Job Description
Vacancy Announcement: Quality Assurance Officer VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT
POSITION |
Quality Assurance Officer |
LOCATION |
Bombali |
START DATE |
1st April 2024 |
DURATION |
12 months – with the possibility of an extension |
Type |
Internal and External |
APPLICATION DEADLINE |
28th February 2024 (only those shortlisted for interview will be contacted) |
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:
- Deliver Lasting Results
- Working in Partnership
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Valuing People
- 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).
APPLICATION PROCESS
The closing date for applications is the 28th February 2024 – we encourage potential applicants to submit as soon as possible.
To apply for this position please send your cover letter, CV not more than 3 pages and contact details of 3 referees in one email to jobs@welbodipartnership.org using the following subject title: Application – Quality Assurance Officer.
For any queries relating to the position, please email jobs@welbodipartnership.org.
WOMEN ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO APPLY |