Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Services Coordinator

JOB TITLE: Maternal, Newborn, Child Health and Nutrition Services Coordinator 

TEAM/PROGRAMME: Programme Development and Quality

LOCATION:  Mongu

GRADE: 3

POST TYPE: National

CHILD SAFEGUARDING: 

Level 3 - the responsibilities of the post may require the post holder to have regular contact with or access to children or young people.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The MNCHN Coordinator will  provide technical support and guidance to enhance the quality of maternal, newborn, child health and nutrition (MNCHN) services in the health facilities supported by the Strengthening Health Systems to Provide Life Saving Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Nutrition Services project. The intervention will target all the levels of the Zambian health system from community through health centers to Level 2 hospitals focusing on strengthening the quality of services and continuum of care. 

The MNCHN Coordinator will work in selected facilities in Mongu districts, to improve MNCHN services in a fair and equitable manner, following evidence-based protocols and guidelines aligned to the National Health Strategic Plan. 

The MNCHN Coordinator will work closely with the Provincial Health office, District Health offices, to ensure that planned activities that will include small investments in infrastructure, equipment, medicines and supplies to improve the quality of care at health facilities are done. 

The MNCHN Coordinator will facilitate and support the training and mentoring of Health Care Workers (HCWs) to correctly recognize and manage the main causes of maternal and newborn causes of death. 

The MNCHN Coordinator with Program Manager and the Line Ministry will ensure the quality implementation of Strengthening Health Systems to Provide Life Saving Maternal, Newborn, and Child, Health and Nutrition Services    program deliverables are achieved in a timely manner, as consistent with the Project’s work plan.  With support of MEAL Officer MNCHN Coordinator will also ensure key lessons learned and best practices are captured and documented

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Programme Manager MNCHN

Dimensions:

Staff directly reporting to this post:  None 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Technical Leadership

• Offer strategic direction and technical oversight for the implementation of the project’s MNCHN activities in the supported health facilities.
• Conduct supportive supervisory and mentorship visits to community structures and ensure that all SBCC methodologies incorporate two-way communication between health promoters and community members and health workers.
• Identify and document program successes, best practices, challenges, and lessons learnt from project implementation quarterly.
• Coordination, and support to the implementation of Strengthening Health Systems to Provide Life Saving Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health and Nutrition Services. 
• Provide leadership for capacity building of frontline health workers, community leaders, and Peer educators in community engagement approaches such as Save the Children’s Step by Step approach.
• Prepare the training plan for project related trainings and ensure that all trainings are conducted timely for maximum impact on quality MNCHN service provision.
• Ensure technical excellence and quality of project MNCHN activities at the supported health facilities across the continuum of care.
• Work with the Provincial and District Health Office staff to implement evidence-based supervision to improve MNCHN service provision.
• Ensure that the project activities are evidence-based and responsive to the needs of the communities and in line with the Ministry of Health guidance.
• In collaboration with the PHO and DHO staff, monitor and supervise the provision of MNCHN services to ensure quality.

Management

• Contribute to the analysis, synthesis, and reporting of program outputs and results in close collaboration with the M&E team and ensure incorporation of lessons-learned into ongoing implementation.
• Submit routine reports  in line with project’s reporting requirements

SKILLS AND BEHAVIOURS (our Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.
• Holds the community structures accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves (and their team), takes responsibility for their own personal development, and encourages others to do the same.
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.
• Future orientated, thinks strategically.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, members and external partners and supporters.
• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Willing to take disciplined risks. 

Integrity:

Honest, encourages openness and transparency.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Degree in Social Sciences, Public Health, Nursing or other related Health degree
• Minimum of 3 -5 years of professional experience in implementing MNCHN programmes or providing MNCHN services Registered Nurse or Midwife 
• Previous working relationships within donor funded programs and with key multilateral agencies, and bilateral donors.
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted health development program in collaboration with MOH personnel at provincial, district and health facility levels, and local partners.
• A demonstrated track record in community engagement approaches and Participatory methodologies, training and development of community bulletins.
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform. 
• Ability to work independently and also as a team leader/member with diverse team of partners and counterparts.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral, written and presentation)
• Excellent computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office applications.
• English fluency (verbal and written) required.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

QUALIFIED APPLICANTS SHOULD ONLY ATTACH A COVER LETTER AND AN UPDATED CV.

The closing date for receipt of applications is Friday, 23rd February 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Save the Children reserves the right to re advertise if suitable applicants are not found.

Save the Children is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that does not engage in any practices which discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status and we will never ask that you pay for anything as part of the selection processor thereafter.