Project Assistant / Quality Improvement Officer (Akwa Ibom) at Abt Associates

Abt Associates - The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance - as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Project Assistant / Quality Improvement Officer

Req Id: 59903
Location: Akwa Ibom

Summary

• Abt Associates seeks a Quality Improvement Officer to support a family planning project under SHOPS Plus. SHOPS Plus is USAID’s flagship initiative in private sector health.
• The project seeks to harness the full potential of the private sector and catalyze public-private engagement to improve health outcomes in TB, family planning, HIV/AIDS, maternal and child health, and other health areas. In Nigeria, SHOPS Plus will capacitate public and private providers to scale up family planning, including Long Acting Reversible Contraceptives (LARCs) in Oyo and Akwa Ibom States.
• The Quality Improvement Officer will be responsible for ensuring trained health workers at the designated States are providing FP, including LARC services according to quality standards.
• He/she will support health facilities in the state to adhere to quality standards in the delivery of FP services. This position reports directly to the Akwa Ibom State coordinator with a dotted line to the Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS)

Key Roles and Responsibilites

• Helps to update the enhanced training package for FP, including LARC and keeps personal knowledge/skills/ attitudes up-to-date regarding FP
• Lead on the operations with the American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM) and  state officials to design and implement a practical,  sustainable supportive supervision system (with emphasis on Gender Transformative supportive supervision) and other relevant quality improvement processes for FP service delivery
• Provide additional on-the-job training and coaching/mentoring at the facility level as needed to assure that providers are ready to provide unbiased, high-quality FP services
• Together with State Trainers and FP Coaches, share positive learnings between facilities to encourage problem solving to improve quality of Care
• Work closely with the Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS), State and local government area (LGA) RH/FP Coordinators,   and other State and LGA Team members to support the state to follow-up and monitor health workers trained on FP, and ensure adherence to quality standards (including infection prevention practices and unbiased FP counselling)
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders at the state, LGA, facility, and community levels to identify gaps in FP service delivery and design interventions to address the gaps
• Work closely with the RH/FP Technical Director, Quality Improvement Specialist (QIS) and M&E Director to undertake facility quality assessments and surveys
• Work with State officials and supply chain programs to ensure health facilities have the necessary equipment and supplies to provide high quality FP services
• Provide support to private sector facilities to adhere to quality standards in the provision of FP services
• Work collaboratively with other technical staff and project partners to ensure effective and timely program coordination for implementation
• Participate in the development of strategy documents, work plans, and reports
• Contribute to the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning system
• Attend relevant meetings at state level and ensure effective linking, learning and sharing
• Attend to other duties as may be identified or assigned

Preferred Skills / Prerequsites

• RN/RM, degree in Clinical Nursing/midwifery, relevant paramedical degree or M.B.B.S degree, or experiential equivalent. (Master’s Degree in Public Health is an advantage)
• 3-5 years of current FP/LARC service delivery
• 3-5 years adult learning training experience
• A 3-5 years demonstrated knowledge and experience in designing and implementing clinical quality improvement and supportive supervision systems (specific experience with FP/LARC is desirable)
• Extensive knowledge of the Nigerian public and private health sectors
• Strong knowledge and experience of FP, including LARC service delivery in resource poor settings
• Ability to run basic statistical analysis and generate good report
• Familiarity with different sociocultural and developmental issues related to RH/FP in Nigeria and the international community; familiarity with community engagement approach
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Excellent computer, management and organizational skills
• A proven team player
• Ability to anticipate and solve problems
• Ability to travel within the state at least 50% of the time

Minimum Qualifications:

• ( 2+ ) years of experience OR the equivalent combination of education and experience

Application Closing Date
Not Specified.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online