Position Title:Reproductive Health Officer

Reports to: Community Development Manager

Location: Liuwa Plain National Park (LPNP)

Type of contract: Fixed Contract

Position: One

Background

African Parks (AP) is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on responsibility for the long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities. AP manages 23 Protected Areas (PAs) in 13 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Malawi, Mozambique, the Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Rwanda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

The AP vision is to achieve ecological, financial, and socio-political sustainability of PAs for the benefit of people and wildlife. A key determinant of socio-political sustainability is the recognition of local people as rights-holders, and a commitment to enabling their active participation in the management of natural resources. The communities should be involved in strategic issues such as proclamation of the park or changes to its status or boundaries, regulations on use, broader land-use planning, Human and wildlife population growth, resource utilization, customary practices, health-related issues and other material decisions that impact on their livelihoods. Maintaining a healthy and sustainable population is a complex issue in most protected areas, it requires careful consideration of the social, economic, environmental and ethical applications. The role of Reproductive health Officer is essential to all this by ensuring that a healthy human population is steadily monitored. The reproductive health officer will work closely with the Senior Community Extension Officer, Social Safe Guards Officer, Community Extension Officer and the Ministry of Health.

Job Purpose

The Reproductive Health Officer is responsible for offering support to the Community Development Manager in promoting and ensuring that community reproductive health is achieved in LPNP and adjacent areas through development, implementation and monitoring of reproductive health initiatives and activities. The officer shall be responsible for the day-to-day reproductive health communication and interactions between field activities and the office.

Duties and responsibilities:

•  Based health care providers in cross-cutting reproductive health services.
• Collect or estimate basic demographic information of the LPNP population to support the implementation of family planning and other reproductive health activities.
• Coordinate, communicate and collaborate with the local health centres on matters related to reproductive health, and actively participate in health meetings/trainings and workshops providing and raising awareness on    related issues to the community of Liuwa.
• Act as a link between LPNP management and Ministry of Health (MoH) in matters related to health in information dissemination.
• In liaison with the Community Development Manager, build strategic        alliances with other key actors internally and externally to advocate for gender sensitive, gender rights and sexuality issues.
• Assist in administrative functions. This includes but not limited to budget     preparations, report writing, assistance with office operations.
• Support the strong working relationships with traditional authorities, government institutions, relevant NGOs, the Community Resources Board and other Community-Based Organisations (CBOs).
• Assure proper, efficient and transparent use of project funds, timely retirement of funds and well-organized financial management.
• Have responsible use and care of project equipment and assets including       vehicles, office equipment, field equipment, furniture, etc.
• Report any problems, damage or disrepair of Report to the Community Development manager and also work alongside other field officers such as the Liuwa Environmental Education Officer, Community Engagement Officers, Safeguards Officer and the Ministry of Health through the district health office, health centers and community health workers.
• Coordinate and implement school and community-led reproductive health interventions with various stakeholders such as government, traditional leaders, community leaders and parents.
• Support the establishment of peer support groups and mentorship programs in clinics, and creation of safe spaces.
• Implement the best local and international practices of family planning, antenatal & post-natal care services, gender-based violence, and Nutrition, as well as the strengthening of positive gender norms.
• Conduct one-on-one and group counselling sessions, addressing emotional well-being, stigma and challenges related to reproductive health.
• Submit weekly and monthly reports to the Community Development Manager as and when requested.
• In liaison with the Community Development Manager, represent AP in stakeholder engagements concerning reproductive health.
• Train/orient and mentor community APZ project assets including vehicles, office equipment, field equipment, furniture, etc.
• Attend to any further reasonable and lawful request made to him/her by the Community Development Manager or Park Manager.
• Him to participate in the implementation of the programs
• Perform any other duties as directed by the Senior Agriculture Extension Officer.

Behaviour Competencies

• Integrity – Maintain high ethical standards, both personally and professionally; shows integrity, respect and fairness when dealing with the community and fellow employees.
• Teamwork – Co-operates and works well with others in pursuit of team’s goals; shares information; supports others. Contributes effectively towards a collective (organizational) goal or towards solving problems/conflicts even when the topic involved does not directly serve one’s own interests.
• Conflict resolution: Ability to work with conflict and emotionally distressing matters.
• Flexibility – Adaptable; receptive to new ideas; willing and able to adjust to changing demands and circumstances. Willingness to work on week-ends and during holidays if needed.
• Planning and organizing – Setting goals and budgeting in a transparent and effective manner; indicating necessary action, time and resources and monitoring progress.
• Initiative – Recognizing opportunities and acting on them. Pro-active, self-starting rather than passively accepting; actively influencing events.
• Creativity – Conceiving original solutions to job-related problems.

Minimum requirements, capabilities, competencies and experience needed for the job

• Bachelor’s degree/Diploma in Public Health /Nursing with experience in maternal health particularly Family planning/Reproductive health or (Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission) PMTCT programmes or a related field.
• At least three years of demonstrated experience implementing family planning, reproductive health and/or PMTCT programmes at community level.
• Two or more years of experience working in wildlife conservation sector.
• Previous experience with understanding of MOH health care systems and community structures required to implement reproductive health care service.
• Good written and spoken English.
• Fluency in Silozi.
• A valid driving and riding licence is an added advantage.
• Willingness to work long hours in remote areas with minimal supervision and willingness to ride a motorbike.
• Experience working or living in remote areas.
• Experience working with NGOs and donor-funded projects.
• Experience on issues of sustainable conservation and ecotourism development.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation data collection.
• Computer skills: Proficiency in computer applications (Microsoft Office etc).
• Demonstrated discretion and ability to work with sensitive information.
• Knowledge of local and regional development potential and opportunities in Western Province.
• Understanding of relevant local legislation, policies and procedures.
• Ability to develop and analyze community development plans.
• Knowledge of the Wildlife Act and its implications on communities.
• Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with ability to work across cultures and to foster collaboration.

African Parks Zambia is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Applicants for this position must have a clean record and traceable references. Candidates must include a daytime contact number.