Job Description

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Position: Project Officer

Duration: One Year

Location: Lilongwe

Background

Fount for Nations is a registered local non-profit, non-governmental organization in Malawi. The organization was founded in 2015 with a mission of complimenting the efforts of the government of Malawi in building equal learning opportunities for Malawi’s differently-abled children to ensure no child is left behind. Since its inception FFN has partnered with teachers, parents and caregivers, health workers and entire communities to provide a holistic learning experience for differently-abled children which gives an inclusive, relevant and practical foundation to their education.

Fount for Nations in partnership with the Ministry of Health through the Department of Rehabilitation Services and its stakeholders are working on developing a national developmental and disability screening tool that can be used within the health, education and community systems. In addition to the tool, there is need to build the capacity of community healthcare workers and parents/caregivers not only in using the tool but to also respond early and effectively to the needs of the children as they identify them. Based on our years of experience in creating thriving ecosystems of support for children who are differently-abled including in early years, we are uniquely positioned to begin working on a resource guide specifically for community healthcare workers and parents/caregivers. In line with this background, Fount for Nations is looking for an individual to fill the position of Project Officer.

Overview

The Project Officer will provide project implementation support and coordination to the early interventions at facility, and community levels in the project supported districts. The role will coordinate activities related to early identification and linkage to services of children 0-15 years with disabilities, capacity building of healthcare workers in the health centers and also focus on improving livelihoods of identified households of children with disabilities by engaging with caregivers.

Main Roles and Responsibilities

Project Coordination, Monitoring and Activity Implementation

• Participate in disability assessments for early identification and referral of children with disability for care and support services.
• Coordinate in the development of early identification tool with different stakeholders.
• Work with community champions/leaders to ensure that children with disabilities are well mapped and have access to information
• Ensure that identified children with disabilities and their parents’/care givers are well prepared for referral to treatment centres.
• Work closely with and prepare parents, caregivers and household members of children with disabilities to ensure children with disabilities reach referral centers.
• Coordinate with identified referral hospitals/clinics to ensure children with disabilities referred receive services they need.
• Work closely with therapists to ensure children are served and care givers are given guidance on best care for children with disabilities at home,
• Follow-up children referred to ensure they receive services, are adhering to therapy as instructed and follow up clinic appointments
• Participate in weekly community/ facility meetings to promote sharing of best practices and better planning for effective disability services delivery
• Support formation of community support groups for parents and or caregivers of children with disabilities,
• Keep an up-to-date story bank of children with disabilities and their consenting caregivers.

Representation, Collaboration and Advocacy

• Work with community level structures to raise awareness on the needs of children with disabilities.
• Build and maintain relationships with local government staff at facility, health facility management and community levels to enhance project ownership.
• Liaise with stakeholders and other partners and represent FFN at different events at district, and community levels.
• Coordinate joint monitoring visits
• Establish /strengthen functional partnerships with district and facility health teams, local communities and partner organizations

Capacity Building

•       Spear head training of parents and or caregivers and health care workers in disability identification and care.
•       Mentor and support social workers as they carry out their roles and responsibilities

Information Monitoring, Documentation and Reporting

• Support documentation of early intervention best practices, success stories and lessons learned.
• Work closely with M&E team in routine collection, reporting and analysis of intervention data.
• Develop /provide relevant project information, data and reports to the Monitoring and evaluation team.
• Share performance feedback with district leadership, implementing sites and communities and ensure data utilization to promote program quality at all levels.