Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Adviser at Jhpiego - John Hopkins University

Overview

• The Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (RMNCH) Adviser will be responsible for providing technical knowledge and input in strengthening the RMNCH quality service delivery for Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) Quality of Care (QoC) project in Nigeria.
• He/She will provide technical support to the National and State/LGA RMNCAEH+N Quality of Care Technical Working Groups across Nigeria including USG Implementing Partners on quality of care activities and initiatives.
• He/She will focus on the delivering the current MCGL workplan in five States for onsite CEmONC capacity building, Nutrition, Referral and Quality of care services.
• This quality of care RMNCH health project aims to contribute to reductions in maternal and child morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, and to increase the capacity of health systems to sustainably support quality health care services. The project will operate for an approximately one-year period.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical expertise on high impact reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCAEH+N) services that is sound, evidence-based and responsive to the needs of project states and at the National level as identified.
• Provide advice on the integration of these services into established service delivery systems at different levels of care in the State.
• Collaborate with other stakeholders at the National and State level to apply lessons learned, innovations and quality methods to ensure evidence-based practices are translated to improved implementation of quality of care interventions.
• Provide technical expertise to the building of national and local capacity using proven training approaches and quality improvement methodologies.
• Provide trainings (providers and training of trainers) as well as follow-up support and clinical mentoring as necessary for RMNCH.
• Provide technical support to States on basic maternal health (MH) continuum of care (including antenatal through postpartum care, FP integration, birth planning and birth preparedness) for the health facilities State sites.
• Provide technical support to key stakeholders at the national and State level including review of technical documents and provide input to relevant policies and strategies.
• Provide technical support to the FMoH and SWAp team on the implementation of the MAMII initiative and other QoC strategies that reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.
• Supervise other officers as appropriate under the MCGL QoC project.
• Coordinate closely with other development partner programs at the national and state level.
• Contribute to and coordinate with the program’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team on activities to ensure that the program meets set targets in accordance with national and donor standards.
• Represent program at national and state level stakeholder meetings and technical working groups in relation to RMNCAEH+N and related technical areas.

Management

• Contribute to annual work planning, training plans and quarterly reports and other required technical reports.
• Provide technical input and support on the timely, accurate and appropriate reporting of program activities and results.
• Advocate and ensure quality program implementation consistent with FMOH RMNCH and WHO Guidelines and strategic directions, global best practices including advice on relevant latest health developments & publications.
• Support the evaluation of program progress against deliverables on a quarterly basis.
• With the consortium partners, Project lead, SIOs and other program staff, oversee program design, implementation, quality assurance and monitoring of work plan.
• Support with the other members of the technical team and partners to develop and implement feasible national and state-based approaches.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the RMNCH Technical Director and Project lead which contribute to the achievement of program goals.

Required Qualifications

The RMNCH Advisor must be a proven expert in the field of international RMNCH with some management experience in public health programs.  S/he must be familiar with the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) community in Nigeria. The RMNCH Technical Advisor must be intimately familiar with the context in Nigeria and have in-country experience with donor programs. Additional qualifications include:

• A Medical doctor or Experienced Nurse or Midwife or any other closely related health care professional; specialization in obstetrics and gynecology or Public Health and other health related courses (e.g. PhD, MPH, and MSc in international health, Social sciences or other relevant degree) will be an advantage.
• Minimum of 4 years working experience in the areas of RMNCH, Nutrition, and family planning and 8 years cummulatively.
• Previous experience working on an international donor funded project will be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with the FMOH, SMOH structures and functions especially as it relates to MNCH is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in working directly with host-country government officials and policy makers in maternal health.
• Experience working with host-country partners, organizations, and institutions.
• Strong skills in technical issues, design, implementation and monitoring of program components; e.g. services, training, quality improvement, advocacy and coordination.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with partners in developing technical materials and providing training to improve service delivery, advocacy and resource mobilization for expanding RMNCH.
• Strong verbal, listening, writing, and intrapersonal skills essential for effective coordination among several institutions and staff involved in a broad range of activities
• Strong ability to multi-task will be highly desirable.
• Fluent in English, (written and oral communication) and any local language.
• Willingness to travel throughout Nigeria as necessary.