DURATION: 24 Months
LOCATION: MONROVIA, LIBERIA
START DATE: June 2012
The Canadian Red Cross Society (CRCS), a non-profit, humanitarian organization dedicated to helping Canadians, as well as the most vulnerable throughout the world, is currently seeking a health professional experienced in maternal and newborn child health in developing countries to support the initiation, development, and implementation of a CRCS/CIDA supported maternal and child health program in Liberia.
The MNCH Project Manager will work in close collaboration with the Liberia National Red Cross Society (LNRCS) and the Ministry of Health& Social Welfare (MoH&SW) and will be responsible to ensure quality and adherence to established guidelines, policies, and strategies of the Ministry of Health, as well as in accordance with CRCS principles, guidelines, and evidence based best practices.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
The job holder will facilitate the development and execution of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) activities and provide technical assistance to implementing partners. S/he will also support, ensure timely reporting, smooth running and implementation of the project in collaboration with LNRCS, and MoH&SW. Continuous monitoring of the MNCH activities in the district in line with project objectives, indicators, agreed, work plans and organizational strategies.
Management:
• Closely collaborate with the LNRCS to initiate the implementation of the MNCH project in Liberia
• Provide the required technical assistance to the team to efficiently and effectively manage the project.
• Coordinate and support the LNRCS in the implementation of the MNCH project activities at the central and county level.
• Support and advise on the effective functioning of the LNRCS Community based health team.
• Take a lead in potential research activities related to MNCH with the aim of improving quality and service provision.
• Work in collaboration with the LNRCS team members and the Ministry of Health at national and district level, and to represent CRCS and LNRCS at meetings and other technical forums.
• Support positive relationships and communications with internal and external authorities as well as partners.
• Ensure effective program coordination and integration at the community level and within the LNRCS, ensuring collaborative programming and cross-sectoral program integration.
• Support the MoH&SW in the development of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health strategies.
Capacity Building:
• Support the LNRCS to develop plans and write comprehensive narrative and financial reports related to the project.
• Assess capacity of stakeholders and identify training opportunities for health programme staff, volunteers and other stakeholders, in line with the expectations of LNRCS.
• Collaborate in the development of training materials related to the project implementation.
• Ensure capacity building with a special emphasis on design, development and the application of participatory approaches and methodologies with the LNRCS.
Reporting, Monitoring and Evaluation:
• Monitor and report progress and developments of the programs, using Results-Based Management (RBM) approach.
• Participate and foster an active involvement of all counterparts in program reviews and evaluation.
• Communicate and report on progress of designated activities, involving feedback from stakeholders.
• Provide regular and accurate narrative and financial reports, in line with CRC methodology
• Monitor the efficient usage of the funds and assets allocated to the program.
• Conduct continuous assessments, and identify needs and possibilities for new interventions within the mandates of the LNRCS/CRCS.
QUALIFICATIONS:
The CRCS seeks international delegates who have demonstrated a commitment and dedication to the Fundamental Principles and work from these principles daily. The ideal candidate for this position will have solid Project Management experience and skill, to contribute knowledge and capacity in project design, planning, implementation, monitoring, and reporting. This candidate will be able to build from previous experience working in difficult working conditions in humanitarian aid contexts.
• Post graduate degree in Public Health or related field.
• Demonstrated program management skills, including planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in an international humanitarian organization, preferably in post-conflict or post-disaster.
• Minimum of 3 years relevant working experience in the area of community-based public health, preferably in mother, newborn and child health.
• Demonstrated expertise in community based approaches.
• Demonstrated reporting skills, both narrative and financial.
• Experience in managing, motivating, training and development of staff.
• Able to coordinate with authorities and other NGO partners.
• Knowledge of health systems strengthening.
• Demonstrated ability to work in an isolated environment – must be willing and able to work and live in isolated, difficult working conditions for at least 12 months.
• Demonstrated commitment to the principles of the Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement.
• Strong track record in fostering effective working relationships with health stakeholders at various levels.
• Strong interpersonal and communications skills.
• Professional writing and facilitation skills.
• Team player with good interpersonal, communication, documentation, presentation and good facilitation skills.
• Must be legally eligible to work in Canada (Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident).
How to apply:
Interested candidates may apply directly on the CRCS Website at https://internationalcareers.redcross.ca. The deadline to receive applications is 6 June 2012. For a full position description and how to apply, visit the CRC Careers website at https://internationalcareers.redcross.ca.
Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their application without delay. While we appreciate all responses, only candidates under consideration will be contacted.