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. Health for Life (H4L) is an $18.2 million, five-year project 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, it works with other implementing partners in 14 districts in the more disadvantaged Mid-Western and Western regions 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. The Project currently covers 12 districts in the Mid-Western Development Region, 3 in the Western, and one each in the Eastern, Central and Far-Western Regions. This position is based in Sub Regional Office, Surkhet.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Assist Regional Manager and Team Leader- Health Services in providing guidance and technical assistance to D(P)HO and health facilities, to identify QI issues, address gaps, mobilize resources and better serve communities with quality FP/MNCH services
• Coordinates with D(P)HO,  health facilities, district clinics/hospitals, HFOMCs and other key stakeholders for implementation of QI activities 
• Provides technical assistance to D(P)HO in planning, implementing, monitoring and budgeting of QI activities
• Supports D(P)HO in establishing functionalization of district QAWC (Quality Assurance Working Committees)  
• Supports D(P)HO and health facilities establishing health facility quality improvement teams, assists improving quality of services using QI tools and monitoring implementation of action(s), including activities related to infection prevention and health care waste management, and monitoring of these activities
• Visit health facilities to identify issues and gaps, and plan activities under the work-plan to address the gaps in Quality Improvement and serve the communities.
• Supports D(P)HO and HF staff in transferring skills (coaching) to HF staff by implementing self-assessment approaches to improve quality of services
• Strengthens the use of data at the district and VDC levels for decision-making, and for improving quality and access including MDAG population
• Prepares H4L district-based reports and briefs as required; documents case studies, lessons learned and challenges at the district and sub-district levels 
• Works with specialists and advisors on specific technical issues to provide support to D(P)HO and to other district and sub-district structures
• Carries out activities as assigned by QI Specialist and Regional Manager

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in public health or other related areas and at least 1 year of experience or a Bachelor’s degree and at least 3 years of experience. 
• Health Assistant or Staff Nurse preferred
• Experience in Quality Improvement  and clinical aspect of FP/MNCH services 
• Knowledge of USAID rules and regulations and experience working for USAID-funded projects preferred
• 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. 
• Demonstrated ability to develop effective working relationships with USAID, government counterparts at all levels, local organizations, and other program and partners. 
• 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 “Program Officer: Quality Improvement” in the subject line.  Deadline is 31 October 2015; however, applicants are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Only short listed applicants will be contacted. Telephone inquiry will not be entertained.