Willows International RWANDA (WIR)

 Job Description for Project  Officer – Community Health (POCH)

Introduction

Since its establishment in 1997, Willows International (WI) has developed and perfected a client management system that improves performance of community-level health care providers and results in women receiving customized, timely information, services, and referrals for family planning and sexual reproductive health (FP/SRH). Willows International has specifically focused on applying its client management system for the betterment of women’s reproductive choices and services. Through its programs during the past two decades, Willows empowered nearly two million women and their partners to develop informed opinion, attitudes, motivations, and utilize existing FP/SRH services that meets their individual needs, situations, and preferences. Our mission is to help women realize their reproductive health goals.

In Rwanda, beginning May 2021, Willows International (WI) has partnered with Rwanda Biomedical Center (RBC) / Ministry of Health (MoH) to launch a project to support the optimization of existing government community health workers’ program for enhanced family planning and sexual reproductive health outcomes. WI support to RBC/MoH aims to strengthen FP/SRHR service delivery systems with a focus on client management and follow-up and improving the effectiveness and efficiency of CHWs and their supervisors in two selected districts of Rusizi in the western province and Ngoma in the eastern province. The WIR project aims at institutionalizing a customized and tailored information, education, and counseling services to clients at the community level, reinforcing continuation of newly adopted behaviour, optimizing systematic follow-ups, and strengthening the community-to-facility referral system.

 Position Summary

The PO will be based at the District Health Office and will work closely with the District Health Management to ensure achievement of project deliverables.  S/he will provide technical and project management support to the district to ensure successful implementation of the Willows Rwanda Project with a focus on improving outcomes in family planning/ sexual and reproductive health (FP/SRH). S/he will increase awareness of reproductive and patients’ rights and instill the habit of utilizing healthcare services, through strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of CHWs. The PO will be based in the program implementation district (Rusizi or Ngoma) and will report directly to Willows Rwanda Country Director and closely collaborate with the WIR Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer. Local candidates are encouraged to apply as relocation costs are not available.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

a.Work closely with the Willows International’s Rwanda Office Monitoring and Evaluation officer to establish a robust project monitoring and evaluation system, conduct regular data quality checks, perform analysis of district level data to support ongoing learning and timely corrective actions. The PO will play crucial role in documentation of lessons learned and best practices to support ongoing learning and adaptations for the project to respond to local context and inform scale-up strategy.
b. Provide timely FP/SRHR related technical support to the district FP/SRH coordinator, CHW supervisors including in the adaptation of community-level FP/SRH technical documents such as training manuals, job aids, data collection, and reporting tools.
c. Work closely with other WIR team members, district health officials, and MCCH/RBC to ensure good planning and coordination of training activities including for district level trainers, CHW supervisors, and CHWs as per approved project proposal and workplan and n line with MoH and WI guidelines.
d.Collaborate with the community health supervisors at the district hospital and health centers to provide supportive supervision and mentorship to CHWs to ensure proper use of recommended guidelines and tools.
e.Develop and monitor implementation of work plan/action plans and submit in a timely manner, monthly, quarterly and annual program and financial reports.
f. Liaise with CHW supervisors to ensure quality FP/SRH services are provided at the community level and in the referral facilities.
g.Organize regular joint supportive supervision visits with district level officials and CHW supervisors to provide timely support and feedback to CHWs.
h.Organize monthly and quarterly program review meetings with CHW supervisors to review progress of and provide feedback to CHWs.
i.Assist with organization of training, meetings, field visits, and other events in the assigned district.
j.Ensure strong professional working relationship with partners and stakeholders especially at the district level. Support GoR and district officials in organizing and facilitating trainings, supportive supervision visits, and project review meetings.
k. Assist the Finance and Administration Manager in the disbursement of funds and accounting for funds used in field level activities at the district level.
l. Assist with other programmatic and administrative duties as required.

Position Requirements:

• Degree in Public Health or Nursing and proven project management experience.
• Proven technical knowledge and experience in FP/SRHR and project management skills.
• At least five (5) years of professional experience working with health programs at community level in family planning and sexual reproductive health is preferred.
• Experience in capacity-building skills, including training, supervision, and mentorship skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with solid skills in documentation and report writing.
• Skills in using Microsoft office package; including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint.
• Fluency in Kinyarwanda and English is strongly required. Knowledge of French will be an advantage.
• A high level of initiative, coordination, creativity, teamwork, and client rights orientation.
• Demonstrate high level of integrity, ethics, and professionalism.