Job Description

Job Title:  

MDR-TB Program officer

Work Location:

Freetown, Sierra Leone

Requisition Number

 4360

Department:

Clinical

Report to:

HIV and TB Program Manager

Line Management

No

Organisation Profile

Partners In Health (PIH) is an international health organization relentlessly committed to improving the health of the poor and marginalized. PIH partners with local governments to build local capacity and works closely with impoverished communities to deliver high-quality health care, address the root causes of illness, train providers, advance research, and advocate for global policy change. Our delivered services in the field are based in our partnership with the Governments and Ministries of Health and the support to education, training and mentorship to Health care workers and students is one of our pillars for the Health care system strengthening.

PIH currently has implementation programs in Haiti, Rwanda, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Sierra Leone and Navajo Nation. Through our partnership with Harvard Medical School and the Brigham and Women’s Hospital, we support a wide range of programs in dozens of other countries around the world. 

Our Work In Sierra Leone:

Partners In Health (PIH) began supporting the government of Sierra Leone in response to the Ebola epidemic in October 2014. Recognizing the large need for continued investments in the health system after Ebola, PIH is committed to long-term health system strengthening in support of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS), guided by the same principles as our emergency response and our work around the world: public sector accompaniment, integrated and comprehensive services, social justice, nimbleness and flexibility, partnership, community ownership, and evidence-based interventions. In the aftermath of the epidemic, PIH is committed to supporting the delivery of comprehensive health services in Sierra Leone, from the community level to the health center and to referral hospitals.

Position Overview

The MDR TB Program Officer will support the Lakka TB Hospital operational and implementation activities. This position will report directly to the HIV and TB Program Manager and will coordinate the Psychosocial counsellor and social worker based in Lakka Hospital. This position will ensure that PIH support to MDR TB and TB patients is appropriately planned, budgeted, delivered, and reported appropriately, in collaboration with the MoH leadership team allocated in Lakka Hospital. The MDR TB program officer will work with the team to guarantee a good follow-up on ambulatory care and inpatient care for patients.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with all the teams to ensure that PIH support to MDR TB and TB patients is appropriately planned, budgeted, delivered, and reported appropriately, in collaboration with the MoH leadership team allocated in Lakka Hospital and under the HIV and TB Program Manager and ensuring there are monthly reports.
• Work in collaboration with other clinical staff (nurses, nursing assistants, laboratory technicians, pharmacists and other care providers) working with TB and MDR-TB patients at Lakka Government hospital to provide the best patient care and support improved clinical outcomes. 
• Ensure that NTLCP and Lakka hospital leadership are aware of PIH support and get real time updates of PIH support. This MDR TB officer will work as connection between HIV TB Program Manager and the other leadership members from MoH.
• Collaborate with the Lab, Pharmacy, Procurement, Infrastructure and Operations teams to ensure infrastructure, equipment, medications, and other supplies meet TB clinical needs, avoid stock-outs, and support strengthened care at the Lakka Government hospital under the supervision of the HIV and TB Program Manager
• Support operationally to do the follow-up to patients on ambulatory care in partnership with the Clinical team and NLTCP.
• Support expansion of MDR-TB clinical and community activities, in collaboration with the NTLCP and the PIH SL team under the HIV and TB Program Manager.

PIH Principles

• Lead by example, embodying the values of PIH, including doing whatever it takes to provide the highest level of service to our patients; treating every member of our organization and community with equal respect and dignity; fostering a sense of generosity and teamwork; and working patiently, yet persistently, to accompany our government partners to achieve our shared goals.

Education and Work Experience Requirements:

Qualifications

• University degree (mainly related with Program management, Administration, Economics or similar)
• At least three years of experience working in area of project management
• Prior experience in linking clinical departments with different partners (Government, any type of ministry and/or NGOs highly appreciated).
• Ability to be flexible and effective in the face of unexpected challenges. 
• Exemplary interpersonal communication skills, verbal and written, required to effectively engage with senior leadership, partners, and clinicians on sensitive political and confidential issues.
• Evidence of providing sensitive and competent quality work in an extremely stressful environment. 
• Proven ability to exercise good judgment, demonstrate political astuteness, and tact. 
• Commitment to social justice in health care issues. 
• Sense of humour, tolerance to frustration and flexible disposition very helpful.
• Ability to live in Freetown and work in Lakka hospital for duration of contract. 

Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse

Partners In Health Sierra Leone is dedicated to preventing unwanted behaviour in the workplace, including sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, financial misconduct, and ensuring the welfare of those we serve. We expect all staff, consultants, contractors, vendors, and volunteers to uphold these values as outlined in our code of conduct.

The successful candidate will receive appropriate training and must adhere to the organisation’s safeguarding policies. Employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory references and screening checks, which may include criminal records and terrorism finance checks.

As a participant in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, we request information from previous employers about any instances of sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment. Additionally, Partners In Health Sierra Leone will share records of such misconduct with other agencies upon staff departure, ensuring transparency and accountability. By applying, candidates acknowledge and agree to these recruitment procedures

Social Justice

We are a global health and social justice organization that responds to the moral imperative to provide high-quality health care globally to those who need it most. We strive to ease suffering by placing patients at the center of all care, bringing the benefits of modern medicine to all.

Method of application

Interested candidates are required to apply through our website: www.pih.org/employment. In your application, please ensure to include names, addresses, email addresses and telephone numbers of three (3) referees not later than 12:00pm GMT (Midnight) on Wednesday, December 18th 2024.