UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND
TERMS OF REFERENCE
Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Thematic Fund Senior
Programme Coordinator Sierra Leone
The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), Sierra Leone Country Office in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leon
invites applications from interested person for the above mentioned consultancy.
Background and Context
Sierra Leone has a high maternal mortality ratio estimated at 1100/100, 0001 live births and a under-five and
infant mortality rate, estimated at 156/10002 and 92/1000 live births respectively. The high newborn
mortality of 39 per 1000 (SLDHS, 2013) live birth accounts to 25% of under five deaths.
The sub optimal availability of essential health commodities especially at peripheral health units and their sub
optimal rational use directly impact on the chances of neonatal, infant, child and maternal survival along the
continuum of care. With the inception of the Free Health Care Initiative (FHC-I), the Government of Sierra
Leone and Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) had made significant progress towards the reduction of
maternal and child deaths. The FHC-I led to increase utilisation and reduction in maternal and child’s deaths,
yet Sierra Leone continues to have the worst maternal and under-fives mortality rates globally.
The MoHS , in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA and WHO has launched a program on “ Accelerating
Scale up of High Impact Integrated Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Child Health Interventions in Sierra
Leone” The program has benefited from funding from the Reproductive Maternal Newborn and Child Health
(RMNCH) Thematic Fund. So as to facilitate the utilization of these funds efficiently and effectively and
ensure optimal coordination and synergies between the UN Direct Recipient agencies (UNFPA, WHO and
UNICEF) and support the Directorate of Reproductive and Child Health (RCH) in the Ministry of Health and
Sanitation (MoHS) in the coordination of the RMNCH Thematic Fund support activities’ implementation, it
is envisioned to recruit a Senior Programme Coordinator, to be based at the RCH Directorate.
1. Purpose of Assignment:
Under the general oversight of the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of the MOHS, the supervision of the
Director of RCH Directorate, working in collaboration with UN support agencies he/she will facilitate the
coordination for the effective implementation of the RMNCH Thematic Fund activities.
The incumbent- under the guidance of the RCH Director will regularly convene meetings, compile reports,
updates and support the liaison with the RMNCH Secretariat in NY. The incumbent will work in close
regular collaboration and consultation with the UN Direct Recipient agencies (UNFPA, WHO and UNICEF)
programme managers, specialist/officers and other partners. He/she will support the planning and the
implementation of the activities in support of the GoSL/UN RMNCH Thematic Fund.
2. Sections Involved: Child Survival and Development
3. Objective of the Assignment:
1 Trends in Maternal Mortality: 1990 to 2013 Estimates by WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, The World Bank and the United Nations Population Division
2 SLDHS 2013 Preliminary Report Without Results of HIV Prevalence
To support the MOHS in the implementation of the RMNCH Thematic Fund activities conforming with the
approved proposal and budgeted log frame matrix and its periodic updates.
The Specific Objectives:
 Provide support to the RCH Directorate in the development of strategies, methodologies and
identification of new approaches for improving programme delivery, including advocacy,
community participation.
 Support RCH Directorate coordination, review and evaluation of technical, institutional and
financial feasibility and constraints of RMNCH Thematic Fund interventions
 Provide technical support to the MoHS RCH Directorate at the national, regional and provincial
levels in the planning, development and implementation stages of the programmes/projects.
 Assist RCH Directorates planning and organizing of training and advocacy activities for government
personnel and beneficiaries, for the purpose of capacity building at the central and regional levels,
and expansion of coverage of services.
 Facilitate preparation and support field visits, and surveys in order to monitor and evaluate project
implementation. Support planning for and generation of new information and evidence to guide
RMNCH programming including the identification of problems and proposed remedial action.
Facilitates the identification of alternative courses of action, to accelerate/improve programme
delivery.
 Support the development of the annual work-plan for the RMNCH Thematic Fund and monitors
compliance to ensure objectives and targets are met and achieved.
 Support coordination of activities and exchanges information/ideas with other programmes, to
contribute to achievement of overall MoHS and UN agencies objectives. Support the establishment
of effective monitoring, information and reporting systems, and the development of communication
materials and strategies for advocacy and community participation.
 Support preparation of all programme reports for management, donors, budget reviews,
programme analysis, annual reports, etc.
 Supports the capacity building for the National RMNCH Coordinator and Regional/District Officers
Location
3.
Duty Station:
The post is based in Freetown Sierra
Leone, at the MoHS RCH Directorate.
5.
Supervisor: The consultant will supervised by the Director
of Reproductive and Child Health in MoHS.
UNICEF will provide administrative support and contract
arrangement
6. Major Outputs and Deliverables:
 Quarterly progress report endorsed by RCH Directorate in consultation with supporting UN
Agencies.
 Half yearly plan endorsed by RCH Directorate in consultation with supporting UN Agencies
 Annual report
7. Minimum Qualifications or specialized knowledge/experience required:









Advanced University degree (MD, DPH) in International Public Health, Reproductive Maternal,
New-born and Child Health and/or related field
Minimum of 5-8 year’s relevant professional work experiences in Reproductive Maternal, New-born
and Child Health at international level.
Fluency in English.
Knowledge of current theories and practices in RMNCH.
Ability to research, analyze, evaluate and synthesize information.
Proven ability to effectively support government structures, (experience working with
Ministries and RMNCH partner organizations would be an asset)
Proven ability to effectively manage relationships with multiple stakeholders - development
partners, donors, government officials and other UNICEF partners.
Proven skills in communication, networking, advocacy, negotiation and team building.
Knowledge of computer systems, internet navigation and various office applications, specifically
interactive digital media
7. Estimated time of consultancy and deadline for submission of end product:
6 months, from 1st August 2014 to 31st January 2015, with possibility of extension.
8.
Official Travel involved: In-country travels