Job Title:Essential Child Medicines Coordinator
Job Location Uganda Type Full-Time Paid
Business Unit In-Country Operations
More information about this job:
Overview:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) is a global health organization committed to strengthening integrated health systems in the developing world and expanding access to care and treatment for HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. CHAI’s solution-oriented approach focuses on improving market dynamics for medicines and diagnostics; lowering prices for treatment; accelerating access to life-saving technologies; and helping governments build the capacity to provide high-quality treatment.
Since its establishment in 2002 by President William J. Clinton, CHAI has worked on the demand and supply sides of the market to help more than 2 million HIV+ people access treatment—representing nearly half of all people on HIV treatment in developing countries. Building on this model, CHAI has expanded its scope to include efforts to strengthen healthcare delivery systems and to combat malaria and childhood illnesses.
In 2007, CHAI signed an MOU with the government of Uganda to provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and strengthen health systems. Since then, CHAI has worked hand-in-hand with the Ministry of Health to increase access to lifesaving pediatric HIV treatment by >400%; coordinate with private sector suppliers to lower costs and expand access to malaria drugs; pilot a point-of-care diagnostic technology, leading to scale up to >250 health facilities nationwide; introduce a new severe malaria drug which will save thousands of lives annually; and many other initiatives. Currently, CHAI Uganda works with the Ministry of Health around HIV, malaria, childhood illnesses, laboratory systems and drug logistics.
Background:
Diarrhea kills roughly two million children every year worldwide. In Uganda, diarrhea is responsible for ~15,000 child deaths, approximately 10% of all child mortality (third behind only malaria and pneumonia). This is in spite of the fact that a simple, highly-effective, and affordable treatment solution exists in the form of oral rehydration salts (ORS) and zinc. However, diarrhea remains grossly neglected: from 2007-2011, $6.5 billion of global funds were allocated to address HIV/AIDS; while only 0.23% of this figure ($15 million) was used to tackle diarrhea. This imbalance is now being addressed through an international effort, of which CHAI has been a driving member, leading to the development of treatment scale up programs in 10 high burden countries, including Uganda.
Description:
As the momentum is building worldwide and in Uganda around maternal and child health, the Coordinator will be responsible for leading several high-impact public sector work streams.
S/he will develop strong relationships with key public and private stakeholders, in order to support the development and implementation of national policy and strategic plans in the field of maternal and child health. This will include support for major national efforts such as a rapid assessment of Maternal and Child Health, the UN Commission on Life Saving Commodities for Women and Children, and the Integrated Community Case Management for Community Health Workers.
S/he will act as the Secretariat of the national Diarrhea and Pneumonia Coordination Committee (DPCC). The DPCC has the following goals: (i) act as an advisory arm to the MoH on issues related to diarrhea and pneumonia, including guiding the development and implementation of a national scale up framework, (ii) develop a map of existing activities and interventions aimed at MDG4, and ensure ongoing coordination, partnerships and synergies in other disease areas across the public, NGO and private sectors, (iii) advocate the importance of Protect, Prevent and Treat (PPT) in diarrhea and pneumonia and mobilize resources across sectors, (iv) Strengthen availability, affordability and appropriate use of high quality drugs and diagnostics, particularly zinc and ORS for diarrhea and amoxicillin for pneumonia.
S/he will also lead the Resource and Activity Mapping exercise in Uganda as part of the Open Health Initiative (OHI). The overall goal of the East African Community’s OHI is to contribute to the improvement of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health (RMNCH) and ultimately the achievement of the MDGs 4 and 5 within the EAC Partner States.The main objective of the annual mapping exercise is to document government and development partner contributions to improving RMNCH services and compare within the wider context of the full health envelope.
CHAI is seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual with strong political acumen, analytical and quantitative skills and an exemplary record of leadership and multi-stakeholderscoordination. Successful candidates will have excellent communications skills, be able to function independently, be self-motivated, have the ability to thrive in challenging environments, and have a strong commitment to excellence. We place great value on relevant personal qualities: independence, flexibility, resourcefulness, responsibility, tenacity, energy, and work ethic.
The Coordinator will spend ~15% of his/her time travelling domestically, primarily to regions with limited facilities.
Responsibilities:
Lead the design and implementation of CHAI’s public sector MCH strategy
Support the MoH and key stakeholders in the development and/or implementation of national policy assessments, strategies and plans in the field of maternal and child health
Facilitate and act as the Secretariat of the DPCC
Provide technical assistance to the MoH to conduct the annual RMNCH resource mapping exercise
Work closely with CHAI’s Access to Medicines Team to optimize public procurement and distribution of essential child medicines
Act as the focal point within the organization on all matters pertaining to public sector’s demand generation and supply of appropriate diarrhea treatment
Other responsibilities, as needed
Qualifications:
A minimum of 5 years’ experience in private or public sector enterprise, with increasing levels of responsibility and leadership
Ability to navigate complex government processes with multiple influencers, and effective at negotiating and achieving consensus;
Entrepreneurial mindset and strong self-motivation
Demonstrated success in coordinating partners and developing relationships in order to drive a multi-stakeholder process
Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and be effective under tight deadlines and in high-pressure situations
Strong problem solving skills and quantitative analytical capabilities, including fluency in Excel
Ability to develop and execute a coherent demand generation strategy, amidst substantial ambiguity and changing circumstances
Strong work ethic and flexibility
Advantages:
A Masters’ degree in Public Health, Public Administration or Business Management from a reputable university
Knowledge of and experience in the field of Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health
Experience in conducting health financing analysis
How to apply
https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/3591/job
Deadline: 26/ 06 /2013
