Program Officer-Quality Improvement

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RTI International is seeking “Program Officer-Quality Improvement” candidates for the USAID-Health for Life (H4L) Project.  Health for Life (H4L) is a five-year (2012-2017) project financed by USAID and working primarily in coordination with the Government of Nepal’s Ministry of Health and Population (MOHP). As a result, H4L 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 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. These positions will be based in EQ Regional Office in Dhading, Dolakha and Kavre. 

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide guidance and technical assistance to H4L district teams, District Quality Assurance Working Committees, health facilities, HFOMCs, HF-QI teams and other district- and VDC-level committees or groups to identify QI issues, address gaps, mobilize resources and better serve communities with quality FP/MNCH-N services
• Coordinate with D(P)HO, DDC, health facilities and other key stakeholders for smooth operation of H4L Quality Improvement activities
• Provide technical assistance to D(P)HO in planning, implementing, monitoring and budgeting of Quality Improvement activities related to H4L objectives
• Support establishing/functionalization of district QAWC and health facility quality improvement teams, and monitor implementation of action(s), including activities related to infection prevention, health care waste management, and monitoring of these activities. 
• Support D(P)HO and HF staff in transferring skills (coaching) to HF staff by implementing self-assessments to improve quality of services
• Strengthen the use of data at the district and VDC levels for decision-making and for improving the quality, access to and utilization of services to M/DAG
• Support different assessments and studies
• Support the implementation and dissemination of H4L gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) sensitive approaches, programs, messages, and materials at the district and VDC levels.
• Facilitate in enhancing the counseling skills of health workers/volunteers at district and below to address missed opportunities during service delivery period
• Prepare H4L reports and briefs as required; documents case studies, lessons learned and challenges at the district and sub-district levels 
• Carry out other activities as assigned by supervisor.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s Degree in public health or related field and at least 1 year of experience or a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience
• PCL Nursing/ HA background preferred. 
• Demonstrated experience in the implementation of community based health programs. 
• Extensive field experience working with rural and remote communities. 
• Demonstrated success in providing hands-on capacity building and technical assistance to health care providers and other stakeholders. 
• Experience integrating cross-cutting issues such as gender equity and social inclusion. 
• Good oral and written communication skills and fluency in 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 ‘‘Community Health Quality Improvement (CHQI) Officer” in the subject line.  Deadline is 8 June 2016; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.