Quality Improvement Specialist

Location:
Accra
Ghana
POSITION TYPE: Full Time, Local Hire
DURATION: 1 year with extension
LOCATION: Accra, Ghana (note that Project HOPE will not be covering relocation expenses)
POSITION TITLE: Quality Improvement (QI) Specialist
DIVISION: Global Health
REPORTS TO: Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), Ghana IHP
Project HOPE is an international NGO with employees and volunteers who work around the globe, responding to the world’s most pressing global health challenges. Throughout our 60-year legacy, Project HOPE has treated millions of patients, provided more than $3 billion worth of medicines to local health care organizations around the world helped build hundreds of health programs from the ground up, and responded to humanitarian crises worldwide.
Code of Conduct
It is our shared responsibility and obligation to treat each other with respect, take affirmative steps to prevent matters involving Sexual Exploitation & Abuse and Trafficking in Persons, and to disclose all potential and actual violations of our Code of Conduct, which may include Conflicts of Interest, Fraud, Corruption, Discrimination or Harassment. Together we can reinforce a culture of respect, integrity, accountability, and transparency.
BACKGROUND ON Ghana IHP
The purpose of the USAID-funded Ghana Integrated Health Partnership (IHP) activity to strategically contribute to the Government of Ghana’s strategies to reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths, including stillbirths, and improve their overall health and well-being by 2030. Activities are expected to advance Ghana toward increased localization, strengthening the capacity of Ghana institutions and local organizations to introduce, deliver, scale-up, and sustain the use of evidence-based, quality MNCH, voluntary family planning, malaria, and global health security services. The project will increase access, utilization and quality of maternal and child health, family planning, malaria, and nutrition services to reduce preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths in northern Ghana.
Position Summary
The Quality Improvement (QI) Specialist will provide strategic leadership and technical assistance for Project HOPE on quality management on the Integrated Health Partnership Activity along the Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child Health, Nutrition and Malaria continuum of care. He/she will lead the design, implementation, monitoring, documentation, and evaluation of the quality management activities in collaboration with the relevant Ministry of Health and Ghana Health Services counterparts, lead implementing sub partner Christian Health Association Ghana (CHAG) and technical resource partners. In addition, the QI Specialist will support the development and evolution of the relevant standards along the RMNCH+N+M continuum and the associated QI tools, quality database, and dashboards. He/she will be responsible for strengthening the capacity of QI teams at regional, district and facility levels for them to implement the PDCA model, including QI assessment, roots cause analysis, development of improvement plan, change management and improvement activities implementation. The QI Specialist will lead the QI approach through District Clinical Specialists and networks of internal and external full-time and part- time Mentors.
Principal Responsibilities

• Build the capacity of technical staff and administrators on modern QI methods including optimizing performance and quality and other relevant QI approaches.
• Lead the development and revision of quality and performance improvement tools.
• Collaborate with the program and M&E teams to develop and implement QI improvement plans.
• Identify quality improvement training and mentoring needs and conduct training and mentoring, as appropriate.
• Provide technical assistance in implementing national, district, and site level QI plans.
• Provide technical guidance to partners and implementers in QI initiatives for all stakeholders in the IHP Activity.
• Collaborate with the appropriate Ghana Health Services and partner Quality Assurance units in the implementation of the national quality management program within Project HOPE-supported regions and districts.
• Work closely with the Knowledge Management staff to oversee the process of documenting and disseminating best practices.
• Ensure CQI methods are applied across all operating systems at all levels of the system (Quaternary, Tertiary, Secondary, Clinic, CHPS).
• Represent Project HOPE, as directed, in QI working groups, committees, task forces.
• Oversee the preparation of the QI component of Project HOPE’s annual and quarterly workplans at all of the central, regional, and district levels.
• Prepare quarterly and annual reports as required, detailing the performance of the QI program, including reports and others, as directed.
• Perform any other QI duties, as required.
  

Minimum Required Skills, Education, And Experience

• A master's degree in public health or a related field with a minimum of 5 years’ work experience in the public health sector is required.
• A relevant degree in nursing or clinical medicine with experience in clinical management of RMNCAH+N+M-related services is required. Medical Doctor is an advantage.
• Experience in mentoring and supervising RMNCAH+N+M sites, providers and system managers.
• Demonstrable knowledge and skills in the implementation of QI interventions in the context of developing countries and the management of QI data and databases.
• Strong expertise and/or education in research design and methodology and a proficiency in the use of SPSS and EpiInfo software packages.
• Ability to analyze data.
• Ability to work independently and take initiative.
• Good report writing skills.
• Capacity to design and manage result-oriented programs and to bring conceptual innovations in the technical support provided as expert.
• Demonstrated competence US Department of State monitoring and evaluation systems and reporting requirements.
• Strong verbal and written English language skills.
• Good computer skills in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
  

Physical Demands And Work Environment
The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee must be mobile in an office environment and able to use standard office equipment.
• Must be able to communicate in verbal and written form.
  

Work Environment

• Typical office environment with exposure to a minimal noise level.
• Project HOPE employees work in the global health field and may be required to travel or work in countries where working conditions are classified as “hardship”.
  

All positions will be based in Ghana. Ghana nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.
Due to the substantial number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience and qualifications for this position will be considered. No phone calls please.
However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise.
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