Sierra Leone: Director of Community Health and Social Protection

Organizational Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, research, and advocacy, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those in most in need, and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH currently has programs in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Haiti, Peru, Guatemala, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Burundi, Kazakhstan, the Dominican Republic, and Boston.

Job Description Overview

The Director of Community Health and Social Protection will work closely with the Executive Director and District leadership to develop and manage all PIH’s community health and social protection activities in Sierra Leone. S/he will be responsible for strategy development and execution of both programs and for ensuring that all activities are in line with the priorities of the Government of Sierra Leone and aligned to national policy. The Director will work closely with and supervise directly (1) a national Community Health Manager, (2) a national EVD Survivor / Social Protection Manager; (3) District-based Community Health Managers; and (4) District-based social protection managers to ensure smooth cross-district coordination and operations. The successful candidate will develop tools and processes to facilitate efficient management practices, providing mentorship as appropriate for Community Health Workers at all levels as well as their counterparts in the Ministry of Health at all levels.

Qualified candidates will have significant experience managing a team of professionals, in non-profit or governmental organizations, in a developing world setting. It is imperative that the candidate has strong interpersonal skills, coordinating with a host of managers and directors s/he does not directly manage. Success is predicated on forming high-trust relationships with colleagues, providing cogent advice, and being persistent.

Specific Responsibilities:
Community Health Worker Program

• Lead strategy development and program planning for PIH’s CHW programs across 2 Districts
• Manage the national CHW program budget and ensure timely and high quality reporting to relevant donors
• Build strong relationships with District and national-level Ministry of Health and Sanitation and NGO partners to ensure the PIH program is well aligned to GOSL priorities and well coordinated with other actors in the space
• Support and supervise directly the national and district-based community health worker programs managers. This support will mainly focused on strategic planning, general coordination, communication, finance and administration.
• Review and analyze Community Health programs’ reports on program performance metrics, status of activities as compared to work plan, and actual spending as compared to budget in order to anticipate, identify, and address potential challenges.
• Coordinate and manage the CHW program’s engagement with key partners, donors, and government agencies on all administration, management, and finance issues.
• Assist programs in preparing, writing and editing reports; help prepare abstracts and manuscript submissions to professional journals.
• Support integration of the CHW program and cross-cutting programs, helping to ensure organizational community health priorities and projects steadily move forward.
• Other special projects as assigned by Executive Director.

Social Protection Program

• Lead strategy development and program planning for PIH’s social protection program across 4 Districts
• Manage the national Social Protection program budget and ensure timely and high quality reporting to the Government of Sierra Leone and relevant donors
• Manage the national and district-based Social Protection Program teams to ensure high quality implementation of program strategy. This support and supervision will mainly focused on strategic planning, general coordination, communication, finance and administration.
• Review and analyze Social Protection Programs reports on program performance metrics, status of activities as compared to work plan, and actual spending as compared to budget in order to anticipate, identify, and address potential challenges.
• Support the Social Protection Program’s engagement with key partners, donors, and government partners on all administration, management, and finance issues.
• Assist the Social Protection Program managers in preparing, writing and editing reports; help prepare abstracts and manuscript submissions to professional journals.
• Lead the integration of the current EVD Survivors Program into a broader social protection program that targets all vulnerable populations in Port Loko and Kono Districts

Skills and Qualifications:

Essential:

• Advanced degree in Public Health, social services or a related field
• 5+ years of experience in a community health management role at a major health care facility.
• Experience living and working in resource-limited environments is strongly preferred. The candidate should have a demonstrated ability to be flexible and effective in the face of unexpected challenges and other sudden changes; as well as the willingness to accept a standard of living that is clean and comfortable but very simple.
• Strong people management experience, including the demonstrated ability to work respectfully, productively, and with humility across cultures; as well as demonstrated aptitude for teaching, training, and mentorship.
• Entrepreneurial mindset, including ability to work independently, self-motivate and propose and implement new initiatives
• Demonstrated strong analytical, leadership, and problem solving skills
• Ability to work independently and effectively in high-pressure, fast-paced environment and handle multiple priorities simultaneously
• Fluency in English and Krio highly desirable

Desirable:

• Experience working with Sierra Leone or similar public health system
• Knowledge of Sierra Leone health prevention and education methods and strategies
• Experience with an international non-profit/NGO is an advantage
• Commitment to health and social justice.
• Strong sense of humor and an easy-going attitude is an asset

Start date: July 2015

Please apply on our website.