Recruiting a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to build nursing capacity in Sierra Leone

Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to support the well-established nurses’ training office at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The (Paediatric) Nurse Educator will support and mentor the national nurse trainer and help ensure the continuous implementation of high quality in-service training for nurses.  In addition, the (paediatric) nurse educator will help establish a nurse/midwife training office at the neighboring Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) as well as support the newly established Paediatric Nurse Specialist training at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). Please pass the following details on to anyone you think might be interested:

Position: (Paediatric) Nurse Educator

Location: Freetown, Sierra Leone

Start Date: April 2015

Duration: (6 to) 12 months

BACKGROUND: Welbodi Partnership (WP) is a UK-registered charitable organisation based at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. For the past five years, Welbodi has worked towards improved paediatric care in the Western Area of Sierra Leone through hospital system development, infrastructural changes, staff training, provision of equipment and community engagement in partnership with ODCH staff, the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MOHS) and the Sierra Leone Institute of Child Health (SLICH).

Welbodi Partnership continues to support healthcare in Sierra Leone during the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) by providing coordination support to the holding unit at the Children’s Hospital while at the same time strengthening the safe provision of ‘routine’ health services (non-Ebola care) in that hospital and other government facilities. WP continues to provide nurse education to hospital staff and will resume the continuing professional development programme in January 2015.

SCOPE OF WORK: Welbodi Partnership is looking to recruit a (Paediatric) Nurse Educator to support the well-established nurses’ training office at the Ola During Children’s Hospital (ODCH) in Freetown, Sierra Leone. The (Paediatric) Nurse Educator will support and mentor the national nurse trainer and help ensure the continuous implementation of high quality in-service training for nurses.  In addition, the (paediatric) nurse educator will help establish a nurse/midwife training office at the neighboring Princess Christian Maternity Hospital (PCMH) as well as support the newly established Paediatric Nurse Specialist training at the College of Medicine and Allied Health Sciences (COMAHS). This rewarding position offers a unique opportunity to be involved in the development of human and institutional capacity, crucial for the rebuilding of the health system in Sierra Leone, with a focus in improving maternal, child and newborn health outcomes both during the Ebola outbreak and in the years to come.

Please Note: Due to the urgency, applications will be reviewed as they are received and suitable candidates contacted on an on-going basis. This position is for (6 to) 12 months. At this time, WP can only accept applications from citizens or permanent residents of North America and Europe due to limitations in the complex evacuation process in case of emergency.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• To support the nurse training office at ODCH, in collaboration with ODCH staff, and provide mentorship to the national nurse trainer and national assistants/mentors
• To set up and support the nurse training office at PCMH, in collaboration with PCMH staff, which includes assisting in the appointment of a national nurse trainer and national assistants/mentors as well as to provide ongoing mentorship
• To ensure that the training environment is adequate and high quality in-service training is provided continuously using officially recognized continuing professional development schemes
• To support ongoing efforts to develop and implement officially recognized continuing professional development schemes, in collaboration with hospital staff and the Ministry of Health and Sanitation
• To maximize the development and capacity building processes through the utilization of the Mentorship Programme and Quality Improvement principles
• To support the Paediatric Nurse training faculty at COMAHS with the roll out of the Paediatric Nurse training course including:
• The development of a competency-based assessment framework for students with theoretical and practical evaluation tools which assess mastery of concepts, skills and attitudes
• Ensuring that theoretical lectures in the classroom are closely linked and aligned with clinical practice in the healthcare facilities and to support the students during their clinical placements
• Facilitating learning in a clinical setting with a specific focus on strengthening learners’ clinical skills, critical thinking ability (including tools for reflective practice and problem solving), ward leadership and management skills using participatory learning processes
• To ensure the safety of self, co-workers, learners, and patients through the application of professional standards and code of ethics and adherence to the national patient and health worker safety guidelines. This may include collaborating with health facilities managers in improving general quality of care, and role modeling how to improve poor practice
• To collaborate with partners such as MOHS, ODCH management, PCMH management, COMAHS, NGOs and professional bodies in Sierra Leone
• To monitor and evaluate all training and mentorship activities, focusing on measurable clinical outcomes and behaviour change amongst nursing staff
• To manage funds secured for nurse/midwifery training activities
• To submit narrative and financial reports to Welbodi Partnership and other partners as required on a quarterly basis
• To undertake any additional duties deemed appropriate to skills, experience and ability

REQUIREMENTS:

Essential:

• A recognized qualification in nursing
• A minimum of three years recent experience in a hospital setting
• An additional qualification or significant experience in either paediatric nursing or adult education/clinical mentorship
• Excellent people skills and the ability to work collaboratively with people from diverse backgrounds
• Ability to self-motivate and work autonomously within the scope of the role
• Excellent computer skills particularly in Microsoft Word, Power Point and Excel
• A good command of the English language (verbal and written) is required
• Flexibility in roles and responsibility is essential

Highly desirable:

• Experience of working and living in a developing country, preferably in West Africa
• Experience in clinical mentorship, quality improvement groups
• Krio or other local language ability

SALARY/BENEFITS: Based on qualifications and experience, to be discussed with shortlisted candidates.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Interested candidates should email a copy of their CV, cover letter, and a list of three relevant references to jobs@welbodipartnership.org as soon as possible. The job title should be included in the subject line. Your cover letter should include: your country of residence and nationality, your date of birth, dates you are able to commence and duration of availability. Only those applicants shortlisted for an interview will be notified.

Equality and Diversity Statement

The Welbodi Partnership confirms its commitment to a comprehensive policy of Equal Opportunities in volunteering and employment in which individuals are selected and treated on the basis of their relevant merits and abilities and are given Equal Opportunities within the organisation. It is the Welbodi Partnership’s policy as an employer to treat all people equally irrespective of race, ethnic origin, nationality, sex, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, creed, disability, age or political belief. Applicants for this position should be aware that if successful, they will be requested to complete a Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check, or equivalent in countries other than the UK. The Welbodi Partnership complies fully with the DBS Code of Practice. The entirety of the Welbodi Equality and Diversity statement is available upon request.