recovery efforts - first from the devastating civil war, the Ebola crisis, and now the COVID-19 outbreak. The Scaling Up Community Health Activities Project presents an opportunity to improve health services in hard-to-reach communities and the rebuilding of health systems in Liberia.

Scope of Work

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity, and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

The International Rescue Committee has been operating in Liberia since 1996 and has offices and activities in Montserrado, Lofa, and Nimba Counties. The IRC has Women and Girls Economic Empowerment programs and is currently supporting the COVID-19 emergency response in Liberia.

Job Overview

The IRC has entered into a four-year cooperative agreement with USAID to implement Liberia's Scaling Up Community Health Services project. This project will strengthen the Liberian community health system to provide health care services in hard-to-reach areas while supporting sustainable country ownership of community-based health services through technical assistance and capacity building of Ministry of Health (MOH)/County Health Teams (CHTs). This project will increase service providers’ coverage in underserved districts and improve their capacity to deliver quality health services while strengthening CHTs and communities’ capacity to plan, manage and monitor health services. In addition, the project will work directly with County and District Health Teams and at the community level, providing them with the technical and operational capacity to play a vital role in service delivery.

This new award builds on the gains achieved under the previous USAID community health grant, “Partnership for Advancing Community-based Services (PACS),” implemented by the IRC and partners. PACS supported the government in strengthening health systems, improving reproductive, maternal, and child health, and restoring public confidence in health facilities and staff. PACS also provided support to build the government of Liberia’s capacity to control infectious diseases and efforts to rebuild the health system.

USAID Community Health Activity Implementation Overview

USAID Community Health Activity will work in Lofa, Bong, River Gee, and Grand Kru to assist in the decentralization process and ensure that county and community-level systems are equipped to deliver high-quality community-based services in line with crucial MOH strategies. The Operation and Training Manager is responsible for supporting the efficient coordination and management of procurement functions for IRC’s Lofa, Bong, River Gee, and Grand Kru. One of the Ops & Training Manager's core functions is rapidly procuring program supplies, services, and equipment for CHSS and CHA training roll-out while ensuring best practices, adhering to the code of conduct, and maintaining audit-compliant records.

IRC is seeking a Liberian National to serve as Operation and Training Manager for One year. The primary purpose of the Program is to provide health care services in hard-to-reach areas while transferring ownership to the government by increasing coverage of CHAs in underserved districts, improving their capacity to deliver quality health services as well as strengthening CHTs and communities’ capacity to plan, manage and monitor health services. The Operation and Training Manager will work under the supervision of the Community Health Coordinator at the project office in Lofa, Bong, River Gee, and Grand Kru and indirectly/administratively to the Operation Coordinator at the Monrovia office. They will be the focal person for all Operation and Training coordination at the County and District level and guide all the procurement processes leading to CHSSs, and CHAs Training roll-out at the county and district level. They are expected to collate and analyze PRs data collected from the suppliers and update the BVA system accordingly.

Key Responsibilities

Operations and Training Manager is a critical position in the success and delivery of the Community Health Activities. IRC defines Operations as the support systems and functions necessary to implement programs effectively, including planning along with the following departments: procurement, fleet, inventory management, property, and asset management, as well as support to HR.

Under the supervision of the Operations Coordinator, the Operations and Training Manager is responsible for supporting the Community Health Activities to ensure efficient assistance to operations and training functions of procurement, Fleet, Inventory Management, property, and asset management.

Supply Chain Planning

The Training and Operations Manager is responsible for working closely with the Procurement Manager and Warehouse and Fleet Manager to ensure adequate supply chain planning and preparation to support the CHA implementation, which includes -

• Preparation of procurement plans for the project activities in the field.
• Warehouse distribution plans and documentation for field materials/activities.
• Project team movement plan.
• Maintain supplier information for regularly purchased items and be informed of current local market conditions.
• Routine communication and planning with the relevant requesting staff regarding the order and delivery of supplies at the various training venues.
• Coordinate all activities for training roll-out for the CHSS and CHA at County and District levels

Procurement

Responsible for implementing procurement plans & strategies and ensuring all project procurement needs for the field office are met on time per IRC GSC and donors’ standards. This includes: -

• The implementation and maintenance of standard IRC procurement policies and procedures
• Ensuring that procurement is carried out in accordance with IRC and donor-specific polices
• Attend all procurement committee meetings (PRC) as duly required
• Processing approved Purchase requests through the procurement software (online BVA) and ensuring data accuracy.
• Request for quotations / proposals.
• Participate in tender meetings & evaluations.
• Conduct negotiations with suppliers that is transparent and documented.
• Demonstrate value for money in procurement
• Prepare all PRs for training and procurement of training materials, Service contract completion
• Coordinate with Finance and Program departments to ensure integrated internal controls, timely payment of vendors, and full, auditable support documentation.
• Ensuring that a transparent and responsive procurement process is implemented and maintained
• Follow up with finance on vendors' payments from procurement, ensuring that all payments processes are completed as outlined in the procurement policy
• Prepare/Maintain the weekly and monthly Purchase Request Tracking & Metrics system (PRTS) and submit routine reports to the Community Health Coordinator and Operation Coordinator
• Support in the development of procurement specifications
• Review procurement documents for accuracy before taking payment for approval.
• BVA assistance ensures that PRs, POs, and Payments requested are completed in the system.
• Complete all Supplies, services, and equipment required to be delivered in time.
• Establishment and maintenance of ethical, professional working relationships with suppliers/providers.
• Work with the IRC Liberia Country Program Office Procurement department and advice the field office on procurement-specific issues or improvements.
• Resilience, a record of performance in high-pressure work environments, and ability to problem solve
• Be willing to serve as backup to other related procurement positions and functions

Contract Managemen t

• Follow up and ensure that prepared contracts for field vendors are signed.
• Support with the timely renewal of running contracts.
• Training and Operations Manager Competency’s matrix

The Training and Operations Manager Competency matrix is the primary supporting document to this job description and must ensure that all tasks are performed to standard.

Key Working Relationships

Position directly supervises: Drivers

Other Internal And External Contacts

Internal: Regular relationships with Project staff, HR, Finance, Grants, Information systems, Technology, and staff at all levels.

External: Vendors, Service Providers, Implementing Partners, GOL - Ministry of Health (MOH) as requested by the project leadership.

Required profile for job ad : Training and Operations Manager

Qualifications
Education:

• College degree or equivalent in Business Administration or related field

Work Experience:

•  3-4 years of work experience in NGO settings, operations, and projects.

Demonstrated Skills And Competencies

• Ability to write narrative and analytical spreadsheet reports
• Proven computer literacy in MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-Access, or related programs required
• Good mathematical skills and competent use of reporting software
• Spoken and written fluency in English desired
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines
• Systems-oriented individual
• Willingness to put in extra hours in emergencies
• Willingness to travel to the field

APPLY

Over 80 years ago, Albert Einstein helped create the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Today, we are a leading humanitarian and development organization working in more than 40 countries and 26 U.S. cities to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. The IRC has been present in Liberia since 1996 serving as a lead partner in the health sector. The country program supports the Ministry of Health (MOH) in strengthening the health care systems and service delivery at all levels in accordance with the MOH national standards. 

 In recent years, IRC Liberia has deepened its commitment to supporting both local civil society organizations and community groups in their recovery efforts - first from the devastating civil war and now from the Ebola crisis.  The Scaling Up Health Services Activity presents an opportunity to bring these two critical elements together by strengthening civil society engagement in the delivery of health services and the rebuilding of health systems in Liberia.

 Scope of Work

The IRC has entered into a four-year cooperative agreement with USAID to implement the Scaling Up Community Health Services project in Liberia.  This project will strengthen the Liberian community health system to provide health care services in hard-to-reach areas while supporting sustainable country ownership of community-based health services, through technical assistance and capacity building of Ministry of Health (MOH)/County Health Teams (CHTs). This project will increase the coverage of service providers in underserved districts and improve their capacity to deliver quality health services while strengthening CHTs and communities’ capacity to plan, manage and monitor health services.  In addition, the project will work directly with local civil society organizations (CSOs) at the county and community level, providing them with funding opportunities and strengthening their technical and operational capacity to play a key role in service delivery.

 This award is designed to build on the gains achieved under the previous USAID community health grant; “Partnership for Advancing Community-based Services (PACS)”, implemented by the IRC and partners. PACS supported the government to strengthen health systems, improve reproductive maternal and child health, as well as restore public confidence in health facilities and health staff. PACS also provided support to build the government of Liberia’s capacity to control infectious diseases and efforts to rebuild the health system.

 USAID Community Health Activity Implementation Overview

This project is USAID’s flagship community health services activity and is being implemented in Bong, Lofa, River Gee, and Grand Kru Counties with support to the Community Health Program Unit at the Ministry of Health.  The IRC and partners will assist in the decentralization process and ensure that county and community-level systems are equipped to deliver high quality community-based services in line with key MOH strategies. Project staff will work in close collaboration with MOH staff of the relevant units, and county offices in strengthening their capacity to effectively supervise and coordinate community-based health activities.

 IRC is seeking a Capacity Sharing Manager to lead the capacity sharing activities under the USAID Community Health Activity  using the Partnership Excellence for Equality and Results System (PEERS).  The Capacity Sharing Manager, under the supervision of the Partnership Director and in close collaboration with the project team will be responsible for planning and providing capacity sharing related support in the efficient and effective execution of project activities. This individual will develop training materials, models, as well as necessary PEERS training and other learning materials.  The manager will ensure capacity sharing interventions are being applied by the CSOs, CBOs and CHTs regarding the provision of community health services in this project. 

 Specific Responsibilities

Partner Support and Capacity Sharing

•  Lead the capacity sharing component under this project by providing guidance in developing comprehensive capacity sharing strategy and plans.
• Collect and apply relevant capacity sharing tools and techniques for project stakeholders.
• Build rapport and strong relationships with government stakeholders, CSOs and other relevant partners/structures.
• Support the process of managing partnership agreements between IRC and participating CSOs outlining each organization’s commitment to the capacity sharing process and its broad objectives.
• Under the guidance of the Partnership Director, prepare specific technical trainings and mentoring sessions for CSO staff designated to deliver community services.
• Assist in coordinating trainings for CSO staff on any newly introduced service packages ensuring CSO staff are fully trained to successfully implement their activities in compliance with emerging MOH standards and resources.
• Facilitate the development of the project support plans of the partner CSOs, which will consist of a concrete set of project development goals, specific indicators or milestones, and proposed interventions/actions aimed at strengthening organizational weaknesses, filling priority capacity gaps, and gender mainstreaming in line with PEERS standards.
• Provide on-the-job coaching to the CSO/CBO partners and oversee the introduction of peer support activities through coordination mechanisms.
• Perform the initial Partner’s Project Capacity Review and assessment checks of local CSOs.
• Review CSOs project narrative reports and provide technical feedback to inform the development of project report.
• Support the planning and implementation of TOT for CHSSs and CHAs training and the rollout of the actual CHAs trainings ensuring capacity building is prioritized as a part of all training activities.
• Develop and adapt various simple-to-use and practical resource materials that will directly enhance local CSO staff’s project management skillset.
• Support the CSOs and CHTs to conduct CHSS/CHA/CHV mapping and update the registers
• Any other capacity strengthening activities as required by the project.

Develop IRC Capacity

• Promote a culture of mutual learning and good partnership among IRC staff.
• Coach, train, and mentor staff to strengthen their abilities to effectively support partners.
• Contribute to quality improvement of existing capacity sharing guidance, tools, and curriculum to adapt to the local context and staff/partner capacity.
• Contribute to the development of capacity sharing standards and best practices for the country and/or region.

Required profile for job ad : Design Researcher - ConsultancyProfil

• Bachelor’s degree in management, development studies or related field.
• Five plus years of experience in capacity building within the INGO setting.
• Experience designing and overseeing partner mapping processes, ideally focused on civil society’s role in service delivery.
• Proven capacity strengthening expertise in organizational development, including the ability to tailor and target support for different levels/ sizes of civil society groups.
• Demonstrated experience in developing training manuals, modules, curricula, and other relevant training materials.
• Experience of conducting TOTs, training needs assessment along with facilitation skills and ability to prepare training reports.
• Ability to work with partners to identify priority growth areas within the organization and develop goals based on results of assessments.
• Ability to design and deliver trainings, provide on-the-job coaching or mentoring support, and facilitate workshops to support partners’ capacity development priorities.
• Strong communication, both written and oral, and experience contributing to project/donor reports.
• Problem-solving, multi-tasking, independent judgment, and time management, particularly in a multi-cultural environment.
• Able to respond rapidly to changing environments, yet remain productive, focused.
• Prior IRC experience desired, especially the implementation of PEERS.
• Willingness to travel frequently to remote program locations, often for an extended period.
• Strong computer literacy skills and experience working with Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and PowerPoint.

APPLY