Kenya: Project Officer – Quality Improvement

University Research Co., LLC (URC)

URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide. With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems. Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families. In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Division & Project Overview:

The Quality and Performance Institute (QPI) is a division of URC that has implemented quality improvement and operations research programs in health care since 1981 and continues to be at the cutting edge of health care improvement work in countries around the world.

The USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project (www.usaidassist.org) is QPI’s leading project that is dedicated to improving health, population and nutrition services through technical support to service delivery institutions, country Ministries of Health, USAID country missions, and cooperating agencies. The project carries on the work of the USAID Health Care Improvement Project (www.hciproject.org) and is focused on building the capacity of host country providers and managers to apply modern quality improvement methods, make essential services accessible to all who need them, and ensure that care is delivered in compliance with standards and client needs, for every client, every time.

An important global objective of the ASSIST Project is knowledge management: to facilitate documentation and sharing of evidence for improvement of specific care processes, based on the work of individual QI teams, large-scale improvement efforts, and/or research, and to make this information readily available through Web technology.

Roles and Responsibilities:

URC seeks a Project Officer-Quality Improvement to be based in Western Kenya for USAID funded project Applying Science to strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST). The project is a global leader in the implementation, advocacy, development and promotion of cost-effective methods to design and improve healthcare services and systems in developing and middle income countries.

Reporting to the Senior Quality Improvement Advisor in-charge of health service delivery and under the supervision of the Quality Improvement Advisor, the project officer will work closely with ministry of health officials in the target counties and other local implementing partners to lead in the applications of improvement methods in integrated clinical settings.

Under the supervision of the Regional Quality Improvement Advisor, the incumbent will:

· Provide project management support in selected counties and districts.

· Work closely with APHIA Plus and sub county level health management teams within selected counties to support improvement work in line with the Kenya Quality Model for Health (KQMH).

· Support regional Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) in quality improvement.

· Support Quality Improvement Teams and the Work Improvement Teams in the target counties.

· Provide support to develop quality indicators, data collection, analysis and reporting.

· Develop and update materials for training, coaching and learning sessions.

· Ensure project compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:

Required Experience & Qualifications

· A Bachelor of Science degree in nursing and registered with the Nursing Council of Kenya. Those with additional training in public health and project management will have an added advantage.

· Skills in management of projects and documentation; demonstrated leadership skills and ability to build networks and partnership; excellent verbal, written, facilitation, communication and presentation skills; administrative and financial skills.

· Ability to work and produce result within the set timelines.

· Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.

· Prior experience of working with district/ sub-county health management teams.

· Ability and willingness to travel in the field as and when required.

· Fluent in English and Kiswahili.

Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in the Kenya for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.

To Apply:

Qualified applicants should send a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae indicating your present employer, and position, daytime telephone number, current salary, names and addresses of three work related referees to hrkenya@urc-chs.com. The closing date for submitting applications is 21st November, 2014.

For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/careers.

You must upload your CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated.Also, please complete your application form and attach a completedUSAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.

Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted. 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. Thank you very much for your interest.

URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We value and seek diversity in our workforce.