Introduction

The Government of Zimbabwe has received funding from the World Bank - Global Financing Facility to implement the Zimbabwe Health Sector Development Support Project (HSDSP) Additional Financing V. V. The objective of the Programme is to sustain coverage and improve the quality of an integrated package of Reproductive, Maternal, New-born, Child and Adolescent Health Plus Nutrition (RMNCAH-N) services, as well as strengthen COVID-19 response and institutional capacity to manage performance-based contracts consistent with the Recipients’ ongoing health initiatives. Cordaid is the Programme Implementing Entity.

The project will expand the Results - Based Financing (RBF) package of services to cover prioritized RMNCAH - N and other related services to respond to Zimbabwe’s burden of disease while also reconfiguring the RBF approach to appropriately respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to continuing to support institutionalization of the RBF programme in Zimbabwe, the project will support central hospitals and provincial hospitals through quality focused RBF, pilot extended supply side of community RBF through community - based health workers, scale up the pilot urban RBF to the remaining facilities in the two urban cities, i.e Harare and Bulawayo and undertake a feasibility assessment of introducing the health equity card. The project will also support the Government’s COVID emergency response and further strengthen institutional capacity through implementation of selected health financing reforms.

Purpose of the position

The Maternal Health Technical Officer will be responsible for providing technical assistance on the areas of maternal and newborn health components of the AFV project in particular and maternal and newborn health issues within the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC).

Key responsibilities and accountabilities

Use knowledge of best practices in maternal, newborn health in strategic planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of Maternal and Newborn Health programme in Zimbabwe; Serve as a resource person and provide technical input and direction to the Reproductive Health Unit within the Family Health Department of the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MoHCC) in the areas of maternal and newborn health to promote the use of best practices at scale including but not limited to training, supervision, mentoring, development of tools and building strategic partnerships with clinical and management staff at all levels; Provide technical input and direction in the areas of maternal, and newborn health to technical staff within MoHCC and to the different areas of the project i.e RBF and Urban Voucher and Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) in line with MoHCC policies, strategies, guidelines, and project objectives; Develop and maintain relationships within the Family Health Department, other departments within MOHCC and partners to foster productive collaboration towards accomplishment of objectives; Participate as a committee member of the National Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response Committee; Contribute to strategic program planning within the Reproductive Health Unit and Family Health Department of the MOHCC; Organize fora to share technical and programmatic knowledge, approaches and lessons learned of the maternal and newborn health components of the project; Support the implementation of Quality Improvement in maternal and newborn health in accordance with the work plan in close collaboration with the QA / QI department; Participate in the development of quality indicators on maternal and newborn health for National Programme and quality supervision checklist; Participate in national surveys on maternal and newborn health; Contribute to documentation and reporting needs e.g technical reports, quarterly / annual reports, lessons learned documents, etc of the project and MoHCC; Any other duties as requested by Deputy Director Reproductive Health.

Selection criteria

The Maternal Health Technical Officer shall be selected based on the Individual Officer selection method of the World Bank’s regulations. Main criteria for the selection will be relevant work experience and qualifications.

Required qualifications, experience and skills

First degree in Medicine or Nursing; Post graduate university degree with a specialization in Public Health or Epidemiology is an added advantage; Masters Degrees in Obstetrics and Gynecology for doctors and Masters Degree in a Reproductive Health Field for nurses is an added advantage; Experience of at least seven years in the public health sector and at least five years of experience in the area of Maternal and Newborn Health is required; Strong health data analysis, monitoring and evaluation skills; Experience in facilitating training, clinical mentorship and development of tools is a strong asset; Good organizing skills; Discreet, honest, trustworthy (trusted), proactive, methodical, diplomatic, task - oriented and team player; Experience in Results Based Financing is an added advantage; Experience in preparing reports and delivering presentations; Excellent oral and written English

Facilities to be provided by Cordaid

Cordaid shall provide following facilities to consultant during her / his tenure of services: Office space with furniture and laptop; Email and internet access; Required office stationery; Photocopying, printing, and scanning facilities; Transport and accommodation for field assignments.

Duration of service

The Maternal Health Technical Officer will be required during the whole duration of the project i.e April 30, 2023. S / he will initially be assigned up to 31 December 2021 and thereafter an annual contract will be given for the duration of the projects depending on performance and available project funding. This is a full-time position.