VACANCY#:            VA-669-13-000002
OPEN TO:    All Interested Candidates. Current employees serving a probationary period are not eligible to apply.    
POSITION:            Family Planning & Reproductive Health Specialist
OPENING DATE:        November 7, 2012
CLOSING DATE:        November 23, 2012
WORKING HOURS:        Full-time, 40 hours/week
SALARY & BENEFITS:    Ranging from US$ 19,443.00 p.a. to $33,660.00 depending on full performance standard                
NOTE: ALL ORDINARY RESIDENT APPLICANTS MUST HAVE THE REQURIED WORK AND/OR RESIDENT PERMITS ALLOWING WORK IN LIBERIA BEFORE BEING ELIGIBLE TO APPLY.
BASIC FUNCTION OF POSITION
The Family Planning & Reproductive Health Specialist is a senior health professional in the field of public health in Liberia, with recognized expertise in programmatic and technical aspects of reproductive health, including family planning, maternal and neonatal health, and HIV/AIDS. He/she provides substantive advice and support in the  formulation and administration of the overall population, health and nutrition (PHN) program of USAID Liberia, which includes advising on cross-cutting issues (e.g., gender, education, youth) related to reproductive health. He/she is instrumental in the conception, design, development, negotiation and implementation of projects, which directly impact on the success of achieving USAID's goals and objectives in the health sector. Representing the USAID/PHN Team, (s) he interacts with other reproductive health professionals, donors and high-level GOL officials (such as the Deputy Ministers, heads of offices and heads of agencies) in developing and evaluating reproductive health programs in Liberia.
The incumbent serves as the activity manager for projects in the areas of improving access to contraceptives and quality reproductive health care, including the prevention and control of HIV/AIDS. He/she is responsible for the administration and management of assigned projects to ensure that objectives are achieved in accordance with program descriptions and work plans. This entails providing technical advice and oversight to contractors and grantees as well as members of the PHN team; monitoring project progress against objectives; ensuring compliance with terms and conditions of agreements; ensuring timeliness of implementation; monitoring budgets, pipelines, accruals and other financial matters. The incumbent will evaluate contractor performance, maintain project records and status reports, prepare necessary project documentation, recommend solutions to problems, and otherwise assist in the day to day management of projects. The incumbent will provide professional advice on the implementation of public health programs and on major reproductive health sector issues and policies. The incumbent will use his/her independent judgment and initiative to complete complex tasks with minimal supervision.
MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
A. As reproductive health expert and Mission advisor on RH programs, including family planning and HIV/AIDS, the incumbent will perform the following duties:

·    Ensure that all entities receiving US government family planning commodities comply with US government legislations, regulations and procedures.

·    Advise the Mission and PHN team on reproductive health status and issues. Provide guidance on strategies to achieve the reproductive health objectives of the PHN program.

·    Advise the Mission on reproductive health policy matters concerning the GOL, donor agencies, and NGOs, based on personal observations and assessment of performance reports and other available data. Undertake appropriate actions to further the policy agenda. Review and forward to USAID/W comments on other donors' country programs and budgets (including UNFPA, WHO) for input in the USG negotiations. Work closely with UNFPA to ensure the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding between UNFPA and USAID and strengthen commodity security.

·    Ensure that all USAID-supported reproductive health activities are technically appropriate, well-coordinated, and integrated with GOL National Health Policy & Plan, Sexual Reproductive Health Policy, Commodity Security Strategy and those of other collaborating agencies/donors.

·    Monitor and report on relevant reproductive health indicators of PHN to be incorporated into the Mission Operational Plan and Annual Report. Assist PHN team leadership to draft appropriate sections of the annual report and congressional presentation for USAID/Washington. Assess the quality of data on the related Performance Monitoring Plan indicators of the PHN Strategic Objective/Investing in People Health Area.

·    Identify, propose, and initiate new program efforts in which USAID has a comparative advantage and which will  further the attainment of USAID's strategic objective and Investing in People Health Area, including working with  partners and others to develop strategies and scopes of work and to identify required technical assistance in the  area of reproductive health. Strengthen community-based family planning approaches via the promotion of community based distributors and outreach models. In collaboration with the host government and other FP/RH partners assure the integration of Family Planning (FP) activities in all RH and HIV/AIDS activities. Work closely with USAID partners to strengthen evidence based advocacy and boost FP/RH service delivery in Liberia.

·    Work closely with the PHN Team, GOL and other parties to ensure that program achievements and lessons learned are properly disseminated to the representatives of the PHN sector.

·    Represent USAID/Liberia on important national committees, working groups and task forces dealing with reproductive health. Participate in national/international reviews and evaluations on issues of interest to the program.

·    Prepare briefing papers, memos or cables for information and action, and respond to requests from Mission Management, USAID Washington, and other parties as needed.

·    Provide technical input and contribute to the implementation of studies/surveys to ensure that customer needs are being met through USAID programs. Monitor and backstop surveys and statistical studies pertaining to fertility, HIV/AIDS and reproductive health behavior.


B. As activity manager for Family Planning and Reproductive Health projects and activities totaling $5-7 million/year:

·    Provide programmatic direction and technical advice to partner organizations in the development of annual work plans and monitoring of reproductive health activities. Oversee and coordinate all program and management issues related to the activities.

·    Coordinate with GOL officials and technical experts from USAID implementing partners to establish project priorities, project inputs, expected results, and implementation timeframes, based on the Mission's strategic objective and Investing in People Health Area, GOL needs and expectations, resource constraints, and the capabilities of the implementing agencies.

·    Ensure achievement of the objectives and expected results of these activities, through completion of high-quality outputs. Identify problems in performance and initiate appropriate remedial actions.

·    Lead meetings and program reviews with implementing partners to discuss the progress of implementation, including setting the agenda, leading the discussion, reaching useful and implementable conclusions. Correspond independently with implementing partners on project management requests, queries, and recommendations.

·    Make regular field visits to review program implementation and meet USAID customers, i.e., socially and economically disadvantaged families. Based on the information collected during field visits, communicate findings and recommendations to the PHN Team, implementing partners and sub-recipients.

·    Revise program descriptions, expected results, as needed. Conceptualize and draft amendments to contracts and cooperative agreements and other relevant documents that reflect new program directions.

·    Maintain close contact with implementing partner managers to ensure that obligations, expenditures and pipeline conform to action plans, agreements, and budgets. Review activity budget for appropriateness. Work in collaboration with the PHN Team in ensuring that the partners prepare quarterly accruals and other reports.

Qualifications
A. Education: Graduate degree in public health or related field (sociology, economics, medical anthropology, public/business administration) is required.  Applicants who are expected to acquire this qualification within the year are eligible to apply.  Further, a medical or degree in nursing, midwifery or applied science is desirable, but not required. Also, any undergraduate or post-graduate training in leadership, reproductive health or related technical fields, computer skills, social science research should also be noted in the application.

B. Professional work experience: at least three years of progressively responsible work experience in health policy, health management or health research are required, five years or more are desirable.

C. Knowledge: Must have some knowledge of the concepts, principles, techniques and practices of primary health care delivery and especially obstetrical care services (antenatal, delivery and postnatal), demography, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care in developing countries. Must have some knowledge of NGO programs and management, as well as GOL health policy and programs. Should have or be able to acquire a thorough knowledge of U. S. Government legislation relating to development assistant, USAID programming policies, regulations, procedures and documentation.

D. Skills and Abilities: Computer/Writing skills: Applicants should show strong analytical skills and writing ability – particularly in writing and preparing policy papers, project plans, and business communication. Demonstrated skills with word processing, spreadsheets and power point are also highly desirable and should be noted in the application.

Additional Selection Criteria
Management will consider nepotism/conflict of interest, budget and visa status in determining a successful candidacy.

Selection Process
After an initial screening of applications, qualified applicants will be invited for an interview.  Only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

How to Apply
Interested candidates for this position should submit the following:
1.    A clearly typed application letter which briefly summarizes why you believe you are qualified for this position.
2.    Resume
3.    The names and contact details of three references that can attest for your professional qualifications and/or work experience.
4.    Documentation (e.g. copied of certificates, awards, degrees) that address the minimum requirements of the position.

Submit application to:
The Family Planning and Reproductive Health Specialist
USAID/Liberia,
C/O American Embassy, Gate Number 3,
Mamba Point, Monrovia
Or by E-mail to: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it