Primary Health Care Specialist – Werabe, JSI Vacancy Announcement

Organization Background

JSI is a US-based public health nonprofit organization dedicated to providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance programs throughout the world. In Ethiopia, JSI has been working to improve health outcomes for more than 25 years, implementing more than 60 projects and working in every region. JSI has historically managed a large portfolio of projects focusing on the quality, and equity in access of, RMNCAH services, primary health care (PHC) including community health program, digital health, health information systems (HIS), supply chain management, public health emergency responses, and social and behavior change.

Activity Overview

USAID Quality Healthcare Activity (QHA) aims at improving health outcomes through improved readiness of health facilities to deliver quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (RMNCAH) services, increased management and accountability for quality service delivery, and restoration of services in health facilities in conflict-affected areas. QHA’s strategies and implementation approaches will help Ethiopia’s government build responsive, resilient, and sustainable public and private healthcare systems. QHA will cover urban and peri-urban primary health care units (PHCU) and referral health facilities in select regions and woredas. The Activity, through funding support from USAID, will be implemented by JSI in collaboration with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), MSI Reproductive Choices (MSI), Project HOPE, and Network of Ethiopian Women’s Associations (NEWA) for five years (May 01, 2023 – April 30, 2028)

Role Summary

The specialist will play a pivotal role in providing technical support for public health facilities primely PHCUs and woreda health offices under the area implementation office.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance and support to healthcare facilities at the woreda level, with an emphasis on primary health care and RMNCAH services.
• Conduct regular facility visits to assess service delivery, identify challenges, and offer practical solutions and recommendations
•   Collaborate with health facility staff to develop action plans for implementing quality improvement activities
• Work with health facility managers to ensure that RMNCAH services are fully integrated into existing healthcare delivery platforms.
• Regular skill and knowledge gap assessment on RMNCAH and Quality Management
• Supporting woreda health offices and facilities to develop their training database and regular update
• Facilitate and support woreda health offices and facilities to develop and implement quality improvement projects on RMNCAH) and support the implementation of quality improvement initiatives to enhance primary healthcare service delivery, with a focus on RMNCAH.
• Provide timely supportive supervisions and technical mentorship on developed QI projects Facilitate timely clinical audits
• Establish monitoring and evaluation systems to track the performance and impact of primary healthcare and RMNCAH services at the facility level.
• Collect, analyze, and report on data to inform local evidence-based decision-making and identify areas for improvement.
• Mapping of relevant stakeholders including development partners in the woreda with regular updating
• Foster close and smooth work relationship with woreda health office and facilities managements and experts
• Support community-based initiatives and outreach programs to improve health-seeking behavior and access to services.
• Prepare regular progress reports and documentation on activities, achievements, and challenges related to primary healthcare and RMNCAH services at the woreda level.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

•  Degree in health related fields with a focus on reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health or health service management or related fields.
•  Minimum of 7 years of experience working in the private or public health sector, with a proven track record in supporting private or public health facilities at the district level.
• Experience of working in health facilities at least for 2 years and has solid knowledge on hospital-level care
•  Solid understanding of quality improvement methodologies and tools in healthcare settings, especially in the area of RMNCAH.
•  Extensive experience in developing and nurturing successful public-private partnerships in the healthcare sector, particularly in the context of RMNCAH services.
• Familiarity with Ethiopia’s healthcare system, policies, and regulations pertaining to RMNCAH services and public health facilities.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Speaking of more than one local language is a plus.