Maternal Health Specialist Full-time Job

About the job

Project HOPE seeks an experienced Maternal Health Specialist for the anticipated upcoming Sierra Leone Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA). The 5-year Strengthening Integrated Health Services Activity (SIHSA)’s goal is to contribute to the Government of Sierra Leone’s overarching goal of improving the health of adolescents, pregnant and postpartum women, and children less than five years old. SIHSA’s objectives are 1) improve the quality of family planning, maternal newborn child and adolescent health, and malaria services sustainably; 2) promote adoption of crucial health behaviors, and 3) strengthen the stewardship and governance of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation, both at central and district levels, so it is better prepared to plan, budget, allocate resources and monitor health programs. SIHSA seeks to promote the integration of health services, including malaria services, to rapidly scale-up evidence-based interventions to address preventable causes of maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent morbidities and mortality.

SIHSA seeks to demonstrate innovative models to catalyze community-driven solutions and show models to promote private sector engagement. SIHSA seeks to build upon past and current U.S Government investments and leverage other development partner investments for improved health, including the World Bank, FCDO, and Global Fund investments.

This position will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone.

This position is contingent upon award from USAID. Sierra Leonean Nationals are encouraged to apply.

Code of Conduct

It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.

Specific Responsibilities

Program quality

Provides technical expertise and oversight to ensure Maternal, Adolescent and Youth health and SIHSA programs are of high quality and comply with national standards.

Take the lead in collaborating with MOH, RHBs and other implementing partners to develop service packages.

Ensure Project HOPE’s work is coordinated with efforts of Government and other agencies and take a leadership role of child health and immunization program.

Supports the team in the development of high-quality programming, annual plans, and budgeting processes for the program.

Work closely with the rest of the technical/ program team, Finance, Operation and operation to ensure all activities are coordinated, integrated, and support each other to optimize the project purposes and objectives.

Ensure coordination with other ongoing RMNCH with in Project HOPE.

Work closely with the Child and immunization specialist within the project.

Capacity building

Collaborate with project team and design a capacity building plan for health workers and project team as applicable.

Organize capacity building activities/trainings for health workers and project staff as applicable.

Provide periodic supportive supervision and mentoring to project sites.

Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting

Contributes to the formulation of key program questions that will help to advance the evidence base and leads design of targeted evaluations.

Support field team to organize quarterly and annual review meetings between local implementing partners, RHBs, woredas, health facilities.

Assist the STA-MEL to obtain and maintain updated summary information on the project performance status, and to help draft summaries as requested.

Conduct operational and analytical research, coordinate the publication and dissemination of results, and ensure that research informs advocacy.

Coordinate baseline and endline surveys and ensure results are disseminated widely.

Prepare monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc reports and submit to the immediate supervisor.

In collaboration with MERL Officers and M&E Manager, coordinate all project-related data archiving and filing for Project HOPE activities.

Organize and coordinate site visits by the donor, FMoH, HQ staff and other stakeholders.

Representation, advocacy, and organizational learning

Represent the Project HOPE at national and regional technical working groups as well as other coordination forums.

Maintain /create strong partnerships with MoH, MOA, WHO, WFP, UNICEF and other implementing partners to maximize program impact and harmonize agendas.

Ensure that learning, experiences, and evidence generated on the research component of the project is documented and presented to the right forum.

Additional Job Responsibilities

This position is responsible for ensuring that the project is implemented with the highest standards and comply with all donor and organization requirements.

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

JOB REQUIREMENT

MD, master’s degree in public health or equivalent with minimum of 10 years of experience, including prior experience with RMNCH services and PHC.

Previous 5 or more years of experience in similar positions

Proven expertise in program development and management of child survival and strong experience in maternal and reproductive health at national and regional level.

Demonstrated experience facilitating hands on training, supportive supervision in areas of maternal and reproductive health.

Proven ability to develop effective working relationships with and technical assistance to MoH, partners, particularly Regional Health Bureaus.

Familiarized with FMOH maternal and reproductive health standards, procedures, and policies.

Excellent organizational and prioritization skills, and attention to detail.

Demonstrated ability to communicate clearly and concisely in written and spoken English.

Ability to work in the respective region program implementation districts or clusters.

Founded in 1958, Project HOPE is a leader in global health development and emergency relief programs. An international nonprofit organization, we save lives and improve health, especially among women and children. We accomplish our mission by improving the knowledge, abilities and tools of the health workforce to deliver high quality health services to communities in need. With programs in more than 25 countries, we work at the epicenter of todays greatest health challenges including infectious and chronic diseases, disasters and health crises, maternal, neonatal and child health and the policies that impact how health care is delivered.