Specialist – MNH Programs

The Program specialist will be responsible for implementing Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) activities at the Family Welfare Division and related MPDSR and SSNB components of Momentum Country Global Leadership (MCGL). The role requires frequent travel (at least 50% of the time) to MCGL project and/or government’s MNH program sites in all provinces, as directed by the Family Welfare Division (FWD).

The Program Specialist will be responsible for establishing a system of continuous surveillance that promotes routine identification and notification of maternal and perinatal deaths and supports strengthening of the newborn activities, especially the small and sick newborns. The Program Specialist will liaise with all provincial government and district health offices to monitor the facilities selected for monitoring and reviewing maternal and perinatal deaths and conduct level II SNCUs orientation and mentorship, as required. The Program Specialist will also provide technical and programmatic support to the MCGL provincial team to ensure smooth planning, coordination, and implementation of all related MNH activities across the province. The Program Specialist will work under the guidance of the Maternal and Newborn Health Section Chief at the Family Welfare Division, and supervision of Country Program Manager/Project Director for Jhpiego/MCGL-related activities.

Position Reports to and is supervised by:

• MNH Section Chief, FWD
• Country Program Manager/Project Director, Jhpiego/MCGL Nepal

Location: MNH Section, Family Welfare Division, Teku, Kathmandu

Timeframe: September 2026

FWD Specific Activities:

• Provide technical support to the MNH Section of the Family Welfare Division in implementing MPDSR and newborn health activities outlined in the annual work plan.
• Support routine review and analysis of web-based MPDSR data, and coordinate with provincial teams to ensure completeness, accuracy, and timeliness of reporting from MPDSR implementing sites.
• Support FWD to monitor MPDSR response action plans, including tracking implementation of corrective actions using the MPDSR scorecard of MPDSR implementing hospitals in the country.
• Liaise with provincial and district health authorities and health facilities to strengthen maternal and perinatal death notification, review, and response mechanisms.
• Provide on-site technical assistance and supportive supervision to health facilities on MPDSR reviews, cause of death assignment, documentation, and response actions.
• Strengthening the capacity of health workers and program managers through targeted training and mentorship on MPDSR processes and evidence-based newborn care interventions.
• Support the rollout and monitor the implementation of Small and Sick Newborn (SSNB) activities, including direct coaching and mentoring of health workers to improve clinical outcomes.
• Support coordination, documentation, and follow-up actions from National MPDSR and Newborn Technical Working Group (TWG) meetings.
• Support the Annual Work Plan and Budgeting (AWPB) process to ensure MPDSR and newborn health related activities are incorporated in the AWPB of relevant directorates.
• Provide technical input for evidence-based policy formulation by analyzing Maternal and Newborn health conditions to guide national and regional strategies.
• Support FWD in the development and revision of national policies, strategies, service directories, clinical criteria, and protocols related to MNH.
• Assist in survey/research related to Maternal and Newborn Health.

 MCGL Specific Activities:

• Implement approved MPDSR and SSNB activities under the MCGL Project in accordance with national MPDSR guidelines and modalities endorsed by the National MPDSR Technical Working Group/ DOHS
• Support the functionality of provincial and district MPDSR committees, including monitoring maternal and perinatal death notification from both facility and community levels.
• Provide technical mentorship and coaching to health facilities in all provinces implementing MPDSR and newborn interventions.
• Maintain and update pool of mentors: external mentors from Federal level III NICU, and participants and facilitators of MPDSR.
• Support implementation of evidence-based maternal and newborn care interventions, including:
  • Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) management using the treatment bundle approach
  • Utilization of the Labor Care Guide
  • Implementation of the Surgical Safety Checklist
  • Strengthening quality improvement practices in maternity and newborn units.
• Support documentation of best practices, lessons learned, and innovations related to MPDSR and SSNB implementation.

 Additional responsibilities

• Represent the Family Welfare Division and Jhpiego in relevant provincial and national MNH forums, technical meetings, and coordination platforms as required.
• Regularly update government counterparts and project leadership on progress, achievements, challenges, and sustainability strategies related to MPDSR and SSNB implementation.
• Contribute to monitoring, documentation, and reporting of project results, including preparation of technical updates and reports.
• Support the use of high-quality routine data and evidence for decision making, including strengthening data analysis, interpretation, and utilization for improving MNH service delivery.
• Facilitate coordination between FWD, provincial health authorities, implementing partners, and health facilities to ensure effective implementation of MNH interventions.
• Perform other MNH-related responsibilities assigned by the MNH Section Chief at the Family Welfare Division to support the effective functioning of MNH programs.
• Perform or assume other responsibilities as assigned by the Country Program Manager, Jhpiego.

• Medical doctor, nurse, or health professional with clinical maternal and/or newborn experience, preferably with an advanced degree in public health
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively relevant experience in implementation of maternal and neonatal health programs in Nepal
• Certification in Clinical Training Skills (CTS), Skill Birth Attendant (SBA), is an added advantage
• Prior experience supporting maternal, SSNB services and MPDSR processes is an added advantage
• Knowledge of competency-based training, performance and QI approaches
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office package and virtual platforms
• Ability to develop working relationships with counterparts of varying levels of seniority and backgrounds to implement program activities
• Excellent verbal and written skills in English and Nepali
• Willing and able to be based, and travel to project/program areas (at least 50%)

Competences:

• Familiarity with the Nepal health system and reporting structure
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate with government-level officials to strengthen program implementation
• Demonstrated ability in working and collaborating with a wide range of local and international partner organizations.

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

                           Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload, including a cover letter, resume, and references.

                       For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

 Note: The successful candidate selected for this position will be subject to a pre-employment background investigation.

Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and is committed to tough international child safeguarding standards.

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• All active jobs are advertised directly on our careers page.
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