Amref Health Africa is an African-led international health development organization headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Founded in 1957 as the Flying Doctors of East Africa to bring critical health services to remote communities, Amref Health Africa envision to bringing lasting health change for Africain more than 30 countries across the continent. With a focus on women and children, the organization strives to overcome the most critical health challenges facing the continent: maternal and child health, HIV & TB, malaria, water and sanitation and health systems strengthening. Amref Health Africa in Ethiopia has been working in Ethiopia since 2002 in close collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Health implementing a range of projects in maternal, neonatal and child health, reproductive health, health systems strengthening, health workforce development, water and sanitation, HIV/AIDS and non-communicable diseases across the country, supported by a wide range of multilateral and bilateral donors, corporates and foundations.

Amref Health Africa would like to recruit MPDSR Technical Assistant –seconded to FMoH, MNCH Directorate based in Addis Ababa and will report to Maternal Child Health coordinator at the Directorate/Technical Director for T-HDR.

Project summary;

USAID Transform: Health in Developing Regions (T-HDR) Activity is a five-year project funded by USAID. It is implemented in the four developing regions (DRS) in consortium – Amref Health Africa as a lead with sub partners: IntraHealth International, ProjectHope and General Electric (GE). The overall goal of the project is to reduce morbidity and mortality among mothers and under five children in Afar, Benishangul-Gumuz, Gambella and Somali regional states. The project aims to increase the utilization of quality, high impact, maternal neonatal and child health and family planning services and support the Government of Ethiopia’s overall progress in realizing the HSTP (2016-2022) goals of reduction of child and maternal deaths.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The MPDSR Technical Assistant based at Federal Ministry of Health, Maternal and Child Health Directorate will provide technical support to ensure Maternal Death Surveillance and Response System established and functional with special emphasis to the Developing Regional States. The technical assistant (TA) will work closely with the Maternal & Child health coordinator within the Directorate to organize and oversee capacity building activities related to MPDSR at the Ministry and in the developing regional states. The TA will ensure MPDSR gets due attention and priority during annual planning, mid-year plan review and annual performance review. In addition to this, the TA will work with relevant case teams and personnel at Federal and Regional levels to document evidences and promising practices to improve and scale up MPDSR.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

·        Provide high level technical assistance to the Federal Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureaus

·        Provide direct support to the FMOH and Pastoralist Regions in set-up and implementation of MPDSR system in line with national guidelines

·        Ensure Federal and Regional Health Bureau’s annual work plan included MPDSR activities

·  Organize and oversee the national level capacity building activities related with MPDSR for health providers and health program managers at all levels of health system

· Participate in the development and revision of strategies, training materials and guidelines.

·        Ensure the activities and lessons from MPDSR system are available and inform national strategic direction, and operational plans

·        Ensure the actions oriented focus of MPDSR is maintained, and that the lessons feed into the wider MNH quality improvement programming at national level

· Ensure evidences from MPDSR are utilized for immediate action at health facility level as part of wider quality assurance processes and at zonal and Regional level as well.

· Support MCH directorate in MNH quality improvement program designing, monitoring, and evaluation and supporting activities.

· Work with responsible teams at Federal and Regions to improve the capacity and functionality of MPDSR TWGs

· Advocate for more resources, and engage in resource mobilization for MPDSR related program

·  Work to improve reporting from regions, and ensure date use for decision making

·  Ensure periodic joint supervisions give due attention on MPDSR, and participate in the JSS field activities

·Ensure that feedback from supportive supervision visits, review meetings and related forums are applied for continuous improvement in the quality of the RMNCH interventions

· Work with relevant personnel at Federal and Regional level to document promising practices and evidences to improve and scale up MPDSR program.

·  Discharge other responsibilities as directed by the immediate supervisor at the Federal Ministry of Health, Maternal & Child Health Directorate

·         Masters degree in health

·         At least 10 years relevant experience

·         Extensive knowledge and experience in MPDSR

·         Experience in capacity building (programmatic and technical)

·         Previous experience in organizing standard maternal and child health trainings

·         Has received additional relevant trainings

·         Experience in working with Federal Ministry of Health and good knowledge of the developing regional states

SPECIAL SKILLS REQUIRED or DESIRED

·         Excellent communication and interpersonal skills including influencing, negotiation and mentoring/coaching skills

·         Strong analytical, problem solving and writing skills with demonstrated ability to write briefing papers (ability to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner)

·         Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in a multi-cultural environment

·         Strong results orientation, with the ability to challenge status quo

·         Proven ability to manage a complex and demanding workload

·         Excellent spoken and written English

·         Good computer skills (particularly Excel, Word and database)

·         Ability to meet deadline without compromising quality

·         Ability to work under pressure, multi-task, accept challenges, take initiative and solve problems.

·         Ability to work in harsh circumstances and travel to field

·         Flexibility to adjust to different situations and contexts.

·         Identify with the values and mission of Federal Ministry of Health.