Job Summary

The Program Officer will play a pivotal role in supporting the implementation of the Highway Emergency Response Project while providing both clinical and operational oversight for pre-hospital emergency care. He/She will supervise nurses, paramedics, and first responders attached to the project, ensure adherence to clinical protocols, and coordinate the safe transfer of victims to designated health facilities. The role also involves monitoring performance, managing project staffing and volunteers, overseeing efficient utilization of resources, and ensuring the delivery of high-quality, timely, and effective emergency response services.

Clinical Oversight & Supervision

• Provide technical leadership and supervision to community nurses, paramedics, and ambulance crews.
• Ensure strict adherence to standard treatment protocols, triage procedures, and first aid guidelines.
• Oversee the stabilization and safe transfer of crash victims to designated hospitals while maintaining the highest standards of clinical care.

Program Implementation & Coordination

• Coordinate day-to-day operations of ambulances and first responder teams. Support the development and implementation of emergency response protocols and referral pathways.
• Ensure effective coordination and linkages between ambulance services, hospitals, police, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead community sensitization efforts, simulation drills, and road safety awareness campaigns to strengthen community preparedness and response.

Monitoring, Evaluation & Reporting

• Track and analyze key performance indicators, including response times, stabilization outcomes, and referral efficiency.
• Document case data and lessons learned while preparing timely and comprehensive reports.
• Support impact assessments and drive continuous quality improvement in emergency service delivery.

Stakeholder Engagement & Partnerships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with county governments, traffic police, and health facilities to facilitate seamless coordination.
• Represent the project in clinical and technical forums related to emergency medical services (EMS) and road safety.
• Foster partnerships with hospitals to strengthen referral systems and ensure continuity of care for crash victims.

Staffing & Human Resource Management

• Work closely with the HR department to manage all staffing needs for the project, including recruitment, onboarding, deployment, and performance management of nurses, paramedics, and first responders.
• Ensure staff capacity-building through training, mentorship, and continuous professional development to enhance the quality of emergency response services.

Volunteer Management

• Work closely with St John Kenya’s volunteer network to engage, deploy, and support volunteers participating in the project.
• Ensure that volunteers receive proper orientation, training, and mentorship to effectively contribute to first aid delivery, community sensitization, and emergency response activities.

Administrative, Financial & Operational Support

• Oversee scheduling, rostering, and deployment of ambulance staff to ensure optimal coverage.
• Manage the supply chain for first aid kits, ambulance equipment, and consumables.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager and Finance team to monitor the project budget, track expenditures, and ensure cost-effective utilization of resources.
• Ensure compliance with financial, clinical, and operational standards as well as donor reporting requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, Clinical Medicine, Emergency Medical Care, Public Health, or a related field.
• At least 3–5 years’ experience in pre-hospital emergency care, trauma response, or EMS.
• Proven supervisory and coordination experience with clinical staff.
• Strong knowledge of first aid, triage, stabilization and referral protocols.
• Demonstrated experience in budget monitoring, resource management and financial accountability within project settings.
• Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency in report writing, data analysis and health information systems.
• Demonstrated ability in clinical decision making and problem solving under pressure.
• Strong leadership, team management and staff supervision skills.
• Ability to balance programmatic, clinical and operational responsibilities
• High level of cultural sensitivity, teamwork and community engagement.
• Commitment to patient safety and continuous improvement in the quality of care