National Technical Director – Kampala – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

About JSI:
John Snow, Inc. (JSI) is a leader in improving the health of individuals and communities by providing high-quality technical and managerial assistance to public health programs worldwide. JSI has implemented projects in 100 countries, and currently operates from eight U.S. and 81 international offices for the past 30 years. The JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. ID a leading public health research and consulting organization.

Job Summary: The National Technical Director will support the strengthening of routine immunization systems in selected districts of Uganda. The project team will work closely with the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI), the Ministry of Health, and immunization and other partners. The National Technical Director will work with JSI’s country Chief of Party (COP) for immunization in managing the project’s activities at the national level and in the selected project districts. S/he will work maintain a close working relationship with the MOH/UNEPI, other immunization and health partners, and health managers and supervisors at district, sub-district, and regional levels. The NTD will coordinate closely with the COP in sense and maintain communication with the MOH/UNEPI, JSI, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
1. Program Management:
· Program planning: strategic and technical planning with the country team, UNEPI, and district health teams and work with the finance and administration team on the development of detailed work plans and budgets.
· Actively take part in team building and supervision of project staff
· Carry out annual performance reviews for staff directly under him/her

2. Technical Leadership:
· Ensure that high-quality technical work is performed by the project team and that they provide sufficient, appropriate support to subnational staff in implementing activities and interventions for the Reaching Every Community applying Quality Improvement (REC-QI) approach.
· Oversee and supervise the implementation of a sustainable capacity building strategy for activities related to REC-QI, building on lessons from existing REC-QI activities in Uganda and elsewhere.
· Document, disseminate and integrate best practices in implementing and scaling up REC-QI.

3. Project monitoring and Evaluation:
· Actively support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (ME&L) officer in preparing, managing, and periodically updating the project’s results framework and results tracker.
· Take part in the review of monthly and quarterly performance data.

4. Collaboration with UNEPI and other partners in developing technical approaches and documents
· As appropriate, support the updating of national immunization policies, guidelines, and other tools.
· Participate in EPI-related meetings at national level (e.g., EPI Technical Working Group)

5. Communications with and reporting to immunization partners, MCSP/Uganda, JSI headquarters, and client/funder
· Maintain frequent communication and interaction with UNEPI, other partners in immunization and quality improvement, MCSP/Uganda, and other partners at national and district level
· Introduce and disseminate REC-QI tools and approaches with the project’s focal districts, regional supportive supervision teams, civil authorities and CSOs and advocate with other partners and programs for including immunization in their activities.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
· The ideal candidate must hold an MBchB, plus advanced public health training (such as MPH), or equivalent experience
· A minimum of seven years’ experience working on immunization programs (EPI)
· The position requires proficiency in English language (written/spoken) and computer skills; technical knowledge of immunization and quality improvement; familiarity with international donor regulations (especially the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) is a plus.
· Working knowledge of the technical aspects of immunization programs with emphasis on using data for managerial purposes
· Familiarity with quality improvement methods and tools
· Past exposure and experience with effective methods for capacity building of health personnel (e.g., training, supportive supervision, job aid development, developing training aids and techniques)
· Experience developing low-cost and innovative community approaches to increase improve immunization performance and/or other primary health care services
· Past experience working with the Government of Uganda’s PHC and MOH structures and with health workers at district, sub district and health facility levels
· Understanding of Uganda’s local government and districts traditional structures
· Prior donor-funded project experience is highly desirable
· Excellent oral communication, writing and documentation skills; English fluency in reading, writing, speaking

How to Apply:
All suitably qualified and interested candidates are encouraged to send an application letter, CV, copies of their testimonials and at least two referees, addressed to The Chief of Party, JSI/SS4RI Project, P.O Box 4978, Kampala, or hand delivery to Maternal and Child Survival Project, Plot 95-97 Martyrs Way, Ntinda, Kampala. Uganda.

E-mail your Applications to: ss4rirecruitment@jsi.com

Deadline: 15th May, 2015

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