No of positions: 1

Supervisor: Senior Technical Advisor

Locations: Surkhet

The position holder is resposible to plan, manage and deliver technical and material support for the Government of Nepal’s (GoN) response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The activities will be implemented with overall leadership from the Strengthening Systems for Better Health Senior Management Team, and in close collaboration with GoN counterparts at federal, provincial, district and municipal levels. The geographic scope of the activities will include (but not necessarily be limited to) Karnali Province and Lumibini Province.

This position is for a one-year period, and is contingent upon availability of funding, approval from the funding agency and concurrence from GoN counterparts. Job descriptions, locations and scope of responsibilities may be subject to revision as priority support needs evolve during implementation of this support.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY : 

Strengthening COVID-19 vaccination and AEFI clinical management (LOE 50%) 

• Work closely with Ministry of Social Development (MoSD), Provincial Health Directorate (PHD), and Provincial Health Emergency Operation Center (PHEOC) to map the vaccination sites in the province, conducting situation assessments, provide technical assistance in preparing the medical and nursing workforce for COVID-19 vaccination, monitoring, and investigation of adverse events following vaccination (AEFI) and clinical management
• Provide technical support to COVID-19 vaccination committees at province level in microplanning, implementation modality, approaches for COVID-19 vaccination, monitoring and management of AEFI. Note: USAID prohibits direct involvement in the management of patient. 
• Work closely with the provincial government counterparts and oversee field medical officers hired by USAID/SSBH Activity at the district levels and below in ensuring COVID-19 vaccination services continues at district and municipality levels
• Provide technical and logistics support to ensure infection prevention and control (IPC) guidelines are followed at vaccination sites in the province vaccination efforts are undertaken.

Strengthening COVID-19 case management systems (LOE 30%) 

• Work closely with physicians, nurses, and other health workers to improve COVID-19 case management 
• Mentor, coach and support COVID-19 response team members in implementation modality and approaches for COVID-19 case management, quality of care, referral 
• Oversee and support COVID-19 response components for Strengthening Systems for Better Health project, jointly with other staff members 
• Work collaboratively with other Specialists and Technical Officers to ensure regular functionality of essential MNCH FP services from hospitals 
• Lead and prepare to conduct situation assessments, documentation, and timely dissemination of COVID-19 situations in Karnali Province and Lumbini Province  
• Work with MoSD, designated COVID-19 Hospitals and COVID-19 clinics to ensure proper and regular services are being delivered to COVID-19 (suspected and confirmed) as well as non-COVID-19 cases 
• Prepare and oversee implementation of COVID-19 response activities taken by the project and ensure timely delivery of activities (for example, monitoring against log frames, individual performance management work plans) 

Capacity Building for COVID case management and Quality of Care (LOE 10%) 

• Develop capacity building plans for designated hospitals, MoSDs, PHEOC, project team, stakeholders 
• Lead the identification and facilitation of COVID-19 related case management and AEFI management capacity building measures for designated hospitals, MoSDs, project staff, private hospitals, other government authorities and partners 
• Provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to health care workers for COVID-19 case management and vaccination support 

Coordination (LOE 10%) 

• Represent project team in selected technical working groups and forums at provincial forums as assigned 
• Collaborate and work with line agencies including MoSD, PHEOC, Hospitals and other development partners and donors for smooth operations of the COVID-19 related project activities 
• Work with provincial teams (MoSD, PHEOC, Hospital) and build their capacity to improve COVID-19 case management 

Qualification requirements include the following. 

• Master’s degree in Medicine (e.g. General Practice, Infectious Diseases, Epidemiology, Community Medicine) 
• Minimum 6 years of experience in the clinical management of respiratory disease, health emergency response and/or physician training
• Ability and willingness to work/travel in remote areas within short notice in the context of COVID-19
• Strong networking and team mobilization skills
• Computer skills, including effective working skills in remote conditions.
• Excellent written/oral skills in Nepali and English
• Understanding of the Nepal health system, networks and working in the context of a health emergency; emergency response experience preferred
• Qualified applicants who are from and/or currently working in the Karnali Province and Banke, Bardia, Dang, Kapilbastu, Rupandehi and Nawalparasi West will be given preference. 

SSBH is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender and culture. Individuals from minority groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. Only the shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further selection process. Canvassing at any stage of the processes shall lead to automatic disqualification.