Overview:
The Director of Health Systems Strengthening will provide technical and programmatic oversight and direction in the areas of health systems strengthening, human resources for health, quality improvement and local capacity development for US government funded regional integrated health programs (HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, nutrition, family planning, and maternal, neonatal and child health care) in Uganda . This program aims to increase utilization of health services by strengthening systems and improve quality of integrated health services. The project will operate over a 5 year period. Responsibilities include providing leadership and technical and programmatic guidance in the development and implementation of program activities under the leadership of the Chief of Party and in collaboration with the rest of the senior management team. This position will also ensure the technical and methodological soundness of program activities. This position is contingent upon award from USAID
Responsibilities: Provide technical and programmatic oversight, strategic direction and ensure appropriate support for the implementation of program activities in the areas of health systems strengthening and quality improvement
- Provide leadership in development of HSS &QI framework for partner districts and at facility levels
- Coordinate assessments, site strengthening, follow-up and supervision, including developing supportive supervision guidelines
- Identify clinical training needs and assist in the design and implementation of measures to address those needs
- Oversee the development of training curricula and quality improvement systems
- Provide “train the trainer” sessions, site strengthening, in-service and/or pre-service education, follow-up and supportive supervision to project-supported health facilities
- Engage regional and district stakeholders to define desired health outcomes and confirm clinical performance standards in alignment with national health service delivery standards and QI processes in different health facilities (hospital, HCIII, etc) and settings (static clinics, referrals, outreach), assess existing gaps in meeting standards, and develop a plan of action to achieve the desired health outcomes
- Develop and test approaches for quality and performance improvement according to the local context as needed
- Lead in establishment/maintenance of quality laboratory practice and quality standards for all biomedical interventions
- Apply quality standards to ensure that health services meet national requirements, as well as meet client expectations
- Advocate with national, district and community-level health institutions to raise awareness about their role in improving health outcomes
- Contributes to strengthening the referral system at all levels of health system
- In collaboration with program staff and the M&E Specialist, ensure that necessary quality improvement planning, budgeting and management activities occur to facilitate smooth and efficient program functioning
- Monitor and track improvements and progress toward quality goals
- Reinforce the peer review process, including sharing lessons learned and best practices adopted, to continually bridge performance gaps
Required Qualifications: Advanced degree in public health or related field
- 8+ years’ experience with progressively increasing responsibility in designing, managing and implementing complex, large scale public health programs and experience designing and/or leading a highly successful HSS program in Uganda or in a similar setting
- Skill in strengthening service delivery programs, training, performance and quality improvement and monitoring and evaluation
- The ability to liaise with senior MOH officials and dignitaries, executives of NGOs, FBOs, CBOs, the for-profit business community, and senior members of the donor community
- Demonstrated in-depth understanding of Ugandan healthcare system, particularly the public health system, experience living and working in Uganda preferred
- Strong oral and written communication and presentations skills in English
- Familiarity with USG administrative, management and reporting procedures and systems
- Proven track record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering team work
- Ability to coach, mentor and develop technical capacity in national programs and technical staff in QI
- Ability to travel up to 50% time
