South Sudan: Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) - Specialist

Introduction

Cordaid is a Dutch, international non-governmental organization which combines 100 years of experience and expertise in emergency aid and structural poverty eradication. Cordaid believes in a world without poverty and exclusion. We strive for a just and sustainable society where every person counts. We stand for knowledge and talent sharing between North and South, between farmers and businesses, between activists and policymakers. Where poverty, conflict and exclusion tear up societies, we connect people and communities. We also stand for professionalism, expertise and solidarity across borders, to make a difference where it is most needed. Together with more than 600 partner organizations in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and Latin America we structurally improve the living conditions of the poorest and most excluded populations - the bottom billion.

Cordaid has been active in South Sudan for more than 20 years, with a strong focus on civil society capacity-building. Currently, it has programs in the area of Emergency Response, DRR, Health, Food Security, Security & Justice, Women Leadership and Investments.

Presently, Cordaid is expanding its program in different parts of the country. For that purpose, additional technical capacity is required. Therefore, Cordaid would like to a Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) - Specialist as detailed below,

Position Title Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) - Specialist

Duty station Bentiu

Purpose of the position

The Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) Specialist will ensure sound technical implementation of HPF supported primary and secondary healthcare activities in LOT 14 where CORDAID is consortium lead covering BSH, Rubkona and Guit Counties. S/he works in collaboration with the State Ministry of Health (SMoH), County Health Department (CHD) by providing expert advice with the specific aim of transmitting knowledge to build the capacity of the Ministry of Health (MoH) staff.

Reporting Lines

The RMNCH Specialist shall report directly to Program Manager for HPF 2 LOT 14

Key accountabilities and Responsibilities

Capacity building and systems strengthening

1. Plan and conduct short-term clinical trainings and Continuous Professional Development (CPD)/Continuous Medical Education (CME) sessions for facility staff and community based health workers i.e. Boma Health Committee (BHC) members, Payam Health committee (PHC) members, traditional birth attendants (TBAs) & Home Health promoters (HHPs) based on regular training needs assessments. Topics to be covered should include focused ANC, focused PNC, BEmONC, and CEmONC & family planning services;
2. Ensure that facility-based health personnel adheres to the Reproductive Health guidelines and the relevant MOH policies and protocols in all supported health facilities.
3. Ensure infection control committees and plans (universal precautions & medical waste disposal)/standard operating procedures (SOPs) are in place and adhered to at all health facilities.

Quality Service Delivery

1. Plan and support set up missing new service delivery components in various PHCCS/PHCUs like Provider Initiated Testing and Counseling, essential newborn care practices; diagnostic ultrasound services including use of fetal Doppler;
2. Promote innovative approaches to maternal, newborn and child health including the use of neonatal incubators and Kangaroo mother care for premature babies, routine administration of vitamin K for all newborn babies, use of chlorhexidine for cord care, use of birth cushion for deliveries, solar suitcases for lighting etc;
3. Establish a performance-based motivational package for BHCs, PHCs, TBAs, HHPs (cash for referral incentive scheme) and pregnant mothers (mama kits, other in-kind incentives e.g sugar). Train the CHD, Health unit management committee members and facility-based staff on the use of the cash for referral scheme;
4. Work with key facility staff (facility in-charges, midwives, TBAs) to ensure maternal death audits are conducted and documented as they happen while considering cultural diversities while undertaking this activity;

Coordination and networking

1. Maintain high, cordial and professional working relationship with facility-based health workers, County Health Department, State Ministry of Health and other partners, including UN, INGOs and local organizations working in Rubkona and Guit counties - NLS
2. Participate in quarterly integrated support supervisory visits to PHCCS/PHCUs together with the CHD teams using the quantified Supervision Checklist (QSC);
3. Manage school health services including health education on menstrual hygiene to ensure retention of girls in schools and completion of education cycles, tetanus toxoid and human papillomavirus immunization for school going girls, mass deworming for Children between 5 years and 15 years etc;
4. Strengthen the community based e-mobile referrals by TBAs to ensure early referral of mothers who develop complications during pregnancy, childbirth and the immediate post-natal period
5. Establish and manage a transport voucher scheme at facilities to complement available ambulance services for CEmONC referrals;
6. Attend relevant coordination meetings and represent Cordaid when and as requested by the program manager at all fora (facility, CHD, and State Ministry of Health) and provide adequate feedback to the field and Juba Offices as may be necessary;
7. Participate & contribute during quarterly review meetings of HPF projects at various hospitals and primary health care levels;
8. Contribute to the preparation of quarterly technical progress donor reports;
9. Ensure availability of RH related HMIS recording and reporting tools and equipment at all facilities based on needs to ensure timely submission of all required HMIS monthly reports to the CHD;
10. Contribute to the development of concept notes and project proposals for Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal, Child and Adolescent sexual & reproductive health;
11. Perform any other duty that may be requested from time to time

Qualifications and skills

1. Qualified health professional Degree in Health Sciences (Midwifery, Reproductive Health, Nursing, Clinical medicine) preferably with a Master in Public Health or Reproductive Health from a recognized institution
2. Minimum of three years working experience in a similar position preferably with an International NGO or relevant government departments
3. Demonstrated ability and affinity to work with SMoH, CHD, local Authority /health staff to plan, coordinate, implement and monitor improvements in healthcare provision, disease control activities and health prevention and awareness with a focus on MCH service delivery.
4. Advance training skills with proven knowledge of adult education and community mobilization
5. Strong communication skills with excellent written and spoken English
6. Excellent organizational skills
7. Advanced computer skills including Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access, Outlook as well the use of the internet.
8. Knowledge of spoken Arabic and local languages is an advantage
9. Ability to work under remote field conditions with minimum facilities **

Further information and how to apply

Interested and qualifying applicants can submit their application letter including a CV in English, and contact details of at least 3 professional references, to the following email hr.southsudan@cordaid.org

Mention the vacancy reference number in subject line.

e.g. CSS04/05/18 Reproductive, Maternal, Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) - Specialist - Juba

Deadline for submission is by the 31May 2018

Cordaid is an equal opportunities employer and women are strongly encouraged to apply

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.