Facility-based childbirth is increasing globally and in Ghana, but high proportions of avoidable maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality still occur in facilities. A major roadblock that has been identified is suboptimal Quality of Care for mothers and newborns. It has therefore become necessary to go beyond maximizing coverages of essential interventions to ensuring quality of care to accelerate reductions in maternal and perinatal mortality and severe morbidity.

WHO together with UNICEF and other partners launched the Network for improving the Quality of Care (QoC) for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH). The vision of the WHO-led Quality of Care Network is a future where “Every mother and newborn receives quality care throughout pregnancy, childbirth and postnatal period”.  The four strategic objectives of the network are centered on Leadership, Action, Learning and Accountability. Ghana is among the 10 first wave Network countries to implement this quality improvement initiative.

Purpose

The main purpose of this SSA contract is to have a technical officer to support the country in the operationalization of the country’s work-plan to implement the QoC activities to improve the Quality of Care for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH).

Tasks/roles

In close collaboration with technical counterparts in WHO and in collaboration with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Ghana Health Service (GHS) and the Network partners in the country, the technical officer will assist in the following areas:

1. Leadership:

• Facilitate the convening of partners in periodic meetings to review progress towards the roadmap implementation, including coordination and harmonization of action, information sharing, and resource mobilization

• Convene technical partners and lead the process for the updating of national QoC standards for MNCH and related implementing tools  

• Facilitate the development (or update) of the Quality Improvement change package for MNCH and the strategies for its implementation in collaboration with national government and partners

• Represent WHO in QoC strategic meetings, events and share the QoC Network values, Strategic Objectives, and related products

2. Action and accountability

• Provide continuous support to learning districts by participating in their meetings, monitoring visits, reviews, etc. jointly with Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and key partners

• Facilitate the process of collating the QoC information and provide oversight and support to learning districts to ensure data is shared periodically

• Link QoC implementation with key MNCH Quality improvement ongoing processes, and provide direction

 3.  Learning:  

• Provide oversight and support to the learning hub for the development of the learning agenda for the country and ensure that information generated, and data are shared as per agreement with the Network at the national, regional and global level

• Based on information from the implementation and in close collaboration with Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and implementing partners, identify areas for learning and opportunities for linking up teams within and across countries

• Facilitate the introduction and implementation of the Network learning products, e.g.:  webinars, resource library, communities of practice, and facilitate identification of country- specific topics and actors that could be shared within the network

 4.  Advocacy and communication 

• Update and share quarterly reports from implementation as part of the Network communication

• Identify success stories and actors to be shared periodically with the network

• Prepare the country team for Global Network meeting

5. Duration

January to December 2020 

6. Qualifications

• A degree in the field of Public Health, Maternal and Newborn Health and related disciplines

• Experience in Quality Improvement activities and coordination of projects

• A good working relationship/experience with the Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service and/or partners will be an advantage

• Good oral and written communication in English

• Good computer skills

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