Location: Sierra Leone
Closing date: 24 May 2008
Job Description

IRC has been in West Africa for over ten years and has been implementing programs in Sierra Leone since1999.The programs broadly encompass community reintegration, education, gender-based violence, and health.

Since peace was declared in early 2002, IRC has focussed on post conflict development and reintegration services for Sierra Leonean returning home from neighbouring countries. As Sierra Leone is now a country in transition from relief and rehabilitation to development IRC has made a commitment to post conflict development programs. The IRC country program is managed from the head office in Freetown and has three field offices in Kenema, Kono and Kailahun.

Reporting to the health co-ordinator, the maternal and child health co-ordinator is personally responsible for leading the Maternal and Child Health Program into its next phase of expansion in Kono where a Community Based Treatment service has been implemented involving 20 Primary Health Units and 345 volunteer community based distributors. A Basic Emergency Obstetric service is presently being piloted in one PHU and this should also be expanded to include another 4 sites.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program Development:

* To identify and facilitate capacity building opportunities for the program managers and supervisors and DHMT
* To maintain the good communication and exchanges between the DHMT, EmOC program in Kenema and the Child Survival activities performed by CARE in Kabala and the Malaria Control Program
* To look at cross cutting issues between other departments eg GBV and Education and develop some integrated programming ideas for piloting/implementation.
* To provide technical and management leadership and expertise ensuring a quality program
* Review and update the practical implementation of the program while promoting the active participation and involvement of the District Management Health Team (DHMT) and other stakeholders.
* Lead the design and conduct assessments, surveys, evaluations, research and advocacy initiatives.
* Lead the development of concept papers and the writing of proposals related to maternal and child health with participation of the community, district council and DHMT.


Managerial Responsibilities:

* Develop monthly plans with the team in line with the project indicators so targets are met
* Ensure the monthly collection, analysis and reporting of data on the Minimum Core Indicators of IRC Health Programs
* Ensure that all reports are produced and submitted on time by the senior program manager.
* Review, edit and maintain technical quality of all reports.
* Conduct regular monitoring of the program and provide updates and feedback to the Health Co-ordinator
* To manage the budget at field level with reference and collaboration with the Health Co-ordinator in Freetown
* Communicate internally with the FC and Logistics department in accordance with IRC procedures to enable the smooth running of the programmes.
* Identify capacity building needs amongst the team and identify opportunities both internally and externally and across programmes.
* Identify cross cutting issues and where IRC programmes can integrate to improve capacity and efficient and effective programming.


Coordination and Representation

* Represent IRC in technical coordination meetings related to maternal and child health in the district
* In collaboration with the Health Coordinator develop and maintain effective working relationships and technical coordination with national and international partners involved in maternal and child health


QUALIFICATIONS:

* Public Health Professional (RN, MW or MD with MPH)
* Training skills
* Demonstrated skills in quantative and qualitative research methodologies
* Skill in program and budget management
* Knowledge of developing and managing health information system and quality assurance
* Demonstrated proposal writing and reporting – Fluency in English
* Strong communication, people management and analytical skills
* Strong data management, proficient in Excel EPI Info and other statistical programs
* Minimum of 3 years experience in the implementation and management of health programs at field level in post conflict development settings
* Previous experience in the technical management of maternal and child health programming, in Africa preferred
* Experience in conducting training, needs assessments and delivering quality training programs
* Strong performance management and staff development experience
* Experience in conducting a variety of surveys – baseline and mortality
* Willingness to learn
* Committed to the mission and principles of the International Rescue Committee;
* Operational/Financial management – understand IRC policies and systems and applies them effectively, developing sound financial plans and budgets and can effectively obtain, allocate and utilise resources;
* Applies effective utilization of resources;
* Program Management – manages the design and monitoring;
* The ability to build a team environment, empowering employees by effective delegation, motivation and manages conflict with employees appropriately;
* The ability to accurately assess a situation before making a decision, examining problems from different view points;
* Judgment – Is able to sort through competing priorities, make sound well informed decisions and identify issues problems and opportunities;
* Decisiveness – Can make decisions in a timely manner identifying problems early enough and informing the line manager
* Results driven – ensures goals, objectives and deadlines are met;
* Role model – Builds effective work practices acting as a good role model;
* Respectful both within the organisation and with external interactions and is sensitive to the ramifications of decisions;
* Self Management – Knows own strengths and weaknesses and acts accordingly, copes well with pressure and adapts and learns;
* Can communicate effectively both verbally and in written communication across all departments;
* Interpersonal skills – Listens willingly to concerns of others and provides feedback, gaining commitment by persuasiveness not demands;
* The ability to be an effective negotiator in conflict situations handling the conflict effectively and constantly working towards a win/win situation;
* Lives up to commitments and works towards the aims of the organisation, showing consistency between words and actions and always acting with integrity.

Vacancies Contact
We request that all applications be completed on line at www.IRCjobs.org. Please indicate in your cover letter how you initially became aware of this vacancy. IRC does not set closing dates/deadline dates for applications, recruitment is ongoing until the position is filled. The IRC reviews all applications and you will be contacted directly if you are selected as a candidate.