Quality Improvement Specialist-Nutrition and Health

Country Office: Ethiopia

Work Base: Addis Ababa

Availability: As Soon As Possible

Salary Scale: EMS09

Salary: 1,117 USD

 Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.

I. Position Summary

The Quality Improvement Specialist- Nutrition and Health will be responsible to support the institutionalization of the QoC framework for Nutrition and Health programs in the Action Against Hunger USA, Ethiopia mission. S/he will also oversee and support regular nutrition and Health program set-up and implementation across all Action Against Hunger operational areas under the direct supervision of the HoD-Nutrition and Health. S/he will work closely with other capital-based Nutrition and Health Experts and departments to standardize and harmonize project management tools. This role will be based in Addis Ababa, with significant (>60%) travel to field offices and project sites. The QI-specialist-Nutrition and Health will play a significant role in translating the country strategy Pillar 1 (Save lives by intensifying efforts to eliminate acute malnutrition (AM) and Nutrition and Health strategic priorities under ISP 3 AXES into action by improving the access to quality essential services.

The purpose, engagement, and expected delivery of Quality Improvement Specialists- Nutrition and Health are:

Purpose:

The Quality Improvement Specialist-Nutrition and Health will effectively support bases or field offices to institutionalize the Quality of Care (QoC) standards and Models in nutrition and health services through rolling out/cascading basic QoC training, developing or contextualizing QoC tools and undertaking regular technical assistance to field Nutrition and Health Team. Moreover, s/he is expected to ensure a harmonized and standardized use of tools, formats, guidelines, and service delivery approach across the different bases.

Engagement:

Internally, this position will engage primarily with capital-based Nutrition and Health experts as well as will work closely with other departments such as MEAL to realize a harmonized and standardized tool development and approach on all bases. In addition, s/he will engage with logistics, finance, and technical teams and the global/HEARO Nutrition and Health team. Externally, this position will engage with key stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Health, UNICEF, WHO, partners, and donors.

Delivery:

The Quality Improvement Specialist- Nutrition and Health will be responsible for supporting the delivery of high-quality and harmonized Nutrition and Health services across all bases. S/he will provide strong technical oversight, training, and capacity building to all bases implementing Nutrition and Health Projects, and will undertake regular field-level monitoring visits. S/he will support the mission by contributing to quality improvement initiatives pertaining to Nutrition and Health services in line with Action Against Hunger principles, values, and code of conduct.

II. Essential Job Duties

Technical lead for institutionalizing, implementing, and monitoring Quality of Care framework-Nutrition and Health.  (60%)

§  Review and map existing Nutrition and Health QoC resources and activities at national and sub-national levels.

§  Assist and support in the development of technical guidelines and operational plans to escort the implementation of the QoC initiative.

§  Introduce and lead on Nutrition and Health QoC initiatives in prioritized health facilities across bases.

§  Support in cascading orientation and basic training on Nutrition and Health QoC across bases.

§  Assist and support in the translation of standard training and sensitization guidelines into the local language.

§  Support Health Facility Readiness (HFR) assessments in prioritized health facilities and bases for QoC initiative.

§  Assist in developing criteria to select QoC piloting health facilities and bases.

§  Provide continuous technical support to bases in the application of Nutrition and Health QoC standards and measures.

§  Identify QoC capacity-building areas at all levels of the health system and develop a specific plan of action to address identified gaps in close consultation with capital nutrition and health experts as well as nutrition and health PMs.

§  Ensure that pilot health facilities for QoC respective bases receive early and continuous support.

§  Assist and facilitate experience-sharing events across QoC piloting health facilities and bases.

§  Develop a learning repository platform for the QoC initiative in consultation with the capital MEAL department to foster Learning and Knowledge Management (LKM).

§  Ensure the institutionalization of IPC and waste management in collaboration with WASH and HN departments as part of the QoC initiative.

§  Undertake periodic Health Facility Quality Assurance assessments and evaluations and produce standard reports and case studies.

Support and assist regular Nutrition and Health program development, implementation, and monitoring as well as quality assurance activities. (30%)

§  Support technically Nutrition and Health PMs to develop project-specific Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP), project procurement plan (PPP), and supply plan (SP).

§  Regularly follow project budget utilization in collaboration with the finance department based on the latest BFUs and provide regular guidance and support to the base team for efficient budget utilization.

§  Develop or adapt a minimum multi-sectoral standard checklist in collaboration with other departments.

§  Assist in the coordination of effective procurement, transportation, storage, and distribution of nutrition and health commodities and program supplies in line with SOPs and in close consultation with the mission pharmacists.

§  Support field offices/bases in staff recruitment as necessary, in line with HR procedures and in consultation with HR and the program department.

§  Cover and replace Nutrition and Health Program Managers for short periods of time when they are not available or take annual leaves.

§  Organize regular capacity building and face-to-face and virtual program review meetings with the base team in consultation and coordination with other capital technical staff.

§  Ensure adherence to standard project designing, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation tool across all bases for Nutrition and Health programs/projects.

§  Ensure valid and quality monthly reporting (APR narrative and APR quantitative report) in collaboration with MEAL and support staff to adhere to standard reporting and recording system to facilitate accurate and timely submission.

§  Collaborate with other capital-based Nutrition and Health Experts on standardizing tools, training, program databases, etc.

§  Participates in periodic project designing, proposal writing, and in the development of standard guidelines and protocols for Nutrition and Health.

§  Ensure necessary activities and resources are included during the project designing period to ensure QoC.

§  Participate in Nutrition assessments and surveys such as SMART, SQUEAC, and BNA and collaborate in resolving identified gaps.

§  S/he will do other activities as assigned by his line manager or supervisors.

Partnerships and engagement (10%)

§  Engage and actively participate in global, national, and sub-national QoC initiatives through TWGs, networks, and similar forums.

§  Attend regular Nutrition and Health Cluster and other meetings as assigned/delegated by the HoD.

§  Update and share meeting notes from QoC, sectoral coordination platforms, and meetings with the capital and base team.

III. Supervisory Responsibility

§  S/he will act as a roving technical supervisor for field-level Nutrition and Health program staff and will be consulted during individual periodic (annual and bi-annual) performance evaluations as required.

IV. Fiscal Responsibility

§  The Nutrition and Health (QoC) will ensure timely and appropriate budget utilization for the specific nutrition and health projects that require QoC activity implementation mainly in collaboration with the Nutrition and Health PMs.

§  S/he will provide regular follow-up and support to the base teams, specifically for the Nutrition and Health teams, on ways to efficiently and timely utilize project resources to ensure high-quality program delivery.

V. Physical Demands

§  While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to sit for long periods and to concentrate on work, including typing, and turn out heavy volumes of work accurately, within short time frames under stressful situations in the context of a moderately noisy office with interruptions.

§  To travel to the field, the employee must attest to a level of physical fitness capable of enduring physically difficult, highly stressful situations, which may include the necessity to walk long distances, eat a limited diet, and/or reside in potentially uncomfortable housing or tents.

§  The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

VI. Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

§  The duties of the job require regular job attendance at least five days per week. Must be available to work outside normal office hours or on the weekends as required by contact with the missions, mission security, or other obligations.

§  Must be able to travel as required for standard domestic and international business travel as well as to the sub-offices if appropriate. While visiting sub-offices, the employee may be exposed to precarious settings under high-security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outside weather conditions, as well as to infectious diseases.

VII.   Gender Equality Commitments & Zero Tolerance to Abuse

§  Foster an environment that reinforces the values of people of all genders and equal access to information.

§  Provide a work environment where people of all genders must be evaluated and promoted based on their skills and performance.

§  Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all stakeholders, particularly for children, beneficiaries, and members of staff.

§  Help to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment and sexual abuse and exploitation.

§  Respect beneficiaries’ women, men, and children (boys and girls) regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, race, color, ancestry, national origin, age, or marital status.

 

§  Value and respect all cultures

VIII. Required Qualifications and Professional Experience

§  Required master’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major social or health science field of study, preferably public health, nursing, or nutrition, with at least five (5) years of experience Or a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in a major social or health science field of study, preferably in public health, nursing, or nutrition, with at least seven (7) years of experience in the implementation of Nutrition (CMAM, IYCF, etc) and Health (RMNCH) Quality Improvement/Quality of Care initiatives in humanitarian and development contexts.

§  Practical experience working in MoH and INGOs in the area of Quality of Care initiatives is preferable.

IX. Required Skills

§  We are seeking an individual who has good judgment and problem-solving skills, along with strong communication skills and documentation habits.

§  This person needs to have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work both independently and as a member of a team.

§  Experience in global and national Nutrition and Health

§  Experience in designing and leading technical QoC training related to Nutrition and Health.

§  Knowledge of MS Office Suite required and comfortable working with computers with minimal IT support

§  Willingness to commit to more than 70% travel to field offices.

§  Possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

§  Ability to take initiative and prioritize multiple tasks with minimum supervision.

§  Genuine interest in and commitment to the mission and principles of Action Against Hunger.

 Languages skill

§  Fluency in written and spoken English and Amharic; other local languages is desirable.