🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Concern Worldwide – 2 Positions

Concern Worldwide is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer
2.) Consortium Director

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Concern Worldwide is a nongovernmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world’s poorest countries. Concern Worldwide’s integrated programming approach aims to tackle all dimensions of poverty, focusing on the overlapping areas of health, education and livelihoods while maintaining our response to emergencies. Concern fully integrates equality in all its work, with emphasis on a gender transformative approach. Concern Worldwide has been operational in Sierra Leone since 1996. . Concern currently operates in the Districts of Western Area Urban (Freetown), Western Area Rural, Tonkolili, Kambia  and Port Loko as well as remotely in Koinadugu, Falaba, Bombali and Karene.

On  this note, Concern would like to invite well experienced and professional applicants for the under mentioned role:

Job Title: Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) Officer

Project: Saving Lives Phase 3

Reports to: Consortium Director

Direct reports: N/A

Liaises with:

• CCU colleagues, All members of the consortium, Protection and Safeguarding Unit

Job Location: Freetown Sierra Leone with frequent visits to consortium members’ offices and programme areas.

Contract Details: 4 YRS

Job Purpose:

About the Program:

Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Phase 3” (SLiSL3) is an FCDO funded Health Systems Strengthening programme, building upon its predecessor programmes, also funded by FCDO. The programme aims to achieve fewer preventable deaths and reduced morbidity among women, girls and children by improving the quality, availability, equity and accessibility of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services. A key intended outcome is improved Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The programme was initiated in December 2023 and will run until December 2028.

Role Overview:

The Team Lead (Consortium Director) will be responsible and accountable for the overall management and oversight of the programme including: overseeing the contract management and implementation, risk management and financial accountability, donor reporting and liaison, external representation, relationship management with downstream partners and government counterparts, and ensuring compliance with Concern and donor’s policies and procedures.

You will be responsible to provide direction and support to the team, and technical leadership to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.

Main duties & 

Responsibilities:

Specific Roles and Responsibilities 

1. Staff wellbeing and mental health support:

• Act as the main point of contact for all staff-related MHPSS concerns within the consortium, ensuring staff are supported with effective mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
• Coordinate and implement staff wellbeing policies, focusing on stress management, resilience building, and emotional support.
• Ensure that all staff have access to confidential mental health support services, providing direct referrals to professional services when necessary.

1. Staff stress management and resilience building:

• Develop and deliver stress management programs that are specifically tailored to the challenges faced by staff, particularly those in high-stress or trauma-exposed roles.
• Conduct regular training sessions and workshops to promote self-care, emotional resilience, and coping strategies for staff at all levels.
• Monitor and support staff who are experiencing high levels of stress, ensuring they have access to timely interventions such as psychosocial support or professional counselling services.

1. Capacity building for staff and managers:

• Build the capacity of managers and team leaders to identify early signs of stress, burnout, or mental health challenges in their teams, and respond appropriately.
• Provide training on psychological first aid (PFA) and peer support systems, empowering staff to support each other in managing work-related stress and mental health challenges.
• Ensure that staff are equipped with the skills to manage their mental health in challenging work environments, including strategies for dealing with secondary trauma and emotional fatigue.

1. Confidentiality and support mechanisms:

• Maintain up-to-date records of staff support requests and services provided, ensuring strict confidentiality and anonymization where necessary.
• Regularly review and enhance internal staff support mechanisms, ensuring they are responsive, accessible, and meet the evolving needs of staff in the consortium.
• Set up peer support groups for staff to foster a supportive work environment where individuals can share experiences and strategies for managing stress and wellbeing.

1. Monitoring staff wellbeing:

• Develop and implement monitoring tools to assess staff mental health and wellbeing, regularly reporting on trends and making recommendations for improvement.
• Conduct regular wellbeing surveys and risk assessments to identify stress points within the organization and take proactive measures to address them.
• Periodically visit program areas to provide in-person MHPSS support, ensuring staff in remote or challenging locations receive adequate attention and care.

1. Advocacy and awareness for staff wellbeing:

• Advocate for a culture of mental health awareness within the organization, working to reduce stigma around mental health issues and promote a supportive work environment.
• Lead staff wellbeing awareness campaigns to encourage help-seeking behaviors and foster a positive mental health culture across the consortium.
• Represent staff wellbeing interests in organizational leadership meetings, ensuring that mental health and psychosocial support is prioritized in decision-making processes.

1. Crisis intervention and critical incident support:

• Provide immediate psychosocial support to staff following critical incidents, including trauma, loss, or emergencies, ensuring timely intervention and follow-up.
• Develop crisis response protocols for staff wellbeing, ensuring that psychological support is readily available during emergencies or high-stress events.

Person specification:

Essential

• University degree (or equivalent evidenced experience) in Social Work, Social Sciences, Psychology, or Organizational Psychology.
• 2 years of experience in MHPSS in challenging contexts. (5+ years would be an asset)
• Clear understanding of local MHPSS networks and support.
• Able to clearly articulate own and colleagues’ roles, responsibilities, and professional boundaries, including raising concerns about conduct.
• Clear understanding of person-centred approaches.
• Commitment to Concern’s core values and promoting a positive culture of safeguarding.
• Ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and cultures.
• High degree of organizational ability, working well under pressure and to deadlines.

Desirable:

• Experience in supporting staff mental health and wellbeing.
• Strong facilitation and presentation skills, including experience in the design and delivery of training programs.
• Excellent self-awareness and understanding of the need for self-care, and personal strength to face possible hostilities related to the role.

Emergency responseConcern is committed to responding to emergencies efficiently and effectively in order to help affected people meet their basic needs, alleviate suffering and maintain their dignity. To this end, when emergencies strike and Sierra Leone Programme is to respond, all staff are required to actively participate in the response, regardless of location and contribute to the efforts aimed at achieving the humanitarian objective of the organizationGender Equality

Concern Worldwide in Sierra Leone recognizes that the establishment of equality of opportunity between men and women is fundamental to both the achievement of fairness and to poverty elimination.

Therefore, each staff member of Concern is expected to be sensitive to equality issues in their relationships with colleagues and in their work and to participate in implementation of gender mainstreaming plans, both at the workplace and in programmes.

Safeguarding at Concern: Code of Conduct and its Associated Policies 

Concern has an organisational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organisation, and the standards of behaviour expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organisation to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern’s core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.  

HOW TO APPLY

Interested candidates should apply with:

• An application letter clearly justifying how you meet the selection criteria
• Recent Curriculum Vitae including names and full contact addresses of three (3) referees, one of whom must be their current or most recent employer.  
• Candidates must state the position of each referee and his/her relationship to the candidate.
• A copy of a valid labour card must be attached to ALL applications (written or electronic)
• Police Clearance will be required from the successful candidate

Applications should be sent either through email or by hard copy to the following addresses.

You can send through email to [email protected] OR deliver in Hard copy to the below locations

HR Department, Concern Worldwide, 20 Old Railway Line – Signal Hill, Freetown

HR Department, Concern Worldwide, 156A Freetown Highway, Mile 91, Tonkolili.

HR Department, 24 Upper Kamara Lane, Back of EDSA Substation, Port Loko

Please mark your application as per the references stated in position above

(By email please put the reference in the SUBJECT heading).

Closing date for receipt of applications for the above vacancy is 17.00 on Tuesday 29thOctober 2024

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.

PLEASE NOTE THAT A COPY OF THE APPLICATION LETTER (written or typed) MUST BE SENT TO THE NGO DESK OFFICER, MINISTRY OF LABOUR & SOCIAL, NEW ENGLAND OR EMAILED TO Email: [email protected]

“FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”

2.) Consortium Director

About the role:

This is an exciting opportunity to make a difference in the primary health field in Sierra Leone, leading a dynamic consortium in implementing the innovative 5 year “Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Phase 3” programme. As Team Lead (Consortium Director), you will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with frequent visits to the 6 districts covered by the programme and other locations as necessary. The role is accompanied for a duration of 2 years, which can be extended based on performance, and comes with a salary of €55,675 - €61,860 (Grade 6).

“Saving Lives in Sierra Leone Phase 3” (SLiSL3) is an FCDO funded Health Systems Strengthening programme, building upon its predecessor programmes, also funded by FCDO. The programme aims to achieve fewer preventable deaths and reduced morbidity among women, girls and children by improving the quality, availability, equity and accessibility of reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health and nutrition (RMNCAH&N) services. A key intended outcome is improved Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The programme was initiated in December 2023 and will run until December 2028.

You will report to the Country Director and the Programme Steering Committee. Regular day-to-day liaison and coordination will be with Concern's Programme Director and National Health Coordinator. You will work closely with both local and international downstream partners and grantees, the Core Programme Management Team, Concern's Technical Advisors/Specialists, Programme Managers, Finance and Operations departments, Concern HQ and FCDO.

Your purpose: The Team Lead (Consortium Director) will be responsible and accountable for the overall management and oversight of the programme including: overseeing the contract management and implementation, risk management and financial accountability, donor reporting and liaison, external representation, relationship management with downstream partners and government counterparts, and ensuring compliance with Concern and donor's policies and procedures.

You will be responsible to provide direction and support to the team, and technical leadership to ensure high quality programming to achieve project results.

You will be responsible for:

•  Setting, communicating and delivering the strategic direction of the programme and ensuring consistency of the overarching objectives of the programme.
•  Providing overall leadership and oversight of the programme's delivery and results at community and district levels, ensuring lessons learned are effectively captured and shared with key stakeholders to achieve lasting results.
•  Providing strategic and operational leadership for the project and lead on quarterly and annual work planning, programme implementation, MEAL and donor reporting.
•  Providing line management to the Core Programme Management Team staff in accordance with the organisational policies and procedures.
•  Developing and maintaining strong working relationships with consortium partners; maintaining regular communication, including negotiating scope of works, addressing requisite revisions in project work, and addressing issues that may arise.
•  Representing Concern and the consortium to the donor and serve as the key liaison point with the Ministry of Health and other relevant government authorities. Develop and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
•  Overseeing and monitoring programme risks (including financial, logistical and other support systems, security and safeguarding) and raising issues in a timely manner to the Concern Country Director and Programme Steering Committee.
•  Upholding equality, inclusion and diversity principles in the recruitment, orientation, management and development of staff across the Consortium and in programme implementation and adaptation.
•  Maintaining full compliance with organisational and donor rules and regulations, particularly with respect to financial and contract management, budget and expenditure monitoring.
•  Ensuring adherence/compliance with Concern Worldwide's Code of Conduct & Associated Policies (Programme Participant Protection Policy, Child Safeguarding Policy, Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy), Conflict of Interest Policy, Anti-Fraud Policy, and Modern Slavery Transparency Statement. Ensuring that all staff working on SLiSL3 are familiar with the principles underpinning accountability, safeguarding and Concern's Feedback Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM).
•  Promoting and ensuring accountability to programme participants and wider communities in line with Concern Worldwide's commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) and Do No Harm principles, and ensuring high ethical standards throughout programme implementation. This includes ensuring information about Concern's commitments on accountability and safeguarding are effectively disseminated among programme participants and communities.
•  Ensuring that complaints are welcomed, managed and responded to in a timely, fair and appropriate manner and that sensitive complaints, including safeguarding concerns, are reported and addressed in line with Concern's and the donor's procedures with the safety of complainants and others affected prioritised at all stages.
•  Providing overall managerial and technical support throughout the implementation of the project across all pillars, taking into consideration that partners will contribute specific areas of expertise.
•  Maintaining efficient systems in place to support all aspects of the project, including grant management, MEAL systems, and technical assistance provision, in compliance with organizational procedures and donor requirements. ebfQWrc C0zkId
•  Ensuring adherence to agreed project quality standards, MEAL guidelines, frameworks for the project and provide technical support to embed M&E, accountability and learning throughout all aspects of the project implementation.
•  Ensuring the project design and implementation represents good value for money (VfM) for FCDO and mechanisms are in place to effectively measure and report on VfM.

Your skills and experience will include:

Essential:

•  Qualification at Master's Degree level in a relevant discipline (Project Management, Public Health, Equality Studies, or other relevant discipline).
•  At least five years proven experience of working in senior programme leadership and management roles equivalent to Chief of Party or Director level with INGOs or international organisations or equivalent progressive experience in a relevant discipline.
•  Experience of leading and working on consortia implemented programs involving a diverse range of actors (national and international NGOs, private sector entities, etc.).
•  Experience and knowledge of adaptive programming and the ability to quickly identify risks and changes in the context as they emerge and determine effective adaptation and reorienting of resources in response.
•  Experience and knowledge of working on attitude, behaviour and social norm change.
•  Demonstrated experience in building and maintaining effective relationships with senior representatives of key stakeholders - in particular, FCDO, Government institutions (especially the Ministry of Health), District level authorities and leaders, NGOs, UN agencies, other key donors in the health sector, etc. You must be comfortable to represent the consortium led by Concern Worldwide at national or international level fora.
•  Excellent communication and presentation skills and fluency in English - both written and verbal.
•  Excellent analytical, interpersonal and organisation skills.
•  Be able to effectively coordinate the consortium, engaging with partners and grantees, and network.
•  Thorough understanding and experience of working on gender, equality, safeguarding and protection issues and demonstrated leadership on workplace equality, diversity and inclusion and role modelling a positive safeguarding ethos.
•  Excellent financial management and donor compliance skills.
•  Experience in the design and use of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems.
•  Knowledge of the key tools used by donor agencies, such as logical frameworks, results chains, theory of change, results-based management and financial administration systems.
•  Knowledge of managing FCDO projects or similar and good knowledge of FCDO programme management processes and requirements.
•  Experience working in and understanding of Sierra Leone and the local context.

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by the closing date. However, early application is highly recommended as Concern reserves the right to shortlist and interview candidates on an ongoing basis. Candidates' CVs should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Concern Worldwide encourages all eligible candidates, irrespective of gender, ethnicity and origin, disability, political belief, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status to apply to become a part of the organisation. Concern is against all forms of discrimination and unequal power relations, and is committed to promoting equality.

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries

Concern has an organizational Code of Conduct (CCoC) with three Associated Policies; the Programme Participant Protection Policy (P4), the Child Safeguarding Policy and the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Policy accessible here. These have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants from exploitation, and to clarify the responsibilities of Concern staff, consultants, visitors to the programme and partner organization, and the standards of behavior expected of them. In this context, staff have a responsibility to the organization to strive for, and maintain, the highest standards in the day-to-day conduct in their workplace in accordance with Concern's core values and mission. Any candidate offered a job with Concern Worldwide will be expected to sign the Concern Staff Code of Conduct and Associated Policies as an appendix to their contract of employment. By signing the Concern Code of Conduct, candidates acknowledge that they have understood the content of both the Concern Code of Conduct and the Associated Policies and agree to conduct themselves in accordance with the provisions of these policies. Additionally, Concern is committed to the safeguarding and protection of vulnerable adults and children in our work. We will do everything possible to ensure that only those who are suitable to work or volunteer with vulnerable adults and children are recruited by us for such roles. Subsequently, working or volunteering with Concern is subject to a range of vetting checks, including criminal background checking.

Your Personal Data

During this job application, you will provide Concern with your personal data. Concern takes its responsibilities towards this personal data very seriously and is committed to complying with all relevant data protection legislation.

For additional information please consult our web site or contact the Human Resource Division in our Head Office.

You have certain rights under data protection legislation. For more information on how to exercise those rights please visit www.concern.net/about/privacy

Concern Worldwide is an Irish-based non-governmental, international, humanitarian organisation dedicated to the reduction of suffering and working towards the ultimate elimination of extreme poverty in the world's poorest countries.

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