Operation Eyesight Universal is an international development organization dedicated to eliminating avoidable blindness. Since our work began in 1963, we have brought sight-saving treatment to more than 35 million people. Today our work is focused on Zambia, Ghana, Kenya and India – places where blindness can be deadly, especially to those who are very young, old or poor.
We work in partnership with medical professionals and community development teams, building essential resources that give all people, including the poorest, access to the help they need. Our focus on high-quality, comprehensive eye care ensures sustainable service for entire communities, with long-lasting results.
In Zambia, we work in close cooperation with the Government, premier eye hospitals and other agencies with particular focus on:
- Elimination of Trachoma through effective implementation of SAFE strategy
- Human resources development in the eye health sector
- Infrastructure development – promote and strengthen secondary and tertiary eye care facilities
- People’s participation in elimination of avoidable blindness.
We are currently looking for a suitable candidate to work closely with the Country Manager and assist him in implementation of eye health projects in Lusaka shanty towns and elsewhere in the country. The position carries a reasonable salary to match with the current market rates. Interested candidates, preferably Zambian nationals, are encouraged to send their detailed curriculum vitaeand a cover letter through email before 6th September 2015 to:
Patson Tembo
Country Manager - Zambia
Operation Eyesight Universal
Job description and person specifications are as follows.
Job description of Project Officer
Job Title:
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Project Officer
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Reports To:
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Country Manager – Zambia
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Location:
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Lusaka
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Purpose:
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To work closely with Country Manager and ensure effective implementation of OE’s interventions in Zambia including Seeing is Believing funded project on ‘Elimination of avoidable blindness in three underserved compounds of Lusaka’.
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Line Manages:
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Documentation In-charge
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Coordinates and oversees:
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The work of Community Health Workers linked to Government Clinics in the selected compounds.
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Key Accountabilities:
- Effective coordination between partner hospitals, clinics in the compound and other concerned agencies
- Formulation and result oriented implementation of action plans at various levels for the approved project.
- Regular reporting of progress made by the project.
Description of Main Responsibilities:
- Work closely with relevant agencies, identify training needs among the existing community health workers and build their capacities to deliver on the objectives of the project. Support Community Health Workers and Documentation In-charge to formulate weekly, monthly and annual action plans.
- Coordinate with the partner hospitals and ensure all referred patients from the compounds are provided with required eye care services.
- Monitor the progress in implementation of the action plans and take corrective measures as and when required.
- Ensure utilization of funds as per approved budget. In case of deviation, work closely with Finance Officer to re-phase the project budget based on actual utilization and get the approval from Country Manager.
- Work closely with relevant agencies and set up departments of Ophthalmology as a part of Government Clinics in the selected compounds.
- Oversee and monitor the functioning of Ophthalmology departments in the clinics and take corrective measures as and when required.
- Network/ coordinate with relevant government and non-government agencies so as to ensure achievement of supporting objectives as specified in the approved project proposal.
- Put in place a progress reporting system in line with donor requirements and guidelines and ensure reporting on the progress of the project on a weekly/ monthly/ quarterly basis to the Country Manager.
- Maintain a cordial relationship with all the key stakeholders including Standard Chartered Bank in Lusaka and Director of the Lusaka Urban District Health Management Board (LUDHMB).
Person specification
The role of the Project Officer requires an experienced, energetic and result orientated individual, with a record of demonstrated experience within the NGO sector.
- Two to five years of experience working preferably in the health sector/ community development sector with main responsibility covering all areas of project management
- Expertise and experience in developing project budgets, budget monitoring and budget re-phasing
- Prior experience in report writing
- Good IT skills including MS Office
- At least undergraduate degree in Public Health or Social Work or any relevant subjects. However, long years of experience of working in health sector and demonstrated expertise in the above may qualify candidates for the position despite of not having the undergraduate degree.
- A strong empathy with the cause of elimination of avoidable blindness.
- Good verbal and written communication skills
- Excellent man-management skills and interpersonal skills
- Self-motivated and a self-starter.
- Willingness to spend substantial time with community based health workers and target communities.
