Overview
Project Overview:
Jhpiego received funding from United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to implement the Urban Health Activity. The Activity aims to strengthen urban health systems and improve equitable health outcomes among urban communities in Target Districts of Kampala city, Mukono and Wakiso. Working with the Ministry of Health and City/District local authorities, the activity will support provision of equitable public health, optimize available resources and strengthen private sector capacity as part of sustainability efforts. The Uganda Urban Health Activity will address poor quality of care, congested public health facilities, ineffective referral systems, underdeveloped community and surveillance structures, limited private sector capabilities, and systemic gaps in the enabling environment in Target Districts. The project will contribute to; reduction in maternal, newborn and child morbidity/mortality, unmet need for family planning (including adolescents) malnutrition and an improved disease outbreak response. The project is expected to operate over a five-year period.
Purpose of the position
The Child and Adolescent Manager will provide technical and strategic direction to child and adolescent health initiatives in the Target Districts. In collaboration with the Ministry of Health, Target Districts, project team and partners, s/he will support strategies to improve immunisation coverage, IMNCI, adolescent friendly services and key family health practices. S/he will provide hands-on technical assistance to the districts, particularly in the development, rollout and implementation of policies, technical guidelines to support the standardized application of the minimum healthcare package within the Target Districts. S/he is responsible for the implementation of quality improvement and service integration approaches across child and adolescent health services.
Responsibilities
- Lead the planning and implementation of child and adolescent health activities ensuring alignment with GoU and USAID priorities.
- Collaborate with Ministry of Health (MOH), Local governments, health facilities, partners and communities to improve quality of Child and adolescent health services.
- Identify and address gaps in immunization coverage and develop strategies to increase immunization coverage, reduce Zero dose children among urban populations and improve equity in immunisation services
- Lead the project’s efforts to promote integration of immunisation in other routine services to minimise missed opportunities
- Lead developing strategies to integrate adolescent friendly services into other routine services
- Coordinate with the MOH and other partners to ensure consistent supply of medicines, vaccines and related supplies in the project area.
- Ensure that child health and adolescent activities are integrated into broader RMNCAH and urban health strategies.
- Lead capacity building and performance management efforts for integrated child health and adolescent health services in the target districts.
- Support implementation of integrated community activities to promote key family care practices.
- Work closely with the project staff to track child and adolescent health indicators ensuring the collection, analysis and use of data to inform program improvements.
- Maintain diplomatic and high-quality interactions and clear and consistent communications internally and with partners.
- Serve as the primary liaison for child and adolescent health within the project, ensuring open communication with all relevant parties.
Required Qualifications
- Master’s degree in public health, Global Health, Paediatrics or equivalent. A clinical background is required
- Minimum of seven (7) years of experience in managing child, adolescent health and immunization programs or broader RMNCAH projects, preferably in urban health settings
- Strong understanding of Uganda’s child health and adolescent health policies, challenges and quality improvement strategies
- Demonstrated experience in working with Ministry of Health, Local governments, private sector and communities to improve child, adolescent health and immunisation services.
- Experience with working with USG funded projects
- Excellent communication and team coordination skills.
- Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to work in challenging environments.
- Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with Ministry of Health, regional and district officials, and other implementing partners.
