District Program Coordinator (DPC)

RTI International is an independent organization dedicated to conducting innovative, multidisciplinary research that improves the human condition. Please visit our website at www.rti.org/globalhealth for more information on our work in global health.

RTI International is seeking District Program Coordinator (DPC) candidates for the USAID-Health for Life (H4L) Project.  The purpose of the H4L Project is to provide technical assistance and other support services to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to plan, manage, and deliver quality and equitable family planning and maternal, newborn, and child health services.  DPCs will be based with other H4L district-level staff in 14 District/Public Health Offices - 2 in the Western region (Arghakhanchi; Kapilbastu) and 12 in the Mid-West region (Kalikot; Jumla; Jajarkot; Rukum; Rolpa; Pyuthan; Dang; Salyan; Banke; Bardiya; Surket; Dailekh).

Responsibilities:

• Works closely with the District Development Committee (DDC),  District /Public Health Office (D/PHO), Village Development Committee (VDC) and Health Facility Operations and Management Committee (HFOMC) and other stakeholders  in the district to implement H4L’s capacity building and health systems strengthening technical assistance;
• Provides technical assistance to D/PHO  routinely to implement joint district work plan focusing on high-priority VDCs to reduce disparities of access and use of health services;
• Supports systems strengthening of family planning, reproductive, maternal, child, newborn health and nutrition (FP/RH/MNCHN) activities, including recording and reporting, especially in high-priority VDCs;
• Builds the capacity of district and VDC government and other stakeholders in the district regarding health governance and planning and budgeting activities with proper coordination and collaboration;
• Supports H4L implemented assessments and studies;
• Supports D/PHO and Health Facility In-Charge in improving recording, reporting, analysis and use of HMIS, and other relevant data for effective program management;
• Supports the implementation and dissemination of gender equity and social inclusion (GESI) sensitive programs, activities, messages, and materials in the district for H4L supported activities;
• Builds the capacity of  health workers and FCHVs in the district to address missed opportunities during service delivery;
• Provides technical assistance to draft district communications plans following NHEICC guidelines;
• Works closely with H4L senior advisors and specialists, and partners to use technology (mobile- and tablet-based outreach, text messaging, self-generated reminders, etc.) for selected activities in  H4L districts;
• Provides day-to-day supervision of, and works collaboratively with, the district-level H4L Community Health Quality Improvement Officer;
• Prepares periodic District Program Reports and submits to Regional Manager;
• Carries out other activities as assigned by the supervisor;
• Reports to either the Regional Manager based in Nepalgunj or Deputy Chief of Party.

Qualifications and experience:

• Masters Degree in public health, policy, rural/community development or related field and at least 3 years of experience (or a Bachelor’s degree and at least 6 years of experience) in Nepal;
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of community-based programs (experience in health programs, especially those focused on increasing access to and use of health services, promoting evidence-based best practices for improving the quality of health interventions that reduce morbidity and mortality of mothers, infants, and children, preferred);
• Extensive field experience in targeted districts and solid understanding of the realities and complexities of working in hard-to-reach villages with marginalized and disadvantaged groups, and integrating crosscutting GESI strategies;
• Demonstrated success in providing hands-on capacity building and technical assistance to partners and stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with government counterparts, local organizations, and other program and partners;
• Strong oral and written communication skills in Nepali and English;

Candidates from Karnali Zone will be given preference.

To Apply: 

Qualified applicants should submit a resume with contact information to Operations Manager, Health for Life (H4L), P. O. Box: 3172, Lalitpur, Nepal or email:marora@np-h4l.rti.org with ‘District Program Coordinator’’ in the subject line.  Deadline is 30 April 2014; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.