The International Rescue Committee (IRC), a global leader in humanitarian aid and development programming, is seeking a dynamic and experienced Reproductive Health Officer to support its integrated health interventions in Kakuma, Kenya. This opportunity is ideal for highly motivated health professionals passionate about improving reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) outcomes in humanitarian settings.
This is a full-time, fixed-term position based in Kakuma and is not open to expatriates. The successful candidate will work in-person, contributing to high-impact, community-based and facility-based programming within the refugee camp.
Position Overview:
As a Reproductive Health Officer, the incumbent will serve as the technical lead for the implementation of the RMNCAH program in Kakuma. The officer will be responsible for ensuring the effective delivery of an integrated reproductive health strategy through strong coordination, technical support, and collaborative engagement with the Ministry of Health, IRC clinical and community teams, and other humanitarian partners. This position requires deep technical expertise, strong management acumen, and the ability to work in complex, resource-constrained environments.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Program Management
The Reproductive Health Officer will oversee the implementation, quality assurance, and improvement of all RMNCAH activities within the camp. This includes:
- Providing technical guidance, supervision, mentorship, and coaching to healthcare staff and community health workers involved in delivering RMNCAH services.
- Ensuring compliance with Ministry of Health (MOH) guidelines in the provision of antenatal, maternity, postnatal, family planning, and post-abortion care.
- Coordinating maternal and perinatal death surveillance and response (MPDSR) audits and following up on systemic improvements to prevent maternal and neonatal mortality.
- Promoting synergy between clinical care, community health activities, and HIV services to strengthen RMNCAH programming.
- Institutionalizing high-risk antenatal clinics and ensuring follow-up of mothers using models such as the “healthy mothers design sprint.”
- Assessing training needs of service providers and developing targeted capacity-building initiatives.
- Conducting regular supportive supervision and facility assessments with clear documentation and feedback mechanisms.
- Collaborating with Community Health Promotion (CHP) Officers to drive awareness and demand generation for RMNCAH services, including organizing maternity open days and community engagement campaigns.
- Ensuring accurate record-keeping and reporting through both manual and electronic systems, particularly for reproductive health and community health data.
- Developing donor reports and contributing to regular internal program reviews and performance assessments.
- Monitoring the status of key sexual and reproductive health (SRH) indicators and advising program managers on interventions to maintain standards aligned with UNHCR, SPHERE, and national benchmarks.
- Overseeing implementation and data integrity within the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system, specifically related to SRH modules.
- Ensuring availability and functionality of auxiliary services and supplies (medications, outreach materials, laboratory tests) necessary to support comprehensive RH services.
- Coordinating family planning service delivery and ensuring consistent supply and reporting to the MOH.
- Leading cervical cancer screening programs and implementing strategies to minimize unsafe abortions.
- Supervising the use and distribution of RH and family planning supplies, including those allocated to community health initiatives.
- Assisting in the development and implementation of training plans for auxiliary health personnel, including Safe Motherhood Promoters and Reproductive Health Assistants.
- Establishing and maintaining strategic partnerships with the Ministry of Health, local organizations, international NGOs, and refugee community structures to enhance service delivery and sustainability.
- Supporting the development and implementation of integrated community health strategies, working closely with the Community Health Officer and Health Manager.
- Participating in participatory planning and review sessions with the community and tracking the implementation of agreed action points.
2. Human Resource Management
The Reproductive Health Officer will ensure that the reproductive and community health teams are well-staffed, trained, and managed effectively by:
- Coordinating and facilitating continuous professional development for RH and CHP teams, including leveraging external consultants when necessary.
- Identifying and addressing staffing needs and gaps in RMNCAH services, and advising program leadership accordingly.
- Providing orientation and induction for new staff joining the RMNCAH program.
- Conducting staff appraisals, feedback sessions, and where necessary, implementing corrective or disciplinary actions in line with IRC HR policies.
3. Grants Management
The officer will be responsible for ensuring that RMNCAH programs are implemented in accordance with approved budgets and donor requirements. Specific responsibilities include:
- Managing activities and expenditures in line with grant agreements, work plans, and spending plans.
- Recommending adjustments to budgets and work plans based on changing program needs or performance trends.
- Utilizing internal IRC systems such as INTEGRA and BVA for program monitoring, budgeting, and compliance tracking.
- Participating in project cycle meetings and contributing to financial and operational reviews.
- Developing budget forecasts, monitoring program spending, and initiating timely corrective actions where budget deviations are noted.
- Ensuring full adherence to financial and operational compliance in all community and facility-based SRH activities.
4. Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
The Reproductive Health Officer will play a critical role in ensuring the program is evidence-based, well-monitored, and accountable. Responsibilities include:
- Continuously monitoring relevant SRH and community health indicators, identifying trends, and supporting data-driven decision-making.
- Ensuring all reproductive and community health statistical records are well maintained, accurate, and aligned with national and donor reporting standards.
- Coordinating timely reporting across all service delivery points and ensuring appropriate documentation and follow-up for high-risk groups.
- Preparing and submitting weekly, monthly, and quarterly program reports, including detailed donor reports.
- Keeping the Health Manager and Program Coordinator well-informed on program progress, challenges, and emerging trends.
- Representing the RH program in all relevant field-based coordination meetings, reviews, and inter-agency forums.
Workplace Environment and Collaboration
The position is based at Kakuma Refugee Camp, which hosts one of the largest refugee populations in Kenya. The work environment is resource-limited, highly multicultural, and dynamic. The successful candidate will need to demonstrate resilience, flexibility, and strong interpersonal skills.
Collaboration with partners including the Ministry of Health, UNHCR, international and local NGOs, community leaders, and other IRC departments is essential to ensuring the success and sustainability of the program.
Professional and Technical Requirements:
- A degree or diploma in Clinical Medicine or Kenya Registered Community Health Nursing from a recognized institution.
- A Higher National Diploma in Reproductive Health is mandatory.
- Additional postgraduate training in Public Health, Environmental Health, or Community Health is an added advantage.
- Registration and valid licensure by the relevant Kenyan regulatory body is required.
- Certified training in key areas such as MPDSR, CEmONC, MNCH, Clinical Management of Rape (CMR) and IPV, and Community Health Strategy is required.
- Deep understanding of MOH RMNCAH framework and related policy guidelines.
- Familiarity with international humanitarian standards including SPHERE, WHO, and UNHCR guidelines is essential.
- Strong analytical skills in data analysis, interpretation, and application in program decision-making.
Experience and Competencies:
- Minimum of five years of clinical experience in RMNCAH service delivery in high-volume healthcare settings.
- At least three years of hands-on experience managing or implementing RMNCAH programs in humanitarian settings, preferably within NGOs.
- Demonstrated experience in training and supervising multidisciplinary teams in reproductive and community health.
- Proven ability to manage health programs, budgets, and donor requirements.
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral, with the ability to prepare high-quality reports and presentations.
- Demonstrated experience in using health data management tools and software such as EPI INFO, SPSS, and EMR platforms.
- Ability to engage with culturally diverse populations and maintain professionalism in demanding field conditions.
Why Join IRC?
IRC is a global leader in humanitarian relief, post-conflict development, and refugee resettlement, operating in more than 40 countries worldwide. By joining the IRC team in Kakuma, the Reproductive Health Officer will contribute meaningfully to improving the lives of thousands of refugee women, children, and adolescents by strengthening reproductive health systems and outcomes.
This role offers a unique opportunity to apply clinical, public health, and management expertise to one of the most impactful areas of humanitarian response—sexual and reproductive health. It provides both professional growth and the satisfaction of working on a mission that transforms lives in vulnerable communities.
How to Apply:
Interested and qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through the IRC job portal.
