Quality Assurance Officer

Job Description

Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance 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  

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLE  

The Quality Assurance Officer will work with the DHMT, District program officer, and MEAL manager under the guidance and supervision of the Welbodi Partnership Programs Manager. The post holder  will lead the WP program quality of all programs, including CRADLE Implementation under the FCDO,

Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance Officer 

saving lives 3. He/she shall lead CRADLE training implementation quality checks through developing  standardized assessment tools and administering quality assessment in all WP activities. HE/SHE will  ensure all training packages are up to standard and all the devices have the standard calibration. The  role requires frequent movement across all six districts in PHUs in remote Chiefdoms, including during  the rainy season. Candidates are required to have an in-depth knowledge of the Sierra Leonean  healthcare system including stakeholders and community dynamics. 

KEY RELATIONSHIPS: 

∙ District Health Management Team (DHMT) 

∙ Peripheral Health Unit (PHU) and Hospital Staff  

∙ Health services beneficiaries 

∙ Welbodi Programs Manager  

∙ Welbodi MEL Manager 

∙ Research and hospital projects coordinator. 

∙ CHWS 

∙ Other consortium partners. 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

The Quality Assurance Officer will be responsible for the day-to-day program quality of all projects  implemented by WP partnerships in the country by: 

Program Implementation. 

∙ Document and report product or service quality levels in all WP projects and operational  areas. 

∙ Developing and implementing standards for quality inspection, like checklists, and  aligning them to existing MOH and WHO standards. 

∙ Developing a workflow for service inspection 

∙ Communicating with other team members to solve quality issues identified

∙ Following up with the appropriate channels when mistakes are found

∙ Training other team members on quality assurance processes. 

∙ Arrange CRADLE training at the district level in collaboration with the DHMT and district  program officers. 

∙ Work with DHMT to review CRADLE stock levels at the facility level.

∙ Ensure CRADLE devices are in sound working condition by coordinating the maintenance  pipeline. 

∙ Document quality assurance activities and create audit reports 

∙ Make recommendations for improvement 

∙ Create training materials and operating manuals

Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance Officer 

∙ Leads quality initiatives and/or related projects. Directs projects through different phases,  manages project resources, monitors project status, generates progress reports, and keeps  management informed of issues. 

∙ Any other duty assigned by the Line manager. 

MEAL  

∙ Work closely with the MEAL officer and district program officers 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  

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

∙ Building close professional relationships with the partners  

PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS 

 Qualifications: 

 Bachelor’s degree in Nursing, midwifery, CHO, or public health. A postgraduate  degree in the above fields will be an added advantage. 

Relevant training and/or certifications as a Quality Assurance Specialist

Experience: 

 Familiarity with health service delivery, research, or NGO project implementation  in Sierra Leone, especially those benefiting women and children, would be an  advantage.  

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

At least three years of experience in quality assurance roles in NGOs.  ∙ Knowledge: 

Solid knowledge of relevant regulatory standards 

Working knowledge of tools, methods, and concepts of quality assurance

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

Knowledge of health care system strengthening approaches at the facility and  district level. 

Skills: 

Strong attention to detail of key program issues. 

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

Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance Officer 

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 while maintaining an  excellent level of written and oral communication and respectful working  relationships 

Other: 

Fluency in written and spoken English.  

Confidence, diplomacy, and sensitivity in working with local authorities,  healthcare providers and senior staff from partner organizations including the  Government. 

A team player who shows enthusiasm and is committed to the goals and principles  of Welbodi Partnership. 

Values: 

Honesty: Shows high integrity and will not fabricate responses or misrepresent the  program. 

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 contemporaneously and  accurately 

Endurance: Must be flexible and be willing to work in numerous offices or  locations within Freetown/ 

Open to making short trips to the districts if required. 

Pro-activity in handling duties independently  

Adaptable: Ability to respond flexibly and effectively to a broad range of tasks.

Responsive: Must communicate effectively with the line manager, team  members, and stakeholders. This includes promptly replying to messages, actively  listening to feedback, and addressing any concerns or questions they may have. 

Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance Officer 

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 has a Zero Tolerance policy on Safeguarding and is committed to promoting the  welfare of children, young people, and vulnerable adults. Therefore, all staff and volunteers are  expected to behave in a way that supports this commitment. All new staff undergo mandatory  safeguarding 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).