🇸🇱 Job Vacancy @ Welbodi Partnership – Programmes Manager
Job title Programmes Manager
Reporting to Country Director
Location Freetown with expected travels
Welbodi Partnership
BACKGROUND
Other
relationships
Works closely with Operations, Finance, M&E, Head of Grants Resourcing and Compliance, partners, and donors.
Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charity working to reduce maternal and child mortality and morbidity in Sierra Leone. Since 2008, WP has worked in partnership with hospital management, health facility staff, and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to improve maternal and child health outcomes in Sierra Leone.
We do this through a range of partnerships models across health system strengthening activities, staff training, hospital improvement projects, and community engagement.
Our vision is that all women and children in Sierra Leone will have access to effective essential healthcare services characterized 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.
Our programmes are bold, future-facing, and innovative and cut across support to Ola During Children’s Hospital and the Julius Maada Bio Paediatric centre of excellence – the only national tertiary referral hospitals for paediatrics, supporting maternal health and research capacity building across Sierra Leone through implementation of the CRIBS Research Programme, Saving Lives in Sierra Leone phase 3 and other key health systems and research projects.
OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES
- Deliver Lasting Results
- Working in Partnership
- Health Systems Approach
- Valuing People
- Evidence based approach
For further information, please see: www.welbodipartnership.org
Main Purpose of the Role.
Under the direct supervision of the Country Director, the Programmes Manager’s primary responsibility is to coordinate and support the implementation of all aspects of Welbodi Partnerships Health and Research programming within Sierra Leone. He/she will be responsible for planning, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all projects and programmes under the direction of the Country Director. This position closely works with the Operations Manager, M&E Manager, Finance manager and Head of Grants Resourcing and
Compliance. He/she is required to identify and develop key opportunities for programmes focused on reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, including nutrition, in Sierra Leone. The Programmes Manager will implement positive and effective relationships with key partners and contacts in the interest of promoting WP mission and vision.
PROGRAMMES DELIVERY AND PARTNERSHIPS
▪ Contribute to accurate development of a rolling implementation plan/forecast for ongoing programmes.
▪ Overall responsibility for ensuring that all projects such as NIHR CRADLE 5, FCDO Saving Lives in Sierra Leone 3 (SLiSL3), Fetal Medicine Foundation PAPAYA, World Child Cancer oncology project, and JICA ASUKA Hospital project are delivered to a high standard and align with the organisation’s core values.
▪ Facilitate the Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment, Learning, and Research pieces with the MEALR unit manager to collect, analyse, and utilise facility-based data to evaluate and improve clinical projects and health outcomes.
▪ Through oversight of District Project Officers (DPOs), maintain close working relationships with Medical Superintendents, health facility managers, the Ministry of Health, District Health Management Teams (DHMTs), other key health sector stakeholders, partners, and donors.
▪ Maintain overall responsibility for the delivery of timely and high-quality narrative reports for designated projects meeting donor requirements.
▪ Support clinical oversight, expertise, and leadership to drive improvements in the quality of healthcare provided at supported health facilities.
▪ Identify opportunities to collaborate and develop clinical integration/co-ordination with other organizational partners working in the supported health facilities.
▪ Actively participate in the development and implementation of organizational and clinical strategies at the senior management level.
STRATEGIC EXCELLENCE AND STANDARDS
∙ Conduct programme performance review sessions with the DHMTs, research assistants, field implementation teams, DPOs, NIHR KCL, SLISL CCU, MoH. ∙ Conduct continuous real-time performance tracking against Grants’ KPIs. ∙ Under supervision of the Country Director and in collaboration with management teams, contribute to annual planning processes.
∙ In collaboration with Operations, Finance and Programs implementation teams carry out high quality reporting of all institutional funding grants/ contracts in Sierra Leone. ∙ Support overall overarching compliance of all teams to WP’s high standards of operations.
RESEARCH PROJECTS ADVOCACY AND SUSTAINABILITY
▪ Work closely with DHMTs, field teams, KCL team, DPPI, RCH directorate and other partners to build interest in research implementation.
▪ Support DPPI, RCH directorate, KCL, NIHR to draft roadmaps for institutionalizing formative research for decision making.
▪ Build network with biomedical technicians to conduct regular device performance surveys.
▪ Roll out regular lessons’ dissemination events aimed at planting research implementation as key pillar for improving RMNCAH indices.
▪ Join in advocacy drives to build usage of CRADLE devices as part of essential devices and medicines list.
▪ Build relationships with NEMS, Midwifery, and other institutions with need for CRADLE utilization.
GRANTS PROTOCOLS AND FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY
▪ In support to the Head of grants resourcing and compliance, ensure project spending against relevant budgets.
▪ In support to the Finance manager, submit all activity related financial requests and ensure staff payments are made on time.
▪ Contribute to reviews of monthly management accounts and internal financial reporting related to the programme.
▪ Supports HGROC and FM with the development of timely and high-quality financial reports for donors, working alongside project teams, the WP’s Finance team.
STAFF MANAGEMENT
∙ Responsible for managing the programmes teams including national and international staff.
∙ Building the capacity of programme and research teams by developing and designing regular training sessions.
∙ Responsible for ensuring that project staff have appropriate objectives, appraisals (using Objectives, Goals, Strategies, and Measures(OGSMs) and/or Objectives and Key Results (OKRs)), support and training, and dealing with grievances and disciplinary issues when necessary.
∙ Supports international and local recruitment for Welbodi Partnership projects. ∙ In collaboration with HR/Admin, is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of all programmes staff and participants.
REPRESENTATION.
∙ Liaising with local and traditional authorities and represent the programme at district level
∙ Represent WP at district level consortium and other meetings
∙ Represent WP at district level consortium cross cutting activities e.g. Public Health commemorations.
∙ As directed by Country Director, attend relevant national level meetings.
GENERAL POLICIES PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES
In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in this job description all employees and volunteers at WP are expected to comply with the general duties outlined below and detailed in full in our policies.
SAFEGUARDING
Welbodi Partnership is dedicated to safeguarding the welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults, and expects all staff and volunteers to uphold this commitment. Successful applicants will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, or equivalent in countries other than the UK, in full compliance with the DBS Code of Practice.
DATA PROTECTION
Welbodi Partnership complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). EQUALITY AND DIVERSITY
Welbodi Partnership is committed to a comprehensive policy of Equal Opportunities in volunteering and employment in which individuals are selected and treated based on their relevant merits and abilities and are given equal opportunities within the organisation. It is WP’s policy as an employer to treat all people equally irrespective of race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, marital or parental status, gender, sexual orientation, creed, disability, age, or political belief.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Welbodi Partnership operates within tertiary, secondary, and primary healthcare facilities in Sierra Leone, one of the world’s most resource-limited settings. This role involves navigating challenging working conditions, where many amenities often taken for granted – consistent access to running water, electricity, reliable communication, and steady supplies of essential medicines and equipment – are not guaranteed. Despite these challenges, WP is committed to fostering a safe and supportive working environment. We place a high priority on staff health and well-being providing as much support as possible in this demanding context.
JOB REVISION
This job description serves as a general guide to the responsibilities of the role and is not intended to be exhaustive or restrictive. Duties may be adjusted periodically to reflect evolving needs and circumstances.
SALARY/BENEFITS
Based on job competency alignment to internal pay scales. The full remuneration package will be discussed with shortlisted candidates.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
| Domain | Essential Criteria | Desirable Criteria – Post-graduate certifications in project management. – Experience in the
charity/NGO sector, especially in challenging or post-conflict environments. – Familiarity with the Sierra Leone or West African development and humanitarian context. – Report writing experience. – Experience with performance management frameworks such as OGSMs or OKRs. – Working knowledge of project management methodologies and healthcare governance. – N/A |
| Experience / Qualifications | – Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Public Health, Medicine, Project Management, Data Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, or related fields. – Previous experience overseeing research and health implementation projects. – Minimum four years of senior management experience, including performance tracking and personnel oversight**. – Familiarity with donor management (e.g., NIHR, FCDO, UNFPA, MRC). – Experience in qualitative donor report writing and proposal writing (including research). | |
| Skills | – Must be a team player and understands the mantra of ‘one Welbodi partnership’. – Demonstrated management and organisational skills with meticulous attention to detail. – Leadership skills in fast-paced decision-making situations. – Ability to communicate complex ideas in simplified patterns. – Strategic thinker with the ability to communicate a vision. – Excellent IT, interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills. – Ability to solve complex problems and work effectively in cross-cultural settings. – Proficient in Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel). – Ability to lead technical conversations on research and health project implementation. | |
| Knowledge | – Knowledge of evidence-based approaches to improving reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH), including nutrition. – Familiarity with relevant national and international strategies and frameworks in health and research fields. | |
| Personal Attributes | – High integrity and an ethos of incorruptibility. – Motivated and hardworking with a strong commitment to improving maternal and child healthcare in Sierra Leone. – Ability to manage time effectively and work under pressure to meet multiple strict deadlines. |
| Domain | Essential Criteria | Desirable Criteria – Fluency in Krio or other local languages. |
| – Openness to learning, relearning, and unlearning. – Reliable, conscientious, and passionate about health systems strengthening. – Absolute commitment to teaching, learning, and skill improvement of others. – Openness to learn, relearn, and unlearn. | ||
| Other | – Fluent in written and spoken English. – Commitment to WP’s goals and principles. – Willingness to work in challenging conditions with limited infrastructure and resources. |
**We are open to considering exceptional and committed candidates with less management experience if they possess the energy and skill set to drive our organisation forward.
APPLICATION PROCESS: The closing date for applications is the 24th of November 2024 – we encourage potential applicants to submit as soon as possible as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis.
To apply for this position please send your cover letter, CV and contact details of 3 professional referees (including current employer or most recent if not currently employed) in one email to [email protected] using the following subject title: Application – PROGRAMMES MANAGER
Please include the following in your cover letter (2 pages maximum):
∙ Reasons for applying for this position
∙ Overview of key experience related to this post
∙ Your country of residence
∙ Your nationality
∙ Date you are able to commence and duration of availability
Please note
∙ CVs should be no more than 4 pages long. Please do not send any additional documentation at this stage.
∙ The selection process may include several tests in addition to interviews
For any queries relating to the position, please email j[email protected] and/or [email protected] and/or [email protected].
WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY
