The Namibian Ministry of Health and Social Services (MOHSS) is the custodian of health and social services and oversees, provides and regulates all public, private and non-governmental sectors in the provision of quality health and social services. USAID is a partner to the Ministry’s efforts and provides technical assistance, directly and through specialized local and international organizations, to support the Government of Namibia’s delivery of high quality, evidence-based, public health programs to all Namibians.
The Maternal and Child Survival Program (MCSP) is a global, USAID Cooperative Agreement to introduce and support high-impact health interventions with the ultimate goal of ending preventable maternal and child deaths within a generation. MCSP is focused on ensuring that all women, newborns and children most in need have equitable access to quality health care services to save lives. MCSP supports programming in maternal, newborn and child health, immunization, family planning and reproductive health, nutrition, health systems strengthening, water/sanitation/hygiene, malaria, prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV, and pediatric HIV care and treatment.
Based on USAID’s technical assistance program to support public health objectives, MCSP will provide specialized technical assistance to the MOHSS and national and regional stakeholders in institutionalizing and expanding Namibia’s National Health Extension Program (HEP). MCSP/Namibia will build upon the lessons learned under the Maternal and Child Health Integrated Program’s (MCHIP) successful experience and continue efforts to strengthen the Namibian HEP to deliver and sustain high-impact RMNCH and TB/HIV services in an integrated package at the community level. MCSP will continually explore possible solutions to bottlenecks to successful implementation of the HEP through innovations and working closely with other partners, local organizations and stakeholders.
RESPONSIBILITIES
The Regional Health Extension Officer (RHEO) based in Rundu will work under the supervision of the Program’s Senior Regional HEP Advisor (based in Ongwediva) to assist with HEP related activities in the Kavango and Zambezi regions. The RHEO will closely support the Regional Management Team (RMT), District Coordination Committees (DCCs) as well as the health facilities to implement the HEP; participate in regional steering committee meetings; support activities developed at regional and district levels; coordinate with partners and support RMTs and DCCs in HEP implementation in the two regions; support data gathering and analysis, as well as evidence based planning and problem solving at regional and district levels; implement activities according to the Namibia program plan; and, assist with process documentation and building stakeholder ownership of and support to the HEP.
Specific responsibilities include, but will not be limited to the following:
- Support HEP scale up under MOHSS guidance
- Develop and maintain excellent relationships with colleagues, regional, district and health facility staff
- Participate in public and professional circles through meetings, technical working groups and task forces
- Mentor and provide on the job support to regional and district HEP focal persons and health facility staff
- Conduct supportive follow up visits to HEWs and health facilities to provide onsite technical support, mentoring and coaching
- Provide technical assistance to the HEP, program partners, regional, district and health facility staff
- Support RMTs and DCCs in planning and implementing HEP activities
- Participate in the Regional HEP steering committee
- Organize trainings, orientation and consultation sessions and conduct them according to plan
- Collect HEP reports, analyze trends and use the information for action
- Encourage and support proper collection of data, analysis, reporting and use of evidence for planning and quality improvement
- Identify technical knowledge gaps and update HEWs and health facility staff on key high impact public health interventions
- Conduct regular data quality control and data quality assurance
- In coordination with the Program Admin Assistant, ensure all HEP-related administrative and logistical aspects of organizing meeting and workshops
- Report to the Senior Regional HEP Advisor
- Support the regions to come up with transition plans for MOHSS to take full control of HEP
- Support HEWs with the implementation of community based ART and establishment of care groups for PLHIV
- Compile and update HEP district profiles
- Compile quarterly reports as per MCSP guidance
- Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor
QUALIFICATIONS
- Degree in Public Health or relevant field required
- Experience in HIV and community health extension programs required; WASH and nutrition experience an advantage
- Ability to travel within Namibia
- Strong representational and interpersonal skills
- Experience working with RMTs, DCCs and health facility staff
- Candidate must be legally authorized to work in Namibia
Salary commensurate with experience.
Interested candidates should submit their resumes and cover letters online by 01/31/2017.
More Information
- Job City Windhoek
