🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ Welbodi Partnership – District Program Officer

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT  

BACKGROUND

Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charity working to reduce maternal and child  mortality and morbidity in Sierra Leone. Since 2008, Welbodi Partnership has worked in  partnership with hospital management, health facility staff, and the Ministry of Health to  improve maternal and child health outcomes in Sierra Leone. We do this through a range of bold  innovative partnerships models across health system strengthening activities, healthcare worker  training, hospital improvement projects, research and community engagement.

Our vision is that all women and children in Sierra Leone will have access to effective essential  healthcare services characterised by respect and dignity for all. Our mission is to build the  capacity and effectiveness of the health system in Sierra Leone using evidence-based practice to  reduce the number of women and children who are sick, suffer, or die unnecessarily.

The organisation’s guiding principles are:

1. Deliver Lasting Results
2. Working in Partnership
3. Quality improvement and patient safety
4. Valuing People
5. Evidence Based Approach

For further information, please see: www.welbodipartnership.org  

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Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer Kono

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE  

The District Program Officer will work in the District Health Management Team (DHMT) under  the guidance and supervision of the Welbodi Partnership Programs Manager. The post holder will  lead CRADLE Vital Signs Alert (VSA) planning, implementation and reporting in the district under  the Saving Lives 3 Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded project in  Kono. He/she shall lead CRADLE training preparation, supportive supervision, and  implementation in collaboration with the DHMT and the CRADLE Champions at district and  facility level. The incumbent will represent the program in key district activities and ensuring  respectful and professional engagement with medical professionals from the DHMT, Hospitals  and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs), as well as local authorities, Community Chiefs and pregnant  women. The role requires frequent movement within the district to PHUs in remote Chiefdoms,  including during rainy seasons. Candidates are required to have an in-depth knowledge of the  Sierra Leone healthcare system, specifically in Kono, including stakeholder and community  dynamics. The position will report to the Program Officer, with support from the Head of  Programs.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: 

• District Health Management Team (DHMT)
• Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) and Hospital Staff
• Local authorities and Community Chiefs
• Health led services and pregnant women
• Welbodi Program Officer and Head of Programs
• Welbodi Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Manager
• Other consortium partners.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES  

The District Program Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the CRADLE district  program under the Savings Lives 3 project by:

Program Implementation  

• Develop monthly work plans for project implementation and align them with routine  DHMT work plans.
• Identify, establish and maintain strong relations with the District Health Management  Team, Hospitals and PHUs
• Organise CRADLE trainings at district level in collaboration with the DHMT, Program  Officer and CRADLE Champions.
• Work with DHMTs to review CRADLE stock levels at facility level.

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Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer Kono

• Ensure CRADLE devices are in good working condition through coordination of  maintenance pipeline.
• Support health workers to use the CRADLE devices appropriately.
• Any other duty assigned by the Line Manager.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL)  

• Work closely with the MEAL Officer to compile and submit monthly and quarterly reports  as per reporting schedules.
• Support data collection from the DHMT, hospitals and PHUs.
• Observe data collection, storage, sharing, and protection protocols and procedures. • Gather feedback from beneficiaries and share with the MEAL manager for follow up.

REPRESENTAION  

• Maintain good relations with the DHMT, local authorities and Community Chiefs  • Represent Welbodi Partnership at district and community level
• Represent Welbodi Partnership in consortium meetings at district level • Represent Welbodi Partnership at district level during cross cutting activities e.g. Public  Health commemorations.

REQUIREMETNS 

• Qualifications: 

o A bachelor’s degree in public health, sociology, anthropology, etc. A diploma in  clinical disciplines such as Community Health, Nursing and Midwifery will be an  added advantage.

• Experience: 

o Familiarity with health service delivery,

o At least 3 years’ experience in similar roles in NGOs.

o Experience working for international NGOs at district level,

o Prior experience in research, data collection, data analysis, and use

o Experience as a clinical mentor or trainer clinical research.

o Experience with logistical, operational and monitoring procedures required for  donor funded projects.

• Knowledge: 

o Knowledge of project implementation processes that relate to planning, resource  management, problem solving, monitoring, and reporting.

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Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer Kono

o Knowledge of healthcare system strengthening approaches at facility and district  level.

• Skills: 

o Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Google applications

o Proficient in logically organising and retrieving electronic and hard copy  information.

o Proven ability to identify the root causes of simple and complex issues and to find  practical solutions.

o Ability to self-motivate, take initiative and work autonomously within the scope of  the role and with minimal supervision.

o Proactive in communicating and resolving issues with colleagues.

o Aware of own limitations and able to refer appropriately.

o Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal communication skills, and demonstrated  ability to work collaboratively across different hierarchy lines and in cross cultural  teams.

o Ability to work well under pressure and deliver deadlines whilst maintaining an  excellent level of written and oral communication and respectful working  relationships.

• Other:  

o Fluency in written and spoken English and Krio. Working knowledge of regional  languages will be an added advantage.

o Confidence, diplomacy, and sensitivity in working with local authorities,  healthcare providers and senior staff from partner organisations including the  Government.

o A team player who shows enthusiasm and is committed to the goals and principles  of Welbodi Partnership.

o Ability to ride a motorcycle and should have a valid rider’s permit.

• Values:  

o Honesty: Shows a high level of integrity and will not fabricate responses or  misrepresent the organisation.

o Communication: Confidently expresses self, able to clearly ask questions and help  the respondent understand what is needed from her/him

o Relationship Building: Able to build trust with colleagues and stakeholders and  maintain confidentiality.

o Accuracy: Must be able to complete documentation accurately.

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Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer Kono

o Endurance: Must be willing and able to work for full day working hours and be  willing to work in different offices or locations and make trips to remote  healthcare facilities.

o Pro-activeness in handling duties independently

o Adaptability to respond flexibly and effectively to broad range of tasks.  o Responsiveness towards Line Manager, team members and stakeholders.

GENERAL POLICIES PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES  

In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in these Terms of Reference, all employees and  volunteers at Welbodi Partnership are expected to comply with the general duties outlined below  and detailed in full in our policies.

SAFEGUARDING  

Welbodi Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of women,  children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to  behave in such a way that supports this commitment. All new staff undergo mandatory safe  guarding training and sign the safeguarding policy before the commencement of work. Applicants  for this position should be aware that if successful, they will be requested to complete a Police  check.

DATA PROTECTION  

Welbodi Partnership complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).