Senior Principal Advisor, RMNH
Management Sciences for Health
- Kabul
- Permanent
- Full-time
- Oversee the provision of technical support and mentorship by the relevant AFIAT Technical Advisors to their central and provincial counterparts in the areas of RMNH.
- Oversee and coordinate the technical assistance for the development of a streamlined and scaled up quality improvement program in collaboration with the Afghan Society of Obstetrician and Gynecologists, Afghanistan, Nurses and Midwives Council, American College of Nurse-Midwives and other relevant professional associations for ensuring the sustainability of the AFIAT RMNH interventions.
- Provide support to the Senior Principal Advisors for Provincial Technical Assistance, in ensuring smooth collaboration between Sr. Provincial Managers and the Kabul-based Technical Advisors to facilitate the implementation of the Targeted Support Teams, and the technical assistance to HER contractors
- Oversee and manage the design and implementation of activities to strengthen and scale up integrated community-based and health facility services, increasing access to and the quality of family planning, maternal, newborn and child health services
- Lead and guide the RMNH members team on ensuring sustainability of the key RMNH interventions and achievements.
- Ensure the provision of technical support and mentorship by the relevant Midwifery Technical Team to their central and provincial counterparts in their roles in the areas of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn Health, Nutrition, Family Planning, Midwifery Model of Care.
- Collaborate with the Sr Principal Advisor, Midwifery and other team members to fully align enhanced midwifery program activities into the Project’s strategic objectives.
- With DCOP, Technical Director, assist the BPHS/EPHS NGOs, MoPH, and relevant stakeholders in assessing its needs for and targeting technical assistance for integrating proven high impact interventions for RMNCH in the routine BPHS/EPHS service delivery
- Prepare research abstracts on the project key interventions and present at the international forums.
- Take a leadership role for advocating adoption at national level with MOPH and other stakeholders (WHO/ UNICEF) of key HII AFIAT RMNH interventions which have demonstrated positive results on the mortality reduction of maternal and newborn health (AIM bundles for PPH and Pre-Eclampsia/Eclampsia, Safe C-Section Surgery program).
- Advocate through high-level discussion with stakeholders of Afghanistan on key AFIAT HII RMNH achievements and on sustainability of key interventions.
- Lead the development of abstracts and any other research studies on key AFIAT RMNH interventions as advocacy work at national and international level
- Actively participate in the MoPH task forces pertaining to the maternal health, newborn and FP program, and in MoPH working groups delegated to implement and evaluate relevant activities, as defined by the MSH/AFIAT work plan.
- Coordinate the MSH/AFIAT RMNH program activities closely with UNICEF, WHO, BPHS-NGOs, professional bodies and other relevant agencies involved in the promotion and scaling up of the RMNH program in Afghanistan.
- Prepare and give technical presentations on key project activities and achievements at the national and international forums, as needed.
- Assist in the development, implementation, and monitoring of the USAID/AFIAT annual work plans.
- Facilitate the adequate and timely planning of and reporting on project activities under her/his supervision, as required by USAID. This will include careful documentation and sharing of lessons learned.
- Assist in identifying requirements for technical assistance and develop appropriate scopes of work.
- Any additional work as assigned.
- Advanced degree/diploma in Obstetrics/Gynecology. Medical degree.
- At least 4 years of postgraduate clinical experience in RMNH.
- Master’s degree in public health or in relevant discipline preferred.
- Eight (8) years of senior-level experience managing family planning, maternal, and newborn health programs (US Government-funded experience preferred), with demonstrated success in achieving results in improving health services delivery and quality assurance.
- Ten (10) years of progressive experience preferred.
- Maintains a strong knowledge of the details within the function. Will become involved in day-to-day issues that impact critical deadlines and deliverables.
- Familiarity with the structure, systems, and policies of the health sector in Afghanistan and proven capacity for close collaboration with the partners for health at a central and provincial level.
- Proven technical knowledge in reproductive health and/or child health, in integrated health services delivery, and in assuring quality of care.
- Proven mentorship skills in RMNH are preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, guide, and inspire a team of public health professionals.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with donors, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators, and staff at all levels of the organization.
- Must be an effective public speaker; able to present to small groups as well as larger audiences that could include donors, UN agencies, private sector partners, and/or other partners.
- Able to travel to provinces, as the security situation allows.
- Employees at this level develop and maintain an extensive range of important contacts with top internal and very senior external officials for the purpose of obtaining or verifying information which is not otherwise available.
- Variable situations requiring analytical, interpretive, evaluative, and/or constructive thinking to determine innovative optimal solutions. Identifies and selects solutions through the application of acquired experience and is guided by precedent. Uses judgment within broadly defined policies and practices. The jobholder will act as an advisor and coach to mentor junior members of the team. Decisions impact broad workgroup schedules and/or the allocation of time and resources.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills both in local languages and English. Excellent interpersonal skills demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally diverse staff.