No of positions: 1 (One)

Reports to: Deputy Chief of Party

Location: SSBH Office, Kathmandu

Staffs reporting to this post: 

Direct: MNCH FP Specialist (Kathmandu), Health Equity Specialist

Indirect: MNCH FP Specialist (Surkhet), MNCH FP Coordinators (Surkhet and Butwal)

Contract Length: Fixed-term

The Senior Technical Advisor is responsible for technical oversight of the components of the project related to facility and community level service delivery and the clinical quality of care. The Senior Technical Advisor reports to the Deputy Chief of Party (DCoP), serves as a member of the SSBH senior management team (SMT), and has a leadership role in technical implementation, ensuring the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements, particularly related to Outcomes 1 and 2. S/he coordinates with other technical leads and key stakeholders, other U.S. Government implementing partners, and the Government of Nepal, particularly at the national and pradesh/province level and below. S/he should be skilled in current implementation science and state-of-the-art delivery of maternal, newborn and child health services, and should have knowledge of health systems strengthening approaches. 

The Senior Technical Advisor is responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of a high quality, innovative, cost effective and sustainable programmatic and clinical interventions.  S/he provides technical leadership for strategies and activities related to delivery of quality maternal, newborn and child health and family planning services, the documentation and dissemination of innovation and good practices, and establishing, maintaining and expanding partner relations across the sector. S/he will also ensure the technical and methodological soundness of activities and, in collaboration with the project team and partners, support the design of service delivery and health system strengthening strategies.  The Senior Technical Advisor will be based in Kathmandu, with frequent (approx. 30%) travel to the field.  

This position is contingent upon donor approval.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities 

• Program Management, Planning and Implementation (20%)
• To work closely with Project SMT members (including DCOP and COP) for advising project activities including the planning and management of program implementation to achieve targets as agreed and set in the project document
• Work with the project SMT for development and implementation of workplan
• Maintain professional networks for promoting and facilitating relationships with partners and GoN 
• Contribute to the program development, expansion, and sustainability of programs  

Technical Leadership: (40%)

• Take a leadership role in technical implementation, ensuring the project meets stated goals and reporting requirements
• Responsible for leading and overseeing the development and delivery of a high quality, innovative, cost effective and sustainable technical interventions
• Responsible for providing technical leadership to the program, the documentation and dissemination of innovation and good practices, and establishing, maintaining, and expanding partner relations across the sector
• Responsible for the technical oversight of the project and is specifically responsible for project implementation that relates to facility and community level service delivery (focusing on MNCH FP) and health system strengthening. 
• Ensure the technical and methodological soundness of activities and, in collaboration with the project team and partners.
• Help to build the capacity of the Technical Specialist and Technical Officers and oversee the quality of their technical assistance activities in the field.  
• Support MNCH FP Specialists (Kathmandu and Surkhet) for coordinating and arranging skill enhancement   

Program Coordination (20%)

• Support development of coordination mechanism for effective coordination of the project and other partners  
• Working closely with other Project SMT members, establish collaboration and coordination with other technical leads, key stakeholders, other US Government implementing partners, and GON, particularly at the national/federal level  
• Take lead to advice and coordinate for MNCH FP activities at all levels
• In coordination with DCOP, participate in meetings, seminars, workshops, and relevant forums

Representation and Networking (20%)

• Working closely with DCOP, ensure strong communication and coordination with Partners, technical agencies, professional bodies, other USAID and Save the Children programs in order to maximize use of resources. 
• In coordination with the DCoP and CoP, represent the project in all relevant forums

Others (as needed)

• Supporting Save the Children dual mandate of development programs as well as being the leader in emergency preparedness and response for children
• When delegated, assume responsibility for decision making and management in absence of DCoP 
• Participate in and periodically lead project management meetings for necessary decision and policy formulation
• Maintain readiness to work in any emergency situation

Required qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in Gynecology/Obstetrics, Pediatrics, Medicine; with additional degree in Public Health, Community Health, International Health preferred

 Experience and Skills:

• At least 10 years’ experience in public health, MNCH service delivery, program management, and at least five years in a developing country context, with demonstrated management skills, including relevant experience in direct supervision of professional staff.
• Demonstrated knowledge in managing and implementing complex health activities including MNCH, FP/RH, malaria, nutrition, and WASH programming in developing countries involving multiple stakeholders and implementing partners.
• Excellent diplomacy skills and a proven ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with USAID missions, host-country counterparts, and representatives from other key stakeholders such as NGOs, PVOs, the private sector and other donors. 
• Previous experience working in Nepal, with intimate understanding of local health system and health systems strengthening, family planning/reproductive health, and maternal, neonatal and child health care gaps and opportunities, and solid relationships at government agencies. 
• Ability to interact and build performing relationships with stakeholders, especially district health offices, Ministry of Health Directorates, and institutions that implement activities across technical areas and at facility and community levels.  
• Demonstrated experience with progressively increasing responsibility for designing, managing, and implementing complex health activities including MNCH, FP/RH, malaria, nutrition, and WASH programming in developing countries involving multiple stakeholders and implementing partners.
• At least eight years’ experience in MNCH operational planning, with excellent communication skills, analytic ability, and capacity to convert state-of-the-art evidence into achievable results to meet a variety of strategic and programmatic needs.
• In-depth knowledge of USAID projects, regulations, compliance, and reporting; eight years as a senior manager on USAID projects
• Proven track record managing a project team composed of several technical experts and fostering teamwork.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills. 
• Ability to travel frequently

Additional Job Responsibilities:

The duties and responsibilities as set out above are not exhaustive and the role holder may be required to carry out additional duties within reasonableness of their level of skills and experience.

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 the further selection process. Canvassing at any stage of the process shall lead to automatic disqualification.