Health Field Officer At Expertise France

INTRODUCTION:

About Expertise France

Expertise France is France’s public agency and interministerial actor in charge of international technical cooperation, the second-largest in Europe. As a subsidiary of Agence Française de Développement Group (AFD Group), it designs and implements projects that sustainably strengthen public policies in developing and emerging countries. Expertise France works in key areas of development: governance, security, climate change, health, education, and more. Alongside its partners, it contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Within its Peace, Stability and Security Department, the Stabilization & Resilience Unit delivers multi-sectoral recovery programs in fragile and conflict-affected contexts through an integrated territorial approach that bridges emergency response and long-term resilience. In particular, EF has developed a strong track record in stabilizing essential services, including health systems, in crisis-affected regions through tailored, locally grounded solutions.

CONTEXT

Syrian conflict

Fourteen years of protracted conflict in Syria have devastated the health system, leaving millions of people without access to essential and life-saving care. The cumulative impact of widespread displacement, recurrent hostilities, deteriorating infrastructure, sanctions, and the collapse of the economy has severely undermined health service delivery across the country. In spite of the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime in December 2024 and the establishment of a transitional government, that initiated a multi-phase recovery strategy to remedy decades of underinvestment, the sector suffers from significant weaknesses. Health facilities remain damaged or non-functional, supply chains are disrupted, and qualified health personnel who migrated or left the sector in large numbers have not returned on a large scale. As a result, communities face significant barriers to accessing affordable, quality health services, with the most vulnerable—women, children, the elderly, and people with chronic conditions—bearing the heaviest burden.

Despite ongoing humanitarian assistance, critical gaps persist. The health system suffers from insufficient coverage, fragmented governance, and an overreliance on external aid. Preventive and primary health care services are limited, maternal and child health indicators continue to deteriorate, and the lack of rehabilitated, equipped, and functional health facilities hampers both emergency and routine care. Human resources are deeply imbalanced, with shortages of trained nurses and midwives weakening the overall quality of care. Moreover, public institutions lack the financial and operational capacity to sustain services, making humanitarian and development actors indispensable in ensuring continuity of care.

EXPERTISE FRANCE IN SYRIA:

Since 2013, Expertise France has been implementing stabilization programs in non-regime-held areas across Syria, through local Syrian NGOs and CSOs with whom it built strong partnerships. Expertise France’s fields of intervention covered the following sectors: health, livelihoods, early recovery, and capacity development.

Syria Health Recovery and Reconstruction Effort (SHeRE):

Expertise France (EF) developed the “Health Recovery in Northeast Syria” (HERNES) program that was funded jointly by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs (French MoEFA) and the European Union (EU). The program was delivered in 4 phases from 2019 and is expected to continue until 2026. Transitioning from HERNES, EF developed the SHERE project to cover all of Syria. This program aims to support an inclusive and sustainable recovery of the health system in Syria by improving access to quality Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) services. Through targeted rehabilitation of health facilities, provision of essential equipment, capacity strengthening of health personnel, and technical support at national and sub-national levels, the project seeks to enhance service availability, strengthen health system functions, and improve health outcomes for conflict-affected populations. Working closely with national authorities, implementing partners, and community stakeholders, SHERE promotes harmonized standards, evidence-based practices, and coordinated sector-wide approaches to contribute to long-term resilience and better health for women, children, and vulnerable groups across Syria.

TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

EF is seeking to recruit a health field officer to support the implementation and follow up of SHERE project activities, with a focus on coordinating rehabilitation and training activities.

DELIVERABLES

The incumbent shall submit the below deliverables within the agreed timelines. Payment will be on completion and sign off of deliverables and as per signed timesheets.

The deliverables are set out below:

1. Field Coordination & Follow-up

• Conduct regular field visits to project sites to monitor the implementation of activities, particularly rehabilitation and training activities.
• Ensure timely follow-up on field-level implementation and flag delays, challenges, and risks to the direct supervisor
• Maintain effective communication with implementing partners and facility focal points to ensure smooth coordination.

1. Support Rehabilitation Activities

• Follow up on the implementation of health facility rehabilitation activities in coordination with relevant stakeholders.
• Support the preparation of lists, technical requirements, and Bills of Quantities (BoQs) in consultation with the Health Coordinator and Project Manager.
• Monitor progress against plans and report on status, quality, and any deviations.

1. Support Training Activities

• Follow up on the implementation of training activities, ensuring alignment with project plans and timelines.
• Coordinate with RMNCH experts, trainers, and the Health Coordinator to organize and implement training sessions.
• Prepare training-related documentation, including participant lists, attendance sheets, reports, and other required materials.
• Coordinate logistical requirements for training sessions (venue, materials, equipment, etc.) when required.
• Support the establishment of skills laboratory, and support inventories when requested.

1. Reporting & Documentation

• Prepare and submit progress reports to the Health Coordinator, covering both rehabilitation and training activities.
• Ensure proper documentation of activities, including field visit reports, training reports, and supporting records.
• Support data collection and information management as required for project monitoring.

1. Coordination & Representation

• Support the Health Coordinator in coordination with governmental bodies and relevant stakeholders, including attending meetings and official visits when required.
• Participate in internal and external meetings as assigned by the Health Coordinator and Project Manager.

1. Other Duties

• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Health Coordinator and Project Manager relevant to project implementation and field operations.

TECHNICAL SKILLS, EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

• Education: Medical background, certificate or degree in reproductive, maternal, neonatal, or child health, or public health.
• Experience: 5 years of relevant experience, particularly working as a health programs officer/manager, with enough field management experience. Prior working experience with NNGO or INGO.
• Languages: Very good in written and spoken English, Advance Arabic is mandatory.
• Computer skills: Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc.).
• Ability to work to deadlines with good prioritization and time management skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel within Syria.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multicultural, multi-ethnic environment and to maintain effective working relations with people of different national and cultural backgrounds.
• Demonstrate and safeguard ethics and integrity.

REPORTING LINES

The Health Field Officer will report to the Health Coordinator, and work in close coordination with the Experts team and EF staff.

DUTY STATION AND TRAVEL

The position is based in Syria.