Public Health Specialist, CCU

Present in Sierra Leone since 1999, IRC supports the Sierra Leonean institutions – government, civil society, community-based organizations and private sector – to provide improved social services. The IRC does this through programs and partnerships designed to improve the life of women, youth and children by implementing Health, Education, and Women’s Protection and Empowerment programming.

SCOPE OF WORK

IRC, along with its consortium partners has recently been awarded a funding opportunity from DFID – Saving Lives in Sierra Leone, Phase II. 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, newborn and child 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 IRC is recruiting for maternity cover for the Public Health Specialist (PHS). The PHS will provide technical quality assurance for the implementation of the program across all the partners. Working in close collaboration with the Senior Team Leader the PHS will play a key role in ensuring that the Saving Lives programme is implemented in full alignment with relevant national policies and protocols and it follows the agreed work plan.

The Consortium Public Health Specialist will work under the oversight of the Senior Team Leader.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

• Provide technical guidance/support/advise on the clinical mentorship component of the program;

• Lead liaising on the clinical competency assessments of the District Clinical Mentors (DCMs);

• Lead/support data analysis and write up for the mentorship component of the program;

• Lead liaising on the blood component of the program including (nut not limited to) the reporting tools and the procurement;

• Support the review and consolidation of monthly and quarterly reports to the donor for the program;

• Participate in all relevant technical or coordination meeting as delegated by Senior Team Leader;

• Carry out at least 2 district visits – DQA/monitoring, etc.;

• Provide technical inputs/support to any design piece for the potential extension of the program;

• Quality assure and keep oversight on the work of the regional leads (4 partners – IRC, CUAMM, CWW and GOAL);

• Deliver any other tasked as agreed with Senior Team Leader.

INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS

The post will work with the Senior Team Lead, CCU; RMNCAH Coordinator, CCU; MEL Coordinator, CCU; MEL Manager, CCU; and the Senior Grants & Budget Coordinator, etc.

DURATION

December 2020 – March 2021 (extension contingent on funding)

Qualifications

To effectively deliver this engagement, the applicant should meet the following requirements:

• Preferably a health professional like registered nurse, midwife, MD or equivalent medical training with public health background/degree/work experience.

• Minimum 8 years’ experience in the health sector in similar roles.

• Experience in the design and/or management of clinical mentorship programmes; preferably in West Africa.

• RMNCAH training and experience preferred.

• Ability to work efficiently and effectively with project members in various locations and from multiple organisations.

• Demonstrated superior communication and leadership skills.

• Understanding of the Sierra Leone health system a distinct advantage.

• 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.