General Description of GOAL’s Work in Sierra Leone

GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1998, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban faecal sludge management and promoting social inclusion, empowerment and decent work through systems-based programme approaches and community led social and behavioral change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban (Freetown), Kambia, Kenema, Bombali, Koinadugu and Moyamba Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, DFID, the European Union, and Charity water.

General Description of the Programme

GOAL, along with its Consortium partners received fund from FCDO – Saving Lives (Phase II) as Regional lead for the  North for the Health Co NGO consortium . The Saving Lives programme seeks to support the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to save women’s and children’s lives by improving the quality, availability and accessibility of reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health services. This will be achieved by increasing the utilization of quality RMNCAH services through a multifaceted approach that seeks to strengthen quality, expand access, and build the demand for RMNCAH services in Sierra Leone. The programme duration is October 2018 – March 2021, and been extended to March 2023. Additional, GOAL is implementing community engagement project using the Community Led Action (CLA) focusing on COVID-19 vaccine demand creation.




Overview of the role

GOAL is recruiting For Health Progamme Manager (HPM) for the Saving Lives Phase II programme in Sierra Leone based in Koinadugu. The HMP will hold the overall responsibility for supporting the implementation of the Saving Lives programme and any additional Health funded project in his or her assigned district –Koinadugu/Falaba. Working in close collaboration with the Regional Monitoring, Evaluation, accountability and Learning Manager (MEAL), the MoHS and other key stakeholders in the districts, the HPM will play a key role in ensuring that the Saving Lives programme is implemented to a high technical standard and is in full alignment with relevant national policies and protocols.

The HPM will work under the oversight of the Project Coordinator and area coordinator, s/he will supervise – District Clinical Mentors and Programme Officers, and data clerk in the Koinadugu/Falaba district. This position is for 6 months with possible extend but contingent on funding.

CONTRACT DURATION 

October 2022 to March 2023 

Main responsibilities

Programme Management:

• Support the District Medical Officers (DMOs) in planning, management and implementation of the annual District Health Plan
• Co-lead with the District Medical Officer, in their respective districts, on developing the Saving Lives Phase II district plan in accordance to the District Health Plan, while ensuring the effective use of resources
• Provide ongoing technical advice and mentorship on implementation of the Saving Lives Phase II plan
• Provide support and mentorship to DHMT and hospital staff on how to interpret and interrogate qualitative and quantitative data for decision making
• Support and mentor DHMT and district hospital staff to ensure key human resource tools are available – job descriptions for key posts, organograms, key performance indicators, etc.
• Support DMOs in the coordination of all RMNCAH partners in the districts
• Support DMOs to organize monthly PHU-in charges meetings and use it as a forum for discussion and analysis of health data from facilities
• Mentor and support the Social Mobilization lead in the DHMT to hold regular adolescent sexual and reproductive health stakeholder meetings
• Ensure adherence to the district level monitoring plan and timeline
• Conduct regular field visits to the targeted Community Health Centres (CHCs) in the respective districts to monitor performance of the District Clinical Mentors.
• Supporting the coordination or organization working on improving maternal health
• Responsible for the writing of detail and accurate district programme reports

Staff Management:

• Supervise the staff in the Koinadugu/Falaba district in accordance with GOAL HR policies and local law.

Budget Oversight:

• With technical oversight from the Assistant Health Coordinator, overall budget holder for the GOAL saving lives project, manage district budget and provide operational support in the respective district.
• Budget holder for identified district budget lines.
• Provide support and oversight to the DMO on operational fund in the district
• Provide oversight and guidance to the programmes officer to support planning and management of hospital operational support.
• Provide support – technical and management – to the DMOs for accessing flexible funding when it is available for the district.
• Ensure that the district resources are used effectively and transparently on prioritized RMNCAH activities.
• Support good quality district applications for the innovation fund under the programme for the district.
• Review Budget-vs-Actual, financial reports, and spending plans for assign district
• Promptly respond to all budget-related inquiries.

Representation and Advocacy:

• Attend district level RMNCAH meetings and other workshops, working groups, and coordination forums as required to ensure close coordination and collaboration.
• Analyze and present data in creative new ways to influence district-level discussions around and prioritization of RMNCAH activities and strategy implementation.

Requirements (Person Specification):

To effectively deliver this engagement, the applicant should meet the following requirements: Essential

• BSN, CHOs/Midwifes/SECHNs with public health experience/trainings
• At least 7  years of relevant field experience with managing staff
• Experience in planning and management of programmes in Sierra Leone, including experience in implementing/managing health programs preference will be given to experience with RMNCAH programmes
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead a team
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of having worked with district health systems
• Ability to provide technical support and feedback with a high degree of tact and diplomacy
• Strong verbal communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
• Excellent English and Krio speaking/writing skills required.

Desirable

• Understanding of Social behaviour change programming is an advantage.
• Master’s degree in public health or other relevant studies.

General terms and conditions

GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.

A commitment to GOAL values and GOAL’s integrity framework is critical to working with GOAL. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability: 1) 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; 2) Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area; 3) Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.

Safeguarding Awareness 

Staff responsibilities – Child Safeguarding

GOAL has a moral and legal responsibility and a duty to protect children within our care from both intentional and unintentional harm. We recognize the need to ensure that our staff, operations and programmes “do no harm” to children; and that we do not expose children to the risk of harm and abuse, and that any concerns the organisation has about children’s safety within the communities in which they work are reported to the appropriate authorities. Child safeguarding is broader than PSEAH in that it includes protecting children from all types of harm. Harm includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, child sexual exploitation, neglect and negligent treatment, emotional abuse and commercial exploitation. In addition, safeguarding measures that are appropriate for adults, may not be appropriate for the needs of children. GOAL’s Child Protection Policy outlines our Safeguarding commitments to children. Which all GOAL staff members are required to sign the safeguarding policy and adhere to it.

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.

If you have these skills and interested in joining our committed and dynamic Health Team, please send your cover letter and up-to-date CV to jobs@sl.goal.ie. on or before 5:30 pm – 23rd September, 2022, 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.

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY