Improvement Officer for Newborn Health

About University Reasearch Co.,LLC Health Care Improvement HCI

Job Summary

The Health Care Improvement Project (HCI) is a global health care improvement project funded by USAID and implemented by University Research Co., LLC, dedicated to improving quality of health care through adaptation of modern Quality Improvement (QI) methods in USAID-assisted countries. The Afghanistan HCI project, launched in January 2009, is working closely with the Afghanistan MOPH, implementing NGO’s and partners to build national and regional capacity in use of modern (QI) methods to achieve sustainable improved health care services for leading causes of mortality and morbidity.

In year one, the HCI Afghanistan project has launched an improvement initiative in three demonstration provinces to improve quality of maternal newborn services at community (health post) and facility levels (BHC, CHC, DH, RH, NH) in the Kabul, Kundoz, Balkh, Bamyan, Parwan and Hirat provinces. The initiative works through Provincial QI and site-level QI teams to achieve a common set of high-impact maternal newborn objectives within a shared-learning QI model called an “Improvement Collaborative.”
As part of HCI’s activities in 5 provincial/regional and 7 national hospitals is to tackle Birth Asphyxia and reduce Birth Asphyxia cause specific mortality and morbidity through introducing HBB new global initiative, having specific objectives as follow:
• To train the service providers (doctors and midwifes) of selected EPHS and BPHS health facilities on essential newborn care and newborn resuscitation
• To increase the capacity of skilled birth attendants (SBA) for identification of new-born having birth asphyxia
• To increase the capacity for bag and mask and mouth to mouth resuscitation measures for the SBA involved in neonatal care
• To improve post-resuscitation referral and care.

Duties & Responsibilities

Job Description:
The Afghanistan HCI project seeks an Improvement Officer for Newborn Health to support HBB activities in 7 national hospitals namely Malalai, Rabia Balkhi, Khair Khana, Estiqlal, Afghan, Mehdi and Shinozada; and 5 provincial/regional hospitals of Balkh, Hirat, Bamyan, Parwan and Kunduz provinces in the first year and then to other BPHS facilities in these provinces. The Improvement Officer for Newborn Health reports to the National Improvement Coordination, and works closely with the Afghanistan HCI technical team (Kabul and provinces).

Specific duties will include:

• Support HCI National Improvement Coordinator and technical team in adaptation, test and introduction of standard HBB curriculum on Essential newborn care and neonatal resuscitation
• Support National Improvement Coordinator in setting up of a system of training , supervision, monitoring and referral for different level health system
• The incumbent will act as a co facilitator in training service providers on essential new-born care (ENC) and newborn resuscitation in target areas
• Support Provincial QI teams, HCI Provincial Improvement Coordinators and site QI teams (as necessary) to ensure availability of necessary resuscitation data, through simple adaptation of established medical records.
• Work closely with provincial QI teams to support documentation of site level HBB activities, using a standard documentation tool.
• Assist in preparation of internal and external reporting and communication materials, including summary results tables, data run charts (synthesizing data at sub-provincial, provincial, and national levels).
• Make inventory of HBB kits and training materials and manage supply of equipments to provinces.
• Maintain regular contacts with Reproductive Health Department and participate in MNCH task forces, as required.
• Prepare training plans and budgets; and act as an interpreter with expatriate when necessary.
• Any other duty assigned by the supervisor or Chief of Party.

Job Requirements

• Candidates should bring a minimum of three years’ experience in a health related field, including experience in Obs/Gyne/Newborn care.
• A graduate degree in medicine/public health.
• At least one year experience with training and supervision.
• Strong data collection and management skills are essential, including mastery of Excel.

Other desirable qualifications:

• Experience supporting USAID-funded programs strongly preferred
• Preference for candidates with a background in maternal, newborn and child health.
• Knowledge of quality improvement and management techniques and tools desirable.
• Strong writing skills and proven skills in documenting work and efficient, prompt preparation of required written materials.
• Excellent organization skills, ability to work independently, team player, flexible to adapt to changing working conditions required
• Candidates must be willing and able to travel 50% time to field sites in provinces where URC works

Submission Guideline

Please email cover letter and resume to hrahimi@urc-chs.com

Selection will be made in compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity Regulations. People of Color, Women, People with Disabilities, and Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Functional Area

Health/Medical

Countries

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