Health Specialist (South Sudan Nationals Only)

About Action Against Hunger

Action Against Hunger-USA is part of the Action Against Hunger International network, which provides humanitarian relief in over 40 countries worldwide in the sectors of nutrition, health, water/sanitation, and food security. Action Against Hunger-USA, an independent NGO, currently manages operations in 8 countries: Kenya, South Sudan, Zambia, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Haiti and Somalia. Action Against Hunger-USA has approximately 2000 staff based in the various country offices, Head Quarter in New York City and Operational Centre in Nairobi. Additional growth is anticipated.

About the Country Program in South Sudan

Action Against Hunger has been operational in South Sudan since 1985, addressing both chronic and acute needs through a comprehensive multi-sectoral approach. Our programs integrate Nutrition, Food Security & Livelihoods, Water, Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH), Protection, and Gender interventions to strengthen resilience and improve community well-being. To implement these programs effectively, Action Against Hunger engages both national and international staff, with a dedicated country team of approximately 100 professionals operating across regional and satellite offices. Action Against Hunger currently operates in four regions: Warrap, Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Pibor and Jonglei states with a robust portfolio of $15 million per year, covering emergency response, resilience-building, research, and innovation programs to drive sustainable impact. In 2024/2025, the key donors include ECHO, UNICEF, AICS, GFFO, SIDA, EHF, WFP, and other partners committed to supporting humanitarian and development efforts in the country.

I.      Summary of Position

Under the supervision of the Head of Health and Nutrition, the Health Technical Specialist (HTS will be responsible for the strategy, design, implementation, and management of technical and operational aspects of Action Against Hunger- USA (ACF)’s Health portfolio in South Sudan. Health Technical Specialist (HTS) ensures the implementation of quality primary healthcare, maternal and reproductive health and nutrition programs in communities in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Jonglei, Warrap States and GPAA, with the possibility of expansion into other geographical locations. He/She will lead on ACF, and partner implemented programs and promote technical assistance, capacity strengthening, and learning. Health Technical Specialist (HTS ) will make frequent visits to the field sites to ensure the highest standards of service delivery. S/he will ensure high-quality clinical services in all ACF-supported health facilities. S/he will monitor service quality, ensure that all staff are trained and well-supported, pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies are properly managed, and apply clinical-level data to national-level quality improvement efforts. The HTS- will represent ACF in the national Health Cluster, Health Forum and other technical and health-strategic inputs during proposal development period.

Purpose

The Health Specialist will contribute in developing Action Against Hunger South Sudan Health technical strategy, manage current health projects and identify new, creative and innovative opportunities for health programming.

ENGAGEMENT

The Health Specialist, under the guidance of the Health and Nutrition Specialist, will internally collaborate with Technical Specialists for programme integration and quality service delivery. Externally, the Health Specialist will play a key role in local representation with Ministry of Health, Health Cluster and other International Health Humanitarian Organisations for exchange of information. He/she will be responsible for development of proposals for health program and reports submitted to various donors.

DELIVERY

The Health Specialist will oversee the quality implementation of health programming through budget monitoring, quality reporting to Action Against Hunger stakeholders and donors all in line with internal rules and regulations, funding regulations Action Against Hunger Charter of Principles and Core Values.

I.        Essential job functions

Key to the role is overseeing quality and timely implementation of health interventions to ensure continuity of effective service delivery and save lives.

Objective 1

Program Development

Tasks & responsibilities

• Conduct comprehensive health assessments by analyzing disease burden, health system capacity, and reviewing secondary data to inform decision-making for preparedness, advocacy, and program design.
• Lead the technical aspects of the project design and proposal development process for new health programming, including the development of proposal narratives, log frames, budgets, and other supporting documents.
• Work together with other sections of (program development, MEAL and relevant sector head(s) to design integrated, multi-sectoral approaches, proposals, and budgets with a strong focus on impactful health interventions.
• Proactively seek information on potential donor sources and share project opportunities in Health with quality programmes and operations teams linking to Country and Area strategies on Health
• Contribute to program development by drafting concept notes for potential funding opportunities, adhering to donor-specific protocols and formats.
• Provide expert technical input during proposal development and review processes, offering constructive feedback to field teams to enhance the quality and effectiveness of final submissions.
• Assist in log frames, work plans, and monitoring tools and support their implementation.
• Ensure that the health activities demonstrate adherence to international and national standards
• Understands considerations for transitioning from humanitarian programming to longer term development and health system development

Objective 2

Technical Quality of Health Programmes

Tasks & responsibilities

• Oversee the implementation of Health project plans, ensuring  higher quality and timely delivery of all health project activities.
• Provide technical supervision of, and technical support to the ACF’s health programming activities
• Ensure activities are consistent with established best practices, acceptable international (WHO/Sphere) and national standards as well as ensure programs across different sites in the country are of comparable quality by encouraging transfer of good practices from one field office to another.
• Ensure health programs utilize standardized protocols, policies and guidelines according to the Ministry of Health and WHO.
• Work closely with the Head of Health and Nutrition, senior management and field teams to determine the operational needs of the medical program within the scope of the grants.
• Prepare project and donor reports in timely manner , and Oversee the collection and timely reporting of data and statistics for all programs (including objectives, indicators and outcomes of health programs) according to internal and donor requirements
• Review monthly field and donor reports and ensure appropriate follow-up and decision making on data relevant to the organization’s health programs.
• Where feasible work with government health authorities and international agencies such as WHO to ensure implementation of standardized national health information systems
• Work with field teams, partner agencies (when applicable) and national health authorities for outbreak preparedness and contingency planning
• Ensure timely and adequate provision of supplies and drugs through review of pharmacy consumption reports, national drug protocols, program budgets, acquisition of partner agency and UN drug kits, and health information materials.
• Provide ongoing technical coaching, guidance, and supportive supervision to ACF and partner staff.
• Promote effective integration of health and nutrition services at the point of care. Ensure service delivery modalities are responsive to patient needs and location-specific constrain
• Ensure all stakeholders, including senior management team, the Technical Unit and donors are provided with updates, following the established reporting structures.

Objective 3

People Management, Mentoring and Development  

Tasks & responsibilities

• Assist in the selection and training of qualified program health staff.
• Ensure all team members are well-versed in job expectations and have clear performance objectives and professional development goals
• Maintain open lines of communication with all field staff.
• Train senior national staff to increase their responsibilities in order to build capacity and ensure sustainability of programs
• Ensure professional development for health staff through assessment of training needs and capacity building activities.
• Overseeing trainings of all national healthcare staff, including national Doctors, non-physician clinicians, nurses, midwives and other technical staff to ensure that the provided trainings are of acceptable quality and address the identified needs and to ensure sustainability of programs
• Contribute the performance of all field health programme staff (focusing on their technical responsibilities) together with field coordinator through effective use of the Performance Management System
• Conduct regular management meetings with all direct reports and ensure the same is done throughout the team management structure.  

Objective 4

Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability and Learning:

Tasks & responsibilities

• Assist MEAL team to ensure that all Health projects and components have robust monitoring plans, baselines, reviews and evaluations in line with project designs and donor guideline
• Technically assist MEAL programmes team in measuring achievement and progress towards program goals and results through the M&E system
• Lead and work closely with MEAL and other programmes team to identify and lead strategic ground-breaking research in Health for development of innovative programmes and issue-based advocacy
• Facilitate appropriate dissemination of research findings and good practices documentations in the projects internally and externally to donors, governments, consortium partners and other key actors strategic for immediate and sustainable development of children in Somalia/Somaliland
• Identifies and drives operational research opportunities to test and develop new approaches and standard setting
• Adapts existing tools and leads on appropriate health assessments, Interprets and responds to assessment data in programme design, adaptive approaches, and presents and communicates assessment findings in an impactful way and support advocacy messaging.

Objective 5

Coordination & Representation

Tasks & responsibilities

• Represent the organization to UN, health cluster, international and national NGOs and Ministry of Health at health coordination meetings as well as other meetings which are relevant to country programs and enhance the organizations visibility (i.e. task force meetings, assessment missions, camp coordination meetings, UN coordination meetings, INGO coordination meetings

GENDER EQUALITY COMMITMENTS

• Fostering environment that supports values of women and men’s equal access to information.
• Provides an environment where women and men must be promoted based on the performance objectives.
• Respect for beneficiaries, women, men, children (boys & girls) regardless of gender, sex, disability, religion, etc.
• Value and respect for all cultures.
• Promote and uphold the PSEA and procedures.

INTERNAL & EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

INTERNAL

• Head of Health and Nutrition: hierarchical relationship – technical support – exchange of information
• Nutrition Program manager : technical support - exchange of information
• Field Nutrition Pro Close collaboration – exchange of information
• Head of Base: exchange of information
• Support Departments at bases: exchange of information and collaboration on financial, logistic and recruitment issues

EXTERNAL

• Local governmental and non-governmental partners: exchange of information, coordination, training, supervision, influence on choice of technical options
• Local Medical/Nutrition Authorities: exchange of information, coordination, influence on choice of technical options
• Local representatives of international aid organisations: exchange of information

REPORTING RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare monthly narrative reports on health program activities
• Support Nutrition Data Manager at national level in review, compilation and analysis of health reports, including malaria testing and treatment and morbidity
• Support in monthly & quarterly donor reports as required by each grant for the health services
• Supervise inventory and stock reports for stabilization centres and nutrition sites on pharmacy
• In case of managing public health emergency
• Preparation of other reports as needed

Requirements

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

QUALIFICATION

• Degree in medicine/ Public health or Master of public health; Health Service management with training and experience in and project planning and management techniques.
• Minimum of seven (7) years of relevant technical experience including at different level
• Proven experience of developing and managing high quality, innovative and cost-effective technical Health projects in fragile and insecure environments, preferably in Somalia context and with International NGOs

SKILLS & EXPRIENCE

ESSENTIAL

Core Competency

• Commitment              
• Drive for Result     
• Embracing Diversity  
• Integrity
• Team Work
• Self-Awareness and Self-Regulation

PREFERED

Functional Competencies (required)

• Leading vision and change
• Networking
• Strategic and Global thinking
• Planning, Setting Standards, and Monitoring Work
• Managing Resources
• Decisiveness
• Communication
• Team Leadership       

Skills and Experience:

• Knowledge of current global and regional public health debates especially with reference to “child and newborn health” and emergency obstetric care
• Experience in program Design and management
• Flexible personality 
• Willing to travel often and have minimal personal space
• Excellent communication and training skills
• Good management and representation competencies

·       Ability to analyse data and produce quality graphs and reports.

• Easily integrate with remote areas living conditions

·       Experience with ACF-USA or other international/national organization engaged in nutrition activities is highly desirable

Benefits

Commitment Anti-Discrimination and PSEA

We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees & qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. The incumbent is required to carry out the duties in accordance with the Action Against Hunger Safeguarding policies (PSEA, Child safeguarding and Code of Conduct).  Action Against Hunger-USA complies with all applicable laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.

This advert closes on 15 October  2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis given the urgency of the recruitment. Please send your application via workable using the following link: https://apply.workable.com/j/E7D7B10E9B