MATERNAL NEWBORN HEALTH SYSTEMS ADVISOR

Jhpiego is implementing a five-year Urban Health Activity in Kampala, Mukono and Wakiso with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Activity aims to strengthen urban health systems and improve equitable health outcomes among all urban dwellers by working with districts, municipalities, and the Kampala Capital City Authority to provide quality primary healthcare services. It also focuses on optimizing available resources and enhancing private sector capacity to ensure sustainable improvements in health outcomes and a more resilient urban healthcare system. The Activity will address poor quality of care, congestion in public health facilities, uncoordinated referral system, weak community and surveillance structures, limited private sector capacity, and gaps in enabling environment results in poor health outcomes. The project's key expected results include the following: improved access to and use of quality, maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH), family planning/reproductive health (FP/RH), nutrition, and malaria services and improved disease outbreak response.  

 Purpose of Position: 

The Maternal Newborn Health System Advisor will be responsible for leading efforts to improve maternal and newborn health outcomes by strengthening maternity and newborn care systems in urban settings. The Advisor will work closely with ministry of Health, local government authorities, public and private healthcare providers, and community stakeholders to optimize maternity and newborn care services. The position involves building capacity within health facilities and community structures, improving referral systems, and ensuring high-quality, accessible maternal and newborn health services. 

Applications will be shortlisted on rolling basis. 

• Lead the design, implementation, and monitoring of maternal and newborn health (MNH) strategies to improve health outcomes in the LMNS networks. 

• Ensure integration of MNH initiatives with other health systems strengthening activities, including family planning, child health, nutrition, and WASH. 

• Collaborate with Local Government authorities to develop and operationalize maternal and newborn health plans that are responsive to the needs of their population. 

• Lead capacity building efforts of healthcare providers in public and private facilities, focusing on improving the quality of maternity and new-born care 

• Lead audits, assessments and any other activities aimed at improving quality of care for MNH 

• Initiate and support scale up of evidence based high impact interventions including E-MOTIVE, iPPFP and others to improve QoC 

• Work with health facilities and city/districts to streamline and strengthen referral pathways for maternity and newborn care, ensuring timely and appropriate interventions at the different levels 

• Collaborate with the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) team to support data use  in the LMNS networks 

• Engage community structure to promote maternal and newborn health services and address barriers to care through ommunity driven solutions 

• Serve as the primary liaison for the Local Maternity and Newborn Networks 

• Provide technical assistance in reviews to address maternal and newborn morbidity, mortality and near misses  

• Ensure that all maternal and newborn health interventions are designed to address the needs of marginalized populations, including low-income families, migrants, and slum dwellers. 

• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with Ministry of Health, regional and district officials, and other implementing partners.  

• In collaboration with the project team develop project reports, presentations, abstracts and other documentation to disseminate project outputs and outcomes 

• Implement other duties as assigned by the supervisor. 

• Master’s degree in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Midwifery. Training in Health Systems Governance is required advantage.  

• MPH is an added advantage.  

• At least eight (8) years of working experience in MNH space in urban settings. Must have previous experience with coordinating or supporting activities of Local Maternity Newborn System in Uganda. 

• Strong understanding of Uganda’s maternal and newborn health policies, systems, and service delivery models. 

• Proven ability to manage complex health programs and coordinate with government, private sector, and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in capacity building, quality improvement, and monitoring maternal and newborn health services. 

• Familiarity with USAID health program regulations and reporting requirements. 

• Excellent leadership, communication, and team management skills. 

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills in a healthcare context. 

• Ability to work collaboratively with diverse teams and stakeholders. 

• Proficient in project management tools