Emergency, Critical Care and Systems Delivery Technical Assistant

ORGANIZATIONAL PROFILE

Partners in Health (PIH) is a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, whose mission is to provide a preferential option for the poor in health care. Through service delivery, training, advocacy and research, PIH works globally to bring the benefits of modern science to those most in need and to serve as an antidote to despair. PIH has programs in Haiti, Peru, Mexico, Russia, Rwanda, Lesotho, Malawi, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Kazakhstan and Boston.

PIH began working in Malawi in 2007, where today we support the Ministry of Health (MOH) to serve a catchment area of 165,000 through 12 health centers and two hospitals in partnership with our sister organizations. Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (APZU) has its headquarters in Neno District with operations across the country.

We therefore seek to recruit suitably qualified and experienced candidates for the following position:

Position : Emergency, Critical Care and Systems Delivery Technical Assistant
Reports to : Deputy Director of Emergency Response and Disaster Management Division
Commitment: Full Time (Monday-Friday)
Working Hours : Regular Office Hours (40Hrs/Week)
Location: Ministry of Health Headquarters, Capital Hill, Lilongwe, Malawi

Position Summary

The Emergency and Critical Care Technical Assistant will work with the Malawi Ministry of Health Department of Curative and Rehabilitative Services in support of the implementation of the Emergency and Critical Care Strategy (ECCS), the corresponding Oxygen Roadmap and Emergency Care and Injury Policy in line with the Health Sector Strategic Plan III (HSSP IIl). The ECCS was launched in 202l and aims to provide comprehensive and high-quality care for emergency and critical care with the provision of oxygen throughout the continuum of care – from community level of response to district emergency rooms and high-dependency units to tertiary intensive care. The ECCS completed the first 2-year phase of the implementation plan in 2023 and now is looking forward to the next 2-year phase of the implementation plan starting from 2024. The implementation plan comprehensively focuses on community systems to tertiary hospitals with creation of robust integrated care teams with sufficient space, medications, equipment and systems to provide high quality, lifesaving care.

This position will be based full-time in Lilongwe, Malawi and positioned within the Department of Curative and Rehabilitative Services at the Ministry of Health. The role will include but not limited to providing expertise in strategic planning, funding requests, implementation planning, training and other logistics, and support with policy development and partner coordination. The successful candidate will also be actively involved in support and coordinate with several Ministry of Health departments, academic and clinical experts relating to the ECCS and intersectoral work related to the Emergency Policy. The individual will support the HSSP Ill operationalization focusing on integration of emergency and critical care components and will work closely with Health Technical Support Services under Physical Assets Management to collaborate on oxygen related activities. The ideal candidate must have program management, leadership skills, experience in grant writing, strategy planning and a strong base of clinical experience.

Key Responsibilities (or Tasks)

• Support in coordination, of stakeholders involved in ECC through joint planning, routine meetings, communication and reporting from task forces. This includes ensuring that all districts and facilities include ECC related activities in District and Facility Implementation Plans.
• Support the coordination of the logistics and implementation planning for ECCS, Oxygen Roadmap and the Emergency Care and Injury Policy in line with the HSSP Ill reforms by coordinating the activities with Ministry of Health departments, technical experts, donors, funders, implementing partners and community-based organizations.
• Follow up on work-plans and ensure timely execution of planned activities.
• Assist in coordination of emergency, critical care and disaster relief dissemination and advocacy efforts with all stakeholders.
• Assist in all training and workshop activities for ECCS and relevant HSSP Ill including review of existing materials, writing concept notes, creation of new materials, standardizing with guidelines and contributing to new guidelines where necessary, selection of participants and trainers, and execution of training.
• Support the coordination the monitoring and evaluation of the emergency and critical care strategy, policy and interventions with oxygen delivery systems through the HSSP Ill One Report matrix.
• Support digitalization and interoperability of medical records with a focus on emergency and critical care.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, including government departments, NGOs, and international partners, to strengthen care delivery with a focus on emergency and critical care systems. This may include the development of concept notes, funding proposals, budget development and tracking, project implementation and system monitoring and evaluation.
• Engage in the execution of the Health Sector Strategic Plan III within the Curative and Rehabilitative Medicine Directorate and with the HSSP Ill Secretariat as it pertains to emergency and critical care and building a more equitable, patient centred and high quality care delivery platform.
• Work with Health Technical Support Services under Physical Assets Management to ensure the availability and maintenance of emergency medical equipment and supplies.
• Provide technical support to hospital staff and other health care workers in health system planning, implementation and evaluation to enhance emergency and critical care services including HRH, infrastructure, medications, equipment and systems.
• Participate in relevant task force groups related to health service delivery, emergency and critical care and the oxygen delivery.
• Contribute to research and policy planning, activities and documentation for Ministry of Health, partner organizations and APZU/PIH related to service delivery with a focus on emergency and critical care.
• Ensure that all MoH/APZU agreed upon targets are met with thorough documentation, and early identification of any foreseen hurdles.
• Proactive in identification and completion of planning and implementation activities with independent troubleshooting any related problems that arise.
• Perform other relevant duties as needed.

Qualifications, Attribute and Experience Required

• The minimum of Bachelor’s degree in a health-related field is required; a Master’s degree in Public Health or program management is an added advantage
• Clinical practice background as physician, nurse, or clinical officer
• Advanced skills in designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating interventions with donor organizations working in the health sector
• Proven success in program management and in supporting strategic or operational planning for a ministry of health in Africa, including assisting in stakeholder management
• In-depth knowledge of Malawi health system and policy landscape.
• Professional experience in program management in ECC or oxygen provision
• Proven experience working in multidisciplinary settings across stakeholders in a high-paced environment and to maintain a high degree of flexibility and manage stress effectively
• Ability to make presentations on results and products to small and large groups
• Excellent English communication skills (written and oral)
• Mastery of Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel; ability to teach others
• Strong interpersonal skills, diplomacy, confidence and tact to effectively communicate with senior MOH level officials, multiple stakeholders and professionals from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds.

Benefits & Remuneration

An attractive remuneration package will be offered to the successful candidates commensurate with experience and qualifications.

Qualified and interested persons should apply strictly to the email address below, enclosing their cover letter; copies of relevant certificates and curriculum vitae indicating three names of traceable referees with valid telephone numbers and email addresses not later than Friday, 20th September, 2024. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews.

Email: apzuhr@pih.org with the title of the position indicated on the subject of the email addressing:

The Director of Human Resources and Administration
Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU)
P.O. Box 56
NENO

NB: Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is is an equal opportunity employer, so, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, tribe, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Partners In Health/Abwenzi Pa Za Umoyo (PIH/APZU) is committed to safeguarding staff, children and communities with whom we work with. We are committed to ensuring that those who benefit from our work- including our patients, families and community members – as well as our staff are treated with dignity and respect and are protected from sexual exploitation, abuse and sexual harassment. Therefore, any offer of employment is conditional upon the successful completion of applicable background checks.

The Organisation does not charge any fees at any stage of the recruitment process. If you are asked to make a payment at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact vgondwe@pih.org and speakup@pih.org.