Job Description

Job title:  

Project Specialist, Primary Care Expansion

Work Location:

Freetown, Kailahun, with travel

Department:

Policy&Partnerships/Medical

Report to:

Senior Program Manager, Primary Care Expansion

Line Management

No

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health centre and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

PIH-Sierra Leone is further strengthening our partnership with Ministry of Health and Sanitation, to scale our health systems strengthening model across a wider geographical area in Sierra Leone, as part of national policy implementation, partially supported through a large 5-year project funded by an institutional donor. The project will focus on improving the health system’s capacity in all areas leading to significant reductions in preventable maternal and child deaths. 

Working to the Senior Program Manager, the Project Specialist is a key administrator of the PIH program of work to scale our comprehensive health systems strengthening model.  They will work closely with the Senior Program Manager to ensure project implementation proceeds and succeeds and deliverables are submitted on time and in compliance with donor standards, coordinating within a large team and across the organization. They will organize key meetings, capture supporting documentation, and hold important working-level relationships with Ministry of Health and Sanitation staff. They will organize travel across the country, and support trainings and other meetings, spending a significant portion of time travelling across project sites in Sierra Leone.

This is an exciting growth opportunity to join PIH-Sierra Leone on a critical project for a strong all-rounder with relevant experience. This project is contingent on final confirmation of donor funding.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Support organization, coordination, and documentation of all aspects of the health system strengthening program, including program reporting, meetings, trainings and travel
• Provides significant input and guidance to work planning and reporting processes from an operational perspective
• Build and manage strong collaborative relationships across PIH-Sierra Leone clinical, operations, finance and reporting teams
• Monitor implementation of the project’s work plan; provide support to action planning and execution in line with the project’s budget
• Participates in the preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual reports
• Uses project data to systematically and consistently document achievements, success stories, and best practices
• Produces routine and ad-hoc information products and data queries – including data visualization graphics – to support program management and evidence-based decision-making
• Supports development of data reports documenting project achievements, lessons learned, and other findings, including semi-annual and annual reports to the donor per contract specifications
• Collaborates with other project staff to provide support in the development of programmatic reports
• Build strong relationships with key counterparts in Ministry of Health and Sanitation to drive effective project implementation and alignment with Ministry activities
• Travel extensively within Sierra Leone’s district to collaborate with and support district staff as needed

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

Required

–          Minimum bachelor degree in relevant discipline e.g., Business Administration, Public Health, Social Sciences or similar

–          At least 3 years relevant work experience, e.g., with international NGOs, in healthcare, in business etc.

–          Demonstrated ability in managing competing tasks and priorities

–          Skilled in using Microsoft Office software, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook

–          Strong writer; highly numerate

–          Strong initiative and self-motivated, with a strong commitment to teamwork and humanitarian principle

–          Flexible, enthusiastic and willing to learn from others

–          Ability to establish and maintain good working relationships in a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary environment

–          Energy and stamina to withstand long working hours and often stressful conditions

–          Interest in social justice, healthcare, and a preferential option for the poor

–          Professional proficiency in English is required

–          Must not hold dual employment

Preferred

• Previous experience working in a role that interfaces with Ministry of Health and Sanitation
• Previous experience working on health systems strengthening and/or reproductive, maternal, child and adolescent health and nutrition
• Previous experience on high-compliance donor-funded projects with donors such as USAID, CDC, FCDO, Global Fund, World Bank, EU, GAC etc.
• Previous experience working across multiple districts in Sierra Leone
• Advanced coursework in public health, project management etc.

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and  Abuse

At Partners In Health, we are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. A range of pre-employment checks will be

undertaken in conformity with Partner In Health’s PSEAH policy. Partner In Health will request information from applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment.  By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.