District Program Officer 

Job Description

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT  

BACKGROUND  

Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charity working to reduce maternal and child  mortality and morbidity in Sierra Leone. Since 2008, Welbodi Partnership has worked in  partnership with hospital management, health facility staff, and the Ministry of Health to  improve maternal and child health outcomes in Sierra Leone. We do this through a range of bold  innovative partnerships models across health system strengthening activities, healthcare worker  training, hospital improvement projects, research and community engagement.  

Our vision is that all women and children in Sierra Leone will have access to effective essential  healthcare services characterized by respect and dignity for all. Our mission is to build the  capacity and effectiveness of the health system in Sierra Leone using evidence-based practice to  reduce the number of women and children who are sick, suffer, or die unnecessarily.  

The organization’s guiding principles are:  

1. Deliver Lasting Results  
2. Working in Partnership  
3. Quality improvement and patient safety  
4. Valuing People  
5. Evidence Based Approach  

For further information, please see: www.welbodipartnership.org  

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer 

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE  

The District Program Officer will work in the District Health Management Team (DHMT) under  the guidance and supervision of the Welbodi Partnership Programs Manager. The post holder will  lead CRADLE Vital Signs Alert (VSA) planning, implementation and reporting in the district under  the Saving Lives 3 Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) funded project in the  respective district of posting which include Bombali, Moyamba, Kenema, Kono, Kambia and  Western Area Urban (WAU). He/she shall lead CRADLE training preparation and implementation  together with the DHMT and the CRADLE Champions at district and facility level. He/she will be  pivotal in extending CRADLE to the community level through training and mentorship of  Community Health Workers (CHWs) who act as the first point of contact for healthcare access in  Sierra Leone. The incumbent will lead integrated supportive supervision and will represent the  program in key district activities and ensuring respectful and professional engagement with  medical professionals from the DHMT, Hospitals and Peripheral Health Units (PHUs), as well as  local authorities, Community Chiefs and pregnant women. The role requires frequent movement  within the district to PHUs in remote Chiefdoms, including during rainy season. Candidates are  required to have an in depth knowledge of the Sierra Leone healthcare system and their target  district, including stakeholder and community dynamics.  

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: 

• District Health Management Team (DHMT)  
• Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) and Hospital Staff  
• Local authorities and Community Chiefs  
• Health led services and pregnant women  
• Welbodi Programs Manager  
• Welbodi Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Manager other consortium  partners.  

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES  

The District Program Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day delivery of the CRADLE district  program under the Savings Lives 3 project by:  

Program Implementation  

• Drawing monthly work plans for the project activities and align them to routine DHMT key  work plans 

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer 

• Identifying, establishing and maintaining strong contact with medical professionals from  the District Health Management Team, Hospitals and PHUs  
• Arrange CRADLE trainings at district level in collaboration with the DHMT, Programs  Manager and CRADLE Champions.  
• Hold CHW engagement meetings and lead CRADLE to community level for CHWs for all  Chiefdoms in the district.  
• Work with DHMTs to review CRADLE stock levels at facility level.  
• Ensure CRADLE devices are in sound working condition through coordination of  maintenance pipeline.  
• Any other duty assigned by the Line Manager.  

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL)  

• Work closely with the MEAL Officer to compile and submit monthly and quarterly reports  as per reporting schedules.  
• Collecting clinical data from the DHMT, hospitals and PHUs, as well as routinely collected  Ministry data through effective communication, diplomacy and respect with partners 
• Recognizing and reporting in a timely fashion any problems in obtaining data and district  

level activities and dynamics and providing feedback from field program activities. 

• Adhering to confidentiality procedures, policies and legal requirements when collecting,  storing and sharing data  

• Collect and report feedback from beneficiaries to the MEAL manager for logging and  follow up.  

REPRESENTAION  

• Liaising with local authorities and Community Chiefs and represent the programme at  district level Represent Welbodi Partnership at district level consortium meetings 
• Represent Welbodi Partnership at district level consortium cross cutting activities eg Public Health commemorations.  

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS  

Qualifications: 

An individual holding university Bachelor’s degree in any social sciences like  sociology, anthropology, public health etc. A diploma in medical disciplines like  Community Health Officer, Nursing and Midwifery will be an added advantage.

  Experience:

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer 

 Familiarity with health service delivery, clinical research or NGO clinical project  implementation in Sierra Leone, those who benefit from experience with women  and children would be at an advantage.  

 Experience with logistical, operational and monitoring procedures required for  donor funded projects.  

 Experience in clinical mentorship and capacity building will be an added  advantage.  

 At least 3 years’ experience in similar roles in NGOs.  

• Knowledge: 

 Knowledge of project implementation processes that relate to planning, resource  management, problem solving, monitoring and reporting.  

 Knowledge of healthcare system strengthening approaches at facility and district  level.  

• Skills: 

 Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint, publisher and Google applications

Proficient in logically organizing and retrieving electronic and hard copy  information.  

Proven ability to identify the root causes of simple and complex issues and find  practical solutions.  

Ability to self-motivate, take initiative and work autonomously within the scope of  the role with minimal supervision.  

Proactive in communicating and resolving issues with colleagues.

Aware of own  limitations and able to refer appropriately.

Excellent interpersonal skills, verbal  communication skills, and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively across  different hierarchy lines and in cross cultural teams.

Ability to work well under  pressure and deliver deadlines whilst maintaining an excellent level of written and  oral communication and respectful working relationships.  

• Other:  

Fluency in written and spoken English and Krio. Working knowledge of regional  languages will be an added advantage.  

Confidence, diplomacy, and sensitivity in working with local authorities,  healthcare providers and senior staff from partner organizations including the  Government. o A team player who shows enthusiasm and is committed to the  goals and principles of Welbodi Partnership.  

Ability to ride a motorcycle with valid Riders permit.  

• Values: 

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer 

Honesty: Shows a high level of integrity and will not fabricate responses or  misrepresent the programme.  

Communication: Confidently expresses self, able to clearly ask questions and help  the respondent understand what is needed from her/him  

Relationship Building: Able to build trust with colleagues and stakeholders and  maintain confidentiality.  

Accuracy: Must be able to complete documentation accurately.

Endurance:  Must be able to work for full day working hours and be willing to work in different  offices or locations and make trips to remote healthcare facilities. Pro activeness in handling duties independently

Adaptability to respond flexibly  and effectively to broad range of tasks.  

Responsiveness towards Line Manager, team members and stakeholders.  

GENERAL POLICIES PROCEDURES AND PRACTICES  

In addition to the key job responsibilities detailed in these Terms of Reference, all employees and  volunteers at Welbodi Partnership are expected to comply with the general duties outlined below  and detailed in full in our policies.  

SAFEGUARDING  

Welbodi Partnership is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of women,  children, young people and vulnerable adults. All staff and volunteers are therefore expected to  behave in such a way that supports this commitment. All new staff undergo mandatory safe  guarding training and sign the safeguarding policy before the commencement of work. Applicants  for this position should be aware that if successful, they will be requested to complete a Police  check.  

DATA PROTECTION  

Welbodi Partnership complies with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  

Vacancy Announcement: District Program Officer