Provincial Specialist

USAID MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL)

Provincial Specialist

Required Number: 4

Province: Bagmati, Koshi, Gandaki and Sudur Pashchim Provinces

Summary Job Description:

Jhpiego is implementing the MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership (MCGL), a global project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). MCGL distributes life-saving commodities, medicines and vaccines and supports the strengthening of critical health care services for pregnant mothers and children under five, including safe childbirth services and maternal, newborn and child health care services for leading causes of preventable death.

With USAID’s investment, MCGL will continue its support to the Government of Nepal to strengthen life-saving maternal and newborn services, including for small and sick newborns (SSNBs). Key activities will include strengthening providers’ maternal and newborn care skills, including for management of Postpartum hemorrhage, safe cesarean, labor care and comprehensive care of small and sick newborns and strengthening Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) systems to identify and address key contributors to preventable maternal and perinatal deaths.

The Provincial Specialist will be responsible for implementing all activities related to strengthening life-saving maternal care and life-saving newborn care, including care of SSNBs, and for strengthening MPDSR processes in Bagmati, Koshi, Gandaki and Sudur Pashchim provinces. The Provincial Specialist will support the selected facilities in establishing the quantification and determination of the causes and contributors to maternal and perinatal deaths and the identification and implementation of actions to address contributors to prevent future deaths.  The Provincial Specialist will support the project SSNB and Maternal Health/MPDSR Technical Lead in scaling up government-led activities to improve the quality of selected maternal services and SSNB care in selected Level II Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs) in the province and expand MPDSR processes in the province. The Provincial Specialist will coordinate with Provincial Health Directorates, health offices and health facilities to ensure the timely and effective execution of maternal health, MPDSR and SSNB activities as outlined in the workplan, including regular monitoring, data collection, and reporting from MCGL-supported sites.

The Provincial Specialist will work closely with the Family Welfare Division (FWD), Provincial Health Directorate (PHD), Health Offices (HO) in districts, municipalities, and the selected hospitals. The Provincial Specialist will work under the supervision and guidance of the MCGL MH/MPDSR Technical Lead and/or SSNB Technical Lead.

Reports to: SSNB and MH/MPSDR Technical Lead

Timeframe

• 10 months

Responsibilities

Maternal Health and Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) (35%)

• Implement MCGL’s MPDSR activities according to the MPDSR modality endorsed by the National MPDSR Technical Working Group
• Coordinate the organization of in-person/on-site MPDSR capacity building activities for managers and frontline health workers of selected facilities in the province
• Coordinate with medical colleges to introduce MPDSR capacity building activities to resident doctors and nurses/midwives
• Support hospital to implement and follow up on MPDSR response plans while ensuring the utilization and maintenance of MPDSR scorecard by the hospitals, districts and provinces
• Support MH/MPDSR Technical lead to introduce and implement life-saving evidence-based approaches for reducing maternal deaths, including the E-MOTIVE treatment bundle, the national Labour Care Guide, and the Surgical Safety Checklist during cesarean delivery
• Support the technical team and master mentors for on-site mentorship for death reviews, cause assignment, development and implementation of response plan following maternal and perinatal deaths, and follow up on evidence-based practices

Small and Sick New Born (SSNB) (35%)

• Support the SSNB Technical Lead to scale up the government-led activities to improve the quality of SSNB care in selected Level II SNCUs in the province as outlined in the workplan and budget
• Support the SSNB Technical lead to roll out technical orientation to the Special Newborn Care Unit (SNCU) for nurses, doctors and paramedics in each province 
• Coordinate regularly with SNCU nursing in-charges and paediatricians/medical officers in MCGL supported Level II sites in the province to collect SNCU data and case studies, and other relevant information
• Support the technical team in on-site mentorship and monitoring in supported SNCU sites, including data recording, collection and reporting. 
• Work in close coordination with the SSNB Technical Lead for engagement of FWD in implementation planning
• Coordinate and advocate with the Family Welfare Division (FWD) and the Provincial Health Directorate to advance activities to strengthen comprehensive care of Small and Sick Newborns in SNCUs including safe titration of oxygen to prevent Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP).

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) (20%)

• Regularly review MPDSR, MH, SSNB and other MNH-related data from HMIS and use results to guide and strengthen project activities
• Conduct periodic monitoring of MPDSR processes in supported sites, including the status of response plans in supported  hospitals
• Take lead in provincial level program progress documentation, and dissemination of achievements, best practices, and success stories with wider stakeholders 
• Compile data and information on death audits and support the MCGL team in the preparation of the MCGL progress updates/reports
• Produce materials for external and internal audiences on project activities for dissemination and advocacy
• Contribute to writing technical briefs/reports relevant to program
• Present progress, achievements and lessons learned to key stakeholders including the Ministry, FWD, PHD, Health Offices, municipalities, donors and relevant stakeholders

Additional responsibilities (10%)

• Liaise and formulate productive working relationships with counterparts on behalf of MCGL with the FWD, PHD, Health Offices, municipalities, and other implementing partners
• Contribute to annual MCGL work planning process, detailed implementation plan development and development of donor reports
• Support the Technical Leads-MH/MPDSR and SSNB to oversee day-to-day operations and management of activities for each of the project components-ensuring coordination between the stakeholders
• Provide support to MCGL team to accomplish activities as outlined in the workplan and budget
• Ensure MCGL branding guidelines are correctly used by program
• Represent MCGL/Jhpiego at provincial level, as and when required
• Update MCGL, Jhpiego, government counterparts, and related stakeholders about the project progress, challenges, and sustainability approaches of the key achievements
• Perform or assume other MCGL and Jhpiego activities as required and as assigned by the Supervisor to ensure that project goals are achieved.

Deliverables

• Progress reports and end of activities (event reports)

Required Qualifications

• Medical doctor, nurse, or health professional with clinical maternal and/or newborn experience, preferably with an advanced degree in public health 
• Minimum of 3-5 years of progressively relevant experience in implementation of maternal and neonatal health programs in Nepal
• Prior experience supporting maternal, SSNB services and MPDSR processes is an added advantage
• Knowledge of competency-based training, performance and QI approaches
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office package and virtual platforms
• Ability to develop working relationships with counterparts of varying levels of seniority and backgrounds to implement program activities
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English and Nepali
• Willing and able to be based, and travel to project/program areas

Competences:

• Familiarity with the Nepal health system and reporting structure
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with government-level officials to strengthen program implementation
• Demonstrated ability in working and collaborating with a wide range of local and international partner organizations.

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

Please apply at Provincial Specialist in Kathmandu | Careers at Nepal

Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to tough international child safeguarding standards.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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