Pamela K. Bernard-Sawyer
Paynesville,Montserrado
Summary
Committed to the principles of impartiality, neutrality, and medical ethics, I seek a position in which I can leverage my management expertise and extensive program development experience to strengthen health systems and improve the well-being of vulnerable populations. I aim to contribute to an organization's mission through innovative, evidence-based approaches, continuous learning, and a commitment to humanitarian principles. Public Health Specialist with over 20 years of experience in global health, reproductive health, maternal, newborn, and child health, and international development. Holds a Master's degree in Public Health, and a proven track record of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams in multicultural and challenging environments. Brings extensive field experience with international NGOs, donor agencies, and multilateral health partners, including twelve years with USAID, and nine years with Médecins Sans Frontières. Recognized for strategic leadership, technical expertise, and the ability to represent organizations with professionalism, diplomacy, and cultural sensitivity, while driving impactful change.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Social Behavior Change (SBC) Advisor
USAID
01.2020 - 01.2025
- Serve as the program manager for the USAID Mission's flagship SBC Project Breakthrough Action.
- Provided strategic direction and technical management for the planning and implementation of cross-cutting SBC strategies and interventions in the Mission.
- Participated in the design the overall Mission SBC strategy.
- Ensure that all SBC activities supported the achievement of USAID health program targets and take a technical leadership role in coordination with all health mechanisms and implementing partners in adhering to the National SBC strategy and approach.
- Work closely with Mission Health technical leads to generate stakeholder inputs, develop implementation plans and suitable knowledge management and measurement.
Project Management Specialist
USAID Liberia
01.2013 - 01.2025
- Managed the full spectrum of USAID Liberia's Reproductive Maternal and Child Health Portfolio, serving as the lead technical expert in maternal, newborn, and child for Liberia's Health Office.
- Successfully managed several key health programs in the Health Office valued at approximately $65 million per year.
- Contributed to ensuring lifesaving health interventions are provided to vulnerable Liberians.
- Provided critical technical assistance to the Ministry of Health, UN agencies, and other partners to strengthen policies and activities to increase access to and improve quality of health services.
- Represented USAID during interaction with health professionals, donors and high-level GOL officials in developing and evaluating reproductive health programs in Liberia.
- Served as the country Maternal and Child Health Lead on ending preventable child and maternal death (EPCMD).
- Provided technical assistance in the quantification and forecasting of contraceptive products as well as manage the contraceptive commodity procurement fund, amounting to 1.3 million annually.
USAID Foreign Service National (FSN) Fellowship Work rotation
USAID
Washington DC
02.2020 - 04.2020
- Worked with the Global Health Bureau Office of Population and Reproductive Health (PRH) in the Commodity Security and Logistics division.
- Consulted with high levels senior managers and offices at Global Health Bureau.
- Enhanced leadership and strategic coordination capabilities, particularly in engaging host government and donor partners.
- Developed skills in public health diplomacy and acquired a broad understanding of global health programs.
Activity Manager, HIV/AIDS/PEPFAR Portfolio
USAID Liberia
12.2018 - 01.2020
- Led the design and award of the Mission's 2.8 million HIV/AIDS project.
- Provided programmatic and technical expertise for Key Populations HIV prevention and treatment components.
- Represented the Mission at relevant coordination meetings.
- Provided reports on KP HIV activities in quarterly data calls and annual reports.
Alternate Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR), Government-to-Government (G2G) FARA Mechanism
USAID Liberia
09.2015 - 12.2018
- Provided technical and administrative oversight of the Mission's 110 million government to government (G2G) Fixed Amount Reimbursement Agreement (FARA) Implementation.
- Reviewed and approved project workplan as well as capacity building plans.
- Ensured that the project risk mitigation plan was adopted by the host government.
Alternate Contracting Officer Representative (A/COR) USAID Health Systems Strengthening Project
USAID Liberia
10.2015 - 08.2018
- Involved in the day to day management of the project and its relevant technical areas.
- Contributed to the successful establishment of the Quality Management Unit (QMU) at the Ministry of Health.
- Improved MOH and County Health Team management capacity.
Maternal and Child Health Consultant
UNICEF Liberia
04.2013 - 06.2013
- Represented UNICEF at key stakeholder meetings.
- Provided technical and operational support to the government and non-government partners while scaling up health interventions.
Medical Team Leader (MTL), Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Somali region
03.2012 - 09.2012
- Supervised and monitored the overall activity of MSF's 2.8 million euros project.
- Managed a workforce of a hundred and sixty three health workers.
- Prepared project proposals and reported on medical activities.
Program Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
07.2011 - 12.2011
- Provided operational leadership and strategic planning for the School of Nursing.
- Managed and supervised a faculty of eight full time instructors and 5 part time instructors.
Expatriate Outreach Nurse Supervisor, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Lagos
12.2010 - 06.2011
- Successfully established service delivery point in three sites.
- Supervised the provision of quality health services to vulnerable and marginalized populations.
Expatriate Nurse Supervisor, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Ethiopia
09.2010 - 12.2010
- Supervised the provision of nursing care and services.
- Developed nursing protocols and enforced in-service and universal hygiene and standard precautions.
Director of Nursing Services, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
Montserrado County
07.2004 - 04.2009
- Developed, maintained, and enforced nursing policies and procedures.
- Participated in daily or weekly management team meetings to discuss patient status.
Education
Doctor of Public Health - Studying (distance and blended learning)
Texila American University
George Town, Guyana08.2025
Master of Public Health - with Honors
Cuttington University
Liberia01.2009
Bachelor of Arts - Nursing
Stella Maris Polytechnic, Mother Patern College of Health Sciences
Liberia01.2005
Skills
- Project management
- Monitoring and supervision
- Health systems strengthening
- Capacity building
- Social behavior change communication
- Advocacy
- Programmatic oversight
- Reproductive health
- Maternal and child health
- HIV/AIDS
- Nutrition
- Negotiation
- Mediation
- Problem solving
- Public speaking
- Presentation
- Writing
- Training design
- Training delivery
- Interpersonal skills
- Leadership
- Collaboration
- Cultural sensitivity
- Humanitarian landscapes
- Development assistance mechanisms
Certification
- FAC-COR Level I Certification, USAID, 2015
- FAC-COR Level II Certification, USAID, 2015
Timeline
USAID Foreign Service National (FSN) Fellowship Work rotation
USAID
02.2020 - 04.2020
Social Behavior Change (SBC) Advisor
USAID
01.2020 - 01.2025
Activity Manager, HIV/AIDS/PEPFAR Portfolio
USAID Liberia
12.2018 - 01.2020
Alternate Contracting Officer Representative (A/COR) USAID Health Systems Strengthening Project
USAID Liberia
10.2015 - 08.2018
Alternate Government Agreement Technical Representative (GATR), Government-to-Government (G2G) FARA Mechanism
USAID Liberia
09.2015 - 12.2018
Maternal and Child Health Consultant
UNICEF Liberia
04.2013 - 06.2013
Project Management Specialist
USAID Liberia
01.2013 - 01.2025
Medical Team Leader (MTL), Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
03.2012 - 09.2012
Program Coordinator
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
07.2011 - 12.2011
Expatriate Outreach Nurse Supervisor, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
12.2010 - 06.2011
Expatriate Nurse Supervisor, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
09.2010 - 12.2010
Director of Nursing Services, Humanitarian Aid Project
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF)
07.2004 - 04.2009
Doctor of Public Health - Studying (distance and blended learning)
Texila American University
Master of Public Health - with Honors
Cuttington University
Bachelor of Arts - Nursing
Stella Maris Polytechnic, Mother Patern College of Health Sciences
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