Diarrhea and Pneumonia Technical Assistant in Uganda

About the Clinton Health Access Initiative:

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 required for high-quality care and treatment programs.

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 the medicines needed for 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:

Pneumonia and diarrhea each kill approximately two million children every year worldwide. In Uganda, pneumonia is responsible for around 22,000 child deaths annually. In Uganda, diarrhea is responsible for ~15,000 child deaths, and 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 combat diarrhea. In Uganda, a program to scale-up diarrhea treatment with ORS and zinc is being undertaken by CHAI in partnership with the Ministry of Health.

Position Overview:

The Diarrhea and Pneumonia Technical Assistant will be seconded to the Child Health Division of the Ministry of Health, providing technical assistance in order to enhance access to treatment and prevention of childhood diarrhea and pneumonia. The Technical Assistant will organize and support Uganda’s Diarrhea and Pneumonia Coordinating Committee, facilitate the integration of these diseases into other child health platforms, and help to oversee and implement an ambitious national program to scale-up diarrhea treatment and prevention of dehydration at all levels. In addition, the Technical Assistant will support coordination around diarrhea and pneumonia efforts between various bodies, including the Uganda National Expanded Program for Immunization (UNEPI), Pharmacy Division, National Medical Stores, and partners. The Technical Assistant will be responsible for a wide variety of tasks, from report-writing and enhancing communication between different stakeholders within and outside the Ministry of Health, to quantitative analysis.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the MOH and partners to set the schedule and agenda, and record minutes, of the Diarrhea and Pneumonia Coordinating Committee • Identify and realize opportunities to leverage ongoing child health activities for diarrhea and pneumonia at all levels of the health care system • Communicate with partners to ensure coordinated progress and timey reporting of results • Design and development of materials and training programs for treatment and vaccine delivery • Coordination of communication and advocacy for diarrhea and pneumonia control • Advocate, disseminate knowledge on diarrhea and pneumonia control • Any and all other duties, as needed

Qualifications:

• At least three years of work experience in a demanding, results-oriented coordination role or similar management environment • Highly motivated , strategic thinker with a strong record of achievement • Strong communications skills, both written, interpersonal and oral • Good understanding of advocacy and communication for health will be an added advantage • Excellent problem solving, analytical and quantitative skills, including fluency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities, and work independently • Ability to learn on the job quickly and absorb/synthesize a broad range of information • CHAI places great value on the following qualities: flexibility, resourcefulness, responsibility, persistence, independence, energy, and work ethic

Advantages:

• Experience working with government or quasi-government entities • Experience working in public health, particularly with a focus on child health and/or immunization • knowledge on health systems and behavior change communication

How to apply:

Please apply to this position at: https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/3077/diarrhea-and-pneumonia-technica...

The CHAI Uganda office is hiring for a number of positions. For more information please visit: https://careers-chai.icims.com/jobs/search?ss=1&searchKeyword=Uganda&sea...