Position: Reproductive Health Supervisor
Line Manager:Country Health Director
Location: South Sudan
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: up to 31st December 2011 (possible extension)
Salary: As per Merlin South Sudan salary scale but dependent on relevant experience. Plus a benefits package including accommodation and 3 return flights per annum
ContextLine Manager:Country Health Director
Location: South Sudan
Start Date: ASAP
Duration: up to 31st December 2011 (possible extension)
Salary: As per Merlin South Sudan salary scale but dependent on relevant experience. Plus a benefits package including accommodation and 3 return flights per annum
Merlin has been working in Southern Sudan since 1998 and has had a continuous presence in the country since 2004.
The goal of Merlin projects in South Sudan is to address the humanitarian health needs through supporting essential primary and referral level health care interventions, increasing capacity of local health structures to deliver effective and quality health care services.
Responsibilities
Overall responsibilities
The Reproductive Health Supervisor will be based in Torit, Eastern Equatoria State and will travel to support field sites and other Merlin projects in Boma, Jonglei State and Nimule, Eastern Equatoria State. She will be responsible for strengthening Merlin’s Reproductive Health program in all target areas in South Sudan.
As such, she will focus on the following:
- Improving antenatal, prenatal, postpartum and neonatal care;
- Providing high-quality services for family planning, including infertility services,
- Eliminating unsafe abortion;
- Combating sexually transmitted infection, including HIV, reproductive tract infections, cervical cancer, and other RH morbidities;
- Promoting sexual health; and
- Increasing capacity for strengthening research and programme development.
Key duties and responsibilities of the Regional Midwife
- Conduct initial needs assessment in all targeted health facilities, in relation to training needs among health staff, health services, medical equipment, and other amenities needed for the Reproductive Health Program;
Trainings:
- Prepare a training plan and curriculum which will address health staff training needs
- Network and coordinate with relevant training institutions or agencies in the conduct of the training courses;
- Coach and mentor health staff on-site and on a regular basis;
- Network and coordinate with relevant institutions for the purchase or acquisition of essential reference materials (books, manuals, protocol, CDs, videos) pertinent to Reproductive Health, and distribute to the health facilities and Merlin’s field offices;
- Negotiate for all Merlin midwives to have a quarterly three days in-service refresher training in a reputable hospital or clinic in South Sudan;
Oversight to health facilities:
- Provide guidelines and protocol on all components of Reproductive Health (fertility, pregnancy, child birth, neonatal care, abortion, family planning, STI, HIV-AIDS, RH cancer, SRH morbidities, and sexual health) from the Ministry of Health and distribute to all health facilities;
- In the absence of any existing guideline or protocol on certain components of Reproductive Health, prepare a draft guideline or protocol, in consultation with the Ministry of Health and distribute to all health facilities as a draft copy;
- Regularly check on the quality of services rendered and the health facilities’ adherence to MoH protocols on antenatal care, delivery, newborn care, family planning, and others, and provide on-the-job training as needed;
- Prepare a list of essential equipment and supplies based on the needs assessment conducted and oversee the distribution to the health facilities;
- Follow-up on the use of equipment among recipient health facilities and provide guidance as needed;
Information, Education and Campaign:
- Network and coordinate with relevant institutions or agencies for the purchase or acquisition of RH IEC materials (posters, brochures, flip charts, leaflets, CDs, videos) and distribute to the health facilities and Merlin’s field offices;
- Oversee and provide direction in the implementation of reproductive health education in the health facilities and in the communities that they serve.
Strengthening RH at the communities:
- Together with health facility staff, review the performance of traditional birth attendants and formulate appropriate recommendations.
- Together with health facility staff and community leaders, review the mechanisms for referral in the community – if any – for cases of obstetric emergencies. Oversee the formulation of a relevant obstetrics emergency plan or referral unique for each community, as needed;
Data management:
- Review data collection, recording, and reports done by health staff on Reproductive Health, and provide guidance as needed;
- Review monthly data on deliveries, maternal deaths, neonatal deaths, and other maternal and child health indicators and formulate recommendations as necessary;
Other duties and responsibilities:
- Link up with Merlin’s health and nutrition program;
- Coordinate closely with government health staff in relation to Merlin’s Reproductive Health Program;
- When requested and when feasible, assist the government health office and non-government organizations in special health projects, surveys and other activities;
- Attend and participate in meetings in government and non-government agencies, when requested;
- Submit weekly and monthly reports in relation to activities conducted;
- Participate in the discussion of program development and in the formulation of new program proposals;
- In relation to RH program activities, coordinate with the logistics and other Merlin departments, as necessary;
- Attend and participate in internal coordination meetings within the project site and across Merlin project areas
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as requested by line manager
Qualifications
- Diploma/Certificate in midwifery (over two years training) received from a recognized training institution; preferably with a post-graduate training in reproductive Health
- At least four years working experience in a health facility, particularly in a maternal clinic;
- NGO Experience an advantage.
- Fluent in English. Knowledge of Arabic will be advantageous.
Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Due to the urgency of this position Merlin will short list continually and may interview and offer the position prior to the closing date.
Merlin South Sudan is an equal opportunities employer, and will not discriminate on the basis of tribe, gender, race, creed, religion, pregnancy and colour.
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