Maternal and Child Health Analyst, Pretoria

Since 2002, the Clinton Health Access Initiative, CHAI (formerly the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative), has been assisting developing countries in implementing large-scale, integrated HIV care, treatment, and prevention programs.  CHAI is currently active in Africa, the Caribbean, Asia, and Eastern Europe.  In support of national HIV/AIDS programs, CHAI provides technical assistance, mobilizes human and financial resources, and facilitates the sharing of best practices across projects. CHAI has also negotiated agreements with leading pharmaceutical companies that have lowered the cost of HIV/AIDS and malaria diagnostics and treatment in the developing world by 30-90%.  Our ultimate objectives are to make high-quality HIV/AIDS and malaria care and treatment available to all who need it, and to partner with governments and other stakeholders to strengthen healthcare systems and develop sustainable strategies to overcome obstacles to scale-up.

In South Africa, CHAI is supporting the National Department of Health (NDOH) and the South African National AIDS Council (SANAC) in its implementation of the National Strategic Plan for HIV, TB and STI (2012-2016) strategic objectives.

CHAI is seeking a highly motivated individual with analytical skills, experience in health programme management and experience working within the public health system to serve as the Maternal and Child Health Analyst.  The successful candidate will work across two programmes in CHAI, the Vaccines and Paediatric programmes.  Work with the Vaccines programme will focus on the introduction and management of cold chain monitoring technologies, and analytical support of the Department of Health’s Expanded Programme on Immunisation (EPI).  The Pediatric programme work will focus on the introduction of the Paediatric Blueprint for Action (BPA), a  framework to improve paediatric care, and the Paediatric ART Clinical Stationery to monitor clinical outcomes in children.  These projects will require the candidate to: provide technical guidance to CHAI and the Department of Health, provide training, monitor data to inform programme design, create data dashboards to monitor paediatric work in line with the BPA and provide general support with provincial rollout of strategies to improve child health.  The Paediatric Clinical Advisor will report to the CHAI Vaccines and Paediatric Programme Managers.

The position ends at the end of June 2014, with the possibility of renewal depending on funding and performance.

Responsibilities:

Specifically, key responsibilities will include, but are not be limited to, the following:

• Identify appropriate cold chain monitoring technologies (monitors) and the data system to track and analyse information. Identify where the monitors would best be used within the current cold chain based on input from the NDOH.     
• Liaise with the appropriate National and Provincial Department of Health staff to coordinate the evaluation of selected monitors and execute the evaluation.    
• Lead the introduction of the monitors to selected facilities and the development of necessary standard operating procedures (SOPs), training, or support materials.
• Guide Provincial and National Department of Health in the broader rollout of monitors, with the development of appropriate reports on the technology and implementation.
• Work with the National Department of Health (NDOH) EPI cold chain manager and M&E staff to identify data analysis needs.
• Develop improved data analysis routines and dashboards/visualisations.
• Assist the CHAI Vaccines manager with HPV introduction ad hoc requests.
• Support the Tshwane district with the BPA implementation and rollout in the district.
• Provide BPA rollout assistance to at least one other province / district (including data management support, facilitating the process of bottleneck analysis and on the ground implementation of the action plan).
• Support the finalization of the National Paediatric ART Clinical Stationery pilot.
• Support NDOH in the finalization of the clinical stationery, training of the National stationery and rollout of the stationery countrywide.
• Assist the NDOH Maternal and Child Health unit with any data generation and management needs that may arise.

Qualifications:

• BA or BSc plus 2 years of relevant professional experience, including project management preferably within health projects (nursing/medical background particularly in Maternal Child Health is an added advantage)
• Excellent data analysis and analytical skills.Experience with Stata, SAS, SPSSR or the ability to develop models within MS Excel will be beneficial
• Excellent problem solving skills
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently and flexibly
• Strong diplomacy and interpersonal skills with previous experience working with government departments
• Ability to navigate complex government processes and favourably influence decision-making collaborative manner
• Experience with the South African health context

Please apply directly.