What are we aiming at?” That’s the question our first president, Daniel Coit Gilman, asked at his inauguration in 1876. What is this place all about, exactly? His answer: “The encouragement of research . . . and the advancement of individual scholars, who by their excellence will advance the sciences they pursue, and the society where they dwell.” Gilman believed that teaching and research go hand in hand-that success in one depends on success in the other-and that a modern university must do both well. He also believed that sharing our knowledge and discoveries would help make the world a better place. After 140 years, we haven’t strayed from that vision. This is still a destination for excellent, ambitious scholars and a world leader in teaching and research. Distinguished professors mentor students in the arts and music, humanities, social and natural sciences, engineering, international studies, education, business, and the health professions. Those same faculty members, and their colleagues at the university’s Applied Physics Laboratory, have made us the nation’s leader in federal research and development funding every year since 1979. That’s a fitting distinction for America’s first research university, a place that revolutionized higher education in America.
- Experience 9 – 10 years
- Location Abuja
Overview
Position Overview: We are seeking a dynamic and experienced individual to fill the role of RMNCH Program Director. The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing the design, implementation, and evaluation of Jhpiego’s Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health programs. The RMNCH Program Director will play a pivotal role in shaping and executing strategies to improve the health outcomes of mothers and children, ensuring the highest standards of programmatic excellence within the BMGF funded ARC and TA Connect projects, and other projects as assigned.
Responsibilities
Technical
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- Provide technical lead in the design and implementation of high impact reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCAEH+N) services that is sound, evidence-based and responsive to the needs of project states and at the National level as identified.
- Lead on integration of innovative interventions into established service delivery systems at different levels of care in implementation states.
- Collaborate with other stakeholders at the National and State level to apply lessons learned, innovations and quality methods to ensure evidence-based practices are translated to improved implementation of quality of care interventions.
- Provide technical leadership to the building of national and local capacity using proven training approaches and quality improvement methodologies.
- Provide trainings (providers and training of trainers) as well as follow-up support and clinical mentoring as necessary for RMNCH.
- Lead the provision of technical support to States on basic maternal health (MH) continuum of care (including antenatal through postpartum care, FP integration, birth planning and birth preparedness) for their – public and private health facilities State sites.
- Provide technical support to key stakeholders at the national and State level including review of technical documents and provide input to relevant policies and strategies.
- Coordinate closely with other development partner programs at the national and state level.
- Coordinate with the program’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) team on activities to ensure that the program meets set targets in accordance with national and donor standards.
- Represent Jhpiego at national and state level stakeholder meetings and technical working groups in relation to RMNCAEH+N and related technical areas.Program Management
- Contribute to annual work planning, training plans and quarterly reports and other required technical reports.
- Provide technical leadership on the timely, accurate and appropriate reporting of program activities and results.
- Advocate and ensure quality program implementation consistent with FMOH RMNCH and WHO Guidelines and strategic directions, global best practices including advice on relevant latest health developments & publications.
- Coordinate the evaluation of program progress against deliverables on a quarterly basis.
- Coordinate with the other members of the technical team and implement feasible national and state-based approaches.
- Develop and manage program budgets, ensuring financial sustainability and adherence to donor requirements.
- Identify funding opportunities, lead proposal development efforts, and engage with donors to secure funding for RMNCH initiatives.
- Implement financial controls and reporting mechanisms to track program expenditures and ensure compliance with financial regulations.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Country Director which contribute to the achievement of program goals.
Required Qualifications
The RMNCH Project Director must be a proven technical leader in the field of international RMNCH with management experience in public health programs. S/he must be familiar with the reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH) community in Nigeria. The RMNCH Project Director must be intimately familiar with the context in Nigeria and have in-country experience with donor programs. Additional qualifications include:
- A Medical doctor or Experienced Nurse or Midwife or any other closely related health care professional; specialization in obstetrics and gynecology or Public Health and other health related courses (e.g. PhD, MPH, and MSc in international health, Social sciences or other relevant degree) will be an advantage.
- Minimum of 9-10 years working experience in the areas of RMNCH, Nutrition, and family planning.
- Previous experience working on an international donor funded project will be an added advantage.
- Familiarity with the FMOH, SMOH structures and functions especially as it relates to MNCH is highly desirable.
- Demonstrated expertise in working directly with host-country government officials and policy makers in maternal health.
- Experience working with host-country partners, organizations, and institutions.
- Strong skills in technical issues, design, implementation and monitoring of program components; e.g. services, training, quality improvement, advocacy and coordination.
- Demonstrated capacity to work with African experts and partners in developing technical materials and providing training to improve service delivery, advocacy and resource mobilization for expanding RMNCH.
- Strong verbal, listening, writing, and intrapersonal skills essential for effective coordination among several institutions and staff involved in a broad range of activities
- Fluent in English, (written and oral communication) and any local language.
- Willingness to travel throughout Nigeria as necessary.