Integrated PHC Advisor at Palladium Group

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact - the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value. We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Integrated PHC Advisor - Nigeria IHP Ref.: req8502 Location: Ebonyi

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Palladium seeks Integrated Primary Health Care (PHC) Advisors for the five-year, USAID-funded Nigeria Integrated Health Program (IHP) – Task Order 6 – Ebonyi State. The goal of IHP is to contribute to state-level reductions in child and maternal morbidity and mortality and to increase the capacity of health systems (public and private) to sustainably support quality PHC services.
The purpose of Task Order 6 is to implement priority primary health interventions in Ebonyi state to strengthen the state government area (LGA), and ward level health systems. The objectives of the program are a) strengthen systems supporting primary health care (PHC) services b) improve access to PHC services; and c) increase quality of PHC services. Strong engagement and collaboration with state government is expected throughout the program.
Task Order 6 will coordinate closely with other USAID activities and other development partner programs in the state. USAID will intentionally overlay this activity with other Mission programming to increase Government of Nigeria (GON) resources for PHC services, increase demand for PHC services, and improve access to essential commodities. The activity is expected to collaborate closely with those other implementing partners and will not undertake any activities already implemented by other USAID programs.
The IHP Integrated Primary Health Care Advisors provide technical guidance on and oversight of integrated primary health service activities, including capacity building at state, local government health authority (LGHA), facility, and community levels; providing expert technical assistance in integrated service delivery in the areas of reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health plus nutrition (RMNCH + N), with a focus on enhancing service delivery within a stronger, more sustainable health system.

Responsibilities

Provide technical assistance for implementing integrated primary health care services as per the PHCOUR, including integrated RMNCH + N at the state, the Local Government Health Authority (LGHA), the facility and community levels in IHP supported states (areas, LGHAs);
Provide ongoing technical assistance and capacity building to relevant state level MDAs and technical working groups such as with the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), the LGHA, Ward Development Committees (WDCs), local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and PHCs to implement State strategies and plans that guide IRMNCH+N such as the PHCUOR, MSP, PHC revitalization, OIRIS, and rapidly scale-up integrated delivery of quality, high-impact IRMNCH +NM services;
Contribute to building the capacity of MTOTs, TOTs, relevant SPHCDA, LGHA and relevant HRH structures to use proven and sustainable skill building and learning approaches and quality improvement methodologies for the delivery of high-impact IRMNCH +N interventions at the community level and in public and private facilities;
Work with relevant government technical staff, implementing partners and technical working groups providing expert contributions to adapt federal guidelines, tools and procedures for State implementation of quality integrated primary healthcare service delivery at scale;
Provide technical support to the SPHCDA, LGHA and facilities in strengthening the relevant structures and systems required to strengthen quality improvement processes, in line with the national Quality of Care Strategy for MNCH, including routine integrated supportive supervision (ISS), establishing and maintaining effective Quality Improvement Teams, and development and implementation of quality improvement plans focused on measurable improvement aims, critical quality gaps and regular monitoring and analysis of key performance indicators at the community and facility levels including the private sector;
Mentor during skill building efforts for health workers and relevant community-based structures in support of integrated service delivery, quality improvement, use of data for decision making and other skills required for effectively managing the reliable delivery of quality high impact, integrated RMNCH+N services at PHC and community level;
As appropriate, collaborate with local Professional Associations to support clinical capacity-building and mentoring of providers (e.g. CHEWS, midwives, nurses.) Professional associations may include but not be limited to PAN, NISON, SOGON, NANNM, XX.
Support collaboration with BREAKTHROUGH ACTION and seamless alignment of social and behavior change with service delivery, using the circle of care, especially at PHC and community level.
Support advocacy efforts related to integrated delivery of RMNCH +NM with State Ministry of Health and SPHCDA for adoption of new evidence based RMNCH+nutrition best practices at health facilities and the community;
Contribute to IHP continuous learning and adaptation (CLA) and the development of knowledge management products related to IRMNCH + N and apply lessons learned to improve the program design and implementation in IHP supported states.
Contribute to IHP routine reporting, success stories and publications.
In consultation with local stakeholders, help to prioritize meaningful RMNCH+N+M indicators (e.g. quality of care process and outcome measures) aligned with State and Federal monitoring guidance and tailored to the specific needs of SMOH, LGHA, PHC and community health workers.
Analyze data needs and availability for provision of quality RMNCH+N+M care (e.g. point of care clinical decision-making) and for monitoring of prioritized performance indicators; address identified gaps, including content and quality of routine HMIS data (e.g. PHC registers, patient forms) and skills of SMOH, LGHA and health workers to calculate, visualize and interpret key performance indicators (e.g. as part of a dashboard.)
Contribute to the development/review of SPHCDA/SMOH program strategies, annual workplans and budgets.
Support timely, complete and accurate recording and reporting of PHC facility-based and outreach services and program progress including performance monitoring using approved program monitoring and reporting tools and prioritized performance indicators;
Reports directly to State IHP Director

Requirements

MBBS/MD or Nursing or Midwifery degree plus a masters’ degree in Public Health, Nursing or a related field or an advanced post graduate degree in a related field is essential
At least eight (8) years relevant experience in one or more of technical areas: Family planning, maternal health, newborn health, child health, nutrition
Experience in integrated PHC service delivery at health facilities and community
High degree of proficiency in written and spoken English communication. Ability to speak Hausa
Demonstrated experience managing stakeholders and building capacity at sub-national levels
Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency delivering relevant IRMNCH +NM training packages and supporting retention of health worker competencies (e.g. through mentoring, supervision)
Ability to function/work independently as well as part of a team
Well-developed computer skills
Ability to travel within IHP focal state at least 50% time
Experience implementing programs at the primary health care level is an advantage
Familiarity with performance indicators in at least 2 technical areas
Familiarity with applying quality improvement methodologies to improve quality of primary services, including identifying and overcoming critical gaps and monitoring performance indicators to guide continuous improvement
Familiarity with Nigerian public and private sector health systems at the state, LGHA and community levels is highly desirable
Knowledge of local culture and a deep understanding of the social, political and ethical issues surrounding the delivery of RMNCH +NM services