IRC, along with its Consortium partners has been awarded a funding opportunity from DFID – Saving Lives (Phase II) as the lead for the NGO consortium. The Saving Lives programme seeks to support the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) to save women’s and children’s lives by improving the quality, availability and accessibility of reproductive, maternal, new born, child and adolescent health services. This will be achieved by increasing the utilization of quality RMNCAH services through a multifaceted approach that seeks to strengthen quality, expand access, and build the demand for RMNCAH services in Sierra Leone. The programme duration is till March 2021 with a possible extension till September 2022.
The IRC is recruiting for a Technical Advisor for the RMNCAH Directorate at the Ministry of Health & Sanitation (MoHS) in Sierra Leone who will provide technical and management support to the Director, RMNCAH and will also serve as the liaison between MoHS and the Consortium.
The TA will work under the oversight of the Director, RMNCAH at MoHS and the Senior Team Leader, IRC. This is a secondment from IRC to MoHS.
AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY
Policy and Strategy
• Support the implementation of the RMNCAH Strategy in Sierra Leone;
• Contribute to national discussions and strategic planning exercises regarding RMNCAH Strategy implementation in Sierra Leone.
Technical and Management support
• Facilitate and provide technical assistance and management support to the Director, RMNCAH, MoHS;
• Provide secretariat support to MoHS for Saving Lives programme;
• Support mentoring and coaching of Directorate staff in agreement with the Director;
• Facilitate and contribute to any RMNCAH meetings in MoHS, as and when needed;
• Keep abreast of latest global guidance and evidence around RMNCAH and family planning;
• Provide support to the Director, RMNCAH on any other related areas.
Stakeholder advocacy and coordination
• Support stakeholder relationship management for the RMNCAH Directorate;
• Actively develop and maintain strong working relationships with key stakeholders, including donors, government, the UN Consortium, NGO Consortium partners and other NGOs
• Liaise between the MoHS and the NGO Consortium on a regular basis.
MEL and strategic information
• Support/mentor the relevant Directorate staff on interrogating and analysing both qualitative and quantitative data and using it for decision making/prioritising;
• Liaise closely with relevant government officials to monitor and evaluate interventions against objectives and targets, bringing in technical expertise when needed to ensure rapid implementation;
• Facilitate and support collaboration with districts in terms of planning, implementation and progress tracking of all RMNCAH activities;
• Facilitate and support supportive supervision/monitoring visits;
• Support Director, RMNCAH to identify and plan for operational research coming out of the data analyses;
• Contribute to all Consortium reporting – internal, donor and GoSL; and
• Contribute to all assessments related to the programme including contribution to the M&E framework/results.
DURATION
November 2020 – March 2021
Qualifications
To effectively deliver this engagement, the applicant should meet the following requirements:
• Master’s in public health, management, social sciences or related field; in lieu of degree extra years of experience will suffice
• At least 7 years’ of relevant experience in management of programmes in a similar context, including RMNCAH programmes
• Ability to provide technical support and feedback with a high degree of tact and diplomacy
• The ability to work independently, think strategically and creatively, and translate strategies into delivery plans, with emphasis on attention to detail
• Excellent analytical, planning, communication and management skills – a proven track record in public sector delivery
• Flexibility to respond quickly to urgent matters and to liaise with the Director, RMNCAH and NGO Consortium on key decisions
• A team mind-set, willing to proactively contribute to the development of the MoHS’ systems and successful delivery of flagship programs
• Ability to liaise with senior leaders in MoHS and other government and external stakeholders, to deliver the requirements of the role
• Willingness to travel up country, sometimes at short notice
• Excellent English speaking/writing skills required.
The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.
More Information
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