Sierra Leone: CIVIL SOCIETY STRENGTHENING OFFICER (CSSO)

Introduction
Solthis is an international NGO which aims at improving access to care for people in limited-resources settings. Its action is based on three modes of intervention: Health Systems Strengthening, Operational Research and Advocacy, with methodology based on multilevel & multidisciplinary approach: Care services delivery (medical and paramedical staff, midwives, therapeutic educators and psycho-social workers, etc.); laboratory (technicians, etc.); pharmacy (procurement, logistics supply chain teams, pharmacist, etc.); the health information system; and lastly the coordination bodies (National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Health; CCM; national networks of PLHIV)

Present in Sierra Leone since 2011, Solthis’s objective has been to strengthen the health system, to enable it to provide quality medical treatment, accessible and durable, to the people affected by HIV/AIDS. To reach this goal, Solthis provides technical support at both health facility (7 health facilities located in or near Freetown from 2011 to 2015) and central levels (National AIDS Secretariat, Ministry of Health) with strong links with community stakeholders (NETHIPS and support groups).

Project summary
This position take place in the “Empower Project”, project dedicated to the strengthening of civil society for the exercise of the right to health in Sierra Leone. The project includes 3 goals:

1. The empowerment of users for the quality, patient-oriented treatment of HIV, increasing the capacity of influence of PLHIV and their representatives in processes of decisions and in their own treatment.
2. the capacity of healthcare workers is reinforced to enable them to provide good-quality care
3. the national environment and institutional capacity are reinforced to ensure the sustainability of the project results
   The project will be implemented in close collaboration with Ministry of Health and NETHIPS (Network of HIV Positives), the national network of PLHIV, and particularly with the support groups that are affiliated with it and the Observatory project for access to treatment.

Position Summary
The CSSO will be in charge of the implementation of Civil Society part of the project with main activities such as capacity building with a participative methodology and strong communication and coordination with the Health Facilities and Health Authorities.

The CSSO will have to show ability to interact confidently with multiple audiences and while engaging community stakeholders in an authentic way. He/she should be able to identify implementation challenges and work with the project team to develop comprehensive solutions to address them. He or she must have strong community organizing and engagement experience.

Reports to: Project Manager.

Tasks and responsibilities

1. Civil Society Capacity Strengthening and Organizational Development
   • Support development and implementation of Nethips strategic plan and SOPs
   • Training of Nethips Management teams on leadership, Management and coordination
   • Participate in Nethips Quarterly review meetings with Support Groups and National and local partners
   • Technical support for the implementation of the Community Observatory project and training on HIV quality of care
   • Drafting and posting up of a patients' rights charter in health facilities
   • Capacity-building of peer counsellors (PLHIV) for the support of patients and assistance of healthcare workers: training and tutoring,
   • Monitoring community-level care and support activities for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), including overseeing implementation of monthly group meetings of PLHIV
   • Coordinate monthly meetings with facilitators of support groups to provide a forum for them to share successes and discuss challenges;
   • Identify challenges and issues that can affect timely implementation of planned care and support activities to the treatment and Care team and propose corrective actions;

2. Networking, Advocacy and Representation
   a. In collaboration with Solthis Medical team, develop strong links with Health facilities
   • Strengthening links between health facilities and community-level entities
   o to ensure provision of psychosocial support to PLHIV through support groups
   o to develop comprehensive work on HIV quality of care between HCW & PLHIV
   • Support development of strategies to improve referrals/counter-referrals of PLHIV between health facilities and community-based support groups;
   b. Links with Health authorities and international partners
   • In close coordination with Head of Mission and Project Manager, CSSO could have to communicate on the project with to Health authorities and international partners and to advocate on various Civil Society Strengthening topics

3. Project management & reporting
   • Manage the CSS part of the project to ensure that implementation is well done and leads to reached goals
   • Participate in the elaboration of all documents that could monitor, evaluate, capitalize or communicate on the CSS part of the project, especially monthly and annual reports
   • Participate in Solthis annual programming session

4. New business development
   Assist Head of Mission and Project Manager in the development of new opportunities related to Civil Society Strengthening
   • Look for opportunities for new projects
   • Contribute to the development of new projects
   • Provide inputs for project proposal and budget preparation

Profile
Education
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a relevant field, or a Master’s Degree and a minimum of 3 years in a relevant field

Knowledge, skills & abilities
• Knowledge of public health policies and management
• Experience in Civil Society Capacity Building, Strengthening & Organizational Development
• Analytical & problem solving approach
• Conflict management experience,
• Cultural and Religious sensitivity, knowledge of traditional cults and societies in Sierra Leone
• Experience in resource-limited settings would be an added value
• Experience in and aptitude for multi-stakeholder training and facilitation
• Several years of field work with communities in Africa
• Strong oral and written communication skills in English, knowledge of Krio is an asset
• International Driver's License

Personal characteristics
• Strong interpersonal skills;
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team; well organized, and able to prioritize multiple tasks, while driving results;

Conditions:
• Location : Freetown, Sierra Leone
• Contract duration : one year, renewable
• Starting date : ASAP March 2016
• Salary and benefits: salary according to professional experience + package (medical and repatriation insurance, transport, accommodation, monthly living allowance of 610€), 33 days of paid leave per year.

Submission of applications:
Please send your application in English (CV, cover letter, references, dates of availability) to recrutement@solthis.org, quoting reference “Project Officer CSO”, by 26th February 2016.

Solthis reserves the right to close any vacancy before the advertised deadline. Thank you for your understanding.