Vacancy Announcement

General Description of the Programme/GOAL

GOAL has a 24-year presence in Sierra Leone with activities in Western Area Urban, Kenema, Karene, Koinadugu, Falaba, Moyamba, Bombali and Kambia Districts. The GOAL Sierra Leone program contributes to poverty and vulnerability reduction and building long term resilience through the implementation of multi-sectoral, integrated Programmes. GOAL SL has implemented programmes and projects in WASH, Health and Emergency. GOAL had been heavily engaged in all areas of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) response.

The GOAL Sierra Leone health Programme specifically focuses on systems strengthening and community level behaviour change Programming with the aim of improving maternal & child health, integrated with nutrition components and a Water Sanitation & Hygiene (WASH) Programme. These complement child protection and empowerment interventions. GOAL mainstreams gender, child protection, HIV and environment across all Programmes and operations. GOAL is engaged in direct implementation of hardware and software activities as well as supporting a mix of national and international partners including community-based organizations which require significant capacity building of operational and technical capacity.

GOAL is engaged in NGO consortia as a com-implementor and aims to work with a local NGO in the Health sector to support processes where local actors take the centre stage in development as well as pursue the localization agenda.

Purpose of the Role-Overall Objectives

The Assistant Health Coordinator (AHC) is deputizing the Country Health Coordinator (CHC) for providing strategic insight, technical guidance, and leading the implementation and operationalisation of the Health Component of the Country Strategic Plan.  THE AHC works with CHC also to provide leadership, management, and technical support to the health Programme in Sierra Leone. The post holder ensures the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of GOAL health Programming in line with approved Programme proposals and budgets. The AHC will also assist the CHC to maintain external relationships with critical government and non-governmental actors in the Health Sector at different levels. S/he will also deputise the CHC in representing GSL externally and promote our approach and advocate for improvements in the overall health Service Delivery and quality. The AHC also assistant the CHC to coordinate with Global Health Advisor and SBCC Advisor and ensures TA is provided on a regular and consistent basis with the aim to ensure quality delivery of the Programmes.

Detail Responsibilities of the role: 

Leadership 

• Work closely with CHC to Develop and maintain a coherent Programme strategy that contributes to GOAL’s inter sectoral strategy, in close coordination with the WASH Coordinator, PD, the CD and the GOAL Programme team.
• Deputize the CHC in coordination and management pf the overall planning and direction of GOAL’s health activities at country level.
• Work with relevant partners in the implementation and delivery of GOAL’s Health strategy.

Programme Development 

• In conjunction with the CHC, HQ Health Advisors, PD and CD supports the development and update of a multi-year country plan for 2023-2025 and ensure that the health component is developed and budgeted with a clear implementation plan and results framework for the three years.
• Assist the CHC to further promotes GSL system analysis and Health system strengthening approach with the view to  align and complement i on national priorities, standards, strategies and policies.
• Assist in the conduct of in-depth analysis of context and health systems, rapid needs assessments, and supervision of research initiatives as necessary.
• In coordination with the relevant health team members, and the PDQM , support the CHC in preparation of accurate and timely Programme proposals and donor reports.
• Work with the CHC to monitor GOAL’s emergency preparedness capacity in relation to the context in country and in the region.
• Assist the CHC in ensuring that Goal country health programming adopts the evidence-based approach and support internal processes for GSL to become a learning organization by conducting, amongst others, SWOT analysis, Lesson learned practices, research etc…).
• Deputize CHC to liaise with GOAL’s Global Health team on policy development and strategy. 

Representation 

• Deputize the CHC in representing GOAL’s health work at the national level to in country donors, UN agencies, NGOs and other stakeholders, as required.
• Contribute towards the dissemination of GOAL’s health work through publications (general public, health sector actors, academic institutions) in consultation with the ACD-P and GOAL’s Global health and Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability & Learning (MEAL) teams.

Programme Management/Support 

• Support project managers in the implementation of the Health project-related activities in the operational districts(Meso) and communities (Micro).
• Oversee all operations for the ICSP activities, with support from the CHC as needed and ensure follow up internally with procurement and logistics departments.
• Provide technical and management support for ICSP programming in Kambia, Kenema, Bombali and Western area.
• Ensure that GOAL’s ICSP programmes and any new grant are in line with Government and donor priorities for Sierra Leone and reflect the actual needs for each district and in line with district annual health plans and Health system strengthening.
• Support Health programme managers to facilitate the development of fully costed district health plans that reflect the priorities of individual districts.
• Project development and management responsibilities for the ICSP programme, including budget management, donor compliance and staff management.
• Responsible for submission of timely, accurate and high-quality donor reports in collaboration with country Health Coordinator and Grants unit.
• In conjunction with MEAL team in Country provide support to the development and implementation of M&E framework and implementation plan with advice from Country Health Coordinator if necessary.
• Working with M&E team and with support from the Country Health Co, ensure there is a strong and robust M&E system in place for the health program in Sierra Leone (SL). Work with managers to build a culture of using the health dash boards and other information for reporting and development of new grants
• Participate in formation of alliances and consortia with key strategic partners including INGOs, local NGO, and private sector to facilitate joint fundraising and implementation opportunities.
• Attend relevant national meetings in Freetown including various working groups and technical meetings. Actively participate in discussions relating to survivor care and the transition plan,
• In collaboration with the Safeguarding coordinator/ Mainstreaming Focal points ensure the mainstreaming of key issues including but not limited child protection, SGBV, gender and all other related safeguarding policies.
• Identify technical gaps on the health team and partners and oversee the capacity building.
• Ensure that lessons learnt, success stories and best practice are being documented by the programme and that GOAL’s Health Programme is incorporating organizational developments for health.
• Any other duties as assigned by the country Health Coordinator and Senior Management, including support on complementary emergency projects in Freetown as needed.

Staff Management / HR

• Coordinate and support the Country Health Coordinator, Health Programmme Managers and Officers and ensure that the individuals work plans are developed and are effectively aligned with and support achievement of the Programme objectives.
• Line manage and provide technical support to health staff (Health Programme Managers, Surveillance Coordinator etc…), including performance management and appraisals.
• Assist the CHC on supervising recruitment of health staff in coordination with HR in Sierra Leone, London and Dublin.
• Enhance technical and health management skills of the GOAL health team in Sierra Leone.

Requirements of the Position:

Essential :

• Educational Level:  A degree on medical training: CHO, SRN, Midwife, SECHN with field experience.
• At least 5 years of experience coordinating and managing health programmes.
• Proven expertise and experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health (RMNCAH), and other related areas.
• Strong understanding of health systems strengthening and system approach.
• Very strong demonstrable experience in all aspects of project management including project planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, financial management and the design/utilization of appropriate project management tools, and the capacity to transfer this experience to others.
• Demonstrable skills and experience in resilience analysis and community engagement approaches i.e. social accountability and community dialogue and conversations.
• Excellent interpersonal, motivational and management skills with extensive experience and staff mentoring capacity.
• Effective communication, networking, analysis and writing skills.
• Demonstrable experience in liaising with governmental/local authorities and other international actors and NGOs.

Desirable :

• A master’s degree level in public health or other appropriate disciplines; clinical background is highly desirable.
• Understanding of WASH and Social behaviour change programming is an advantage.

Safeguarding

Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.

Accountability within GOAL

Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:

• Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.

• Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
• Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic team, please send your cover letter and up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm – 21st April, 2023, please note that a copy of the application letter must be sent to the NGO Desk Officer, Ministry of Labour, New England or emailed to: employmentdesk71@gmail.com

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for interview.

GOAL provides equal opportunity in employment and prohibits discrimination in employment on the basis of race, sex, colour, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability.

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”