Fresh Graduate Program Assistant NAHSS at Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN)

The Institute of Human Virology, Nigeria (IHVN)  was established in 2004 as a not-for-profit organization to address the HIV/AIDS crises in Nigeria through the development of infrastructure for treatment, care, prevention, and support for people living with and those affected by HIV/AIDS, cancer, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases. It is also established to implement scale-up of the US President Emergency Fund for AID Relief (PEPFAR) program and conduct research and training to promote quality evidence-based health systems strengthening.

As a model local partner organization, it is also structured to maintain linkages with international and local organizations, especially the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), IHV-Baltimore and the University of Maryland and Global Funds for Tuberculosis, AIDS and Malaria, to promote capacity development and collaboration within the health sector in Nigeria. IHVN also conducts research and training in research methodologies and ethics intended to enhance the capacity of Nigeria to effectively mitigate HIV/AIDS,cancer, tuberculosis, malaria and other diseases.

The Nigerian Alliance for Health Systems Strengthening (NAHSS) is a CDC-funded project that supports building of Nigeria Health Systems' for sustainable impact. The University of Maryland-led project will support the Federal Ministry of Health to develop the National Quality Improvement program (NigeriaQual) and strengthen the capacity of local implementing partners, state multidisciplinary planning teams and site CQI Teams to integrate Quality Improvement activities into Organization, Financial and Program planning activities, in addition to HIV care and treatment services.

We are therefore looking for a competent professional to fill this position.

Job Title: Program Assistant NAHSS

Location: Abuja

Summary/Overview
Reporting to the Project Director, the Program Assistant (NAHSS) will monitor and coordinate the State, Hub-Spoke Clusters and Implementing partners' implementation of NigeriaQual activities; He/She will support the NAHSS project team in the implementation of all health system strengthening activities; Communicate with implementing partners and state ministries of health on NigeriaQual activities and generate inferences and reports from project.

Responsibilities

• Under the direction of Program Director and Program Manager, the Administrative Assistant will be responsible for the provision of administrative and logistical support services to the NAHSS team

Implementation and Evaluation

• Assist in the development of the overall framework for NigeriaQual implementation including annual assessments, project reviews, impact assessments, process monitoring, operations monitoring and lessons-learned workshops.
• Assist in the process for identifying and designing the key indicators for program areas, to record and report physical progress against the Annual Result Framework, Program Targets.
• Coordinate the activation of Hub-Spoke Clusters within NAHSS Year 1 Focus States and the activities of Cluster Network Teams
• Participate in National QI Task team meetings and advocacy meetings
• Prepare and share action items from all meetings and coordinate/ track implementation of action items.
• Assist in the process for identifying the key parameters for monitoring project performance. Design the format for such performance reports.
• Support Implementing Partner staff and site staff to implement and collate reports of site QI project activities over time, collect quarterly reports and provide feedback and recommendations to the Project Director and Program Manager
• Participate in the implementation of the NigeriaQual project, revising and updating tools, indicators, methods and formats
• Assist in developing and coordinating the QI activities of State MPTeams
• Support State MP teams to understand, interpret and utilize Quality Assessment reports and program data for quality improvement purposes
• Collate State MP teams' quarterly work plans, quarterly reports of initiatives implemented and monthly meeting reports.
• Provide technical assistance to site and network QI teams when necessary
• Perform other duties as assigned

Communication

• Prepare reports on findings from NigeriaQual evaluations and program evaluations as required, working closely with technical staff and implementing partners
• Guide the regular sharing of outputs/findings with project staff, implementing partners and primary stakeholders.
• Facilitate communication between those carrying out field implementation and decision-makers on the number and quality of activities undertaken for each project component.
• Identify lessons learned and implications for the project's next steps. Participate in these events when possible. .

Requirements

• Must have the ability to make inferences from data analysis and present findings in both oral and written form
• Report writing and presentation skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office Excel, Word, Power point
• Team player
• Be willing to undertake regular field visits and interact with different stakeholders
• Flexibility, willing to travel and work weekends.
• Have a clear understanding of the health system structure and HIV/AIDS environment of the country.
• Have a supportive attitude towards processes of strengthening local partners and building local capacities for self-management.
• Applicant should possess BA, BS or equivalent degree, a minimum of 1 year experience.
• S/he should have knowledge and skills usually acquired through education/training in Quality Improvement and familiarity with the Nigerian health system.
• Applicant must possess excellent team spirit, be able to multi-task and work independently.
• Minimum of 1 year experience with HIV/AIDS programs or related health service programs;
• Experience in Quality Improvement in HIV care is an added advantage
  

Application Closing Date
31st July, 2013

Method Of Application
Interested and qualified should send their application letter and detailed curriculum vitae in Microsoft word format to the Associate Director, Human Resources at: careers@ihvnigeria.org
Candidates should indicate appropriate positions and preferred locations in their application letter. IHVN is an equal opportunity employer.