CACHA Coordinator and Community Outreach Officer

Project Title: Improving Maternal and Infant Care (IMIC)
Job Title: Coordinator and Community Outreach Officer
Location: Ukerewe District, Tanzania
Starting date: As soon as possible
Duration: up to the 31st March 2015

Background: The Canada Africa Community Health Alliance (CACHA) is a Canadian non-governmental Organization based in Ottawa, Canada.  CACHA seeks to improve population health and provide HIV care, education and support for orphans and vulnerable children.

Project goal: The “Improving Maternal and Infant Care Project” (IMIC) is a 3-year project done in partnership with the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and the Ministry of Health in Ukerewe District to improve access to quality maternal and infant healthcare services with the aim of reducing maternal and infant mortality rates in Ukerewe district in Tanzania. The specific objectives of IMIC are:

• To improve the quality and inclusiveness of health services in Ukerewe district through skills enhancement training of health care workers in maternal and infant health; and
• To increase accessibility to maternal and infant health care services through outreach and education activities at community level.

Role and Responsibilities of the Coordinator and Outreach Officer

Reporting to the IMIC Field Project Monitor, this position is responsible for the planning, coordination and implementation of training and community outreach activities for the IMIC Project in Ukerewe District, Tanzania.  He/she will be responsible for the overall coordination of the IMIC training activities with the Ministry of Health (MOH) more specifically in Nansio Hospital, Health Centres and Dispensaries and for the planning and implementation of community engagement and participation activities and training in support of the IMIC project.  He/she will foster strong working relationships with the communities assuring their voice is heard for their participation in the IMIC activities.  The project activities will focus on low cost methods for the sustainable enhancement of existing health services through capacity building and outreach activities.  The recipients of the training activities will be health professionals (medical officers, doctors, nurses/midwifes), Community Health Workers (CHWs) and Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs).   He/she will report to the Field Project Monitor and will receive technical advice from the Technical Lead and Project Director (Ottawa based).

Overall Responsibilities and Duties

• Ensure coordination with the MOH, Nansio Hospital, Health Centres and Dispensaries for meetings, training activities and other needs of the Project.
• Plan and arrange training sessions and meetings with nurses/midwifes and other health personnel at all government’s Dispensaries and Health Centres (Ukerewe and Ukara Islands).
• Design and implement a strategy to increase the ability of CHWs and TBAs to refer pregnant women to dispensaries for prenatal care and delivery and to enrol HIV+ pregnant women to the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMCT) program.
• Design and implement a strategy to improve the ability of the CHWs to increase access of infants to healthcare services for paediatric care and vaccination in a gender-sensitive way.
• Work closely with the 4 Nurse Trainers from Ukerewe to develop and implement a community outreach plan through talks, visits and networking.
• Responsible to plan, organize and coordinate meetings and training sessions to be given by the 4 Nurses Trainers and the COO to the CHWs, TBAs and the communities.
• Responsible to do all administrative and financial work related to arrangements, schedules, logistics (transport, foods, etc) and payments to the participants of the training sessions and community outreach meetings, etc.
• Meet representatives of all community groups.
• Plan and arrange a series of meetings for community groups to promote Maternal and Child Health to the members of the communities.
• Develop and maintain partnerships with key members of the communities to facilitate and encourage involvement in the IMIC project meeting and information sessions.
• Work in partnership with the Project team to recruit, train and manage a growing team of volunteers (one per health facility) to assist with community participation and outreach meetings.
• Arrange and attend community events.
• Monitor, evaluate and continuously improve relationships with stakeholders.
• Prepare monthly report to the Field Project Monitor.

Qualification and Experience required:

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• Overall knowledge of maternal, newborn and infant health.
• Experience working with donor funded and/or NGOs project.
• Commitment and understanding of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health and the IMIC project.
• Knowledge and experience in health project and community organizing.
• Familiarity with community development principles and tools that strengthen community participation.
• Experience planning and facilitating trainings/meetings, identifying community needs, working with community leaders and volunteers of diverse backgrounds.
• Experience in establishing professional and well organized communication with partner organizations, community leaders, and learners.
• Fluent in Kikerewe and good level of English.
• Excellent interpersonal communication with the ability to motivate people.
• Effective management of volunteers.

Skills and Ability

Essential
• Excellent presentation, inter-personal and communication skills, verbal and written.
• Able to build partnerships and network.
• Ability to work with people of all ages, backgrounds and abilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Creative and inspiring person.
• Committed and responsible.
• Knowledge of Internet, Email and MS Office software.

How to Apply

Please send a full CV and a covering letter outlining your experience to:

CACHA Human Resources

Email: HR@cacha.ca


The closing date for applications is at 17:00 (Tanzania Time), Sunday 24 February 2013

Further information can be found at our website: www.cacha.ca