IRC recruits 01 Regional Public Health Specialist (RPHS)

IRC recruits 01 Regional Public Health Specialist (RPHS)

IRC, along with its Consortium partners has bid for 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, newborn, 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.

The IRC is recruiting for a Regional Public Health Specialist (PHS) for the Saving Lives Phase II programme in Sierra Leone based in Kenema. The PHS will be responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Saving Lives programme in the three IRC districts – Kenema, Kono and Kailahun. Working in close collaboration with the Consortium Public Health Specialist, the District Delivery Senior Managers (IRC 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 (Kenema) will work under the oversight of the Senior Health Coordinator, IRC.

This position is contingent on funding.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY

Technical

•  Act as the liaison between national and districts;
•  Provide technical support for the District Annual Planning process during the programme period;
•  Support and provide technical advice/mentorship to the District Delivery Senior Managers and District Clinical Mentors in Kono, Bo, Kenema and Kailahun for implementation of the Saving Lives Phase II programme and for ensuring efficient use of resources;
•  Support quarterly meetings with the District Medical Officers and the Medical Superintendents in the three districts and provide technical advice to District Delivery Senior Managers on using data for decision-making in meetings
•  Conduct regular field visits to provide technical support and closely monitor the implementation of the district annual plans in Kono, Kenema and Kailahun;
•  Support all assessments for the programme and the programme M&E framework; and
•  Responsible for compiling district level reporting for internal, donor and GoSL reporting.

Budget Oversight

•  Ensure that the district resources are used effectively and transparently on prioritized RMNCAH activities;
•  Ensure good quality district applications for the flexible fund and innovation fund under the programme for Kono, Bo, Kenema and Kailahun; and
•  Promptly respond to all budget-related inquiries in collaboration with District Delivery Senior Managers.

Representation and Advocacy

•  Attend regional and district level RMNCAH meetings and other workshops, working groups, and coordination forums as required to ensure close coordination and collaboration; and
•  Analyze and present data in creative new ways to influence district-level discussions around and prioritization of RMNCAH activities and strategy implementation

DURATION

August 2019 – February 2021

Qualifications

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

• MD and/or MPH
• 5 – 7 years of relevant field experience with managing staff
• Experience in management of programmes in a developing country or other resource-poor context (ideally Sierra Leone), including experience in implementing/managing RMNCAH programmes is preferred
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and lead a team
• Ability to provide technical support and feedback with a high degree of tact and diplomacy
• Demonstrated knowledge of public health evidence and ability to translate the evidence into actions/plans
• Demonstrated knowledge and/or experience of having worked with district health systems
• Strong communication skills and effective in representation and liaison with external actors
• Excellent English speaking/writing skills required