Background
The maternal mortality ratio for Sierra Leone was estimated at 1,165 per 100,000 live births in 2013 (SLDHS 2013). This situation has been compounded by inadequate access to emergency obstetric and newborn care, low skilled birth attendance, and limited access to family planning services. The recent Ebola Outbreak has further complicated this situation over the past two years.
The Government of Sierra Leone has developed a Presidential Recovery Plan (PRP) that outlines priorities for the post-Ebola recovery period. Addressing the high maternal and child mortality rates has been identified as top priorities in the PRP, and the President has declared maternal and child mortality as a public health emergency. The PRP has a target of “saving the lives of 600 women and 5,000 children by 2018.” This ambitious target requires the alignment of different sectors, resources and partners to fulfill the government’s commitment.
UNFPA, together with UNICEF and WHO, has developed a DFID-funded joint programme, called the Saving Lives Programme (SLP), to address the health priorities in the PRP. The SLP aims to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s plan for the accelerated reduction of maternal, newborn, child and adolescent mortality and morbidity. The SLP will not only contribute to meeting the short-term goals of the PRP, but also strengthen the overall health sector in the long term. The main expected outcomes are:
- Increased use of quality RMNCH services, especially for poor women
- Increased use of contraception, especially among adolescents
- Fewer teen pregnancies
- Reduced prevalence and improved management of childhood illness.
Job Purpose
In close collaboration with the UNFPA Representative, and under the direct supervision of the RH/Technical Specialist, the SRH Coordinator contributes to the strengthening of the institutional capacity of health centers and hospitals to provide a full range of reproductive health (RH) services, including management of complications (EmONC) and FP. Additionally, the Coordinator will ensure that women and adolescent girls are provided with access to quality family planning information and services, ante- and post-natal care services, post-abortion care, and skilled attendance during childbirth, including emergency obstetric and neonatal care. Key activities and tasks include:
- Coordinate and oversee RH interventions at the field level
- Conduct assessments, monitoring and reporting of project activities
Provide technical support to government and Implementing partners for the implementation of RH programmes and interventions
Major Activities/Expected Results
A. Coordinate and oversee RH interventions at the field level
- Facilitate and coordinate the rapid implementation of RH projects supported by multilateral and bilateral donors; NGO and government implementing partners; UN agencies; and other national and international organizations that are engaged in the implementation of RH programmes
- Liaise and coordinate with the Directorate of Reproductive and Child health of the MoHS, implementing organizations, and other UN agencies at district level
- Organize and support trainings, sensitizations and strategic planning
- Build strong partnerships with RH stakeholders at district levels
- Actively participate in health meetings, consultations and workshops, providing feedback on RH at country, regional and provincial level to MoHS
- Liaise with other sectors (particularly health and child protection) to ensure a multi-sectoral approach for RH
- Liaise with UNFPA implementing partners and RH focal points in other agencies and organizations (including governments, national and international NGOs)
- Support the effort to develop multi-sectoral prevention and response including referral and reporting mechanisms, information-sharing, coordination, and monitoring/evaluation.
B. Conduct assessments, monitoring and reporting on project activities
- Undertake missions to districts and perform assessments as appropriate to inform strategic approaches and for addressing issues around RH
- Support the development/revision of RH-specific and related assessment tools
- Monitor progress of the programme activities, identify sources of delays in the project implementation, contribute to feasible solutions, and ensure that follow-up actions are being carried out
- Collect, compile, and analyse monthly health report data with an emphasis on identifying trends and patterns
- Develop monthly report formats that capture relevant information and support the analysis and evaluation of project progress and outcomes
- Undertake field monitoring visits to verify the quality of project activities as well as arrange periodic project assessments and reviews with counterparts and other partners
- Develop quarterly and annual technical reports on the achievements
C. Provide technical support to government and implementing partners for the implementation of RH programmes and interventions
- In collaboration with government counterparts, technical advisers, NGOs and other partners, contribute substantively to the formulation, design and implementation of the country programme and its component projects in line with government priorities and according to UNFPA programme policies and procedures
- Support the implementation of RH programmes in Sierra Leone, including reporting, financial management and monitoring of activities;
- Assist in organizing periodic internal and external progress review meetings
- Support the implementation of RH programmes to empower women and young people and improve their access to reproductive health services;
- Contribute to the design of the project documents required for the implementation of the RH project;
- Provide technical support and guidance to the IPs in order to ensure good quality implementation of programme activities
- In consultation with the RH/Technical Specialist, prepare monthly work plans and budget revisions of the programme
- Build capacity of newly recruited staff through coaching and on the job trainings.
- Assist in advocacy and resource mobilization efforts of the country office by preparing relevant documentation, i.e., project summaries, conference papers, speeches, donor profiles and participating in donor meetings and public information events.
Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Work Relations
The SRH coordinator will work closely with UNFPA programme team members and the technical team of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) to support the effective execution of projects activities in Sierra Leone. The SRH coordinator will also work closely with the Directorate of Reproductive and Child Health to provide strategic direction on RH. The SRH Coordinator will be based in the country office with frequent travel to the districts.
Job Requirements
Required Education and Experience
- A Master’s Degree or related qualifications in medicine, midwifery, nursing, public health or a related social science field.
- At least 4 years of practical experience in RH programme implementation and service provision
- Experience working at the national level or with international bilateral, multilateral organisations or NGOs is required
- Demonstrated technical expertise in reproductive health, family planning and safe motherhood
- Proven managerial skills in RH programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Updated knowledge of the health care system in Sierra Leone
- Successful record of managing health projects
Language Requirements: Fluency in English, verbal and written
CORE COMPETENCIES
- Integrity/commitment to UNFPA mandate
- Valuing diversity
- Developing people, coaching and mentoring & fostering innovation and empowerment; working in teams
- Self- management/emotional intelligence
- Analytical, strategic and critical thinking and results-oriented
- Commitment to excellence
- Knowledge sharing/continuous learning
FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES
- Conceptual innovation in the provision of technical expertise
- Leveraging the resources of national governments & partners/building strategic alliances and partnerships
- Job knowledge/technical expertise: good knowledge of maternal health, especially interventions to improve access to quality antenatal care, family planning, delivery care, post-natal care and sexually transmitted infection services.
UNFPA Work Environment
UNFPA provides a work environment that reflects the values of gender equality, teamwork, respect for diversity in all forms, integrity and a healthy balance of work and life. We are committed to maintaining our balanced gender distribution and therefore encourage women to apply. UNFPA promotes equal opportunities for all including persons with disabilities.
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Compensation and Benefits
This position offers an attractive remuneration package commensurate with the level of the post. The package includes a competitive net salary plus cost of living adjustment, housing allowance, home leave, health insurance and other benefits.
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Closing Statement
Notice: There is no application, processing or other fee at any stage of the application process. UNFPA does not solicit or screen for information in respect of HIV or AIDS and does not discriminate on the basis of HIV/AIDS status.
This is a project funded post.
Interested candidates are welcome to apply by submitting a completed United Nations Personal History Form (P-11) and curriculum vitae, along with a cover letter, to the UNFPA office not later than close of business on 29 December 2016, at the following address: 12 -16 Signal Hill Road; P.O. Box 1011, Freetown
The position’s main functions, together with required qualifications and P11 form, can be collected from the UNFPA Sierra Leone Country office in Freetown. This can also be downloaded from UNFPA website at: http://sierraleone.unfpa.org and submitted on email: registry-sl@unfpa.org.
