Consultant-Maternal and Newborn Health Services

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USAID-Health for Life Project is seeking a “Consultant-Maternal and Newborn Health Services” to support D(P)HOs and health facilities in Health for Life working areas to strengthen the Health Facility (HF) Quality Improvement (QI) system through implementation of external assessments (including coaching) for family planning, safe motherhood and child health services in priority municipalities for USAID’s Health for Life (H4L) Project working in coordination with the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health (MoH). As a result, the Health for Life Project has a significant national presence to support the testing and roll-out of national-level policies, guidelines and programs. In addition to the national focus, the Project covers 12 districts in the Mid-Western Development Region; 3 in the Western; one each in the Eastern, Central and Far-Western Regions; and in 10 (Dolakha, Dhading, Gorkha, Kavre, Makwanpur, Nuwakot, Ramechhap, Rasuwa, Sindhuli and Sindhupalchowk) most earthquake affected districts to strengthen district and village health systems and help identify and implement best practices. H4L collaborates with a wide range of stakeholders, including academic and research institutions, training centers, media partners and civil society.

The primary goal of Health for Life (H4L) is to strengthen the Government of Nepal’s capacity to plan, manage and deliver high-quality and equitable family planning, maternal, newborn, and child health services.  H4L activities directly address key health system constraints in the following areas: local health systems governance, data for decision making and evidence-based policy development, human resources management, quality improvement systems, and knowledge and behavior change. 

This Consultant position will be based in Kathmandu, Nepal.  

Responsibilities:

• Agrees to the itinerary for field travel and ensures that they have the QI guidelines and modules prior to departure
• Coordinates with the D(P)HOs, HFs, MNH partners and H4L
• Assesses the functioning of the HF QI system based on whether the following criteria were met: 

1. QIT meeting conducted 
2. Self-assessment conducted
3. Action plan developed based on gaps identified in self-assessment
4. Action plan was implemented
5. Local resources were used to address gaps (immediate or incorporated into the annual health plan, budget allocation and expenditure)
6. Recording and reporting conducted

• Assesses clinical skills of MNH service providers using QI modules on Child Health 
• Coaches MNH service providers on fulfilling identified gaps in clinical skills
• Supports the HFs in monitoring quality of MNH services and reporting via the quality improvement management information system (QIMIS)
• Monitors improvements in clinical competency by service providers using MNH QI modules

Qualifications and experience:

• BN/SN with at least 3  years’ experience providing maternal and newborn health services 
• Trained as SBA 
• Training in Clinical Skill Training (CTS) will be an asset 
• Previous experience mentoring/coaching is highly preferred
• Good communication and facilitation skills 
• Good technical understanding of MNH services being provided at HF and hospital level
• Good understanding and experience using the QI modules 
• Good written skills in Nepali and English.

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@rti.org with “Consultant-Maternal and Newborn Health Services” in the subject line.  Deadline is 10 October 2017; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.