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Caritas Sierra Leone Bo in partnership with Action Medeor Medical Aid Organization in Germany secured a four-year grant from BMZ to implement a project – “Strengthening maternal and child health systems through improved obstetric and newborn care in rural communities in southern Sierra Leone.

Caritas Sierra Leone Bo is seeking a qualified individual (s) to fill the position(s) for the Action Medeor Medical Aid Organization in Germany secured a four-year grant from BMZ to implement a project. The positions will be responsible for coordinating and implementing project activities in the designated area, ensuring compliance with project objectives and timelines. The ideal candidate(s) should have a strong background in health project management, community engagement, advocacy and M&E.

  1. Note: Women are strongly encouraging to apply!!!
  2. Deadline for the submission of application: 25th September,2024 at 5:00pm
  3. Interested candidates should submit their CV with three referees and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and qualifications to caritasslbo22@gmail.com
JOB Title Project Coordinator
REPORT TODirector
Project DurationOne year with possibility of extension   depending on funding and performance
JOB LOCATIONBo Head Office with frequent travels to project operational Districts – Bo, Moyamba and Freetown.
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLEThe Project Coordinator plays a crucial role in the implementation and management of the project titled “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Systems through Improved Obstetric and Newborn Care in Rural Communities in Southern Sierra Leone.” This position is vital to ensuring that maternal and child health services are effectively delivered, particularly in underserved rural areas. The coordinator will work closely with local health authorities, community leaders, healthcare providers, the School of Midwifery in Bo and other stakeholders to enhance health outcomes for mothers and newborns. The project coordinator is responsible to ensure a timely and cost-effective implementation according to the project plan. The Project Coordinator is pivotal in driving forward Caritas Sierra Leone Bo’s mission to improve maternal and child health systems through targeted interventions. By fostering collaboration among various stakeholders while focusing on capacity building within rural communities, this role aims not only at immediate improvements but also at sustainable long-term impacts on public health outcomes.
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES1.         Project Planning and Implementation Develop detailed project plans outlining objectives, timelines, resources needed, and key performance indicators (KPIs). Coordinate the execution of project activities according to established timelines while ensuring adherence to best practices in maternal and child health. Ensure the facilitation of training sessions for healthcare workers on improved obstetric care techniques and newborn care practices. 2.         Monitoring and Evaluation Ensures the establishment of a robust monitoring framework to assess the effectiveness of interventions aimed at improving maternal and child health. Collect, analyze, and report data on project outcomes, including maternal mortality rates, neonatal morbidity rates, and service utilization statistics. Conduct regular field visits to evaluate program implementation at healthcare facilities within the target communities. Closely cooperate and communicate with the project M&E Officer 3.         Stakeholder Engagement Build strong relationships with local government officials, community organizations, NGOs, and other stakeholders involved in health service delivery. Organize community outreach programs to raise awareness about maternal and child health issues and promote available services. Collaborate with partners to mobilize resources necessary for sustaining project activities. Ensure close cooperation with the second project implementing partner CHASL 4.         Capacity Building Identify training needs among healthcare staff in rural areas regarding obstetric care protocols and newborn care guidelines. Design capacity-building initiatives that empower local healthcare providers with knowledge and skills essential for delivering quality care. Foster a culture of continuous learning among healthcare teams through workshops, seminars, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. 5.         Reporting Prepare comprehensive reports detailing project progress against objectives for submission to Caritas Sierra Leone Bo’s management as well as funding agencies. Prepare project reports according to the timeline and ensure all supporting documents are available and properly stored. Answer any requests from funding agencies and stakeholders regarding the project implementation in a timely manner Document lessons learned from project implementation to inform future programming efforts in maternal and child health. 6.         Budget Management Assist in developing project budgets that align with organizational goals while ensuring efficient use of resources. Monitor expenditures against budget allocations to ensure financial accountability throughout the project’s lifecycle. 7.         Advocacy Advocate for policies that support improved maternal and child health services at both local and national levels. Engage with policymakers to highlight the importance of investing in maternal health infrastructure within rural communities.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIESKnowledge in the social teachings of the Catholic Church Good communication and interpersonal skills capable of maintaining strong relationships Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities that enable effective responses to challenges encountered during project implementation Attention to details even under pressure Time management skills with the ability to meet deadlines Strong analytical skills for data collection and evaluation processes. Proficiency in using software tools for data analysis (e.g., Excel) as well as reporting tools (e.g., MS Word). Leadership qualities that inspire teamwork among diverse groups toward common goals.
Child Protection  Promote and ensure child rights-based programming at construction site and office level Promote and abide by internal policies and procedures including child protection policy Ensuring mandatory reporting of child abuse cases in project operation Promote and facilitate child rights and gender inclusion based on project Strengthening maternal and child health systems through improved obstetric and newborn care in rural communities in southern Sierra Leone Ensuring Child Protection Committees at the construction site centers are fully functional. Ensuring all project team and relevant others, including Contractor and team leaders, parents and project stakeholders are aware and have access to child protection policy, contents and their responsibilities it places on it.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIES:  Read, understand, practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONSA Degree in Project Management, MBA or Social Sciences with specific skills in Public Health or a related field; advanced degrees preferred.Three years proven experience working on maternal and child health projects or similar public health initiatives. Preferably experience in working with international donors Strong understanding of the healthcare landscape in Sierra Leone or similar contexts.Excellent communication skills; fluency in English is required; proficiency in local languages is an advantage.Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse stakeholders including government entities, NGOs, community groups, etc.
  
JOB TitleM&E/ Advocacy Officer
REPORT TOProject Coordinator
PROJECT DURATIONOne year with possibility of extension for   four years depending on funding and performance
JOB LOCATIONBo Head Office with frequent travels to project operational Districts – Bo, Moyamba and Freetown
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLEThe M&E/Advocacy Officer plays a crucial role in the successful implementation of Caritas Sierra Leone Bo’s project aimed at enhancing maternal and child health systems. This position is pivotal in ensuring that the project meets its objectives through effective monitoring, evaluation, and advocacy strategies. The officer will work closely with local communities, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders to promote improved obstetric and newborn care.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:                    Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E): Develop and implement a comprehensive M&E framework for the project and apply donor templates. Design data collection tools to gather quantitative and qualitative data on maternal and child health indicators. Conduct regular field visits to monitor project activities, ensuring adherence to timelines and quality standards. Analyze collected data to assess project performance against set targets. Prepare detailed reports on findings from evaluations, including recommendations for improvement. Coorperate closely with the Project coordinator and M&E-Officer of the 2nd project partner CHASL Advocacy: Develop advocacy strategies to raise awareness about maternal and child health issues within rural communities. Engage with local government officials, health authorities, and community leaders to promote policy changes that support improved healthcare services. Organize workshops, seminars, and community meetings to disseminate information about the importance of obstetric and newborn care. Collaborate with other NGOs and stakeholders to amplify advocacy efforts. Capacity Building: Follow-up on training sessions for healthcare workers on best practices in maternal and child health care. Facilitate community engagement initiatives that empower women and families to seek appropriate healthcare services. Reporting: Prepare periodic progress reports on time for internal stakeholders as well as donors detailing achievements, challenges faced, lessons learned, and next steps. Ensure compliance with donor reporting requirements by maintaining accurate records of all project activities. Ensure that the data is well stored and made available to funding agencies upon request
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks simultaneously. Proficiency in report writing; ability to present complex information clearly. Capacity for strategic thinking combined with practical implementation skills. Familiarity with advocacy techniques relevant to public health issues.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIESRead, understand, practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action. Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONS A degree in Public Health, Social Sciences, or a related field; a Master’s degree is preferred. Three years of proven experience in monitoring & evaluation within health programs, particularly those focused on maternal and child health. Strong analytical skills with proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, STATA). Proficiency in using office tools (e.g., Excel, Outlook, MS Word, MS Teams) Excellent communication skills in both English and local languages; ability to engage effectively with diverse audiences. Experience working in rural settings or with marginalized communities is highly desirable.
 
JOB TitleFinance and Admin Assistant
REPORT TOFinance officer
PROJECT DURATIONOne year with possibility of extension depending on funding and performance
JOB LOCATIONBo Head Office with frequent travels to project operational Districts – Bo, Moyamba and Freetown
MAIN PURPOSE OF THE ROLEThe Admin and Finance Assistant in the project titled “Strengthening Maternal and Child Health Systems through Improved Obstetric and Newborn Care in Rural Communities in Southern Sierra Leone” is multifaceted, focusing on both administrative support and financial management to ensure the successful implementation of the project. The role of an Admin and Finance Assistant in the project aimed at strengthening maternal and child health systems through improved obstetric and newborn care in rural communities in southern Sierra Leone encompasses a variety of critical responsibilities.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:1. Financial Management Budget Monitoring: The assistant will be responsible for tracking project expenditures against the approved budget, ensuring that all financial activities align with the project’s financial plan. Financial Reporting: Regular preparation of financial reports to provide updates on spending, variances, and forecasts to project managers and stakeholders. Invoice Processing: Handling the processing of invoices from vendors and service providers, ensuring timely payments while maintaining accurate records. Reconciliation: Conducting monthly reconciliations of bank statements and project accounts to ensure accuracy in financial reporting. 2. Administrative Support Documentation Management: Organizing and maintaining all project-related documents, including contracts, agreements, reports, and correspondence to ensure easy access for team members. Meeting Coordination: Scheduling meetings with stakeholders, preparing agendas, taking minutes during meetings, and following up on action items to ensure effective communication among team members. Travel Arrangements: Assisting in planning travel logistics for project staff or consultants, including booking flights, accommodations, and transportation. 3. Compliance and Governance Policy Adherence: Ensuring that all administrative and financial practices comply with organizational policies as well as local laws and regulations governing non-profit operations in Sierra Leone. Audit Preparation: Assisting in preparing for internal or external audits by compiling necessary documentation and providing support during the audit process. 5. Capacity Building Support Training Coordination: Assisting in organizing training sessions for healthcare workers or community health volunteers focused on improving obstetric care practices. Resource Development: Supporting the development of training materials or informational resources that can aid in enhancing knowledge around maternal and child health issues. 6. Data Management Data Entry & Maintenance: Entering financial data into accounting software or databases accurately while maintaining confidentiality of sensitive information. Monitoring & Evaluation Support: Assisting with data collection efforts related to monitoring project outcomes related to maternal and child health improvements.
SAFEGUARDING RESPONSIBILITIESRead, understand, practice, promote and endorse the issues of safeguarding policy among team members and ensure the implementation of safeguarding standards in every course of action. Follow the safeguarding reporting procedure in case any reportable incident takes place, encourage others to do so.
SKILLS AND COMPETENCE:The Admin and Finance Assistant plays a pivotal role in supporting the operational aspects of the maternal and child health project through a combination of administrative efficiency, financial acumen, technical proficiency, interpersonal effectiveness, knowledge of health issues, adaptability, organizational skills, communication abilities, problem-solving capabilities, budgeting expertise, record keeping diligence, grant management knowledge, software proficiency, data analysis skills along with cultural sensitivity towards local communities
EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE & QUALIFICATIONSA degree or diploma in finance, business administration or a related field is typically required. Advanced degrees may be preferred but are not always necessary depending on experience.  Professional certifications related to finance (such as CPA or ACCA) or project management (like PMP) can enhance a candidate’s profile but are not mandatory. Fluency in English is essential for communication purposes; proficiency in local languages spoken in southern Sierra Leone may also be advantageous for community engagement. Proficiency in using office tools (e.g., Excel, Outlook, MS Word, MS Teams)