The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to saving lives and reducing the burden of disease in low-and middle-income countries, while strengthening the capabilities of governments and the private sector in those countries to create and sustain high-quality health systems that can succeed without our assistance. For more information, please visit: http://www.clintonhealthaccess.org

Program Summary

Sierra Leone has one of the highest maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in the world, with 1,120 mothers dying for every 100,000 live births . This makes Sierra Leone one of the most dangerous places in the world to be a woman, especially an adolescent woman. Childbearing begins at a young age: 34% of pregnancies occur amongst teenage girls and 28% of adolescents (aged 15-19) have begun childbearing, representing one of the highest teenage pregnancy rates in the world. Almost half (46.8%) of deaths among adolescent girls are related to complications in childbirth and 40% of maternal deaths are related to teenage pregnancy.

To reduce maternal mortality, CHAI focuses on averting preventable deaths by building the health system’s capabilities to prevent potential complications from becoming life threatening, to apply proven and simple interventions to ensure survival, and to quickly refer cases to the appropriate health system level for proper treatment. To reduce unintended pregnancies and increase access to safe abortion services, CHAI aims to increase access to essential reproductive health products and services in partnership with governments by pursuing global and country-focused market-shaping opportunities and in-country engagement around guidelines, registration, tendering, procurement and service delivery. In addition, CHAI aims to strengthen government health systems and build the capabilities of ministries of health to deliver robust, integrated reproductive health programs and to counsel adolescent girls and young women on SRH.

In Sierra Leone, CHAI entered this space in late 2017 with an initial focus on increasing access to long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs). Between 2018 and 2020, CHAI worked with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) in Sierra Leone to increase uptake of long-acting reversible contraception by strengthening training and human resource management, increasing contraceptive commodity security and improving performance management by the government.

Working for CHAI

As our programs and operations expand in Sierra Leone, CHAI is seeking for a suitable candidate for the position of Program Manager, Sexual and Reproductive Health.

CHAI places great value on relevant personal qualities: resourcefulness, responsibility, tenacity, independence, energy, and work ethic. We seek a highly committed and adaptable individual with a track record of delivering quality results with limited resources. The individual must be able to function independently and flexibly in a swift manner. The ideal candidate will possess cultural sensitivity skills and demonstrate high emotional intelligence, as they will be working closely with government and external partners.

Job Description

The Sexual and Reproductive Health Program Manager will lead the SRH team’s work in strategizing, developing, and implementing interventions aimed to increase contraceptive prevalence and reduce maternal mortality. The Program Manager will work closely with the MoHS and other partner agencies by providing technical assistance, project management, and implementation support, as needed. Other programmatic needs may arise, so flexibility will be essential.

The Program Manager will report to the Country Director (or such other manager as CHAI may designate) and will regularly collaborate and communicate with the relevant CHAI global team. They will be based in Freetown, Sierra Leone with expected travel to the districts on occasion.

Program Leadership

• Lead the development and maintenance of the SRH’s theory of change, strategic initiatives, and performance management
• Translate objectives provided by the government, donors, and other partner organizations to provide guidance to SRH team on prioritization of initiatives
• Identify strategic areas for expansion and guide strategic planning or proposal development needed for future program development
• Collaborate with SRH team to meet established program objectives under MOHS guidance, including, but not limited: increasing contraceptive access and security, improving the distribution and quantity of trained SRH service providers, advocating for more adolescent friendly services, and promoting higher quality, comprehensive sexual education

Stakeholder Coordination

• Establish collaborative relationships with the MOHS and other relevant national and local government bodies
• Coordinate trainings, distributions, and other activities across government and partner stakeholders to ensure clear communication and successful execution
• Collaborate with internal CHAI global and country teams to facility access to key information and stakeholders, provide updates, and leverage core competencies of the various teams including the Global Markets, Global SRH, Sierra Leone Human Resources for Health, and Sierra Leone Supply Chain teams

Donor Relationship Management

• Coordinate with donor organizations to provide progress updates, performance metrics, and other reporting requirements
• Manage the SRH program budget and liaise with appropriate CHAI internal and donor teams to meet all mandated requirements
• Quantify any gaps in funding required to achieve goals, and provide appropriate rationale and analysis needed to advocate for any additional funding
• Identify and develop new program and funding opportunities and develop and manage relationships with existing and potential donors
• Perform other duties that may be assigned by the Country Director or such other manager as CHAI may designate.

• Bachelor's degree in a related field with a minimum of seven years of work experience or Master's degree in a related field with a minimum of 5 years of work experience in a demanding and fast-paced environment
• Experience in sexual reproductive health and family planning
• Experience in the planning and execution of large scale projects, including budgeting and activities planning
• Experience building and maintaining collaborative, senior-level relationships and working with multiple stakeholders
• Experience in health care and health system and experience working with the Ministry of Health or other government institutions
• Experience managing lean teams and working with government bodies, government officers, INGOs, and other institutions related to this function
• Excellent analytical (qualitative and quantitative) skills and communication (written and verbal) skills
• Fluency in English required; Fluency in Krio a plus

Advantageous

• Experience working in developing countries
• Experience working in pharmaceuticals
• Experience working in management consulting, investment banking, or a similar fast-paced, out-put oriented environment
•  Experience in supply chain management, HR management, and/or grant management

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