Field Officer

SEND Sierra Leone has adopted the global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide national development planning and implementation. The pursuit of economic equality and social equity are mainstreamed in the SDGs. Our commitment to the government is to improve the delivery of social services, strengthen gender and social inclusion, and prioritise the education sector.

SEND workers must adhere to the values, principles and procedures outlined in the HR Policy and the Financial Operating Manual of SEND for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. By these values, SEND enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Code of Conduct and Complaint and Response.

SEND workers should always ensure that all project activities are Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) sensitive in the office and out in the field, focusing on the project’s targeted communities, stakeholders and all persons.

In collaboration with its consortium partners, SEND Sierra Leone is currently executing the FCDO-funded Saving Lives Phase III program in Sierra Leone, spanning five (5) years. The central goal of this program is to bolster the healthcare infrastructure in Sierra Leone, thereby improving maternal, child, adolescent, and reproductive health outcomes. This ambitious aim will be realised by implementing a comprehensive strategy to fortify sustainable solutions for high-quality service delivery, expand accessibility to inclusive healthcare, and stimulate demand for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child, and Adolescent Health Services across Sierra Leone.

In light of this endeavour, SEND Sierra Leone is actively seeking qualified individuals to fill the role of Field Officers responsible for the program’s implementation in the Kono and Kenema districts. These Field Officers will be stationed within the respective communities in these districts. They should possess a high level of competence in community development work, specifically focusing on health-related initiatives. Their key responsibilities will encompass executing the Saving Lives Phase III program activities at the community level while also providing support for activities at the district level.

Furthermore, these Field Officers will be expected to establish effective communication and collaboration with community stakeholders and healthcare workers at the community level, as well as engage with the District Health Management Teams (DHMT) and various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) at the district level as the situation demands.

SEND offers an attractive salary package and benefits to candidates who possess the requisite experience and demonstrate a genuine passion for this pivotal role.

In alignment with these values, SEND enforces policies to ensure the protection and well-being of beneficiaries, including measures against exploitation and abuse, child safeguarding, prevention of workplace harassment, adherence to a code of conduct, and the establishment of a Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM).

SEND workers are expected to consistently ensure that all project activities prioritize Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI).

Program Management:

·         Plan, develop, and execute monthly program activities at the community level.

·         Identify and document change stories and best practices resulting from program interventions in communities.

·         Coordinate with stakeholders at the community, and chiefdom levels for the effective and sustainable implementation of program activities.

·         Establish and maintain effective professional relationships with community, chiefdom and district stakeholders to ensure the successful execution of programming.

·         Participate in relevant program planning and review meetings with stakeholders at the community, chiefdom and district level as and when needed, and ensure that key recommendations and learning are achieved by incorporating them into day-to-day program implementation.

·         Engage in project planning meetings, ensuring that key recommendations and learning are integrated into day-to-day program activity implementation.

·         Participate in and support district program activities when and as the need arise.

·         Prepare the necessary documents, tools, and logistical arrangements for implementing planned program activities, including monitoring and training, on a monthly basis.

·         Provide support to CHC mentors and conduct regular monitoring to ensure their visits to designated CHP and MCHPs.

·         Assist health facilities in tracking and documenting priority health issues to ensure prompt actions for improving health service delivery.

·         In collaboration with the district nutritionist, participate in and support the facilitation of regular cooking demonstrations by CHC staff to improve household dietary diversity.

·         Support the implementation of activities relating to good health and nutrition practices and behaviors through community health base structures, including rolling-out of training modules on nutrition, promoting community, vegetable gardens, supporting participatory nutrition message creation and dissemination through different channels including media, drama, community structures.

·         Contribute to the designing and delivery of training models, learning processes, resources, materials and workshops in your technical area of expertise.

·         Participate as active participant in relevant project training of trainers.

·         Attend monthly program meeting

Monitoring and Reporting:

·         Submit monthly work plan aligned with the quarterly and overall program implementation plan to the project manager.

·         Monitor and facilitate consistent PHU data reviews through community dialogue meetings.

·         Track and record data on program activities using the Kobo Collect tool.

·         Prepare and submit a monthly narrative program activity report to the project manager.

Financial Management:

·         Under the supervision and support of the project manager, develop and submit monthly program activity budget aligned with the quarterly and overall program approval program budget.

·         Attend monthly review financial reports with the finance officer to ensure compliance with donor financial requirements.

·         Ensure that activities align with donor approved budget lines and are implemented.

Program Initiatives and Accountability:

·         Promote full accountability and ensure staff compliance with SEND-SL Code of Conduct and relevant Policies.

·         Ensure the implementation of quality health service delivery activities where needed/appropriate

·         With support from the project manager, ensure the mainstreaming of cross cutting themes by field officers in all activities: Gender and Equality; Safe Guarding Environment and climate adaption, child protection.

·         Complete any reasonable task assigned by the project Manager.

• While we consider candidates with diploma or degree in related field of work, a diploma/degree in public health/Nursing and CHO is a plus.

• 3 years working eexperience preferably in an NGO, ideally in a nutrition and health program in a remote location.
• Experience in programme planning and budget development
•  Clear understanding of community work, development, and commination ethics.

• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.

·         Good planning and organisational skills

·         Fluent in speaking English and any local language spoken in the district.

·         Basic skills on Microsoft Office (Word and Excel).

·         Ability to work remotely

·         Ability to work under stress.

·         Passionate about the job and strongly belief in the importance of development.

·         Strong written, problem-solving and Networking skills.

·         Be emotionally, socially and politically intelligent

·         Ability to report on time.

·         Maintain confidentiality.

·         Be gritty possess the ability remain focused aftershocks.

·         Ability to multi-task.

·         Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.

·         Self-Discipline.

·         Attention to Detail.

·         Willingness to solve uncommon Issues and work with the team beyond program limit.

·         Ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

·         A strong commitment and empathy with the ethos and work of SEND

·         Commitment to gender equality principles

·         Financial integrity and stewardship of program funds