Consultant – National Safe Blood Services

BACKGROUND

The World Health Organization Sierra Leone Country Office (WCO) is responsible for providing technical advice to the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) in guiding overall efforts to improve the health and well-being of the population. The WCO works closely with the MOHS to ensure development and implementation of plans aimed at improving coverage of RMNCAH indicators and reduction of maternal and child mortality and morbidity. Sierra Leone has a very high maternal mortality ratio estimated at 1,165 per 100,000 live births (DHS 2013). The Government of Sierra Leone has prioritized reduction of maternal and childhood mortality as one of the Presidential Recovery priorities. The 2016 Sierra Leone Maternal Death Surveillance and Response Report highlighted that haemorrhage was the leading cause of death among pregnant women in Sierra Leone. Access to safe blood transfusion services is a major challenge for women in Sierra Leone as the National Safe Blood Services is striving to ensure that all women have ready access to safe blood. The Ministry of Health has requested that WHO provide a review of the program and technical support to strengthen clinical and laboratory services, and to inform development of an upcoming World Bank grant aimed at strengthening Safe Blood Services in Sierra Leone.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES

Under the overall guidance of the WHO Representative to the Sierra Leone Country Office and direct supervision of the WHO Country Office Basic Package of Essential Services Coordinator and Reproductive Health Team Lead, the selected consultant will work with the national authorities and other relevant stakeholders to\:

• Visit and evaluate laboratories and clinical blood transfusion sites in various districts in Sierra Leone to better understand the equipment, supplies, overall service provision and barriers to provision of safe blood transfusion services.
• Develop a training course on safe blood transfusion procedures for clinical and laboratory staff that incorporates protocols, guidelines, and standard operating procedures (SOPs)
• Deliverable – Develop and submit a Trainer’s guide, Participants manual, and training slides 
• Facilitate a training of the trainer’s course on safe blood transfusion procedures for clinical and laboratory staff
• Deliverable – Facilitate the training of the trainer’s course.

The consultant is expected to spend 4 weeks in Sierra Leone working with the National Safe Blood Services Program Manager to visit sites develop the necessary documents, and conduct the TOT course.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Education\:

Essential\:

Medical Degree

WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an accredited institution. The list can be accessed through this link\: http\://www.whed.net/

Experience\:

Essential\:

·         At least 5 years of experience in medicine

·         Specialized training in blood transfusion services

·         Experience developing a training course on safe blood transfusion procedures for clinical and laboratory staff

·         Experience evaluating safe blood transfusion procedures services in hospitals and/or blood transfusion centers.

Desirable\:

·         Experience training clinicians to use protocols, guidelines and SOPs on safe blood transfusion services.

Essential Skills\:

• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Power-point, Word and Excel
• Excellent report writing skills
• Communicating in a credible and effective way
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment
• Excellent facilitation skills with counterparts and partners 

Use of Language Skills

Essential\:  Excellent written and spoken English

REMUNERATION AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Remuneration

P-3 Level ($ 7,000 Monthly rate)

Place of Assignment

Freetown, Sierra Leone.