Quality Improvement Officer at Helen Keller International (HKI)

Helen Keller International (HKI), established in 1915, is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, HKI currently conducts programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States.

HKI implements integrated package of cost-effective interventions that are proven to improve maternal and child nutrition. HKI supports policies and programs on food fortification, vitamin A supplementation, infant and young child feeding, nutrition-sensitive agriculture, community-based management of acute malnutrition and prevention and treatment of neglected tropical diseases. At the core of HKI’s programs is advocacy and social behavior change communication to various stakeholders. HKI also undertakes cutting-edge research to influence policy decisions and inform program quality.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Quality Improvement Officer

Location: Akwa Ibom
Employment Type: Full-time

Background

• We are seeking a candidate for the Advancing Nutrition in Nigeria project that implements and provides technical support and direct implementation to nutrition interventions across sectors and disciplines for both its donors and partners.
• The project’s multi-sectoral approach draws on global nutrition experience to design, implement and evaluate programs that address the root causes of malnutrition.
• Committed to using a systems approach, the project strives to sustain positive outcomes by building local capacity, supporting behavior change, gender, equity and social inclusion, and strengthening the enabling environment to save lives, improve health, build resilience, increase economic productivity, and advance development.
• The project will advance the Mission’s Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy to support the Government of Nigeria’s policies, programs and priorities to sustainably address the burden of malnutrition in the country.
• This project will also contribute to the USAID/Nigeria Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020 – 2025 Development Objectives, specifically: Development Objective 1 (DO1): Broadened and Inclusive Economic Growth; Development Objective 2 (DO2): A Healthier, Better Educated Population; and Special Objective (SO): Greater Stability and Early Recovery Advanced in Selected States.

This activity has three main objectives also referred to as the results areas. They are:

• Strengthen Multisectoral linkages and coordination for improved nutrition
• Improve community-based nutrition practices and utilization of services
• Evidence generation for improved nutrition

Scope of the Position

• The Quality Improvement Officer will report to the State Program Manager and support the implementation of high-quality nutrition services across targeted communities and health facilities.
• This role requires strong technical expertise in nutrition quality improvement (QI) and the ability to coordinate with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, health providers, and community partners, to enhance the quality of nutrition interventions.
• The officer will lead activities in capacity building, supportive supervision, and quality assurance of nutrition services, focusing on maternal and child health.

Responsibilities
Technical Assistance and Capacity Building:

• Support the design and implementation of quality improvement plans for nutrition services across selected health facilities in Akwa Ibom.
• Deliver on-site capacity-building training for health facility staff, community health workers, and other stakeholders on nutrition quality standards and evidence-based practices.
• Conduct regular supportive supervision and mentoring visits to ensure adherence to established QI protocols, providing feedback and recommendations as needed.

Quality Improvement and Monitoring:

• Implement QI frameworks and tools to monitor and enhance the quality of maternal, infant, and child nutrition services.
• Lead monthly data collection on nutrition service quality indicators across all designated facilities and community platforms, analysing data to identify areas for improvement.
• Support the development and tracking of QI targets, reporting progress to state-level and national program leadership.

Stakeholder Engagement and Coordination:

• Work closely with the State Ministry of Health, Primary Health Care Development Agency, local government, and community partners to align project QI activities with state and national nutrition goals.
• Participate in state-level meetings, technical working groups, and stakeholder forums to advocate for and promote quality improvements in nutrition services.
• Act as the primary contact for health facility QI teams and ensure continuous collaboration and communication with National and other local partners.

Reporting and Documentation:

• Document best practices, lessons learned, and success stories from the QI activities conducted in communities and health facilities.
• Contribute to the development of quarterly, and annual reports for USAID, highlighting progress, challenges, and recommendations for future improvements.
• Support the production of information, education, and communication (IEC) materials to reinforce quality standards for nutrition service providers and community health workers.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in nutrition, Public Health, Nursing, Health Education or a related field (a Master’s degree in Public Health or a relevant field is preferred).
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in nutrition or public health program implementation in Nigeria, preferably with a focus on quality improvement.

Skills and Knowledge:

• Demonstrated expertise in nutrition quality improvement and training methodologies.
• Strong knowledge of maternal and child nutrition and experience working within the Nigerian health system.
• Proven skills in capacity building, clinical mentoring, data analysis, and using QI tools and methods.
• Experience with USAID-funded programs or other donor-funded projects is an asset.

Language and Computer Skills:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluency in local languages is advantageous.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Additional Requirements:

• Willingness to travel within Akwa Ibom.
• Strong organizational, teamwork, and interpersonal skills with an ability to adapt to dynamic program needs and community settings.

Application Closing Date
30th November, 2024.

Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should send their CV to: nigeria.recruitment@hki.org using the job title as the subject of the email.