Save the Children is seeking a Newborn and Child Health Sr. Specialist for an anticipated 5-year USAID-funded program in Uganda. The purpose of the program is to facilitate government-led leadership and enhance sustainable multi-sectoral coordination to accelerate gains in nutrition, maternal, newborn and child health outcomes. This position will provide strategic direction in the design, management, implementation and monitoring of high quality newborn and child health interventions, working closely with relevant units at all levels of the MOH and with respective partners at national level and within target regions. The Sr. Specialist will represent the project at various newborn and child health national technical working groups and committees, ensure deliverables within these technical areas are implemented according to the set work plan with necessary adjustments as required based on learning and best practices while capturing key lessons learned.
This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.
What You’ll Be Doing (Essential Duties)
- Lead newborn and child health related technical assistance and capacity building within the project. S/he will lead the design of technical assistance and capacity building for high impact evidence based newborn and child health interventions that helps children thrive through prevention and treatment of neonatal and child illnesses. This will include national level policy leadership and ownership for newborn and child health.
- Coordinate and provide newborn and child health technical support to central MOH and Regional Teams to address identified gaps and rolling out activities to improve quality of newborn and child care
- Collaborate with the MOH staff to ensure technical integrity and quality of newborn and child health program implementation at all levels.
- Build capacity of targeted regional MOH staff in newborn and child health, using proven training approaches, mentorship and quality improvement methodologies strategies to improve service delivery and quality.
- Incorporate newborn and child health best practices into strategic planning, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation of activities to improve health services.
- Maintain strategic relationships with targeted MOH regional and district teams and other relevant stakeholders for the smooth implementation of program activities.
- In collaboration with the regional and national teams, strengthen the existing technical platform on newborn and child health learning, co-facilitate the periodic review of newborn and child health to inform programming within the project, national guidelines and policies.
Required Qualifications
- Medical doctor, clinician, midwife or post-diploma nurse with a post graduate degree or public health degree or equivalent combination of training and experience. Pediatrician is preferred.
- At least 7+ years of relevant work experience in successful implementation of a neonatal and child health program.
- Previous working relationships within USAID programs and with key multilateral agencies, bilateral donors, academic institutions.
- Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted health development program in collaboration with national MOH personnel and local and international partners
- Familiarity with MNCH programming and policies in Uganda.
- A demonstrated track record in providing mentorship and supervision to strengthen healthcare services; training and use of quality improvement approaches
- Familiarity with evidence-based neonatal and child health interventions and best practices that are the focus of this project.
- Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform.
- Ability to work independently and also as a team leader/member with diverse team of partners and counterparts.
- Ability to lead and oversee teams.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral, written and presentation).
- Excellent computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office applications.
- English fluency (verbal and written) required.
- Ability to travel.
Qualified local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.
Save the Children believes every child deserves a future. In the United States and around the world, we give children a healthy start in life, the opportunity to learn and protection from harm. We do whatever it takes for children – every day and in times of crisis – transforming their lives and the future we share.
Save the Children is committed to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for the children it serves and helping protect the children with whom Save the Children is in contact. All Save the Children representatives are explicitly prohibited from engaging in any activity that may result in any kind of child abuse. In addition, it is Save the Children’s policy to create and proactively maintain an environment that aims to prevent and deter any actions and omissions, whether deliberate or inadvertent, that place children at the risk of any kind of child abuse. All our representatives are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with this commitment and obligation. Any violations of this policy will be treated as a serious issue.
We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.
More Information
- Job City Kampala
