The Country Director is based at our office in the western part of Freetown and is responsible for the strategic leadership and operational management of the organisation. Reporting to, and supported  by, the Board of Directors, the Country Director will be responsible for programme oversight, the  management of in-country employees and volunteers, building and maintaining relationships with  partners, leading the strategic vision of the organisation and identifying funding opportunities.  Specific responsibilities are listed below, but the role will also include other duties necessary for the  success of the organisation’s programmes and of Welbodi Partnership.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILTIES

LEADERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND STRATEGY

 Works with the Board of Directors to develop and implement the strategic direction of Welbodi  Partnership programmes.

 Leads and embeds the vision and mission of the organisation into all of the organisation’s programmes, relationships and activities.

 Leads and contributes to the development of strategic plans and policies and organisational  development

 Leads the Senior Management Team and ensures effective coordination and management  across the organisation

 Ensures that the work of Welbodi Partnership is aligned with the Government of Sierra Leone’s  policies and strategies for healthcare provision.

 Identifies funding opportunities, including potential consortia and oversees and supports the  development of proposals for funding alongside the Grants and Finance Leads.

PROGRAMMES, PARTNERSHIPS AND QUALITY ASSURANCE

 Overall responsibility for ensuring that Welbodi Partnership’s work in Sierra Leone is delivered to  a high standard and is in keeping with our values.

 Works with the Welbodi Partnership Board of Directors and Grants and Finance Leads and key  partners to identify new programme opportunities and the development of high quality and  comprehensive project proposals.

 Leads engagement with partners, focusing on equitable partnership, aligning programmes with  contextual needs and Ministry priority areas.

 Establishes and maintains close working relationships with key stakeholders, including the  Ministry of Health, District Health Management Teams, Medical Superintendents and other  health facility managers, NGO partners, UN agencies, research institutions and donors.

 Directs the development, management and effective implementation of key country  programmes in collaboration with the Welbodi Partnership Programmes Managers and key  stakeholders.

 Provides co-ordination to a team of international healthcare professionals and ensures clinical  mentoring and supervision is in place as required.

 Provides oversight, expertise, and leadership to ensure improvements in the quality of  healthcare provided at supported health facilities.

 

 Keeps abreast of current international and regional innovations in health system strengthening,  hospital and community management models and clinical research in low resource healthcare  settings.

 Identifies opportunities to collaborate and develop integration/co-ordination with other  organisational partners working in the supported districts to ensure programmatic success and  avoid duplication of activities.

REPRESENTATION, DONOR REPORTING AND VISIBILITY

 Represents Welbodi Partnership in Sierra Leone to governmental and non-governmental health  partners, including funders, potential funders and registration bodies including but not limited to  the Sierra Leone Association of Non-Governmental Organisations (SLANGO) and the Ministry of  Planning and Economic Development (MOPED).

 Overall responsibility for delivering high quality reports to the programme donors, consortium  leads and the Welbodi Partnership Board.

 Shares information and lessons learnt with our partners and other stakeholders and  organisations with shared aims.

 Contributes regularly to Welbodi Partnership’s communication with supporters and partners, in  close co-operation with the Welbodi Partnership Board of Directors.

FINANCIAL ACCOUNTABILITY AND ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE

 Ensures that the organisation is sustainable and financially viable, and that the organisation  adheres to all financial, and procurement policies.

 Ensures that the organisation is performing against its Key Performance Indicators.

 Ensures that there are clear and regular finance and performance reports available to the Board  so that it is able to carry out its oversight function.

 Management of the Finance Manager and Grants Lead to ensure programmes are on track for  financial spending and performance, including through the review of spending plans and  monthly pipelines.

 Approval of expenses in accordance with approval matrix.

 Monitor adherence to national, donor and global community processes and policies in  programme implementation, finance management and procurement processes.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND CAPACITY BUILDING

 Responsible for managing the team in Sierra Leone, which includes national and international  staff. Line management may be delegated to other team members where appropriate.

 Responsible for ensuring that all staff have appropriate objectives, appraisals, support and  training, and dealing with grievances and disciplinary issues when necessary.

 Lead international and local recruitment with support from the Operations and Human  Resources Manager.

 Overall responsibility for ensuring that Welbodi Partnership’s policies and procedures are  implemented, and updated according to the policy tracker, particularly regarding financial  management and human resource management, in order to fulfil risk management obligations.

 Leads on institutional capacity building of staff and oversees internal training on policies and  procedures.

RISK MANAGEMENT, SECURITY AND SAFEGUARDING

 Ensures Welbodi Partnership security and safeguarding policies and procedures are  implemented and appropriate and reflect the organisation’s duty of care regarding the safety  and security of its programmes staff, participants and beneficiaries in Sierra Leone.

Ensures that the security policies are regularly updated and reviewed in conjunction with the  Board of Directors to maximise staff, participant, and visitor safety at all times.

Keeps abreast of outbreaks / epidemics and provides oversight for employees, attending  emergency partner meetings and circulating government guidelines as appropriate.

 Responsible for ensuring the safety and security of staff and of programme participants.

 Update the Board of Directors and staff of key security situations and advisory around Welbodi  Partnership operational areas, which includes but is not limited to keeping abreast of and  circulating UN Security Council notices.

 Ensures that the risk register is reviewed and updated at least on a quarterly basis.

QUALIFICATIONS

Master’s degree in related health or international development field from a recognised University.

Master’s degree in related health or international development field from a recognised University.

EXPERIENCE

Demonstrable management experience in leading teams, projects programmes and services in health or a  related field

∙ Extensive experience in fundraising  and proposal development

∙ Experience of human resources and  financial management, including  budgetary accountability

∙ Experience in liaising with government  officials and a variety of donors and  other partners / stakeholders.

∙ Experience managing multiple tasks  and/or projects concurrently.

∙ Experience of overseeing research  programmes in health or a related field

At least five years’ senior  management experience is preferred in International  development and/or global health.

∙ Senior management experience to  include fundraising, operations,  grants and finance management.

∙ Experience in proposal and report  writing with a proven ability to  secure donor funding.

∙ Experience in the charity sector  and/or in impoverished, post conflict, humanitarian or other  challenging environments.

We are open to considering exceptional  and committed candidates with less  management experience if they possess  the energy and skill set to drive the  organisation forward.

Knowledge of healthcare systems,  medical quality management (Quality  Improvement/Quality Assurance) and  risk management.

∙ Demonstrated ability to assess needs,  design and implement programmes  and evaluate results.

∙ A keen grasp of the role played by an  organisation like Welbodi Partnership  in the context of global health and  development.

∙ Knowledge of research programmes in  low-income settings.

Knowledge of relevant evidence based approaches to improving  maternal, neonatal, and child  health, and of national and  international strategies and  frameworks in these areas.

∙ Knowledge of the healthcare system  in Sierra Leone, including key  actors.

∙ Demonstrated people management  and organisational skills, with  meticulous attention to detail.

∙ Strategic and innovative thinker with  proven ability to communicate a vision.  ∙ Excellent IT, interpersonal, written and  verbal communication skills.

∙ Demonstrated financial skills: budget monitoring and financial reporting.  ∙ Demonstrated problem solving skills:

providing solutions to challenging  situations.

∙ Ability to communicate complex ideas  with others.

∙ Ability to learn and apply new skills  and techniques on the job.

∙ Ability to work effectively with others  in a cross-cultural environment, as a  leader and influencer.

∙ Committed to partnership working:  building equitable partnerships with all  stakeholders including other team  members.

Demonstrated management skills  in emergency situations.

SKILLS AND

Demonstrated people management  and organisational skills, with  meticulous attention to detail.

∙ Strategic and innovative thinker with  proven ability to communicate a vision.  ∙ Excellent IT, interpersonal, written and  verbal communication skills.

∙ Demonstrated financial skills: budget monitoring and financial reporting.  ∙ Demonstrated problem solving skills:

providing solutions to challenging  situations.

∙ Ability to communicate complex ideas  with others.

∙ Ability to learn and apply new skills  and techniques on the job.

∙ Ability to work effectively with others  in a cross-cultural environment, as a  leader and influencer.

∙ Committed to partnership working:  building equitable partnerships with all  stakeholders including other team  members.

PERSONAL  ATTRIBUTES

∙ Empathetic and active listener.

∙ Motivated, hardworking and strong  team player.

 

∙ Strong ability to manage time well and  work to multiple and strict deadlines  under pressure.

∙ Reliable and conscientious approach to  duties.

∙ Passionate about improving maternal  healthcare in Sierra Leone and a keen  interest in Health System

∙ Strengthening.

∙ Absolute commitment to teaching and  learning and skills improvement of  others.