Medical Officer

Job Description

Solthis is a global health NGO, founded 20 years ago, which works for prevention and access to quality  healthcare for all, by sustainably strengthening healthcare systems and services. We focus on women’s,  mothers’ and children’s health, and on major pandemics such as HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis. Solthis is a  development NGO, present in West Africa with 6 country offices, which, in partnership with local actors,  deploys projects including operational research, capacity building and advocacy.  

Solthis applies a policy of non-discrimination in recruitment based solely on the skills, experience and  interpersonal skills of its candidates, and under no circumstances bases its selection criteria on notions such  as gender, age, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or state of health (pathology  and/or disability). We therefore encourage you all to apply. 

To complete our operational team, we are looking for a : 

Medical Officer in Sierra Leone 

Contract duration : Fixed-term contract (one year renewable with the possibility of extension for the  whole duration of the project) 

Status: National 

Base of assignment : Freetown, Sierra Leone (with regular missions in Western Urban and Rural Areas)  Availability : By 01/05/2024 

BACKROUND 

The IMPAACT4HIV project will pilot innovative models of disease management for people living with  advanced HIV (children, adults and adolescents) through a simplified, decentralized approach in target  countries. It will focus on early detection, identification and decentralized management in primary  structures and community channels. This includes rapid diagnosis of HIV, disease and opportunistic  infections, linkage to antiretroviral treatment, short-course therapy with enhanced prophylaxis and  treatment of opportunistic diseases, and a management strategy for severe bacterial infections. The  project will implement community-based, people-centered approaches and introduce innovative tools  to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of services. 

The project, funded by UNITAID, will be managed by a consortium led by Aurum with DNDI, PATA, MAA  and SOLTHIS, and implemented in South Africa, Côte d’Ivoire, Mozambique, DRC and Sierra Leone. It will  run for 42 months from January 2024. SOLTHIS will be in charge of deployment in Côte d’Ivoire and Sierra  Leone. 

The Solthis team will comprise a Program Coordinator based in Abidjan and two implementation teams  in Abidjan (Côte d’Ivoire) and Freetown (Sierra Leone). In this context, we are looking for a Medical  Officer covering all activities under the responsibility of Solthis in Sierra Leone. 

SPECIFIC DUTIES 

Reporting to the Project Coordinator, the Medical Officer is responsible for the quality and  implementation of project activities aimed at improving the supply of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD)  services. S/He monitors activities on site and works closely with implementing partners. S/He identifies  the capacity-building needs of partners and ensures that project activities are integrated and  appropriated into the activity packages of the structures supported. S/He will play an active role in the  project’s monitoring and evaluation/operational research component. 

Implementation and monitoring of activities : 

 Implementation of activities:

• Plans and implements activities in line with Solthis standards, working closely with partners in  health structures, national coordination bodies, resource persons in the Solthis Sierra Leone team and at head office, and external service providers. 
• Provides expertise in the areas covered by the position (coordinating the participatory  diagnosis and monitoring process, improving the quality of Advanced HIV Disease (AHD) services and the organization of care, psychosocial support, mobilizing People Living with HIV  (PLHIV) Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), improving the care relationship). 
• Contributes to the development and implementation of the project’s M&E plan.
• Builds the capacity of healthcare staff through training and clinical mentoring.
• Facilitating training sessions and raising awareness among healthcare teams about the  challenges of AHD 

 Clinical tutoring and supervision of healthcare teams : provide formative supervision in  health centers in the intervention zone, at least once a month in each health center, in  order to support healthcare professionals in improving the supply of AHD services. 

 Promotion of a gender approach and respect for patients’ rights in care. 

• Participate in coordination meetings and national consultation frameworks related to project  themes. 
• Builds the capacity of PLHIV CSOs and community workers through training and formative  supervision. 
• Conducts regular workshops to present results to health structures and health authorities in  intervention areas. 

Reporting : 

• Contributes to the critical analysis of project results. 
• Contributes to the drafting of internal monthly reports, quarterly reviews and annual programs  according to the framework defined upstream, and proposes any necessary reprogramming of  projects.  
• Contributes to the drafting of reports according to the methods and rhythms defined by the  project sponsor. 

Capitalization and communication 

• Participates in national project steering committees. 
• Contributes to the documentation and dissemination of project lessons learned.
• Contributes to the implementation of the project’s transition and knowledge transfer plan. 

Administrative and financial monitoring 

• Contributes to the budget management of activities under his/her responsibility.
•  Ensures compliance with Solthis and donor administrative and financial procedures within the  project team, and with the fraud and abuse prevention and management procedure. 

Security 

• Contributes to the proper application of safety rules implemented on the mission.
•  Informs the IMPAACT4HIV Program Coordinator of any political/social/humanitarian issues that  may have an impact on the security management of the mission. 

PROFILE REQUIRED 

Education :  

• Hold a medical Degree (Doctorate in medicine with significant experience in the field of HIV). 

Experience : 

• At least 5 years’ experience in a similar position in the implementation of HIV-related projects  (essential) and in West Africa (preferred). 
• Experience in introducing innovative health approaches in line with international  recommendations. 
• Experience in collaborating with various institutional partners, including MOH programs and  CSOs working in the field of HIV.

Qualities and skills  

• You are familiar with project management and with the norms, policies and procedures of Sierra  Leonean Ministry of Health and international standards, i.e WHO, UNAIDS, etc. in terms of HIV  in general and AHD in particular. 
• You are able to lead technical workshops and training sessions, and are committed to  transmitting high-quality knowledge. 
• You are autonomous and able to make proposals. 
• Your flexibility and adaptability will enable you to manage stress. 
• You are recognized for your ability to work in partnership and network, and to strengthen the  capacity of civil society. 
• You are Fluent in English, and able to work in French  

This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. SOLTHIS reserves the right to  change this document 

PAY 

Salary : Depending on experience in a similar position, according to the SOLTHIS salary scale and 3  references who are your former managers. 

HOW TO APPLY 

Application form: CV and cover letter  

To be sent to : recruitment.sierra-leone@solthis.org with the subject “SL Medical Officer IMPAACT4HIV  – Surname Name”.  

Application deadline : 18/3/2024  

Procedure: Only successful candidates will be contacted for technical validation and an HR interview.  Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.  

SOLTHIS reviews applications on an ongoing basis and may close the recruitment process early if a  candidate is selected for the position.