Closing date: 13 Apr 2007 -- (CLOSED)
Location: Liberia - Montserrado
Line Manager: Project Coordinator Montserrado (operationally), Country Health Director (technically)
Location: Montserrado, Liberia
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: 12 months
Allowance package: £15,120 - £18,720 per annum dependent on relevant experience, plus an annual cost of living allowance of £3717 per annum. insurance cover, accommodation and return flights.
Please note that this is an unaccompanied position.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position, applications will be shortlisted on a regular basis and we may offer this post before the closing date.
Background
Merlin has been active in Liberia since 1997, working in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH) to deliver health services to a population devastated by fourteen years of civil conflict. Merlin has developed an extensive reputation in the health sector, and is currently supporting primary and secondary level health care services in four of the fifteen counties of Liberia.
Liberia has a population of approximately three million people who are struggling to recover after 14 years of civil war that has displaced large parts of the population and destroyed much of the infrastructure. The economy is slow to recover with an estimated 80% of the population under-employed and 76% of the population living below the poverty line on less than one US dollar per day.
The available health indicators highlight the vulnerability of Liberia’s war-affected population and remain some of the worst in the world. The maternal mortality ratio, for example, is estimated to be at 578/100000 live births; the infant mortality rate is 134/1000 per live births, and the under five mortality rate is 235/1000 live births. Communicable diseases, especially malaria, diarrhoea, acute respiratory infections (ARI), and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are major causes of morbidity and mortality.
Montserrado County has an estimated population of 1,646,421 people, of which 70% reside within urban Monrovia area. Liberia’s capital city is estimated to hold the highest numbers of youth in the country (329,284), which represents a population highly vulnerable to the HIV epidemic. Merlin conducted a knowledge, attitudes, and practice (KAP) survey in December 2005 among youth in eight communities in Monrovia district. Results show that less than 50% had accurate knowledge of the HIV modes of transmission and prevention. Thirty percent of youth report having two to three sexual partners and 75% had their sexual debut between the ages of 15-19. Friends and peers remain the traditional sources of HIV information.
The cyclic war and the associated displacement of families into internally displaced person (IDP) camps, the break-up of health services, and limited access to condoms and treatment for STIs have made the HIV situation in Liberia more complicated. Although accurate surveillance does not exist, the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) reports the current prevalence to be 8.2% but it has been estimated as high as 12.4%. With ongoing population movements due to resettlement and limited understanding of the disease, the risk of HIV and STIs spreading is increased. There is an urgent need, therefore, for Merlin and other health sector NGOs to incorporate a cross-cutting HIV and AIDS response into overall programming to reduce the impact of HIV among young people, and to positively shape the social and economic rehabilitation and recovery of Liberia.
General Description of the Programme
Merlin has been supporting the delivery of PHC services in eight communities in Montserrado County for three years. The catchment population of these communities is about 137,000 people. Strengthening community and facility based HIV prevention services has been a key component of the Montserrado programme and one which we intend to expand.
The advertised role has two key strands
Field Medical Coordinator, Montserrado County. 70%
As the Field Medco, the successful applicant will coordinate and supervise the medical activities of the eight primary health care clinics in Montserrado County in partnership with the Programme Team and County Health Team staff who are the County representatives for the Ministry of Health. The FMC will also oversee medical aspects of the existing youth centre and the establishment of a second youth centre.
HIV and AIDS Advisor. 30%
As HIV Advisor, the successful applicant will also provide leadership, coordination and support to HIV and AIDS activites in Montserrado and in other Merlin’s programmes in Liberia. This aspect will focus on the provision of technical advice, programme development, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, advocacy and networking to ensure programmes can better respond to the epidemic.
Current work involves an expanding programme of VCT, HIV IEC activities, STI treatment, condom promotion, and referral to secondary care for ART, etc.
In 2006, the Montserrado team established a youth drop-in centre in partnership with a local NGO. The centre aims to engage young people on reproductive health issues by providing information, basic clinical services and life skills training. In 2007, the Montserrado programme plans to open another youth centre and the HIV Advisor will be key to leading this initiative.
Major Responsibilities
Programme Leadership
Montserrado
- Co-ordinate and supervise medical activities for the Montserrado programme in close collaboration with other members of the Merlin Montserrado team, clinic staff and the County Health Team to ensure programme objectives are achieved and resources are well utilised.
- Together with the Country Health Director and Montserrado Medical Team, assist the Montserrado MoH clinical staff in clinical diagnosis, treatment and management of common causes of morbidity and mortality; including rational use of drugs.
- Provide supportive coaching, capacity building and training to programme team, clinic staff, Community Health Workers, County Health Team and partner organisations.
- Assist in the identification and sourcing of essential medical supplies in collaboration with the Country Medical Coordinator, Project Coordinator and Logistics Coordinator. Ensure medical stocks are properly managed (i.e. timely preparation and approval of all medical orders, monitoring of drug consumption to ensure appropriate utilisation.)
- Provide leadership in maintaining positive, constructive and supportive communication within the project team, with the County Health Team, clinic staff, beneficiaries and partners.
- Ensure programme stakeholders, including adolescents, participate fully in project cycle management through the design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
HIV and AIDS
- Provide leadership, coordination and support to HIV and AIDS activities in Montserrado County and in other Merlin programmes in Liberia.
- Together with the Country Health Director, work with CHT/MoH staff to integrate HIV and AIDS programmes into area development programming.
- Participate in assessments and surveys for new projects and new project areas.
- Start-up a second youth centre in Monrovia to provide youth-friendly education and counseling services on reproductive health and life skills.
- Ensure that all programme work is in accordance with both Merlin’s and the Government of Liberia's Strategic Directions for HIV and AIDS.
- Assist the Country Health Director in refining the Merlin Liberia HIV and AIDS Strategy, as required and in setting standards and guidelines for a suitable HIV and AIDS response and interventions.
Programme Development
- Proactively contribute to programme development and strategy within Montserrado County and for Merlin-supported HIV and AIDS programmes in Liberia.
- Contribute to plans, proposals and budgets for new projects/extensions of projects in collaboration with the Project Coordinator, country management team and relevant operational, medical and financial staff.
Monitoring and Evaluation
- In close collaboration with project partners, including the Ministry of Health (MoH), National AIDS Control Programme (NACP), and the County Health Teams (CHT), ensure the delivery of quality services.
- Ensure the timely preparation of all reports to the donor under the guidance of the Project Coordinator, Country Health Director (CHD) and the Country Director (CD).
- Assist the CHD in further developing quality HIV and AIDS programme monitoring systems and procedures.
- Actively participate in evaluations of Merlin HIV projects, the Montserrado PHC programme, and the HIV and AIDS components of integrated programmes.
Capacity Building
- Together with the Project Coordinator and Merlin’s CHD, assess training needs of staff and partners and assist in developing and implementing appropriate capacity building programmes for HIV and AIDS.
- Identify capacity building resources and disseminate them to Merlin staff.
Advocacy Objective
- Support Merlin in increasing its advocacy programme for HIV and AIDS particularly relating to adolescents and youth. Assist in making advocacy a key component in the Merlin’s response to HIVand AIDS in Liberia.
Networking Objective
- Build and maintain relationships with other players who are responding to HIV and AIDS in Liberia including NGOs, UN agencies and donors.
- Represent Merlin at donor/NGO/government events and disseminate information from such events to Merlin staff.
- Facilitate the documentation of best practices and lessons learnt in HIV and AIDS responses and assist in disseminating them to Merlin staff, partners and the NGO/donor community.
Perform other duties as assigned. The duties and responsibilities listed above are representative of the nature and level of work assigned and are not necessarily all inclusive.
Person Specification
Essential
Clinical training and experience
- Doctor, nurse or midwife with post graduation experience in country of origin;
- Previosu experience in primary health care service provision;
- Experience in drug quantification, estimation & procurement;
- Proven experience of working collaboratively with government health agencies and representatives.
- Strong experience of capacity building and training.
HIV/AIDS
- Sound clinical knowledge of HIV and AIDS;
- Previous experience of implementing community-based HIV and AIDS programmes, preferably in Africa;
- Proven experience in Information, Education and Communication (IEC) activities, Behavioural Change Communication (BCC) strategies and participatory action.
Programme Management
- Demonstrated experience in team leadership and staff management;
- Strong report and proposal-writing skills;
- Committed team player.
Communication
- Excellent spoken and written English;
- Working knowledge of computer programmes (Word, Powerpoint, Excel, Internet technologies)
- Strong communication and presentation skills;
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and communication skills.
Other
- Able and willing to live in shared accomodation
- Able to support hot and humid climate
Desirable
- Understanding of post-conflict environments
- commitment to stay on after the offered contract period
- Regional knowledge
Reference Code: RW_6Z9HAT-89
