Community Health Officer

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.

Job Overview/Summary: The Community Health Officer is responsible for supporting the implementation of community-based health activities related to Global Health Security (GHS), Community Based Surveillance (CBS), Immunization, Polio Eradication, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH), and Health Promotion under CGPP. The position will work closely with communities, volunteers, health facilities, and local stakeholders to strengthen service utilization, disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, and referral systems under the guidance of the Senior Health Officer. This position requires frequent travel (approximately 70-80%) to remote villages, IDP sites, and hard-to-reach communities.

This position is only opened for Myanmar National candidates. 

Major Responsibilities:

Community Engagement, Mobilization and Health Promotion

• Conduct community awareness sessions and health education activities on immunization, maternal and child health, nutrition, hygiene promotion, communicable diseases, and outbreak prevention.
• Mobilize community members to access routine health services, outreach clinics, immunization campaigns, and emergency health interventions.
• Work with community leaders, volunteers, village committees, and local stakeholders to promote healthy behavior and improve access to health services.
• Support identification and follow-up of under-immunized children, pregnant women, and other vulnerable groups.
• Distribute and promote the use of approved health education and IEC materials.
• Collect community feedback and concerns and report them to the Senior Project Officer.

Community-Based Surveillance and Global Health Security

• Support implementation of Community-Based Surveillance (CBS) activities in assigned communities.
• Assist community volunteers and key informants in identifying and reporting priority diseases, unusual health events, and public health threats.
• Verify surveillance alerts through field visits and timely reporting to supervisors.
• Maintain surveillance records and ensure accurate documentation of alerts, referrals, and follow-up actions.
• Support outbreak investigation, risk communication, community engagement, and emergency response activities as assigned.
• Assist with specimen transportation and referral processes according to established procedures.

Immunization and Polio Eradication

• Conduct community mobilization activities to improve routine immunization uptake.
• Support implementation of vaccination outreach sessions, campaigns, and Supplementary Immunization Activities (SIAs).
• Identify and follow up on missed children, zero-dose children, and defaulters in collaboration with health workers and volunteers.
• Promote awareness of vaccine-preventable diseases and address common misconceptions through approved health messages.
• Support Acute Flaccid Paralysis (AFP) surveillance and community-based polio eradication activities.
• Assist health facilities and outreach teams in community mapping and beneficiary tracking.

Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH)

• Conduct health education sessions on antenatal care, postnatal care, newborn care, nutrition, breastfeeding, and child health.
• Support community outreach activities and health campaigns targeting women and children.
• Identify and refer pregnant women, newborns, malnourished children, and sick children to appropriate health facilities.
• Follow up referred cases to ensure services are received and barriers are addressed.
• Support health facilities and outreach teams during MNCH service delivery activities.

Capacity Building and Volunteer Support

• Support training and orientation sessions for community volunteers and community health workers.
• Assist healthcare providers and community health workers in promoting compliance with IPC protocols, waste management procedures, and infection prevention practices
• Provide day-to-day guidance and support to volunteers during implementation of community activities.
• Assist in mentoring and monitoring volunteer performance in collaboration with the Senior Project Officer.
• Maintain records of volunteer activities, meetings, and training events.

Monitoring, Reporting and Documentation

• Collect, compile, and submit activity data and reports on a timely basis.
• Maintain beneficiary records, referral registers, surveillance records, and activity documentation.
• Conduct routine data verification and support data quality improvement activities.
• Participate in assessments, surveys, monitoring visits, and review meetings.
• Support preparation of weekly, monthly, and quarterly reports.

Coordination and Collaboration

• Coordinate regularly with community leaders, volunteers, healthcare workers, and local stakeholders to support project implementation.
• Participate in community meetings, coordination meetings, and project review sessions as assigned.
• Work closely with IRC Health, MEAL, logistics, and Supply Chain teams to facilitate smooth implementation of activities.
• Report implementation challenges, community concerns, and emerging public health issues to the supervisor.

Other

• Adherent to IRC Code of Conduct, Safeguarding Policy, PSEA Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, and Security Protocols.
• Maintain confidentiality and always protect sensitive beneficiary information.
• Promote accountability to affected populations and support community feedback mechanisms.
• Ensure that all activities are implemented in accordance with humanitarian principles.
• Report safeguarding concerns, security incidents, and programmatic risks through appropriate channels.
• Remain flexible and perform additional duties as assigned by the supervisor to support achievement of project objectives.
• Support emergency response activities and surge interventions when required.

Key Working Relationships:

Position Reports to: Senior Project Officer

Position directly supervises: N/A

What should you have?

Job Requirements:

Education

• Bachelor of Community Health, Nursing, Midwifery, or related field.

Experiences

• Minimum 2-3 years of relevant experience in community health, immunization, disease surveillance, MNCH or humanitarian health programs.

Competency

• Ability to work well in a team.
• Ability to work in difficult situations with flexibility.
• Ability to travel and work long continuous days in remote IDP camps and villages.
• Good communication skills and experience in community facilitation.
• Skilled facilitator, educator and trainer.
• Prefer advanced computer skills to use Microsoft Word, Excel, and data collection tools.

Language

• Good in read, write and communicate in English language.
• Good at speaking and understanding local dialects.

Professional Standards: All International Rescue Committee workers must adhere to the core values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. Our Standards are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Conflicts of Interest, Fiscal Integrity, and Reporting Wrongdoing and Protection from Retaliation. IRC is committed to take all necessary preventive measures and create an environment where people feel safe, and to take all necessary actions and corrective measures when harm occurs. IRC builds teams of professionals who promote critical reflection, power sharing, debate, and objectivity to deliver the best possible services to our clients.

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Why Choose the IRC?

Work that has meaning: Every day at the IRC is a chance to make a difference through a purpose-driven career. Whether you're working directly with communities or providing support behind the scenes, you will be part of a dynamic team that is always innovating, scaling, and testing new and better solutions to ensure the best possible outcomes for the people we serve.

Global scale, dynamic workplace: At the IRC, we believe that the dynamic, global make-up of our team is our strength. When you join us, you're not just starting a job—you will be part of a global organization positively impacting millions of lives in over 40 get to work with colleagues from all around the world—working across time zones and regularly exchanging different ideas, perspectives and insights. You’ll join a team that is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment to create a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and heard.  

Challenging work, innovative solutions: We’re committed to excellence and innovation, and pride ourselves in setting industry-leading standards while practicing evidence and data-lead strategies. Come challenge norms, shatter conventions, and pioneer change while working on real, nuanced and complex issues we face in the world today.  

Community centered: We’re an empathetic community that truly cares for one another. Our comprehensive safety and security initiatives ensure a safe work environment, while our continuous learning and development programs provide ongoing opportunities for personal and career advancement.

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Our Typical Recruitment Process

The interview process typically includes three rounds, though the number may vary depending on the role and level of seniority. It usually begins with a conversation with our recruiting team to learn more about you and your goals. This is followed by an interview with a hiring manager or business stakeholder to explore your background and provide more insight into the role. The final round focuses on assessing your role-specific expertise and may be conducted as a panel interview to evaluate your cross-functional strengths. Before extending an offer, we generally conduct reference checks, and after an offer is made, a standard background check is completed. While we strive for consistency, the process may differ based on the role, business unit, location, job type, legal requirements, and other factors.

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