🇸🇱 Job Vacancies @ Concern Worldwide – 4 Positions

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 and Port Loko – as well as remotely in Kambia, Koinadugu, Falaba, Bombali and Karene.

Concern Worldwide is recruiting to fill the following positions:

1.) Market Access and VSLA Officer
2.) Agriculture Officer
3.) Agriculture Team Leader
4.) Health Programme Coordinator

See job details and how to apply below.

1.) Market Access and VSLA Officer

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

Job TitleMarket Access and VSLA OfficerProjectFood security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems (Yoti Yoti)Reports to:Market Access and Village Savings and Loan Team leaderDirect reports:NilLiaises with:

• All project team members and partners in district, but especially the Nutrition and Gender officer and Agricultural officers including all their team leaders, District Delivery Manager, other project teams in District, and relevant counterparts in LANN-NSC project in Port Loko.
• Local partner VSLA project staff.
• Base Manager/Area Coordinator; District & Freetown finance, system and HR staff; Freetown PDQ Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Equality and Gender Advisor, Advocacy and Communications Manager, Accountability Supervisor and Partnership Manager, Yoti Yoti Project Coordinator, Livelihoods Programme Coordinator.

Relevant Community, Chiefdom and District stakeholders from Ministries and District Council as well as Private sector actors.

Job Location:Port LokoContract Details:5 Months ( August – December 2024)Job Purpose:

The Market Access officer will lead all field activities relating to: Nutrition-sensitive value addition of marketable foods; Profitable marketing of foods and food products including supporting project farmers to access business skills and to access a private sectors partners’ agro-forestry out-grower scheme; Improved access to quality productive assets including access to and understanding of market information for project farmers, and linking project farmers to traders, transporters and private sector actors. Coordinating with Agriculture Officers for training project farmers on seed selection, storage and seed banking though Farmer Field School approach with Lead farmers and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry.

S/he will coordinate his/her activities with local partner staff leading on facilitating access to finance resources and financial literacy especially related to testing and pilot VSLA for young people and linking VSLA groups to financial services.

S/he will support in the Market and value chain assessments.

S/he will ensure that agreed targets are on track, collect monitoring and case stories, and provide quality reports.

Main duties & 

Responsibilities:

Programme planning and implementation 

Under supervision Market Access and VSLA team leader

• Contribute to the development of monthly and weekly work plans with the team based on the overall project work plan and timeframe;
• Participate as active participant in relevant project training of trainers;
• Participate as active participant in relevant review meetings with beneficiaries ;
• Preparation of documentation (ToR, SRs, training curriculum, budget, float request, transport request…) for a programmatic and logistical preparation to implement agreed field activities – trainings, workshops, coaching and monitoring visits;
• Facilitate trainings and workshops in areas of responsibility ensuring all paperwork are properly filled and procedures followed (such as attendance list, payment receipt etc.)
• Support other project officers in Production/Availability and Utilization activities where needed/appropriate
• Coordinate with local partner on VSLA activities.

Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Participate in community entry meetings and identification of project beneficiaries;
• Participate in Market and value chain assessments;
• Ensure that all agreed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning requirements are captured on time through standardized data collection tools; are accurately and submitted to the Project Manager and the M&E Officer;
• Participate in project planning, review meetings with staff and stakeholders, and ensure that key recommendations and learning are incorporated into day-to-day project implementation;
• Participate as active participant in relevant review meetings with beneficiaries;
• Participate in baseline, end line and monitoring surveys as required..

Reporting and documentation 

• Participate in the writing of monthly activity reports through the timely submission of activities up-date to your line manager;
• Actively participate in the documentation of good practices and case stories working with PDQ team;
• Participate in correct and accurate filling of documentation (soft & hard copies)

Other responsibilities:

• Promote full accountability and compliance with Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies, including promotion of Concern’s Complaints & Response Mechanism (CRM), to ensure maximum protection of programme participants and the efficient and transparent use of Concern’s resources;
• Ensure that Cross cutting themes: Gender & Equality , DRR and Environment are mainstreamed in all activities;
• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with community leaders and animators to aid successful programming;
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings at District level;

• Complete any reasonable task requested by the Supervisor.

Person specification:

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required

Essential

• Must have a diploma or University degree in Agriculture, Economics, Development, Sociology or other Social Sciences;
• Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience and demonstrated knowledge and understanding of agricultural markets, financial and private sector actors, VSLA and IGS approaches (experience in fisheries markets desirable), (experience in environment, gender and nutrition an advantage);
• Good capacity in community mobilization and knowledge of participatory approaches.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

Essential:

• Minimum 3 years working with INGOs;
• Excellent, proven training skills and competence in group facilitation;
• Ability to work on own initiative;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Good observation skills;
• Enthusiastic, energetic and motivated;
• Ability to influence others;
• Ability to work as part of a team for shared results and learning;
• Strong spoken skills in Temne and Krio;

• Valid motorbike license and ability to ride (desirable).

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 30th July 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.) Agriculture Officer

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

Job TitleAgriculture OfficerProjectFood security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems (Yoti Yoti)Reports to:Agriculture Team leaderDirect reports:NilLiaises with:

• All project team members and partners in district, but especially the Nutrition and Gender Officers and Market Access Officers including all their team leaders, District Delivery Manager, other project teams in District, relevant counterparts in LANN-NSC project in Port Loko.
• Local partner NRM and VSLA project staff
• Base Manager/Area Coordinator; District & Freetown finance, system and HR staff; Freetown PDQ Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Equality and Gender Advisor, Advocacy and Communications Manager, Accountability Supervisor and Partnership Manager; Yoti Yoti Project Coordinator, Livelihoods Programme Coordinator, District Delivery Managers and Team Leaders.

Relevant Community, Chiefdom and District stakeholders from Ministries and District Council as well as Private sector actors.

Job Location:Port LokoContract Details:5 Months ( August – December 2024)Job Purpose:

The Agriculture Officer will lead all field activities relating to ‘Adoption of inclusive climate smart food production practices’ including: Farmer Field School approach with Lead farmers and Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, support project farmers to increase and diversify climate smart (organic) production; Coaching and mentoring of project farmers; Delivery of session one of Agriculture and NRM to women’s groups.

S/He will support in the: Market assessment; Testing and piloting of ideas for engaging young people in production and along the value chain; Community Conversations sessions related to local solutions to labour, and equitable and sustainable land access. S/he will coordinate his/her activities with local partner staff leading on natural resource management (NRM) and VSLA activities.

S/he will support where appropriate the Market Access Officers activities relating to: access to and understanding of market information; quality inputs; value addition.

S/He will ensure that agreed targets are on track, collect monitoring and case stories, and provide quality reports.

Main duties & 

Responsibilities:

Programme planning and implementation 

Under supervision Agriculture Team leader:

• Contribute to the development of monthly and weekly work plans with the team based on the overall project work plan and timeframe;
• Participate as active participant in relevant project training of trainers;
• Preparation of documentation (ToR, SRs, training curriculum, budget, float request, transport request…) for a programmatic and logistical preparation to implement agreed field activities – trainings, workshops, coaching and monitoring visits;
• Facilitate trainings and workshops in areas of responsibility ensuring all paperwork are properly filled and procedures followed (such as attendance list, payment receipt etc.);
• Support the establishment of Farmer Field Schools (FFS) and strengthen the capacity of Lead farmers to cascade sustainable, climate smart production practices through the FFS;
• Support other project officers in Market Access and Utilization activities where needed/appropriate
• Coordinate with local partner on NRM activities.
• Coordinate with local partner to train/coach beneficiaries on Module 4 – Agriculture and NRM.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Participate in community entry meetings and identification of project participants;
• Participate in Market and value chain assessments;
• Ensure that all agreed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning requirements are captured on time through standardized data collection tools; are accurately and submitted to the Team Leader and the MEL Officer;
• Participate in project planning, review meetings with staff and stakeholders, and ensure that key recommendations and learning are incorporated into day-to-day project implementation;
• Participate as active participant in relevant review meetings with beneficiaries;
• Participate in baseline, end line and monitoring surveys as required.

Reporting and documentation 

• Participate in the writing of monthly activity reports through the timely submission of activities up-date to your line manager;
• Actively participate in the documentation of good practices and case stories working with PDQ team;
• Participate in correct and accurate filling of documentation (soft & hard copies)

Other responsibilities:

• Promote full accountability and compliance with Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies, including promotion of Concern’s Complaints & Response Mechanism (CRM), to ensure maximum protection of programme participants and the efficient and transparent use of Concern’s resources;
• Ensure that cross cutting themes: Gender & Equality, DRR and Environment are mainstreamed in all activities;
• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with community leaders and animators to aid successful programming;
• Participate in relevant coordination meetings at District level;

• Complete any reasonable task requested by the Supervisor.

Person specification:

Education, Qualifications & Experience Required

Essential

• Must have a diploma or University degree in Agriculture, Economics, Development, Sociology or other Social Sciences;
• Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience and demonstrated knowledge and understanding of livelihoods and climate smart agriculture (experience in NRM, gender and equality, markets and nutrition an advantage);
• Good capacity in community mobilization and knowledge of participatory approaches.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

Essential:

• Minimum 3 years working with INGOs;
• Excellent, proven training skills and competence in group facilitation;
• Ability to work on own initiative;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills;
• Good observation skills;
• Enthusiastic, energetic and motivated;
• Ability to influence others;
• Ability to work as part of a team for shared results and learning;
• Strong spoken skills in Temne and Krio;
• Experience of working in coordination with local partners (advantage)

• Valid motorbike license and ability to ride (desirable);

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 30th July 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”

3.) Agriculture Team Leader

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

Job TitleAgriculture Team LeaderProjectFood security through Equitable and Climate Smart Food Systems (Yoti Yoti)Reports to:District Delivery ManagerDirect reports:Agriculture OfficersLiaises with:

• All project team members and partners in district, but especially the Nutrition and Gender Team Leader and Market Access and VSLA (Village Saving and Loan Associations) Team Leader; Other project teams in District. Relevant counterparts in LANN-NSC project in Port Loko.
• Base Manager/Area Coordinator; District & Freetown finance, system and HR staff; Freetown PQ&MEAL Coordinator, MEAL Coordinator, Equality and Gender Advisor, Advocacy and Communications Manager, Accountability Supervisor and Partnership Manager, Livelihoods Coordinator.

Relevant Community, Chiefdom and District stakeholders from Ministries and District Council as well as Private sector actors.

Job Location:Port Loko or Tonkolili Concern Offices (50% in the field in project sites)Contract Details:5 Months (August – December 2024)Job Purpose:

The Agriculture Team Leader will provide day-to-day supportive supervision of the Field Officers in their team – to ensure that project activities are being carried out as per the agreed work plan. S/He will ensure that agreed targets are on track to be met fully and with high quality. S/He will ensure that staff are present in their assigned field locations and will monitor the delivery and completion of their work.

Project specific:

Coordinating closely with the National partner oversee and ensure quality of activities and outcomes for the following ‘Increased inclusive climate smart food production (availability)’ key outputs in your district:

Better and more inclusive community management of natural resources:

• Roll out of the LANN module 4 (Agriculture & NRM).
• Facilitating re-wilding for some communities through private sector partner or other projects.

Give technical guidance and advice to national partner where needed to:

• Through participatory approaches support the community to analyse their environment and identify local land/forests/water sources for protection.
• Support establishment and strengthening of community-level natural resource management (NRM) committees. Linking them to Chiefdom/District-level structures to establish and enforce operational by-laws and increase ha’s of protected land/forests under their oversight.
• Enhance women’s and young people’s community acceptance, representation and ability to influence decision-making in NRM committees.

Adoption of inclusive climate smart food production practices

• Support the assessment of agricultural practices (crops, livestock, and fisheries) and barriers to adoption of climate smart food production.
• Facilitate access to and control over resources (land, labour, assets, inputs and capital) for smallholder farming households, particularly female and young farmers to engage in production in identified value chains.
• Strengthen access to effective agriculture extension and animal health services.
• Promote climate smart best practices that increase and diversify sustainable (and profitable) agricultural production and post-harvest management in identified value chains.

Support the design, piloting & documenting ideas for young people to engage in production.

Main duties & 

Responsibilities:

Specific Roles and Responsibilities – Under the supervision of the District Delivery Manager

Programme Cycle Management: 

• Oversee, manage and ensure quality implementation of activities and achievement of Yoti Yoti Project outcomes under ‘availability’ pillar. Coordinating with counterparts in project partners to harmonise approaches and promote sharing and learning;
• Develop monthly and weekly work plans with their team (which are harmonized with partner plans) based on the overall project work plan and timeframe, and monitor progress against these plans recommending actions to rearrange plans where necessary;
• Prepare regular narrative reports on project activities and submit to District Delivery Manager.
• Ensure all expenditure is authorized and spent in accordance with Concern’s internal procedures and in line with project budget;
• Ensure all aspects of project activities under their responsibility adhere to programme quality standards and policies (PM&E, accountability and mainstreaming) in a coherent and integrated manner;
• Ensure that the project activities under their responsibility are accurately reflected in the integrated MEAL system, identifying activities to be monitored and data to be collected;
• Participate in project community entry meetings and identification of vulnerable households using PRA tools;
• Support  the District Delivery Manager to organise and implement the project baseline study and needs assessment –  highlight areas of the adaptation of District context;
• Participate in the market assessment and value chain analysis that are gender and young people sensitive;
• Contribute to the designing and delivery of training models, learning processes, resources, materials and workshops in your technical area of expertise;
• Participate as active participant in relevant project training of trainers;
• Ensure identification of and documentation of good practices (with PQ&MEAL unit);
• Build and maintain effective professional relationships with community leaders, Chiefdom, District stakeholders, project animators and implementing partners to aid successful programming;
• Participate in project planning and review meetings with staff, partners and stakeholders and ensure that key recommendations and learning are incorporated into day to day project implementation;
• Submit weekly work plans aligned with the overall programme implementation plan and monthly reports to District Delivery Manager;
• Contribute to the development of monthly, quarterly and annual reports;

People Management: 

• Line manage Agriculture Officers in your district, contributing to their capacity building and career development through technical support and on-the-job training and coaching, including a thorough induction at the start of their contract.
• Ensure that all team positions have accurate job descriptions and that each member of the team fully understands deliverables, which are expected of them, by setting SMART objectives, and that they are aware of the success criteria relating to their work.
• Ensure that all staff are aware of and comply with all of Concern’s Policies and Procedures;
• Monitor and review performance of your direct reports and hold them accountable for executing their job as per the agreed job description and performance objectives; give corrective feedback where required and take decisive action in the case of poor performance; conducting regular Performance Development Reviews; setting and identifying areas of staff development needs;
• Ensure that work within the team (s) is planned and organised in a way which will meet the organisation’s needs in the most cost effective manner possible; ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently.
• Routinely observe and monitor the co-facilitation of field activities to ensure they are carried out to the highest quality, providing critical and constructive feedback to Field Officers.

Other responsibilities:

• Promote full accountability and staff, compliance with Concern’s Code of Conduct & Associated Policies, including promotion of Concern’s Complaints & Response Mechanism (CRM), to ensure maximum protection of programme participants and the efficient and transparent use of Concern’s resources;
• Under the supervision of the District Delivery Manager, ensure the mainstreaming of cross cutting themes by field officers in all activities: Gender and Equality; Environment and climate adaption, Protection, DRR and Partnership.
• Participate relevant meetings at District level;

• Complete any reasonable task requested by the Line Manager.

Person specification:

Essential

• University degree in Agriculture or development or other relevant social sciences;
• Minimum of 5 years’ experience working in project implementation in livelihoods, climate smart / nutrient sensitive agriculture and/or NRM);
• Minimum 4 year working with INGOs;
• Field experience in community based projects working directly with communities, partners and government officials.

Special Skills, Aptitude or Personality Requirements:

• Strong team leader – Demonstrated experience in line management and building cohesive high performing teams of teams;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills including report writing;
• Good budget and financial management skills;
• Initiative and ability to work with minimal supervision; ability to work both as part of a team & independently;
• Enthusiastic, energetic and motivated;
• Ability to motivate and inspire others;
• Ability to work as part of a team for shared results and learning;
• Strong analytical skills;
• Excellent supervision skills;
• Good MS Office skills (Word, Excel);
• Experience in working with district sector offices (such as welfare, gender and equality, agriculture, environment, nutrition, health…), local NGOs and INGOs;
• Strong spoken skills in Temne and Krio;
• Valid motorbike license and ability to ride (desirable).

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 30thJuly 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”

4.) Health Programme Coordinator

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

01.  Job TitleHealth Programme CoordinatorReports to:Programme Director (PD)Direct reports:Health Project Coordinators and Managers (2 presently).Liaises with:

• SLiSL CCU unit
• All Sector Coordinators (Education, Livelihoods, Emergency, Programme Development & Quality), PDQ team, Grants Manager, Partnership Manager, Business Development and Knowledge Capitalisation Manager (BDKC)and wider health team;
• Country Management Team, Area Coordinators, ; Finance, Logistics and Procurement, and HR;
• Concern Desk Officer and relevant technical advisors at head office
• Partner/consortium agencies, Health NGOs Group, relevant Donors, Ministry of Health & Sanitation (MoHS), Ministry of Social Welfare (MSW), SUN Secretariat, National Disasters Management Agency (NDMA).

Job Location:Freetown, with frequent travel to the other districts where Concern works.Start Date:September 2024Contract Details:2 yearsJob Purpose:

This is an exciting opportunity for the right candidate to support the significant growth of Concern’s Health Programme in Sierra Leone, in partnership with key line ministries and (I)NGO partners. You will provide leadership and management to the health sector, and technical support to ensure Concern is delivering high quality, relevant, impactful and accountable programming that targets hard to reach, underserved communities living in conditions of extreme poverty. This includes oversight of Concern’s existing health portfolio which takes an integrated and system strengthening approach across 4 pillars: (i) Community Health Seeking and Health Systems (including Adolescent Sexual & Reproductive Health (ASRH) and Nutrition, in close collaboration with the livelihoods sector); (ii) Formal Health System Strengthening (at district and national levels); (iii) Disease Prevention (including vaccination programming); and (iv) Humanitarian response – technical support to the Emergency Coordinator on health related emergency preparedness and response. All pillars are underpinned by gender and equality, protection, climate and environment, disaster risk reduction and conflict sensitivity. You will also play a key role in positioning Concern towards new funding opportunities in Sierra Leone and developing high quality proposals. You will be responsible to maintain and build strong relationships with donors, partners and the Sierra Leonean government – relevant line ministries.

Concern has been awarded the FCDO-funded Saving Lives in Sierra Leone 3 (SLiSL3) as consortium lead, which is an exciting new flagship programme for Concern, under the leadership of Consortium Coordination Unit (CCU) and of significant importance for Sierra Leone. The health coordinator, however, plays a key role in ensuring quality and timely delivery of SLiSL3 in Concern districts.

You will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone, with frequent travel to the other districts where Concern works.

Main duties & 

Responsibilities:

Programme Leadership and Development:

• Reporting to the PD, lead the implementation of Concern’s Country Health Strategy. Updating in line with Concern Sierra Leone’s country strategic plan which is in process of being updated in 2024.
• Design, implement and manage overall Health Programme at the national level with high quality and ensure participation of community and other stakeholders; Ensuring alignment with Concern Worldwide’s health and organisational policies and strategies.
• Ensure the Concern health development projects are designed in line with global best practices, relevant in country evidence, and in line with the needs of programme participants and partners in the intervention including Ministry of Health guidelines and strategy.
• Provide technical backstopping to the health teams, ensuring the development, review and utilisation of best practices for specific technical interventions.
• Ensure that the core principles and policies of Concern regarding Concern’s Code of Conduct and Associated Policies (especially the Programme Participants’ Protection Policy and Child Safeguarding), Equality and Anti-Fraud Policy are implemented, monitored and reported across the health programme.
• With support of Concern advisors, ensure effective mainstreaming of equality, partnership, protection, environment and disaster risk reduction including how Concern Understands Extreme Poverty approach.

Programme integration and partnership development

• Support the project leads to ensure successful roll out of health projects with a collaborative approach (particularly essential for any integrated projects and SLiSL3).
• Maintain effective partnerships particularly with Health Development Partners, Ministry of Health at national level and other relevant ministries (e.g. Ministry of Water Resources and Sanitation, National Secretariat for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy, Ministry of Social Welfare).
• Initiate and develop partnerships with relevant international and national NGOs and CBOs. This includes working with the Partnership Manager to identify and support in the assessment and capacity strengthening of potential strategic partners.

Proposal Development, Grants and Financial Management

• In line with the country strategy, and in collaboration with the PD, CD, BDKC Manager and Country Finance Controller, analyse funding requirements and opportunities, support positioning and lead/support developing funding proposals of high quality to expand appropriately the health programme.
• Prepare health sector annual budget and analyse the need to seek additional funding based on the health programme strategy.
• Overall responsible for, and to build capacity of direct reports to ensure:

• Effective management of all aspects of donor grants for the health programme including the timely preparation of high quality donor reports.
• All projects are on track in terms of implementation and quality of activities as well as budget expenditure through effective planning and monitoring; Manage risks and escalate to line manager when necessary, with suggested solutions/actions.
• Build/maintain effective relationships with stakeholders and partners at district level.
• Monthly cash forecasts and donor management accounts are prepared/jointly reviewed with comments by Project Managers/Coordinators and adjust accordingly to ensure that budgets are spent effectively;
• All health projects have annual budgets, Detailed Implementation Plans (DIP), with realistic timeframes and milestones, and procurement plans. With the support of the PD, and liaising with relevant departments, ensure that all resources needed (technical, financial, HR) are in place to implement DIP. Regularly review the budget, DIP and procurement plan and update relevant components at least quarterly with project and finance staff.

• Lead in starting up new projects and hand over appropriately to the respective Project lead.
• Support the project leads to close out projects according to internal Concern and donor guidelines.

Human resource management and development

• Line manage direct reports, and ensure they are appropriately managing their teams. Set clear performance objectives, provide regular feedback and conduct performance reviews (in line with Concern processes), holding staff accountable for meeting agreed success criteria.
• Design appropriate and effective mentoring, coaching and career development plans for members of the Health team to build their capacities. This includes liaising with HR to ensure an effective induction when new staff join Concern and regularly providing ongoing technical and managerial support as needed.
• Prove leadership to support the team to move towards more equitable partnership ways of working.
• With HR, lead in the recruitment process for health project teams. This includes updating job descriptions as needed and periodically reviewing the health sector team staffing structure – with recommendations for any changes to the PD and HR.
• Ensure that work within the health team(s) is planned and organised in a way which will meet the organisation’s needs in the most cost effective manner possible; ensuring that team members are given appropriate workloads and are working efficiently.
• Provide technical support to Project managers/coordinators – and wider team with specific focus on clinical and health technical support.

Monitoring, evaluation and learning, Innovation

• Regularly visit programme locations to monitor implementation and quality, and coach and mentor staff and partners.

• With the PDQ team:

• ensure all health projects have strong MEAL plans in place, in line with Concern policies and systems, using standard and approved tools, and that the MEAL plans are feasible; indicators set for projects are reflective of project aims and are realistic and measurable;
• evaluation and learning from monitoring is regularly shared with teams and partners for improved performance; Support partners to equally engage in effective MEAL planning and implementation;
• review meetings (internal and external with partners, project stakeholders and programme participants) are conducted and learning used to adjust programming as necessary;
• case stories and lessons learnt are captured and shared;
• ensure production of high quality timely donor reports, monthly internal reports, reports for Service Level Agreements for the Government – that reports reflect contributions from the whole team and partners.

• Lead on writing the country annual report for the health sector with high quality, ensuring it reflects contributions from the whole team.
• Ensure that health project related documentation is continuously input and updated in Concern’s grants management system (GMS) and Sierra Leone working site.

Accountability

In line with Concern’s commitments under the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS):

• Actively promote meaningful community participation and consultation at all stages of the project cycle (planning, implementation, M&E);
• Fully incorporate Concern’s Accountability and CHS commitments in Health programming design, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation;
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that the Feedback Complaints and Response Mechanism (FCRM) is functional and accessible, that feedback and complaints are welcomed and addressed;
• Work with relevant colleagues to ensure that information about FCRM, safeguarding and expected staff behaviour is disseminated among programme participants and communities.

Visibility

• Ensure Concern is represented at a range of national and international technical fora related to our work or future strategic direction (delegate where applicable to Direct reports).
• In collaboration with the PDQ team, ensure that information products, programme briefs and capacity statements are produced and shared within Concern and with external partners and platforms.
• Represent the work of the Health sector through presentations of our work and learning where opportunities allow (and delegate where applicable to the Direct reports).
• Take up the role of co-chair of the INGO health forum – which Concern is currently co-chair of.

Staff health and wellbeing 

• Where necessary and in collaboration with the country management team and HR, ensure staff can access reliable and up to date information on health emergencies.
• In collaboration with the HR team, put forward suggested staff health initiatives to the CMT that can improve the health and wellbeing of Concern Sierra Leone staff.

General

• Promote and protect the reputation of Concern in external settings, ensuring that the organisation’s experience and expertise is well communicated and consistently presented, and that we are looked upon as a professional organisation, guided by policies and our Code of Conduct.
• Contribute to the ongoing reviews and updating of Concern in Sierra Leone’s Security Management Plan (SMP), the country strategic plan, and other Concern initiatives.
• Ensure the efficient and transparent use of all project resources in order to maximize the benefit to the targeted communities. Ensure adherence to Concern policies and procedures.
• Promote Equality, especially gender, within the organisation and across programmes, in line with Concern’s Equality Policy and ensure targeting and project implementation is fully informed and led by How Concern Understands Extreme Poverty (HCUEP).
• As a humanitarian organisation, all staff are required to engage / support in emergency response work as may be necessary (training and other support will be provided as appropriate).  Actively participate in the periodic updating of Concern in Sierra Leone’s Preparing for Effective Emergency Response (PEER) plan.
• Any other tasks as may be mutually agreed with the Programmes Director and /or the CD.

Person specification:

Education  

• Master’s degree in Public health/Community Health /WASH/Reproductive Health or other equivalent relevant experience.

Experience

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience of implementing and managing health programs in development and fragile contexts (including programs relating to primary health care, WASH, Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health, maternal and child health) including at least 3 years at management level.
• Proven experience with Health Systems Strengthening approaches.
• Experience in partnership and localisation approach, working with a range of different partner organisations (national, international NGOs, private sector, research institutions etc., and strengthening their capacity.
• Skills and experience in budget development and management, including expenditure tracking.
• Strengths in leadership, management and building strong high performing teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of liaising, networking, advocating with and influencing senior Government officials and policy makers.
• Experience of fundraising and donor grants management of large complex programmes.
• Experience of working with/managing partner organisations and managing consortia projects.
• Proven ability to report on impact/result of programmes with strong technical writing skills in English.
• Experience of implementing project cycle management – project planning, monitoring and review and adaptive management.

We also value the following special skills and aptitudes:

• Experience in West Africa preferred.
• Experience with donors such as FCDO, USAID or other large health-programme donors.
• Experience in mainstreaming one or more of gender and equality, protection, conflict, environment/climate and DRR into programming.
• Good team player, flexible and politically and culturally sensitive.
• Proven ability to work in calmly in high pressure environments.
• Ability to demonstrate initiative.
• Experience in strategic development of country level health programming especially in development and fragile contexts
• High level of critical thinking and problem solving abilities.
• Training of trainers & facilitation skills.
• Experience in Community Based Feedback Complaint & Response Mechanism and the Core Humanitarian Standards (CHS) is an added advantage.

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 organizationHIV & AIDS

Concern Sierra Leone is committed to respond to HIV & AIDS and to a supportive working environment for those infected or affected.  Each staff member is required to contribute to achieving this commitment by:

• Raising awareness and being updated on HIV & AIDS issues.
• Protecting him/herself and colleagues.

Sharing information with colleagues and avoiding stigma and discrimination.

Gender 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

All applications should be submitted through our website at https://jobs.concern.net by closing date.

CV’s should be no more than 4 pages in length.

Closing date for receipt of applications for the above vacancy is 17.00 on Thursday 1st August 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”