Public Health Doctor, Consultant - Medical Equipment Training Specialist at Husk Power Systems

Husk Power Systems (“Husk”) is an award-winning clean energy company serving rural India and Sub-Saharan Africa. In 2023, it was named “World’s Best Challenger Brand” in the energy industry and is a 3-time Global Cleantech 100 company. The company’s AI-powered rural energy platform provides 24/7 renewable power to rural households, commercial customers, institutions, and small factories. It also delivers a range of other products and services, including e-commerce and credit financing of branded appliances for home and commercial use, as well as community-based solutions for e-mobility and the agricultural value chain. Husk’s mission is to superchange economic growth and social well-being in rural communities that are unserved and underserved.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Public Health Doctor Consultant - Medical Equipment Training Specialist

Location: Lafia, Nasarawa
Employment Type: Contract
Job Type: Consultancy
Contract Duration: January 2024 to February 2024

Program Background

• The healthcare challenges in Nigeria are pressing, with high maternal and child mortality rates attributed to preventable diseases like malaria, pneumonia, and diarrhea.
• The lack of reliable power in healthcare centres exacerbates these issues, with only 60% of centres receiving intermittent electricity and the remaining 40% lacking access entirely. This dire situation not only impacts healthcare services but also demoralizes medical practitioners.
• The program aims to address this by providing clean and reliable power to rural healthcare centres in Doma LGA Nasarawa state, which are either far from potentially being connected to power from a mini-grid or do not have reliable power from the main grid at all.
• Four healthcare centres catering to 951 patients monthly will be equipped with solar hybrid systems, benefiting over 40,000 community members. Engaging 44 community healthcare workers and a midwife, this initiative ensures an uninterrupted power supply, fostering improved and accessible healthcare delivery.
• Moreover, the project will enhance healthcare efficiency by supplying vaccine fridges, microscopes, and other necessary equipment powered by the installed solar systems. Comprehensive training for healthcare workers on utilizing these appliances will be provided.
• Additionally, the centres will offer phone charging, battery swapping stations, and e-bike charging for patients and visitors, generating income to cover maintenance and service costs. Local support will drive project installation, and technicians from the community will receive training to operate and maintain the systems and manage the extra services provided.
• By providing reliable power and essential healthcare equipment, these health centers aim to significantly increase patient access to quality healthcare within their communities, reducing the need for lengthy journeys to distant facilities. This initiative not only improves healthcare services but also creates sustainable solutions catering to the community's energy needs.

Expected Results

• 4 healthcare centres powered by clean reliable energy sources and equipped with basic equipment, such as vaccine fridges, microscopes, and other basic healthcare equipment to function efficiently
• 24/7 access to healthcare centres, with reliable power even at night-time
• Reduction in travel time to access basic healthcare services
• Reduction in maternal and child mortality by 10% in the first 3 years
• Capacity building sessions tailored to improve job security and retention of community health workers.
• Job creation for 8 persons across the 4 health centres to operate and maintain the solar hybrid system.
• Provision of additional services for the communities: phone charging, EV battery charging/swapping station, and ice blocks sale.

Job Overview

• Husk is seeking a skilled consultant experienced within the Public Health Sector with hands-on experience using medical equipment and personnel training programs in rural communities in Nasarawa state.
• The consultant will be responsible for designing and implementing comprehensive training modules aimed at equipping healthcare workers with the knowledge and skills necessary to proficiently operate and interpret readings from various medical equipment, including but not limited to vaccine fridge, digital blood pressure toolkit, monitor, microscope, forceps, thermometer, surgical scissors, and other essential tools.

Key Responsibilities
Training Program Development:

• Design and develop training modules for healthcare workers in rural communities, ensuring the content is tailor
• Create instructional materials, manuals, and multimedia presentations to facilitate effective learning.

Hands-on Training:

• Conduct on-site, hands-on training sessions to healthcare workers on the proper use and maintenance of medical equipment.
• Provide practical demonstrations and simulations to ensure participants gain confidence in handling a variety of tools.

Customised Training Plans:

• Assess the existing knowledge and skill levels of healthcare workers to tailor training programs according to their needs.
• Develop individualized training plans for different levels of proficiency, ensuring inclusivity.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Implement monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to assess the effectiveness of training programs.
• Collect feedback from participants and stakeholders to continuously improve training content and delivery.

Collaboration and Networking:

• Collaborate with local healthcare organizations, community leaders, and other stakeholders to ensure the successful integration of training programs into other existing healthcare initiatives.
• Establish and maintain partnerships to facilitate ongoing support and mentorship.

Documentation and Reporting:

• Maintain accurate records of training activities, including attendance, evaluations, and participant feedback.
• Prepare regular reports on the progress and impact of the training program.

Key Deliverables

• Training Modules: Develop comprehensive training modules for each type of medical equipment, clearly outlining usage, maintenance, and troubleshooting procedures.
• Training Materials: Create instructional materials, including manuals, videos, and presentations, to support the training sessions.
• Training Schedule: Provide a detailed training schedule outlining dates, times, and locations of training sessions in rural communities.
• Individualised Training Plans: Develop customized training plans for healthcare workers based on their current knowledge and skills, ensuring a tailored approach to capacity building.
• Hands-On Training Sessions: Conduct on-site, hands-on training sessions for healthcare workers using various medical equipment, allowing for practical experience.
• Assessment Tools: Design and implement tools for assessing the proficiency of healthcare workers before and after training sessions.
• Monitoring and Evaluation Framework: Establish a framework for ongoing monitoring and evaluation, including key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the success and impact of the training program.
• Feedback Reports: Collect and analyze feedback from participants to gauge the effectiveness of training content, delivery methods, and overall satisfaction.
• Progress Reports: Provide regular progress reports detailing the number of participants trained, areas of improvement, and any challenges faced during the implementation of the program.
• Documentation of Attendance: Maintain accurate records of participant attendance for each training session.
• Case Studies or Success Stories: Compile case studies or success stories showcasing instances where healthcare workers successfully applied the knowledge gained during the training sessions.
• Program Integration Report: Assess and report on the integration of the training program into existing healthcare initiatives within the rural communities.
• Equipment Maintenance Checklist: Prepare a checklist for regular maintenance of medical equipment in the target communities, ensuring sustainability beyond the training program.
• Recommendations for Continuous Improvement: Provide recommendations for refining and improving the training program based on lessons learned and feedback received.
• All reports to be delivered to the Project Team

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor with a specialization in Public Health or a related field.
• Proven 8-10 years of experience in public health programs, with a focus on training and capacity building.
• In-depth knowledge of various medical equipment and their applications.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with diverse audiences.
• Experience working in rural or underserved communities is highly desirable.
• Proficiency in program evaluation and reporting.
• Proficiency in speaking the Hausa language.
• Ability to work successfully in a cross-cultural, team-based environment

Associated Fees
NGN 500,000 - NGN 700,000 consulting fee based on experience, subject to relevant taxes

Application Closing Date
30th December, 2023.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their Resume, a Cover Letter detailing their relevant experience, and a sample training module or outline they have developed in the past to: [email protected] using "Consultant" as the subject of the email.