LGA Consultant at John Snow Incorporated (JSI) - 5 Openings

John Snow Incorporated (JSI) - We are public health care and health systems consultants and researchers driven by a passion to improve health services and health outcomes for all.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: LGA Consultant - USAID MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity Project/Nigeria

Locations: Bayelsa, Edo, Imo, Jigawa, Lagos

General Information

• The MOMENTUM Routine Immunization Transformation and Equity (M-RITE) project is part of a suite of innovative awards funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to holistically improve family planning and maternal and child health in partner countries around the world.
• The project applies best practices and explores innovations to increase equitable immunization coverage in USAID-supported countries around the globe. It works to build countries’ capacity to identify and overcome barriers to reaching zero-dose and under-immunized children and older populations with life-saving vaccines and other integrated health services. M-RITE works at multiple levels and in alignment with global strategies such as the Immunization Agenda 2030 and Gavi 5.0.
• The project also contributes to ongoing global efforts to introduce new and under-utilized vaccines. In Nigeria M-RITE works to strengthen routine immunization (RI) services in M-RITE-supported counties.  

Summary Role

• The LGA Consultant will be responsible for planning, implementing, and monitoring and reporting on strategies/approaches to ensure that children can access routine immunization services within the LGA. He/she must be resident within the LGA of assignment.

Roles & Responsibilities

• Facilitate data driven LERICC Meetings in assigned LGAs.
• Conduct monthly performance review for all PHCs offering Routine Immunization (RI) services in the assigned LGA; and updating the RI performance dashboard for the LGA.
• Rank all Health Facilities providing RI based on performance monthly.
• Facilitate LGA level annual RI/PHC Review.
• Assist the LGA PHC team and ward personnel to develop, implement and update  detailed GIS enabled LGA and HF RI microplans using the integrated REW approach.
• Conduct settlement analysis of  RI data in the immunization register/tools in the HF to identify, enumerate and reach under-immunized children and, also to prioritize, document and plan to reach the underserved communities.
• Plan, conduct and report top-up integrated RI/PHC outreaches and mobile services for under-served communities within the apex PHCs catchment area (and non-apex PHCs as the need arises).
• Collect, analyze and report on monthly   RI/PHC KPIs  from all settlements, including  their geographic coordinates.
• Ensure that all planned settlements have geo-coordinates and that tracking reports are obtained monthly for analysis and feedback
• Support the training of WFPs, vaccination teams and independent monitors in assigned LGA.
• Gather data on the functionality of existing  immunization facilities to include location of Primary Health facilities, services offered and catchment populations.
• Regularly assess all HFs potential to provide quality RI services in the LGA.  
• Guide the LGA teams on the mentoring and monitoring of RI Service Providers/PHC Officers-In-Charge (OICs) and their deputies on the execution of their facility operations in compliance with set standards.
• Co-monitor RI/PHC efficiency (with the LGA teams) based on key performance indicators
• Support planning for RI/PHC program implementation.
• Ensure the timely collection and reporting of RI/PHC service data in all HFs and at the LGA level.
• Provide routine progress reports on RI/PHC supervision activities to the core team, including reports on challenges, on-the-spot mitigation responses, recommendations, successes and lessons learned
• Ensure adequate documentation and reporting of RI/PHC performance
• Support LGA team and PHCs to identify and resolve problems associated with PHC management
• Support LGA team and PHCs to identify, resolve and document problems associated with ownership, vaccine hesitancy and rejection.
• Provide support to ensure the functionality of community based governance structures, and resource persons for the improvement of RI/PHC services.
• Co-report a monthly RI/PHC implementation progress and performance report, including implications of results and/or recommendations for improvement
• Provide feedback on the mentorship approach and identify improvement areas required travel: Routine visits to the PHC facilities in the state (required to visit every PHC in their assigned LGAs at least once a month).
• Conduct, document and report monthly DQS/RI spot checks in all the HFs providing RI services in the LGA.
• Conduct, document and report Integrated supportive supervision visits using the approved tools.
• Coach/mentor service providers to document all required data during RI sessions using the approved data tools.
• Check  RI data collection and reporting tools availability for at least three months stock during monitoring visits.
• Sample 250 children below 24 months of age, in 5 selected communities to assess their vaccination status using the community survey tool on a monthly basis.
• Conduct client exit interviews during RI sessions.
• Collaborate with other RI partners and PHC staff to notify and respond to public health threats or VPDs.

Deliverables:

• Weekly plans and updates
• Monthly report by objectives
• Dashboard of HF RI/PHC performance ranking
• GPS Coordinates of RI outreach sites supported
• A report on the number of Zero Dose children identified, enumerated and vaccinated.
• A report on the Number of missed settlements identified and reported to the WFP/WDC/LGA PHC Team.
• A report on the number of target populations (by gender) in the identified settlement above.
• A report on the number of PHCs offering RI/PHC services visited
• A report on the number of Fixed RI sessions supported
• A report on the number of Outreach RI sessions supported
• A report on the number of Mobile RI sessions supported
• A report on the number of RISS conducted
• A report on the number of HF RI/PHC REW microplans updated
• A report of new and old non-compliant communities
• Raw data on BeSD of immunization collected and shared
• A report of demand generation activities that happened at the community level.
• Monthly DHIS-2 RI data report for the supported sites
• Monthly DQS data report per LGA for the supported sites
• A report on capacity building approaches deployed on the supported sites.
• Monthly slide deck on RI/PHC performance dashboard presented to LERICC and LGA PHC Team

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Diploma, ideally Bachelor's Degree, preferably in the field of Health or other Natural Sciences
• Previous work experience in PHC system strengthening and/or other health system related projects.
• Previous/similar role in JSI strongly desirable
• Ability to coach and mentor
• Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office Suite to conduct basic analysis, interpret data, and write reports; routine data collection and reporting platforms (e.g., DHIS2) and GIS mapping skills as a plus.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to identify and solve problems on the spot
• Strong organization and planning skills
• Capacity to work independently and function effectively within a team
• Ability to assess, prioritize and manage a variety of activities with attention to detail
• Strong command of English and the major language(s) spoken in the preferred State/LGA of choice.

Application Closing Date
25th April, 2024.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their CV and Cover Letter to: recruiting@ng.jsi.com using "LGA Consultant - Preferred Location" as the subject of the mail.

Note

• Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
• Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. JSI offers competitive salary and benefits.
• JSI is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer committed to workplace diversity.
• We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all qualified applicants and employees without regard to age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, creed, religion, gender, disability, marital status, gender identity, sexual orientation, sexual preference, genetic information, political affiliation, or protected veteran status in any employment decisions.
• Women are encouraged to apply.