Zimbabwe: HEALTH EXPERT (Local Position)

Project background:

The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ), through the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC), is implementing a Results Based Financing (RBF) Programme in partnership with Cordaid (as the Project Implementation Entity (PIE)) and with grant support from the World Bank (Health Sector Development Support Project - HSDSP). The project’s goal is “to increase coverage of quality maternal and child health interventions”. It started in July 2011 in two front-runner districts and was up scaled to 18 rural and 2 urban districts covering 415 health facilities.

The design of the project is anchored on three components: 1) Results-based contracts, 2) Management and capacity building, and 3) Monitoring and documentation. It is anticipated that through this project, both the supply and demand sides for health services, particularly maternal health, will be significantly improved contributing to the reduction in maternal and child mortality and morbidity. There is an increased focus on improving the quality of health services. Therefore, Cordaid is seeking to recruit a suitably qualified Health Expert as indicated below;-

Position :Health Expert

Reporting to : Country Director

Station : NPA Office - Harare, Zimbabwe

Purpose of the position:

The Health Expert works closely with the Field Staff, Database Manager, Data Analyst, Quality Improvement Specialist and the Health Economist, and is involved in the RBF programme to monitor the performance of the program with an added emphasis on the pay-for-quality component. The Health Expert mentors and monitors field officers on all aspects of the programme with a special focus on improving quality.

Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities:

· Provide technical assistance and support to the Field Officers on improving the quality of the programme implementation.

· Advise Field Officers on strategies for improving maternal and child health service provision to strengthen their contributions in District and Provincial review meetings.

· Manage the technical support to the quality component of the programme in 18 rural districts and in Harare and Bulawayo under the urban sub-component of the project.

· Undertakes analysis of sub-components of the quality checklists, develops and supports execution of a follow up action plan to strengthen health providers to improve quality of health care together with the Quality Improvement Specialist

· Undertakes analysis of the payment for quantity and quantity trends in collaboration with the Health Economist.

· Contribute to periodic update of the QoC assessment tool and protocol (as needed) under the guidance of the QA Director of the MOHCC

· Ensure the final invoices submitted by the PHE and DHE for payment are assessed for quality and accuracy.

· Prepare and produce quality, timely and adequate RBF reports and donor reports as requested.

· Representation of Cordaid in technical working groups at the national level

· Any other duties as and when assigned by the Country Director

Qualifications

§ Bachelor’s Degree in Medicine, Clinical Science, Nursing and/or Pharmacy

§ A Master’s degree in Public Health or Medicine constitutes a distinct advantage;

§ Professional certification in clinical quality of care;

§ Direct experience on quality improvement in public health organization and the management of quality improvement strategies is a distinct advantage

§ Position requires a sound analytical background including a demonstrated knowledge and prior working experience in public health sector and more in particular MCH Services

Interested and qualified applicants to submit a motivation letter and extensive CV in English, including the full contact details of at least three professional references, should be forwarded to hr.zimbabwe@cordaid.net before the end of day Sunday the 24^th of January 2016.

Mention the vacancy reference number in subject line: - (e.g. Health Expert - reference is HE003-2016)

A written test will constitute part of the interview process.

Candidates who applied previously do not need to re-apply.

Only short listed candidates will be contacted.