TITLE: Community Liaison Coordinator
LOCATION: Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia
POSITION TYPE: Consultant/Contract
REPORTS TO: Program Manager (Grand Bassa County Program)
PROJECT LENGTH: 18 Months
ABOUT AMERICARES
AmeriCares is an emergency response and global health organization committed to saving lives and building healthier futures for people in crisis in the United States and around the world. Since it was established in 1982, AmeriCares has delivered more than $12 billion in humanitarian aid to 164 countries, including the United States. Together with its global network of more than 3,500 hospitals, clinics and community health partners, AmeriCares is improving health outcomes for millions of people in need each year.
AMERICARES EBOLA RESPONSE OVERVIEW
AmeriCares first responded to the outbreak in April of 2014 and has since worked to protect health workers, restore and improve health services and expand Ebola treatment capacity. To achieve these objectives, AmeriCares has recruited staff for and supplied Ebola Treatment Units in Liberia; provided personal protective equipment to frontline health workers working in more than 100 health facilities in the three countries; and is now working to rebuild and strengthen the weakened health care systems with funding and technical assistance.
AmeriCares is committed to strengthening health care systems in West Africa, as well as continuing to support Ebola patients and protect health workers on the frontlines of the epidemic. Our long-term, comprehensive response to the Ebola crisis in West Africa includes infection protection and control training for multiple health facilities in Bonthe, Sierra Leone, and support for health systems in Grand Bassa County, Liberia, with a focus on expanding and improving maternal and child health county-wide.
To date, AmeriCares has staged 47 shipments of medical aid to more than 100 facilities in West Africa to help treat Ebola patients and to provide protective gear for health workers. This includes more than 7 million units of medicine and medical supplies, including the infection control and personal protective equipment (PPE) that is the first line of defense against Ebola. The value of the medical aid shipped is $2.9 million.
POSITION SUMMARY
AmeriCares is seeking a Community Liaison Officer (CLO). The jobholder will focus mainly on ensuring that the MCH program is achieving positive patient results, outcomes and impact. The position holder will be expected to carry out outreach visits to the communities where the program will be operational. The position will be based in Buchanan town, reporting to Program Manager.
The CLO will assist the GBC program to mobilize and increase the numbers of community members using the MCH services at various health institutions. The role will include monitoring of planned activities. Working closely with the CHT and the LGH team, the CLO will take part in planning, implementing, monitoring and reporting of planned program activities. This is a frontline role and the CLO will be expected to spend quality time in communities where the program is operational. Should be conversant with community development methods and approaches, which include but not limited to; participatory engagement, inclusive and consultative involvement, listening and observing. Understanding of community dynamics, social beliefs is critical. The CLO is expected to build trust with communities, should be acceptable and be respectable.
The Responsibilities of the Grand CLO will include, but are not limited to the following:
- Be the local level focal point for GBC programs and activities ensuring that activity results on MCH are in line with the stated outcomes.
- Engage communities to identify key maternal health challenges facing mothers and children and should be able to support them in finding lasting solutions to such problems.
- Be able to collect and analyze baseline information relating to maternal child health and prepare a plan for monitoring and evaluation based on the baseline and logical framework.
- Maintain project a database system for various communities
- Prepare regular reports as expected by the program team.
- Document stories of achievement, challenges and opportunities and share with the program team.
- Working closely with Program Coordinator and the Midwife, facilitate and organize community level training for mothers and other community level stakeholders.
- Work closely and in consultation with CHT and clinic staff.
EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS
- At least 5 years experiences in international development, especially in rural community development works.
- Good communication, interpersonal and report writing skills
- Good command of spoken and written English and a local language
- Computer literacy in MS window and excel
- Experience in carrying out baseline surveys and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data.
- Experience in carrying out monitoring and evaluation.
- A good communicator and should be familiar with local language, social and cultural dynamics
- Be sensitive to local cultural practices and beliefs but should be able to engage on this in a professional and non-dictatorial manner. And good understanding of community engagement approaches and methodologies.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Seeking a local hire for this position
- First degree in development studies
- First degree Sociology
- Training in social research methods
- Training in nursing or midwifery is an added advantage
- Understanding IPC is an added advantage.
- We anticipate this assignment will last 18 months. Must be available for that amount of time
SAFETY & SECURITY
- While the risks of Ebola Virus Disease are now minimal within Liberia, there is still some level of risk associated in healthcare settings. The position holder will be expected to use caution when visiting healthcare facilities, and will avoid any and all contact with patients. At any point the position holder or AmeriCares has the option to end the assignment should the situation deem it necessary.
- The individual that assumes this role should have a clear understanding of and be able to follow strict personal protection, security and hygiene best practices.
- All staff must comply with AmeriCares security policies and procedures.
HOW TO APPLY:
In order to be considered for this position, the applicant should please submit the following items in an expression of interest to AmeriCares Liberia:
- A suitability statement highlighting commitment to project and skills
- Curriculum vitae or resume that clearly spell out qualifications and experience
- 3 professional references
Submissions should be EMAILED to:
Serawit Kassa
Grand Bassa Program Manager
Applications will be reviewed as they are received. We will contact you should we feel that your background and experience is a match for our current needs.
