Integrated Primary Healthcare Advisor at Jhpiego

Responsibilities

• With the State Team Lead and field staff, provide technical assistance for implementing integrated primary health care services as per the PHCOUR, including integrated MNCH + Nutrition, immunization and malaria at the state, the Local Government Health Authority (LGHA), the facility and community levels in MCGL/RISE supported states (areas, LGHAs).
• Provide ongoing technical assistance and capacity building to relevant state level MDAs and technical working groups such as the State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (SPHCDA), the LGHA, Ward Development Committees (WDCs), local NGOs and PHCs to implement State strategies and plans that guide IMNCH+N, immunization and malaria such as the PHCUOR, MSP, PHC revitalization, OIRIS, and the State Malaria and Immunization Operational Plan, and rapidly scale-up integrated delivery of quality, high-impact IMNCH+N, immunization and malaria services.
• Contribute to building the capacity of MTOTs, TOTs, relevant SPHCDA, LGHA and HRH structures to use proven and sustainable skill-building and learning approaches and quality improvement methodologies for the delivery of high-impact IMNCH+N, immunization and malaria interventions at the community level and in public and private facilities. Work with relevant government technical staff, implementing partners and technical working groups 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 support quality improvement processes in line with the national Quality of Care Strategy for MNCH. This includes routine integrated supportive supervision (ISS), establishing and maintaining effective Quality Improvement Teams, and developing and implementing quality improvement plans focused on measurable aims, key quality gaps, and regular monitoring and analysis of performance indicators at community and facility levels, including the private sector.
• Mentor health workers and community-based structures during skill-building efforts in support of integrated service delivery, quality improvement, data use for decision-making and other essential skills required to effectively manage reliable delivery of high-impact integrated RMNCH+N, immunization and malaria services at PHC, GH and community levels.
• In consultation with local stakeholders, help prioritize meaningful MNCH+N+M+ immunization indicators (e.g., quality-of-care process and outcome measures) aligned with State and Federal monitoring guidance and tailored to the needs of SMOH, LGHA, PHC and community health workers.
• Analyze data needs and availability for high-quality MNCH+N+M + immunization care (e.g., point-of-care decision-making) and monitoring of prioritized indicators. Address identified gaps, including content and quality of HMIS data (e.g., PHC registers, patient forms) and capacity of SMOH, LGHA and health workers to calculate, visualize and interpret key indicators (e.g., dashboard use).
• Contribute to the development or review of SPHCDA/SMOH program strategies, annual operational plans (AoPs) 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 tools and prioritized indicators.
• Collaborate, where appropriate, with local Professional Associations to support clinical capacity building and mentoring of providers (e.g., CHEWS, midwives, nurses). Professional associations may include but are not limited to PAN, NISON, SOGON, NANNM, and other master trainers for nutrition, immunization and malaria.
• Support collaboration with the MCGL Community Engagement Specialist and stakeholders to align social and behavior change with service delivery using the circle-of-care approach at PHC and community levels.
• For malaria activities, collaborate with counterparts from PMI, the Walter Reed MHRP, SMEP, state malaria counterparts and other malaria prevention and control partners.
• Support advocacy efforts on integrated MNCH+N+M and immunization delivery with the State Ministry of Health and SPHCDA for adoption of new evidence-based best practices at facility and community levels.
• Contribute to MCGL/RISE’s Continuous Learning and Adaptation (CLA) efforts and development of knowledge management products related to IMNCH+N, immunization and malaria, applying lessons learned to improve program design and implementation in supported states.
• Contribute to MCGL/RISE Integrated Health project reporting, success stories and publications.

Required Qualifications

• MBBS/MD or Nursing or Midwifery degree plus a Master's 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 technical areas: maternal health, newborn health, child health, nutrition, immunization, and malaria.
• Experience in integrated PHC service delivery at health facilities and community level.
• Experience implementing programmes at the primary health care level is an advantage.
• Familiarity with performance indicators in at least two technical areas.
• Familiarity with applying quality improvement methodologies to improve primary service quality, including identifying and overcoming critical gaps and monitoring performance indicators.
• Familiarity with Nigerian public and private sector health systems at state, LGHA, and community levels is highly desirable.
• Knowledge of local culture and a strong understanding of social, political, and ethical issues surrounding MNCH + NM and immunization service delivery.
• High proficiency in written and spoken English. Ability to speak local language relevant to state of operation is an advantage.
• Demonstrated experience in stakeholder management and capacity building at sub-national levels.
• Demonstrated knowledge and proficiency in delivering IMNCH + NM and immunization training packages, and supporting retention of health worker competencies (e.g., mentoring, supervision).
• Ability to work independently and also function effectively within a team.