Project Manager- Newborn Health

Position: Project Manager

Department/Project: Newborn Health (Small and Sick Newborn)

Location: Kathmandu, Nepal

Reports to: Country Program Manager, Jhpiego

Duration: July 2026 – May 2028

(Open only for Nepalese National)

Job Summary

Small and sick newborns (SSNB) including preterm, low birth weight, and those recovering from complications—remain at high- risk post-discharge for mortality, poor growth, developmental delays, readmissions, and mothers of these babies are at high risk for psychological distress post-discharge.

While global guidelines recommend continued education, counselling, and peer support for caregivers, structured postnatal care groups for SSNB are limited in many low- and middle-income settings, including Nepal.

Through Pivotal Funds, Jhpiego is introducing an innovative Group Postnatal Care (G-PNC) model that integrates essential newborn care targeting babies who received hospitalized care after birth, postnatal care (PNC), and perinatal mental health (PMH) support through group-based service delivery.

The Project Manager for the activity will lead the design, implementation, and evaluation of the G-PNC model in selected Special Newborn Care Units (SNCUs), ensuring strong facility–community linkages and high-quality service delivery.

The Project Manager will ensure effective planning, implementation, coordination, and monitoring of project activities, while maintaining strong stakeholder engagement and timely delivery of results.

Technical and Programmatic Responsibilities

• Lead development, execution, and tracking of project workplans, budgets, timelines, and MEL frameworks
• Coordinate project start-up, including stakeholder consultations and alignment with government priorities
• Support adaptation and contextualization of G-PNC tools and training packages using human-centered design approaches
• Ensure alignment with national policies and guidelines (PNC, SSNB care, immunization, PMH)
• Oversee implementation of group-based PNC for SSNB mother–baby cohorts at facility and community levels
• Ensure quality of G-PNC sessions, including facilitator preparation, curriculum adherence, and supportive supervision
• Conduct and/or oversee Master Training of Trainers (MTOT) and cascade training for service providers
• Facilitate coordination with Jhpiego global and in-country technical teams
• Build and maintain partnerships with government, hospitals, professional bodies, and implementing partners
• Strengthen facility–community linkages for follow-up and continuity of care

 Project Management and Leadership

• Lead overall project implementation across selected site/s, ensuring adherence to agreed standards and timelines
• Oversee facility selection, site readiness, and provider orientation
• Supervise and mentor project staff, including Project Officer(s)
• Manage consultants, facilitators, and technical experts engaged in the project
• Identify risks, track progress, and ensure timely problem-solving and adaptive management
• Ensure efficient use of resources and compliance with organizational and donor requirements
• Regularly update donors, government counterparts, and stakeholders on progress, challenges, and achievements

Research, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

• Lead development of study protocols and oversee implementation of operational research components
• Coordinate ethical approvals with JHU IRB and Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC)
• Design and oversee data collection tools and processes in collaboration with HQ and country teams
• Ensure robust data quality, analysis, and utilization for decision-making
• Document best practices, innovations, lessons learned, and case studies
• Lead preparation of technical reports, publications, and dissemination materials

 Coordination, Communication, and Representation

• Represent the project in national and sub-national technical forums and stakeholder meetings
• Maintain effective communication with government counterparts, partners, and donors
• Support advocacy for scale-up and institutionalization of G-PNC approaches
• Promote knowledge sharing across Jhpiego programs and partners

• A medical doctor or Nurse/Midwife, with an advanced degree in Public Health, Health Systems, or related field; a pediatrician preferred
• Minimum 5 years of progressive experience in newborn or maternal and newborn health programs; government work experience is an added advantage
• Demonstrated experience in program management, implementation, and stakeholder coordination
• Experience in SSNB care, PNC, or facility-based newborn care programs preferred
• Experience in operational research/study design and implementation is an asset
• Familiarity with Nepal’s health system and working with government bodies and professional associations preferred

Skills and Competencies

• Strong leadership, coordination, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities under tight deadlines
• Excellent interpersonal, facilitation, and stakeholder engagement skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills (technical and programmatic reporting)
• Proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and data management tools
• Willingness to travel frequently (up to 50%) to project sites

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 reference. 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.

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes Affirmative Action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

RECRUITMENT SCAMS & FRAUD WARNING

Jhpiego has become aware of scams involving false job offers. Please be advised:

• Recruiters will never ask for a fee during any stage of the recruitment process.
• All active jobs are advertised directly on our careers page.
• Official Jhpiego emails will always arrive from a @Jhpiego.org email address.

Please report any suspicious communications to Info@jhpiego.org

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