Sightsavers is recruiting for a Programme Officer who will work with the Programme Optimisation unit to ensure the smooth delivery of the integrated MDA targets and WASH and Behavioural Change activities, according to the contractual milestones together with the designated country principal and delivery partners in 13 designated countries as part of the ASCEND programme.

Dimensions:

Accelerating the Sustainable Control and Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases (ASCEND) is a high profile, high value, multi-partner programme, which will make a significant contribution to the control and elimination of the 5 PC NTDs across 13 countries. Sightsavers is the lead supplier, working directly with LSTM, Mott MacDonald, SCI, WaterAid, M&C Saatchi and Accenture. Sightsavers is responsible for overall delivery in line with contractual agreements within a consortium structure.

The Programme Optimisation Unit is responsible for ensuring that ASCEND delivers results across the diseases and key thematic areas including Health System Strengthening (HSS) and Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC).

The Programme Officer provides technical support on Integrated NTDs behaviour change and WASH components to designated countries implementing ASCEND activities.

1) Job Purpose

•   Working withinthe Programme OptimisationUnit,as directed by theManager Implementation (IntegratedNTDsand WASH/SBCC),the ProgrammeOfficerwill ensure the smooth deliveryof integrated MDA targets and WASHand Behavioural Changeactivitiesaccording to the contractual milestones together with the designated country principal and delivery partners in 13 designated countriesas part of the ASCEND programme.

2) Main Responsibilities

•   Provide direct programme support to country teams on the roll out of integrated MDA, including the use of allASCEND management and programme implementation tools and protocols;
•   Assist with behaviour change strategies, messages, and materialswhere required;
•   Coordinate and oversee the “WASH Sector Dialogue” aligned with the national structures and processes, to establish the criteria and process to target investment inwater and sanitation services supply and demand to areas with high levels of NTD endemicity;
•   Ensure WASH and SBCC approaches align with the WHO and NNN “WASH and Health Working Together: a “how to guide for NTD programmes”
•   Ensure alignment and consistency of activities across partners and within designated countries;
•   Facilitate the delivery of capacity building support in close coordination with the Coordinator-Implementation (HSS) that enhances the effectiveness of integrated NTDs, WASH and SBCC to government and implementing partners.
•   Facilitate the deployment of timely, appropriate technical assistance and capacity building support within the ASCEND structure to the designated countries.
•   Provide content for communications teams and knowledge innovation and learning teams.
•   Align learning, documentation and reporting systems with designated countries to that adopted across the ASCEND programme

The principle accountabilities are not meant to be an exhaustive list of tasks. The need for flexibility is required and the job holder is expected to carry out any other related duties that are within the employee's skills and abilities whenever reasonably instructed. Direct programme field assistance in countries is expected with travel upto and/or over40%.

3) Planning and Organising

Working in a team approach:

•   Plan, organiseand support designated country level activities withinrecognised global standards as they apply to NTD interventions;?Ensure thatprogramme deliveryis inline with WHO NTD control/elimination guidelinesand technical guidance on WASH and NTDs;
•   Deliver timely,evidence based reports in line with organisational requirements;
•   Ensurethat timely, accurate data onactivities, outputs and outcomes are consistently reported within the NTD Status Reports, myCLAIMs, M& E framework, Programme Portal and SIM Card;
•   Work with theFinance and Risk Team to ensure that agreementsand contracts, due diligence reports, individual country and consolidated log frames are up to date and stored;
•   Facilitate effective internal communications in respect of project reporting and documentation;
•   Provide practicalsupport toCapacity Building Support Personnel;
•   Ensure alignment and progress within the logical framework and theory of change;
•   Supportcommunication initiatives;?Support and contribute to operational research;
•   Support organisation and facilitation of technical workshops related to behaviour change and WASH coordination.

4) Problem Solving/Strategic Planning

•   Undertake tasks or projects as required by the Manager Implementation (Integrated NTDsand WASH/SBCC);
•   Develop and roll out learning processes and systems;
•   Develop a workable approach to accurately identify and disseminate learningwith the knowledge learning and innovation unit;
•   Working together with relevant Technical Advisors, knowledge learning and innovation unit, identify and disseminate standard best practice;
•   Ensure interventions uphold a commitment to gender, equity, social inclusion, value for money and sustainability through developmentand use of cross-cutting plans;
•   Work with Technical Advisors, Country teams, Integrated Systems Unit to collate and update annual activity logs and logical frameworks;
•   Keep up to date with relevant cross cutting issues and debates that may impact control/elimination of NTDs and WASH/SBCC interventions;Provide quick responsesto emerging technical challenges by liaising with the Manager Implementation (WASH/SBCC), revising tools and protocols as per their guidance.

5) Key Contact/Relationships

Internal

•   Manager Implementation (Integrated NTDs/WASH/SBCC)
•   ASCEND Team including: Programme Optimisation Unit,Central Operations Unit; Knowledge, Innovation & Learning Unit; Technical Advisors and capacity builders
•   Relevant country staff including WASH/NTDs coordinators

External

•   NNN Executive Committee and working groupsas appropriate;
•   Partners NGOs, Institutions &Technical Partners;Implementing Partners;
•   Ministries of Health, Education and drinking water supply and sanitation;
•   International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) working groups;
•   Global Schistosomiasis Alliance (GSA),STH Coalition,RTI/ENVISION,Research partners

Qualification Required & Experience

6) Knowledge, Skills and ExperienceKnowledge (Education & Related Experience):

•   Degree in public health or other development related field such as WASH;
•   Knowledge and experience of behavioural change and communication programming;
•   Knowledge of water sanitation and hygiene for public health programmes;
•   Monitoring and evaluation frameworks;
•   Working experience ofAfrican contexts;
•   Knowledge of NTDs and/or other health interventions an advantage.

Skills (Special Training or Competence):

•   Ability to write well and communicate clearly with all stakeholders;
•   At least intermediate level of French (Desired);
•   An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity for disabled people;
•   Respect for and ability to foster local programme ownership and contribute to sustainability and system strengthening.

Core Behaviours:

•   Communicating & Influencing;
•   Team Working;
•   Planning & Organising;
•   Change & Improvement;
•   Delivery and Implementation;
•   Self-motivation;
•   Output Driven.

Location: Ghana

How To Apply For The Job

To apply for this post by email, please download our application form and equal opportunities form.

Click Here To Download Application Form

And return as two separate documents to:

jobs@sightsavers.org

Closing Date: 25 June, 2019