Kingdom of Lesotho
Ministry of Health
Job description
| DEPARTMENT | Project Implementing Unit |
| JOB TITLE | Program Officer |
| PROJECT | Lesotho COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project. |
| RESPONSIBLE TO | Project Coordinator |
| DATE OF ISSUE | June 2020 |
1. Background
The Government of Lesotho (GOL) has received a two-year funding from the World Bank to implement Lesotho COVID -19 Emergency Preparedness Response Project. The project aims to prevent, detect and respond to the threat posed by COVID-19 and strengthen national systems for public health preparedness Two components have been identified to guide implementation of activities of the project. Component one deals with Emergency COVID-19 Response, and under this component the GOL will be supported to strengthen COVID-19 Case Detection, Confirmation, Contact Tracing, Recording and Reporting, Containment, Isolation and Treatment through enhanced Clinical Care Capacity; and Community Engagement, Prevention and Risk Communication.
Activities under this component will enhance disease surveillance through training of Village Health Workers and procurement of surveillance instruments, improve sample collection and transportation, and ensure rapid laboratory confirmed diagnoses through procurement of laboratory equipment and training of laboratory staff to promptly detect all potential COVID-19 cases and to carry out contact tracing to respond to COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, the project will support renovation of Mafeteng hospital to establish the critical care units and wards for COVID19 patients. The project Component two of the project will strengthen monitoring and evaluation. Under this component support will be directed to the COVID-19 Incident Management System Coordination Structure, operational reviews and logistical support to the coordination structure during project implementation.
Job Summary
Working closely with the PIU coordinator, the Program Officer will be responsible for: 1) Working with the national response team to coordinate the health sector response to COVID-19; 2) Supporting the PIU coordinator with coordination of direct implementation designated interventions within the projects managed by the project implementing unit; 3) compiling reports, analysis of data and evaluation of the health systems and nutrition interventions to identify bottlenecks timely. The Program Officer works in close collaboration with the Participating Program managers and Directors, national partners, implementing organizations, Health facilities, district health teams.
2. Duties and Responsibilities
The Program Officer will ensure implementation of Project Development objectives focusing on achievement of the following results and objectives:
- Work with NRT and ENCC structures for coordination of the project across MOH
- Work with the PIU coordinator in terms of linkages to other WB-funded health projects (regional TB project and the new health and nutrition project)
- Monitoring of the key activities on a daily basis to achieve the performance indicators agreed with the programs in line with set timelines within the scope of approved Budgets and Work Plans. These include identifying bottlenecks and liaising with the PIU team and the programs to come up with solution.
- Planning activities, organizing meetings with staff, following-up on critical issues, prioritizing on strategic issues and working towards progress on institutionalization of activities;
- Develops, initiates, maintains and revises policies and procedures for the general implementation of projects and related activities;
- Works in close cooperation with the involved Directorates including Supply Chain, Laboratory, Clinical Services on the issues of planning, linking programmatic and operational processes and ensuring reaching of planned deliverables;
- Preparation and submission to Project Coordinator of necessary changes and amendments, which appear in the course of project activities implementation in order to achieve results in accordance with the Project Documents and Annual Work Plans;
- Participation in recruitment processes of Project personnel and consultants (development of Terms of Reference, participation in short listing of candidates/desk review, acting as a member of the Interview Panel when appointed), providing regular guidance and advice to the staff, assessment and evaluation of their performance, provision of on-going feedback to personnel;
- Financial and substantive monitoring and evaluation of the projects, identification of operational and financial problems, development of solutions;
- Timely and analytically evaluate of the performance of the key activities and timely preparation and submission of progress reports;
- Liaising with relevant national and international stakeholders and in liaison with the information officer, to ensure effective information dissemination on the project’s activities;
- Support of the strategic planning processes for COVID19 Emergency preparedness and response programs based on evidence gained during implementation;
- Work closely with the procurement, finance and safeguards team at the PIU in terms of project implementation
- In collaboration with the project epidemiologist and M&E Specialist, support the Monitoring and Evaluation System of the project;
- Liaise and capacitate implementing organisations and health facilities on key activities implementation, reporting, information sharing and further work planning;
- Identify and share best practices in implementation and management of the project at various platforms and levels;
- Development and building-up of strategic partnership and maintenance of good relations with key stakeholders.
3. Qualifications and Experience
- Master’s degree in public health, Development studies or Business management in health care and minimum of 5 years of relevant experience.
- Project management experience
- Wide recognition and track record of technical expertise and operational leadership in health, project management and programs.
- At least 3 years’ experience, both analytic and operational, in the health sector in Lesotho.
- Analytical and report writing skills
- In-depth understanding of donor supported project including the World Bank.
- Ability to function well independently and handle multiple tasks, meet changing priorities and deliver high-quality analysis and work on-time
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
- Fluency in English (excellent oral and written communication skills) is essential, with ability to prepare documents on complex subjects, speak and write persuasively, and present ideas clearly and concisely.
- Have extensive knowledge of health systems and health sector priorities in Lesotho.
4. Key Skills
- Ability to work independently and be creative and innovative; integrity and ability to work in a team;
- Good listener with demonstrated ability to present and win support for ideas as well as make effective and timely decisions;
- He/she shall have the overall responsibility for reporting progress on social safeguards and must possess adequate communication and documentation skills;
- Good mastery of standard computer applications: Microsoft Office Package;
- Must be result focused and be able to work under pressure and tight deadlines.
- Ability to think strategically and conduct dialogue on social development policies and priorities, while maintaining a strong sense of realism with regard to in-country conditions and competing demands for resources.
- Team player with strong leadership abilities: experience in working with large teams of people from different background;
- Demonstrate ability to work independently with limited supervision on a wide range of social development activities, and achieving results;
5. Reporting
The Program Officer will be reporting directly to the Project Coordinator.
6. Duration
The duration of the assignment shall be 18 months and it is subject to a probation period of four (4) months and satisfactory performance. The Contract period will also be subjected to performance monitoring.
7. Duty Station
The duty station shall be the Ministry of Health Head Office, Maseru, with frequent field visits to project sites.
8. Remuneration
Successful candidates will be offered performance-based contract; subject to review annually.
9. Application Instructions
Interested and suitability qualified candidates should forward their applications indicating the advertisement and position on the subject line of letter and envelope together with detailed curriculum vitae indicating work experience. (Day time telephone contacts, names and telephone contacts of 3 referees to reach the undersigned not later than 15th June 2020) to:
Attn: Procurement Specialist
Procurement Unit, Ground Floor, Ministry Of Health Headquarters ,Corner Constitution Road & Linare Road P. O. Box 514, Maseru 100, Lesotho, Tel:(+266) 2732 3277
Email: [email protected]
Only shortlisted and successful candidates will be contacted within two weeks from submission deadline. If you do not receive a call and email from us consider application not successful.