Programme Officer (SRH in COVID-19 Response)

Contract

This is a UNV International Specialist contract. This kind of contract is known as International UN Volunteer. It is normally internationally recruited only. More about UNV International Specialist contracts.

UNFPA will be supporting the government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the COVID-19 response with funding from the Japanese Government. The project will complement government efforts to improve Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practices in service provision areas for SRH by following universally accepted infection prevention standards and COVID-19 protocols. It will also strengthen public health measures to ensure continuity of SRH and GBV services in targeted referral hospitals and primary health care facilities that provide emergency obstetric and newborn care services (EmONC).

The UNFPA Country Office in Sierra Leone is in its third year of implementing the 7th Country Programme. The country office recognises the growing need to enhance COVID-19 response interventions as a result of the emergence of new COVID-19 variants which pose a huge threat to women and girls’ access to quality integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) services. With funding from Japan supplementary budget, the Country Office (CO) will, from March 2022 to March 2023, commence implementation of a one-year project to improve infection prevention practices and ensure continuity of integrated essential SRH services amidst the COVID 19 response. The CO, therefore, seeks the services of an experienced results –oriented individual to facilitate implementation of this project as a Programme Officer (SRH in COVID Response).

Within the delegated authority and under the supervision of Maternal Health/Midwifery Specialist, the UN Volunteer, Programme Officer (SRH in COVID-19 Response) will:

 Facilitate day to day implementation of the project in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS). 

-Spearhead implementation of all activities ensuring timely delivery of quality results. -Work with relevant government COVID-19 response structures to build capacity of staff and targeted health facilities to comprehensively respond to COVID 19 and according to national and international guidelines and standards, and in compliance with UNFPA policies and procedures. -Support Ministry of Health and Sanitation to facilitate COVID-19 refresher and/or other related training of health workers in IPC and other quality of care aspects (based on need) in all targeted health facilities. -Support targeted Health facilities to establish mechanisms for screening of all patients on arrival at all targeted facilities using the most up-to-date National COVID-19 guidance and case definitions. -Support targeted health facilities to establish physical distancing at all points of care in hospitals and PHU’s and put in place systems and infrastructure (spacing, physical barriers, equipment’s etc.). -Support measures to institute hand hygiene practices at all service delivery points (water supply, soap dispensers, hand sanitizers etc.) in the targeted health facilities

Produce quality donor reports in a timely manner and in collaboration with the programme team and implementing partners 

-Coordinate development of the project report soliciting inputs from the Country Office program and Operations teams and implementing partners. -Produce quality donor reports in a timely manner -Facilitate review of the project reports by the Head of Programmes and the UNFPA Representative before submission to donors. -Spearhead development of presentations and dissemination of the donor reports. -Actively participate in relevant COVID-19 response coordination/review meetings organized by Ministry of Health and Sanitation COVID-19 coordination structures and ensure substantive contributions are made.

Support procurement and distribution of Covid-19 supplies in collaboration with the RHCS/Procurement team and maintain an inventory 

-Work with government structures, UNFPA RHCS and Procurement teams to fast track procurements of IPC and other COVID-19 response supplies for the targeted health facilities. -Work with relevant government structures to coordinate distribution of the COVID-19 response supplies to all the targeted health facilities. -Support the Country Office and targeted health facilities to maintain an inventory of all the items procured including the asset register where necessary. -Ensure appropriate branding of all the procured items including communication materials.

Facilitate COVID 19 awareness-raising, project visibility and demand creation activities in collaboration with the UNFPA Communications team.

-Support government and other stakeholders to raise awareness on COVID-19 and demand creation for Integrated Sexual and Reproductive Health Services in the targeted health facilities. -Collaborate with UNFPA Communications team to disseminate Maternal Health, FP, GBV, and COVID-19 prevention messages through multimedia - Work with MOHS and other partners to produce information education and communication materials for adolescents aimed at preventing teenage pregnancy and increasing access to SRH services amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic. -Facilitate integration of COVID 19 information in life skills youth program in collaboration with the UNFPA Gender and Youth team. -Work with Communications team to produce project visibility materials in line with UNFPA Mandate, policies and procedures.

  Support project monitoring, reviews and dissemination/donor meetings.

-Organize quarterly project review meetings to track project progress, lessons learnt and success stories. -Conduct monitoring visits to targeted health facilities to provide onsite technical support. -Facilitate end of project evaluation (Develop terms of reference and support consultant’s work)

  Facilitate linkages of all targeted health facilities to GBV protection desk and one-stop centers

-Work with the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare to link targeted health facilities to GBV protection structures/one-stop centers. -Ensure functionality of the GBV hotline referral and counselling services in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Social Welfare.

Partnership building: - Promotes partnerships and is proactive in pursuing new partnerships; and
- Builds strong relationships with clients and external actors

Development and Operational Effectiveness: -Ability to lead project planning, results-based management and reporting; - The ability for programme planning and establishing priorities and coordinating the work of others; - and Strong verbal and written communication skills

Management and Leadership: - Flexible and responsive with a client-oriented approach; -Effective problem-solver; demonstrated capacity-building and facilitation skills -Resourcefulness, initiative, and maturity of judgment; and
-Ability to think strategically and ability to translate this into practical and feasible operational actions. -A good grasp of UNFPA mandate areas of operation and in line with the new strategic plan 2022-2025.

Professionalism Integrity Teamwork and respect for diversity Commitment to continuous learning Planning and organizing Communication Flexibility Genuine commitment towards the principles of voluntary engagement,

project/programme development and Management, hands-on experience in managing Japanese funded health projects, project management and donor reporting of project results, and working in a multi-stakeholder environment and with national governments.

Proficiency in the use of Microsoft office applications and other relevant software packages. Experience in handling web-based management systems is necessary.

Sierra Leone enjoys relative stability and living conditions are therefore reasonable. Infrastructure, such as transportation and social services, is poor in general, and western amenities (food, restaurants, apartments, etc) tend to be a little bit expensive but it is possible to obtain most essential items of food and clothing etc. Electricity and water supplies remain volatile and many people are relying on the generator and private delivery. Sierra Leone has maintained peace and stability since the end of the civil conflict ten years ago and emerged as a success story in peacebuilding. Sierra Leone is a non-family duty station, with stable security. There are several mobile telephone companies providing services and SIMs can be easily bought with credit vouchers. There are no fixed telephone lines. Local banks are dealing in both local and foreign currencies. Credit cards and travellers’ checks are not accepted

Sierra Leone is a unique country and UNFPA is a unique (humanitarian) operation. It provides for an interesting and enriching environment, but also requires a mature level of cultural awareness, as well as more stamina and commitment than elsewhere to make life comfortable and affordable. Therefore, flexibility and the ability and willingness to live and work in harsh and potentially hazardous conditions, involving physical hardship and little comfort, are essential.