This is a new 12 month unaccompanied role based in Makeni, Sierra Leone at Coordinator level. You will report into the GOAL Sierra Leone Country Health Coordinator and will be responsible for the District Delivery Managers in the five districts.
GOAL, along with its Consortium partners, has bid for a funding opportunity from DFID – Saving Lives (Phase II) as Regional lead for the Northern region for the Health Co 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 October 2018 – March 2021.
GOAL is recruiting a Regional Public Health Specialist (PHS) for the Saving Lives Phase II programme in Sierra Leone to be based in Makeni in Bombali district. The PHS will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Saving Lives programme in the 5 district of the north – Kambia, Koinadugu Bombali , Port Loko and Tonkolili. Working in close collaboration with the other Regional Public Health Specialists, the District Delivery Senior Managers (GOAL programme staff), the MoHS and other key stakeholders in the districts, the PHS will play a key role in ensuring that the Saving Lives programme is implemented to a high technical standard and is in full alignment with relevant national policies and protocols.
The Saving Lives PHS (Northern Region) will work under the oversight of the Country Health Coordinator, GOAL. This position is contingent on funding. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be short listed on a regular basis and we may offer posts before the closing date.
GOAL has been present in Sierra Leone since 1998, with an overall aim to contribute to poverty and vulnerability reduction through the implementation of integrated, multi-sectoral interventions, with a primary focus on improving Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent health (RMNCAH) specifically addressing teenage pregnancy. GOAL is also improving rural water supply, urban faecal sludge management and promoting social inclusion, empowerment and decent work through systems-based programme approaches and community led social and behavioral change. GOAL currently operates in Western Area Urban (Freetown), Kambia and Kenema Districts, with funding from Irish Aid, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the European Union.
Areas of Responsibility
Technical
- Act as the liaison between national MOH structures and district saving lives actors in the north;
- Provide technical support for the District Annual Planning process with DHMTs during the programme period;
- Support and provide technical advice/mentorship to the GOAL District Delivery Senior Managers and District Clinical Mentors in Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Port Loko and Tonkolili for implementation of the Saving Lives Phase II programme and for ensuring efficient use of resources;
- Support quarterly meetings with the MOHS District Medical Officers and the Medical Superintendents in the five districts and provide technical advice to District Delivery Senior Managers on using data for decision-making;
- Conduct regular field visits to provide technical support and closely monitor the implementation of the district annual plans in Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Port Loko and Tonkolili;
- Support all assessments for the programme and the programme M&E framework; and
- Together with the DDMs, responsible for compiling district level reporting for internal, donor and GoSL reporting.
Budget Oversight
- Ensure that the programme resources in the districts under his or her supervision are used effectively and transparently on prioritized RMNCAH activities;
- Ensure good quality district applications for the Saving Lives phase II flexible funding and innovation funding mechanisms under the programme for Kambia, Bombali, Koinadugu, Port Loko and Tonkolili; and
- Promptly respond to all budget-related queries from the consortium lead in collaboration with District Delivery Senior Managers.
Representation and Advocacy
- Represent GOAL/Health Co in regional and district level RMNCAH meetings and other workshops, working groups, and coordination forums as required to ensure close coordination and collaboration; and
- Analyse and present data in creative ways to influence district-level discussions around and prioritization of RMNCAH activities and strategy implementation.
Skills needed
Essential
- Master’s Degree or higher in public health or related field
- Four years plus of relevant field health systems strengthening and public health management experience
- Demonstrated ability to manage donor funded public health projects and budgets
- Experience in management of programmes in a developing country or other resource-poor context in a fragile health system.
- Experience in implementing/managing RMNCAH programmes is preferred, demonstrated ability to mentor, supervise and lead a team
- Ability to provide public health technical support and advice to MOHS partners/counterparts
- Ability and experience in developing productive working relationships with counterparts
- Demonstrated knowledge of public health evidence and ability to translate the evidence into actions/plans
- Strong communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
- Excellent English speaking/writing skills required
Desirable
- Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of having worked with district health systems
- Experience in management of programmes in a developing country or other resource-poor context in Sierra Leone
Our package includes a competitive salary, shared accommodation, health and travel insurance and 20 days annual leave. Additional benefits are available after 12 months of service. Salary range for this role is €40,000 to €47,000.
GOAL has a Staff Code of Conduct and a Child Protection Policy, which have been developed to ensure the maximum protection of programme participants and children from exploitation. GOAL also has a confidentiality policy ensuring the non-disclosure of any information whatsoever relating to the practices and business of GOAL, acquired in the course of duty, to any other person or organisation without authority, except in the normal execution of duty. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to these policies any job offer made is also subject to police clearance. GOAL is an equal opportunities employer.
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document. The deadline for applications is the 3rd of September 2018.
More Information
- Job City Makeni
