Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION

Health Advisor (m/f) in health systems strengthening and epidemic prevention with a focus on One Health in Pujehun.

We are seeking for a highly skilled and experienced Health Advisor to join our dynamic team to provide expert guidance and support to the project “Health Systems Strengthening and Epidemic Prevention in Sierra Leone III” in the field of One Health, focus area 4. 

The project is commissioned by the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It aims to support the Government of Sierra Leone to better align the health system with the gender-specific health needs of the population focusing on the districts Kailahun, Kambia, and Pujehun. To do so it works in 4 focus areas:

Focus area 1 provides technical and process advice to the district health management teams (DHMT) in the respective districts on institutionalized, gender-sensitive surveys of training needs for health personnel (e.g. via iHRIS Train), and on the development of annual gender-responsive training plans at district level, as well as processing of learning experiences for the development of a national training plan and a national rural retention strategy. 

Focus are 2 aims to improve emergency maternal and neonatal care by ensuring staff have the necessary skills, that guidelines are followed, and referral systems are in place, as well as equipment and infrastructure are available. 

Focus are 3 aims to improve the quality of health facilities through the means of integrated supportive supervision visits and the promotion of community participation and transparency in health service planning and management. 

Finally, focus area 4 seeks to strengthen epidemic prevention and response by engaging all One Health actors and ensuring continuous disease surveillance and control of zoonotic diseases by strengthening coordination, communication and planning, by providing trainings, and by supporting the DHMT with expert advice. 

Responsibilities:

• Development and execution of work plans/activities for focus area 4 in Pujehun in close collaboration with the focus area´s supervisor, the project team, Ministry of Health of Sierra Leone, multi-stakeholder partners and other important actors in accordance with GIZ programme outlines 
• Support the development of concept notes for focus area 4, together with partners, and support the implementation of them.
• Knowledge and innovation management and dissemination of information to target groups, inclusive of workshops, seminars etc.
• Support to results-based monitoring of the project
• Reporting about the status-quo of the implementation and other reports required by GIZ.
• Support to processing of enquiries of the commissioner of the project or other relevant stakeholders
• Preparation and facilitation of presentations as needed.
• Facilitate logistical arrangements as the need may arise.

You are based in Pujehun.

Tasks:

As a Health Advisor for Focus Area 4, you will provide technical and process advice on the focus area 4, and you will manage and oversee the main workstreams of this intervention area in close collaboration with the focus area 4 supervisor, Technical Health Advisors and the finance team as well as the M+E Officer of the project, selected directorates of the Ministry of Health, DHMT in Pujehun and other selected partners. The main workstreams include:

• Expert technical and process advice on the strengthening of coordination, cooperation and information exchange on zoonoses for One Health stakeholders. 
• Technical and process advice on training and equipment for One health actors to institutionalize cross-sectoral SoPs for an integrated monitoring and response system for zoonoses involving human and animal health authorities and the local population.
• Process advice to the DHMT on the institutionalization and implementation of gender-sensitive education an awareness-raising measures for the population, including cross-border aspects, on health risks for humans, animals and the environment with focus on zoonoses. 
• Technical and process advice to the DHMT as well as technical and managerial staff of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security and The Environment at district level regarding occupational group-specific training on epidemic prevention with a One Health approach, and
• Technical and process advice to the DHMT as well as technical and managerial staff of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment at district level in the planning, implementation and evaluation of disease outbreak simulation exercises, as well as cross-border disease and surveillance response according to the One Health approach.

Qualifications:

• University degree (bachelor’s, master’s/doctoral degree or equivalent) in public health, medicine, or nursing/midwifery or equivalent
• Solid knowledge of the health system in Sierra Leone, including One Health.

Professional Experience:

• At least five years’ professional experience in a similar position. 
• Very good knowledge of health service delivery and epidemic prevention and control in Sierra Leone.
• Knowledge of key stakeholders and government institutions linked to the One Health approach.
• Experience in working with DHMTs.

Other knowledge/skills:

• Excellent management and organizational skills and the ability to work independently.
• Experienced in information and communication technologies and computer applications (such as MS Office).
• Excellent in English, both orally and in writing. 

Mode of Application:

Suitable candidates are invited to apply not later than 22nd of April 2024 including: 

• Cover letter 
• CV (including work experience and 3 references), not longer than 5 pages (every page after the fifth page will note be considered)
• photocopies of certificates 

have to be submitted to the email address  recruitmentsl@giz.de  

Only applicants shortlisted will be contacted for an interview.