Closing Date

: Jul 20, 2021, 10:59:00 PM

Primary Location

: Sierra Leone-Freetown

Organization

: AF_SLE Sierra Leone

Schedule

: Full-time  

TITLE

Quality Midwifery Education Officer

Contract Type

Special Service Agreement (SSA)

GRADE

NOB Step-1

CONTRACT DURATION

3 months

PURPOSE OF THE POST

The National SSA will provide coordination and technical support to the Directorate of Nursing & Midwifery and the National Task Force for Strengthening Midwifery Education to effectively plan, organize, coordinate and engage key stakeholders in the operationalization of the Framework for Action: Strengthening Quality Midwifery Education for UHC 2030 in Sierra Leone. This includes all processes leading up to a new harmonized revised national midwifery education curriculum, in close coordination and consultation with international resource persons and the WHO Country Office.

Background

The World Health Organization Sierra Leone Country Office (WCO) is responsible for providing technical advice to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) in guiding overall efforts to improve the health and well-being of the population. Updating of the curriculum for midwifery education is part of the Government of Sierra Leone's commitment to invest in high-quality education and training for midwives thereby improving the quality of sexual, reproductive, maternal, neonatal and adolescent health.

The aim for this curriculum review & development is to build a nationally uniform midwifery education which in the long term a prerequisite for a united midwifery workforce. All midwifery students will receive the same education in line with ICM Essential Competencies for Midwifery Practice, so that the needs of women and newborns are met. The curriculum will be reviewed based on the midwife's role, responsibilities and function, which is described under the international definition of midwife.

The responsibility of the national SSA will be to:

i. Support the Directorate of Nursing & Midwifery to be an effective Secretariat for the operationalization of the Framework for Action: Strengthening Quality Midwifery Education for UHC 2030 in Sierra Leone

ii. Work with the national task force and Directorates of Nursing & Midwifery and of Training and Research to develop a workplan

iii. Ensure that all meetings are minuted, and follow up actions are implemented by responsible parties

iv. Conduct a mapping of Midwifery Education Stakeholders to ensure these are systematically involved in all processes

v. Collate all relevant documents including but not limited to; existing Sierra Leonean and regional (WAHO) Midwifery curricula, CPD framework, service scheme, scope of practice, and all the most recent national guidelines related to midwifery care and sexual and reproductive health rights, quality improvement; ensure these are available and appropriately referenced in the curriculum development process

vi. Support the development of tools for all related assessments

vii. Participate in all data collection exercises

viii. Provide technical leadership to increase awareness of the cultural context, specificities and implications

ix. Participate in relevant technical working groups in areas of quality management / improvement and information sharing

x. Support the development and review of all products and deliverables, including documentation of the process

xi. Regularly monitor and provide progress reports against the workplan

xii. Work alongside and mentor counterparts in programme management

xiii. Any other duties related to needs identified during the revision of the curriculum

Deliverables:

• Monthly Activity Reports

 Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to the Sierra Leone Country Office and direct supervision of the WHO Basic Package of Essential Services Coordinator, day to day guidance of the Technical Officer Midwifery/SRHR at the WHO’s Sierra Leone country office ,the incumbent will work closely with the Chief Nursing & Midwifery Officer of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) at the Government of Sierra Leone.

The ultimate responsibility for ensuring key stakeholders are engaged and contribute to the development of a plan and operationalization of the Framework for Action: Strengthening Quality Midwifery Education for UHC 2030 in Sierra Leone lies with the MoHS of the Government of Sierra Leone

ED QUALIFICATIONS

Education:

Essential: A University Degree in Public Health or other Health-related Sciences

Desirable:

•  A Diploma in Midwifery

• Formal qualification in Project Management

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link: http://www.whed.net/

Experience:

Essential:

•  At least 2 years’ clinical working experience in the area of Midwifery

• At least 2 years of experience delivering public health programmes

• Familiarity with the midwifery education system in Sierra Leone

• Demonstrable experience as a trainer in any recognized national SRHR course

• Experience managing public health programmes or other development projects

Functional Skills

Essential:

• Planning and organizing

• Report writing skills

• Facilitation skills

Competencies:

• Teamwork

• Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences

• Communication

• Producing results

• Ensuring the effective use of resources

Use of Language Skills

Essential:  Excellent knowledge of English language.

Other Skills:

•Proficiency in Microsoft Office

REMUNERATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Remuneration

NOB Level (SLL 21,130,083.33 Monthly rate)

Place of Assignment

Freetown, Sierra Leone