Maternal and Newborn Health Advisor FHI360

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in health, education, nutrition, environment, economic development, civil society, gender, youth, research and technology — creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today’s interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 70 countries and all U.S. states and territories. We are currently seeking qualified candidates for the position of: Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Advisor for a USAID funded health project in Uganda.

Description:
FHI 360 seeks an MNH Advisor to provide technical assistance to the Government of Uganda to improve the access to and use of quality maternal, newborn, and child health services at community- and health facility-levels. USAID supports the Government of Uganda (GoU) and the Ministry of Health to increase the survival and well-being of vulnerable populations and improve overall health system resilience. The MNH Advisor will be based in one of the following regions: Jinja, Gulu, Lira, Mbarara, or Mbale. The MNH Advisor reports directly to the regional Senior Technical Advisor, Integrated Health Service Delivery and provides technical oversight and direction to regional and district-based teams. This will require frequent travels to focus districts and health facilities within the region. The MNH Advisor will assist the Senior Technical Advisor, Integrated Health Service Delivery (IHSD) to ensure the overall success of the project and will be responsible for managing the technical direction and implementation of MNH-related facility and community-based programming, and contributing to the technical direction of health system strengthening activities within the region.

Job Summary/Responsibilities:
1. The Technical Advisor, MNH will work closely with the program team, under the leadership of the regional Senior Technical Advisor, IHSD to execute the following responsibilities:
2. Contribute to the technical direction of the project related to evidence-based MNH programming for facility and community-level interventions, based on local and global best practices.
Provide strategic leadership on MNH policy and programming in ways that are sensitive and beneficial and in harmony with other MNH projects and coordinating mechanisms.
4. Contribute to program/project design, implementation, learning, and monitoring and evaluation through active collaboration with project teams and GoU structures at central, regional, district and facility levels.
5. Oversee the selection of appropriate MNH technical assistance to meet regional, district, facility and community needs.
6. Provide guidance and technical support in alignment with GoU RMNCH policies and strategies, including USAID development priorities.
Lead the development and refinement of MNH capacity strengthening project inputs (trainings/mentoring/coaching, tools, guidelines, and standards) to support GoU interventions.
8. Contribute to the learning agenda by identifying information gaps in MNH that could be filled by secondary data analysis, literature reviews, field testing of new approaches and collaborative learning events, and lead technical inputs on learning activities related to MNH.
9. Build the MNH technical capacity of regional, district, and facility teams through technical updates, training, exchange visits, literature sharing, and mentorship.
Actively engage in networks and forums to support GoU RMNCH priorities and promote involvement of multiple government sectors, donors, and the private sector in MNH-related initiatives.
11. Maintain diplomatic and high-quality interactions and clear and consistent communications internally and with partners.

Qualifications:
1. Master’s Degree in public health or health management. Clinical background with public health training is strongly preferred.
2. At least six (6) years of work experience in the Uganda health system, preferably at regional or district level.
3. Deep knowledge of the landscape for MNH programming in Uganda, including related key GoU and USAID priorities
4. Excellent knowledge of Uganda planning and performance management system, district supervision and the country’s MNH quality of care plan and roadmap.
Excellent knowledge of Uganda district and community-level structures.
6. Systems analysis skills applied to RMNCH services desired.
7. Experience leading moderate to large size teams of health professionals.
8. Experience working with a USG-funded health programs is desired.
9. Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with Ministry of Health and district and regional officials, and other implementing partners.