U.S. PEACE CORPS RWANDA
STATEMENT OF WORK:
Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Program & Training Specialist (PTS)/Health
Background
Summary
The MNCH PTS/HE actively contributes to the overall direction and achievement of the Peace Corps program in country. Specifically, the MNCH PTS/HE works with the PM/HE to ensure that the MNCH and Community Development program goals and objectives are achieved, meeting the expectations of the Rwanda Ministry of Health and the needs of the communities served. In collaboration with the PM/HE and Training Manager (TM), the MNCH PTS/HE plans, prepares, and implements timely support for, and training of, Health and Community Development Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs). MNCH PTS/HE assistance to the PM/HE and TM includes monitoring and evaluating results of PCV site level interventions and making recommendations and implementing sound and appropriate strategies to strengthen programmatic and/or training efforts as necessary.
Country Program Information
As of Date, Peace Corps/Rwanda has approximately 50 Volunteers operating within two sectors namely Health and TEFL Education. The number of Volunteers and sectors are both subject to change over time. Peace Corps originally opened its program in Rwanda in 1974, working for 20 years before closing its offices in 1994. It reopened its doors in 2008.
Reference Materials
US Government-wide and Peace Corps-specific laws, regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and guidance. This includes the Peace Corps Manual and associated referenced documents and other guidance published on the Peace Corps Intranet, as well as the Peace Corps/Country Staff Handbook.
The Integrated Planning and Budget System (IPBS), Project Status Reports (PSRs), Training Status Reports (TSRs), Volunteer Assignment Descriptions (VADs), Job Specific Requests (JSRs), Initiative Reports (IRs), Quarterly Trainee Requests Submissions (QTRSs), Monitoring and Evaluation Plans (M&E Plans), the specific development and operational plans of the Host Country Government, and project plans for Peace Corps project, and the Peace Corps/Country Volunteer Guide to Policies and Procedures.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Program Support
- Assist in developing, supporting, and monitoring the MNCH program, which reflects and serves the needs of the host country, in cooperation with appropriate local officials and citizens, Peace Corps staff members, PCVs, and other project stakeholders.
- Stay up to date on research, trends, and best practices on issues related to MNCH at the national, local, and home level.
- Utilize up to date research, trends, and best practices, to assess the MNCH component of the Health project and advise the PM/HE on how to continually improve the project.
- Collaborate with PC sector specialists and Communities of Practice to ensure project continues to be informed by PC initiatives, taking into consideration local context.
- Assist in developing potential assignments for PCVs through meetings with interested parties, site visits, and other relevant activities, and initiate and maintain contact with potential community partners and sponsoring agencies. Explain Peace Corps’ development goals, philosophy, and approach, including the role of Volunteers, to local sponsoring organizations, supervisors, co-workers and relevant community members in order to set realistic expectations.
- Identify and prepare PCV sites according to the Site Identification and Site Monitoring Standards to ensure quality placement and meaningful work, conduct programmatic sites visits to provide Volunteer support,
- Assist in improving PCV reporting systems, review and providing feedback on Volunteer Report Forms and grants and writing annual reports. Review, monitor, and evaluate Volunteer progress using VRG and other standard M&E tools and systems.
- Organize meetings with host country supervisors and counterparts to discuss PCV performance, maintain all PCVs related data and PCV site records in electronic and hard copy as appropriate.
- Assist in initiating and maintaining appropriate contacts within the Rwanda Ministry of Health, locally engaged health facilities, local governments, and other current and potential partner or sponsor organizations utilizing or likely to utilize PCVs.
- Assist in representing Peace Corps in negotiations with national and local agencies, public and private, on the qualifications, numbers, and placement of PCVs. Help use the negotiations to form the basis for formal organizational agreements.
- Respond to Volunteer requests for assistance or materials in a timely and responsive manner and provide information/suggestions which are both helpful and realistic. Takes primary responsibility to see that Volunteer files are maintained, and that information is complete.
- Coordinate with other PC/Rwanda units in general, and with other project sectors to ensure consistency in program and training processes and practices and coordinate.
- Under the direction of the DPT and PM, support the Project Advisory Committee (PAC) meetings and annual work plan.
- In coordination with PC staff units, support Volunteer committees’ activities as needed and requested by PM or DPT. May serve as staff liaison for certain Volunteer groups as assigned.
Training
- Assist in formulating a comprehensive training agenda for each new group of PCVs over the course of their service, in coordination with the PM/Health, TM, and other appropriate staff members.
- Assist the PM/Health, Training Unit led by the TM, administrative staff members, and other staff members as appropriate in the design, implementation and evaluation of Pre-service Training (PST) and In-service (IST) Training programs for PCVs, national and regional workshops of PCVs and their counterparts. This includes the preparation of a comprehensive technical training program; the development of related training materials; coordination of the logistical needs of the technical training (e.g., site visits, hands-on activities); identification and engagement of relevant guest presenters; the facilitation of specific training sessions, and monitoring progress during training whilst giving timely and appropriate feedback to the relevant training staff, the PM, the TM and the Trainees/Volunteers
- Facilitates technical training related to project framework, practical and classroom instruction, and field activities for PCVs and counterparts.
- In conjunction with the PM/Health and TM, to fully capitalize on local resources, including human, to deliver appropriate, quality technical training.
- Assist with the development, conduct, and evaluation of all other IST events in coordination with the PM/Health and TM, including regional meetings with PCVs and the mid-service as well as close of service conferences. This includes performing needs assessments; designing and implementing training activities; assisting the TM with on-site management of training events; conducting necessary follow-up activities; and evaluating effectiveness.
- Works with Programming and Training unit to prepare and monitor annual budget marks for training events.
Volunteer Support, Safety & security
Addresses safety and security proactively by ensuring appropriate assignments for Volunteers and adhering to Peace Corps site development policies and procedures. Identifies and immediately communicates Volunteer safety and security concerns or issues to the Safety and Security Manager (SSM) and the CD. Ensures prospective sites meet established programmatic and safety/security criteria (e.g., safe housing, a clearly defined assignment with an organization that shows real interest in working with a Volunteer, etc.). Reviews and references site history files when evaluating potential sites. Incorporates appropriate site-specific safety and security related information into site history files. Ensures designated host country counterparts participate in counterpart orientation/training and are prepared to work with and support Volunteers, including their role in Volunteer safety and security. Maintains communication with each Volunteer and solicits periodic feedback, including information about Volunteer safety and security. Maintains a calendar of Volunteer site visits, and completes appropriate number of site visits to assess Volunteer progress, safety and security, and to provide technical guidance and moral support. Monitors Volunteer compliance with Peace Corps policies, especially related to safety and security, and initiates corrective action as necessary. Participates in the design and implementation of the Emergency Action Plan (EAP). Acts as duty officer, as needed. Knowledgeable and supportive of Peace Corps safety and security policies and procedures, including the timely reporting of suspicious incidents, persons or articles.
Other
- Coordinate with Social Media Coordinator to develop public relation activities in order to enhance Peace Corps visibility.
- Act as an Occasional Money Handler, as assigned, to perform work within the scope of duties. The PSC may be required to courier cash and/or purchase orders to various vendors who furnish supplies and/or services to PST/IST training sites, or other locations as directed by the Contracting Officer. The PSC may also be required to courier cash to PC trainees or volunteers. The PSC will not be functioning as a procurement or disbursing official but will only be acting as an intermediary between the Contracting or Disbursing Officer and the recipient. In the case of dealing with vendors, the PSC will not exercise any procurement discretion concerning the supplies or services to be purchased or the cost limits of these purchases; these will be determined by the Contracting Officer;
- The Contractor is subject to worldwide availability and may be requested by the Peace Corps to be reassigned or transferred permanently to another Peace Corps Post/Headquarters or perform temporary duties (TDY) as required and to travel to other assignments within Peace Corps’ as assigned. Any such reassignment or transfer shall be subject to agreement of the Contractor. The Statement of Work as defined will remain the same; however the duties may be subject to change as determined by the Contracting Officer
- COVID-19 and Other Flexibilities: If there is a time at post, due to the COVID-19 pandemic or for any other reason, when there are limited or no Peace Corps Trainees and/or Volunteers (jointly referred to as “Volunteers”) at Peace Corps/[Country], the PSC may be temporarily assigned during that period, as determined by the Peace Corps Country Director, to carry out additional duties and responsibilities in furtherance of the goals of the Peace Corps in order to enhance the ability of Peace Corps Volunteers to perform functions under the Peace Corps Act, including facilitating a safe environment in order for the successful return or increase of Volunteers.
This temporary assignment may require the PSC to provide services and/or support beyond what is listed in their current Statement of Work (SOW). The services and/or support may take many forms, examples of which may include but are not limited to, training, providing administrative, technical, medical, and/or operational assistance, building on host country programs, etc. This temporary assignment also may require the PSC to provide these services and/or support to individuals/organizations other than those listed in their current SOW such as host country government, partner organization(s), community member(s), staff, and/or contractors
- Serves as back-up support for and/or carries out the duties and responsibilities of the PM/HE when deemed necessary by the Country Director and/or Supervisor for the successful management of Peace Corps operations in Rwanda. For example, this could be during periods when those individuals are on leave and/or during lapses of staffing or periods of staffing shortages.
- Performs other duties or assignments, when deemed necessary by the Country Director and/or Supervisor, for the successful implementation of Peace Corps program(s) and/or operations in Rwanda
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience as a licensed registered nurse (current or former) AND also holds a master’s degree in nursing, public health, or a related field.
- Level IV (fluent) in reading, writing, and speaking in English and Kinyarwanda. The ability to communicate effectively in both written and spoken professional English and Kinyarwanda is essential and required.
- Demonstrated experience in the design, management, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting (MER) of sector specific projects (MNCH related field).
- At least three years of practical experience in the field of public health, nursing, community development or a related field in Rwanda.
- At least two years’ experience designing and facilitating training utilizing participatory and non-formal adult education techniques.
- Experience working in cross-cultural environments.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including writing skills.
- Ability to effectively manage multiple tasks under challenging conditions.
- Ability to work with minimal supervision and in a fast-paced and high-stress work environment.
- Computer skills in the full MS Office Suite.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As a member of the Programming and Training unit, reports to the Program Manager- Health (PM/HE). The MNCH PTS/HE serves as the key MNCH resource for Volunteers and their Rwandan partners who are engaged in MNCH initiatives and/or trainings in their communities, serving in a combination of program support, volunteer support and training support functions.
How to Apply
All interested and qualified candidates can send their application (motivation letter, updated CV, certificates, and 3 references) through Job in Rwanda by “ filling out the application form carefully“ no later than July 17th, 2023.
LOGISTICS AND WORK GUIDELINES
Principal duty station is in Kigali, Rwanda, with travel away from the office expected.
Contractor is expected to travel away from the Peace Corps office (mostly within Rwanda) up to 50% of the time. Travel will often require working into the evening or weekend hours and/or overnight stays. Travel locations are often reached via driving on roads in ill repair. Volunteer sites may require Contractor to carry supplies/equipment up and/or down steep terrain. Visiting volunteer sites may increase an individual’s exposure to mosquito-borne illnesses.
Contractor may only use Peace Corps equipment and systems in accordance with the Peace Corps Country Policy on Peace Corps equipment and computer systems.
LEVEL OF EFFORT AND SCHEDULE
This is a contract for full-time work of 40 hours per week, with periods of increased work expected during PSTs, ISTs, and while away from the office on travel. Contractor will adhere to the standard office schedule specified in the Peace Corps Country Staff Handbook unless otherwise on approved leave or working an approved alternative schedule. Contractor is expected to report for work on time and to work diligently on assigned Peace Corps duties and responsibilities during work hours. Contractor must not report for work while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
