Woreda Human Resources for Health (HRH) Health System Strengthening Officer

About this role

The Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Association (EMLA) is one of the oldest nationwide professional associations in Ethiopia. It was officially registered with the Ministry of Justice in 1964 and later re-registered under the Ethiopian Government’s Charities and Societies Proclamation No. 621/2009. EMLA is committed to contributing to the improvement of national health programs, particularly in the field of laboratory medicine. The association promotes professional development, continuing professional development (CPD), research, advocacy, and collaboration among medical laboratory professionals. It also works to strengthen laboratory quality, advance professional standards, and improve the delivery of reliable laboratory services, thereby contributing to the overall improvement of Ethiopia’s healthcare system. Vision: To see improved accessible, affordable and high standard healthcare provision through evidences generated by laboratory medicine in Ethiopia. Mission: We are working for continuous improvement in the quality of laboratory education, practices, services, health outcomes and scientific researches to enhance. Core Values: Accountability: We are accountable to the general assembly, the licensing body and stakeholders. We maintain and promote high standards of practice in the delivery of quality health care. Ethics and Commitment: Our standards ensure high quality medical laboratory professionals who are valued throughout Ethiopia and in the world. We are proactive in meeting the needs of our members and our community. Summary Scope of Work: The Woreda Human Resources for Health (HRH) Health System Strengthening Officer will support the Jhpiego-led HRH Project funded by the U.S. Department of State. Serving in an integrated HRH role, the primary purpose of this position is to strengthen health workforce management across the healthcare system, primarily within the public sector while supporting select private sector engagements at the local government authority level. Specifically, the role will focus on enhancing pre- and in-service education for multidisciplinary health cadres, building capacity in Leadership, Management, and Governance (LMG), and strengthening overall human resource planning, development, and management. The Woreda HRH Health System Strengthening Officer supports the implementation of an integrated HRH interventions that strengthen woreda and health facilities’ leadership, governance, management, and workforce systems, while institutionalizing data-driven HRH planning, learning, and decision-making to create the organizational and institutional conditions necessary for health professionals to perform effectively and deliver high-quality health services. This will include providing support to improve organizational structure and staffing, HR leadership and governance development; evidence-based planning for human resources; strengthening integrated Human Resources Information System (iHRIS), effective HR management including recruitment, deployment, motivation, and retention; and health education and health workforce regulation. The ideal candidates will have technical expertise and prior experience in HRH program implementation, and experience working with health management structures of the local Government and other key stakeholders. Working closely with the Hub Jhpiego’s HRH Coordinator and other Area Implementation Team (AIT) members, S/he will complete deliverables on time, and achieve results effectively. Reporting Structure: Position Reports To: Project Coordinator at the Ethiopian Medical Laboratory Associatio Key Roles and Responsibilities Under the guidance and leadership of the Hub HRH Coordinator, Woreda Human Resources for Health(HRH) Health System Strengthening Officer are expected to strengthen the Woreda Health Offices (WoHOs), and their respective Primary Health Care Units (PHCUs) capacity to manage and improve their health workforce capacity, productivity, retention, and service quality while ensuring alignment with national HRH and PHC priorities. S/he will contribute to organizational and human resources management capacity assessments, program learning, monitoring and evaluation and research. Provide first-line technical support to WoHOs and PHCUs for implementation of interventions related to competency-based pre-service education, continuing professional development, professional regulation, workforce competency assessment, leadership development, workforce planning, HRH management, digital HRH, HRH information systems, organizational development, and adaptive learning. Support implementation of local capacity building, coaching, and mentorship on health workforce planning, long term forecasting of HR needs, leadership, governance, and management capacity and other HRH functions at Woreda and health facilities levels. Institutionalize use of the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) Tool at facility level for workforce planning Implement innovative deployment, motivation, and retention schemes that address workforce shortages and high turnover rates. Coordinate peer-to-peer learning across PHCUs. Support WoHO and PHCUs on HRH data collection, compilation analysis and use of HRH data for decision making. Support on proper implementation of the iHRIS at woreda and facility level. Support on public private partnership to have a comprehensive HR data from the private health facilities Coordinate supportive supervision visits to health facilities on HRH function including on iHRIS implementation Perform other duties appropriate to the position as assigned by the Hub HRH Coordinator or his/her designate Duty Station: Shashemene (01) Bahr Dar (01) Position type: Full-Time for 6 months, possibility of extension. Required staff: Two Salary: Attractive Date: October 30, 2026