Organization: mothers2mothers
Location: Malawi
Eligible Citizenship: Malawi
Application Code: M09-Int
Job Function: Direct Service, Monitoring and Evaluation / Quality Improvement, Program / Project Management
Issue Area: Child Health, HIV / AIDS, Maternal and Reproductive Health
About
mothers2mothers (m2m) began offering prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services in Malawi in 2008 through the implementation of its facility-based Mentor Mother Model. The Mentor Mother Model is a cost-effective solution to the unique challenges of PMTCT and reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) service delivery, creating demand and complementing clinical services for better quality care. The model empowers mothers living with HIV – Mentor Mothers – creating an empathetic and effective peer support system, reversing the disincentives that discourage pregnant women and new mothers from accessing care and treatment, and promoting health seeking behaviors. With a dual focus on women and their infants, the program provides motivational education and psychosocial support to clients and helps to prevent mother-to-child HIV transmission and promote maternal and infant health through improved uptake of health services and adoption of healthier behaviors. In 2015, m2m Malawi provided support to over 18,000 women across 89 health facilities in 14 districts across the country. m2m Malawi currently employs 330 mentor mothers in the facility and community. In 2016, m2m intends to roll out new services and approaches to pediatric HIV care, adolescent SRH and HIV support.
Position Overview
The Project Officer will be based in Lilongwe. Reporting directly to the Country Director, the Project Officers (PO) will support the implementation of the m2m program in Malawi. The Project Officer will have an opportunity to experience a broad range of assignments in the Technical Unit, M&E and Programme Implementation teams. The Project Officer will assist in the training of mentor mothers, provide supportive supervision, assist with monitoring and evaluation of m2m programs and new initiatives, develop SOPS and technical guides, lead and support Quality Assurance and Quality Improvement Initiatives within sites and the organization. S/he will actively travel to all m2m sites of operation.
Responsibilities
Program Design and Implementation: Support the Program and Training Manager in the implementation of the m2m program. In 2016 m2m will be supporting 89 sites with direct service delivery and 320 mentor mothers actively addressing early uptake and retention in care of HIV positive pregnant women, exposed infants and HIV positive children.
- Assist in supportive supervision of community site staff (mentor mothers/site coordinators and community mentor mothers); undertake regular visits and monitoring of community engagement implementation sites (facilities and target communities) to ensure smooth running, effective program implementation and field staff support
- Assist with the development of training content and deliver trainings for site staff, develop standard operating procedures, and develop topic guides to improve the quality of care and education provided by mentor mothers
- Support the m2m program through active participation in the coordination of meetings with health facility and site staff
- Work with all departments in ongoing quality assessments of m2m community program activities and direct program changes where appropriate
Monitoring and Reporting: Support the Monitoring and Evaluations Manager (M&E Manager) with various monitoring and evaluation tasks.
- Support the M&E Manager in monthly facility review meetings with District Managers/Site Coordinator and Community Mentor Mothers
- Assist with quarterly country program review
- Assist the M&E Manager with periodic assessments for service quality improvements, program evaluations and baselines
- Assist the M&E Manager with specific research related assignments
- Project Officers can also initiate research projects to support m2m service delivery. Past projects initiated by fellows include review of support groups at m2m and recommendations to improve facilitation, male involvement in RMNCH, the role of community bylaws in improving service uptake, etc.
Communications and Business Development
- Develop communication materials for m2m Malawi team
- Support concept note and proposal development through needs assessment, secondary data review and support program design workshops with staff
Required Skills and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree/ diploma in nursing or social sciences
- Minimum of one year experience in community programming with NGOs
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills
- Dynamism, independence and creativity
- Computer proficiency
Preferred Skills and Experience
- Master’s degree in public health or related field
- PMTCT/HIV AIDS program experience
- Experience or exposure in developing communications, marketing brochures, tools, blogs
- Experience or exposure to monitoring & evaluation, e.g., surveys, focus groups, etc.
- Efficient with priorities and deadlines
- Willing to work as a team
- Flexible and adaptable to a multi-cultural environment
Fellowship Logistics
During the fellowship year, all fellows are provided with:
- A living stipend of $650/month
- Housing and utilities
- Health insurance
- A professional development grant of $600
- An award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year
- Travel costs covered to and from placement site, training and retreats
*Note: The living stipend and the completion award may be paid out in USD or local currency, as determined by the placement organization.
Living and Working in Malawi: Fellows are provided with housing and utilities during the fellowship year. Housing arrangements vary based on the placement organization and location within the country. Fellows at m2m will be housed near the office in Lilongwe, an urban center and capital of Malawi.
