Job Vacancy at Partners In Health – Traditional Birth Attendance Manager (National Position)

Work Location:

Koidu Government Hospital KGH, Kono

Department

Clinical

Reports To

Reproductive and Maternal, Newborn Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH) Program Manager

Line Management

TBA’s

Duration Of Contract

Twelve (12) Months

Application Status

External Advert

Organization Profile

Partners In Health Sierra Leone LLC (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world.

Our Work In Sierra Leone

Partners In Health Sierra Leone LLC (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The TBA Manager is a member of the PIH Sierra Leone team and will work in collaboration with, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), the clinical and support services staff to enhance high-quality, comprehensive maternal and newborn health services at community and Primary Health Unit (PHU) level. The TBA Manager will work closely with the Reproductive Maternal Neonatal Child and Adolescent Health Program Manager; all hospital based maternal and child health clinical staff; DHMT/PHU Staff; Community Based Program staff; TBAs, Community Leaders/stakeholders, and Women’s groups, community stakeholders, and significant others to improve the quality of maternal and newborn health services and reduce maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality in Kono District. The main focus will be coordinating and managing TBAs activities in the all the Chiefdoms in Kono District, and the PHUs. Providing training, supportive supervision, and mentorship to TBAs under RMNCAH-GAC project.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• In consultation and in line with the RMNCAH Program Manager, DHMT/MOHS and GAC objectives she will develop/adapt a training curriculum for TBAs with adherence to the Sierra Leone National Protocols and Guidelines for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care. Develop appropriate training tools, facilitate training in a conducive environment for the TBA’s.
• Conduct community engagement and stakeholder’s meetings to re-introduce a revamped TBA program in Kono district.
• Participate in the baseline assessment of the TBA program in Kono and facilitate the hiring of the TBAs.
• Strengthen the TBA counselling and referral skills and enhance behavior change to promote Antenatal care, facility deliveries and reduce home deliveries through on-the-job training, coaching and mentorship and supportive supervision.
• In conjunction with the RMNCAH Lead, Clinical Facilitator, International/National Midwife Mentors, DHMT and MEQ team, the TBA Manager will develop assessment tools to monitor TBAs competencies and provide practical on the job support as needed to staff who are not achieving said competencies.
• Develop Quality improvement projects for the TBA program to enhance quality service provision at community and PHU level.
• Conduct regular monitoring visits to targeted health facilities and communities to monitor quality and performance of mentored TBAs and completion of monitoring tools.
• Ensure TBAs are competently able to refer women, complete proper documentation in all required registers with the help of the CBP Team.
• Provide training and other technical support to Community Health Workers and TBAs on RMNCAH topics as needed.
• Work cohesively with the M & E team to collect data, compile and share activity and monthly reports with RMNCAH Lead, GAC Project Associate, CBP Manager, CBP Supervisors and designated others.
• Support maternal and newborn health outreach activities in collaboration with the RMNCAH Program Manager.
• Provide compassionate care in line with the PIH mission
• Other responsibilities as designated by the RMNCAH Program Manager, CBP Manger and GAC Project Lead.

Prevention of Sexual Abuse and Exploitation

Partners In Health (PIH) is committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work, including patients, families and community members, are treated with respect and dignity. We recognize that our work is rooted in vulnerable communities and, as a social justice organization, we are responsible for preventing sexual abuse and exploitation and enforcing consequences for those who fail to uphold these standards. PIH will not tolerate its employees, volunteers, consultants or any other representatives associated with the delivery of our work carrying out any form of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation, failing to report any allegations of sex abuse or sexual exploitation, or retaliation against those who report or participate in investigations.

Qualification and Experience

• Qualified SECHN/SRN Certificate/Diploma, Diploma/Certificate in Midwifery. Public Health Nurse/Midwife qualification is also desirable.
• Proven knowledge and experience of BEMONC, CEMONC, Essential Newborn Care and Pass in ETAT Course.
• Experience in recognizing and managing high risk pregnancies, complicated deliveries, postpartum complications and post abortion care.
• 5 or more years’ experience as a practicing midwife. With most recent practice not less than 2 years ago.
• Experience in basic midwifery training skills. With working knowledge of the Sierra Leone National Protocols and Guidelines for Emergency Obstetric and Newborn Care.

• Fluent verbal and written communication skills in English, Krio and preferably in the local dialect (Kono) as the role includes health promotion outreach activities and community engagement.
• Basic proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and Exchange Email.
• Ability to work independently and as an autonomous practitioner.
• Ability to work well in a team, be dependable, and hard working.
• Detail oriented.
• Ability to be flexible and effective with a good sense of humor in a busy work environment.
• Commitment to social justice and human rights.
• Willing to live and work fulltime in Koidu, Sierra Leone and to travel frequently to all the Chiefdoms in the District, with some degree of overnight visits.

Methods of Application

Application with detailed curriculum vitae (maximum 3 pages) including names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees, by email to:

[email protected]

PIH is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate applicants on the basis of sex, religion, tribe, or region. Female applicants are encouraged to apply and only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.

DUE TO THE CURRENT COVID-19 PANDEMIC, WE DO NOT ACCEPT HARD COPY APPLICATIONS