Senior Specialist, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health , Ghana Health Program

Overview

Location: Accra, Ghana

Reports to: Chief of Party

Please Note: This position is contingent upon award and USAID approval with an anticipated start date of mid-to-late 2023.

Overview:

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. We work with government, non-government, private sector, and community stakeholders to promote transparency, foster accountability, and access the channels they need to make their voices heard, promote change, and realize their full potential.

Global Communities is seeking a Senior Specialist, Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) for the anticipated USAID Ghana Health Program (GHP). This five-year program seeks to accelerate reductions in preventable maternal, newborn, and child morbidity and mortality in geographic focus areas of Ghana. The Ghana Health Program builds on Ghana’s health and development progress to date in advancing the delivery of integrated health services for vulnerable populations. Technical assistance and service delivery activities will build the capacity, sustainability, and resilience of local institutions and health system actors. USAID envisions assistance under this program will significantly contribute to Ghana’s progress outlined in national strategies addressing preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, nutrition status, malaria and HIV. This includes a renewed focus on primary care using the Ghana Health Service Community Health Planning and Services policy, the emerging Network of Practice approach and rapid expansion of basic emergency obstetric and newborn care and support services.

Responsibilities

In close partnership with the Chief of Party, the Sr. Specialist, MNCH will be responsible for the overall strategic and technical vision in the areas of maternal, newborn and child health. Specific responsibilities include the following:

• Develop and oversee implementation of integrated MNCH program strategies in line with USAID and Ministry of Health guidelines.
• Ensure that the implementation team has a clear understanding of the project’s technical design, including its focus on improving access to and utilization of integrated, quality, respectful and responsive client centered MNCH services at both the facility and community levels.
• Provide mentoring and capacity building at the individual, organizational, and programmatic levels in MNCH.
• Work with health care providers, local authorities, community members and project team members to identify clinical and community health system issues that impede access to quality care and uptake of services.
• Identify and implement appropriate facility- and community-based strategies to address access barriers and service delivery gaps.
• Participate in periodic, structured programmatic and data reviews to guide adaptive management.
• Backstop and provide technical support to the technical managers of the program to ensure planned activities are being implemented with the highest quality and on time.
• Work with the program leadership team to articulate and implement a knowledge management and shared learning plan including defining implementation research priorities.
• Lead the design and content development of technical materials, briefs, papers and other knowledge management and visibility products.

Qualifications

• Graduate degree in Public Health, or related field required; clinical degree/background preferred.
• Minimum of eight years of professional experience with seven years of experience working on MNCH programs in Ghana
• Experience working on USAID-funded MNCH, FP, RH, and/or HIV programs preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with progressively increasing responsibility for designing, managing, and implementing complex health activities, with a focus on MNCH programming involving multiple stakeholders and implementing partners; direct experience with quality of care and respectful maternity care a plus
• Demonstrated hands-on experience working with governments, professional associations, health care professionals and communities to prioritize and address MNCH issues.
• Considerable experience with and capacity to collaborate with partners at multiple levels, including Ministry officials, NGOs, professional associations, civil society, private sector, and other partners working in the health arena.
• Proven capacity to effectively manage and mentor staff with varying levels of experience.
• Ability to communicate effectively (orally, written) in English.
• Experience in Africa, with preference for recent work in Ghana
• Citizens and residents of Ghana are encouraged to apply.

Global Communities positively welcomes and seeks applications from all sections of society.  We are committed to a work environment that respects the dignity and worth of everyone and offers equal opportunity.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.