Quality Improvement Program Support Advisor

Panagora Group | Short Term Technical (consultant)
Quality Improvement Program Support AdvisorPretoria, South Africa | Posted on 03/12/2024
HIghest Level of Education Master's Degree Work Experience 7-10 years Job Description Panagora Group is a social enterprise dedicated to providinghigh-quality, high-impact international health, development, andlearning consulting. We are a dynamic woman- and employee-owned smallbusiness partner focused on market-based and integrated localsolutions that strengthen country capacity and independence; and onlearning, communications, and technology solutions to accelerate andheighten impact. As a small business, we are able to implement noveland innovative approaches using highly participatory approaches tomobilize community, civil society, and government energy in definingand owning solutions, and to promote inclusive development thatbenefits all groups.

Position Summary TheTechnical Support Services (TSS) Activityhelps USAID/Southern Africa's Regional Health Office (RHO) address technical priorities, develop creative, innovative solutions to strategically allocate resources, strengthen connections with partners, and replicate best practices and effective program models. Through the TSS contract, Panagora Group augments capacity by providing technical, operational, and administrative support to USAID's health portfolio. TSS deploys advisors in response to USAID requests for priority work with government stakeholders, implementing partners, and/or other entities. TSS supports Health Office staff and teams in integrating creative solutions into routine work. TSS also provides international and local expertise for surge support, as needed, for USAID Program Cycle requirements, planning, development, outreach, communications, and Health Office human resource functions.

Background South Africa has the largest HIV epidemic in the world, with an estimated 7.8 million people living with HIV (PLHIV). The current HIV prevalence is 13.2%; adult HIV prevalence is 18.5%. Approximately 230,000 new HIV infections occur each year. South Africa has yet to achieve "95-95-95" targets and the goal of HIV epidemic control. Throughout the past several years, substantial gaps have emerged in performance related to initiation and maintenance of PLHIV onto ART. These gaps were further widened by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic between COP19 and COP21 and due to the strict nationwide lockdown periods (which resulted in significant drops in facility headcount), health facility closures, healthcare worker COVID-19 infections and deaths, and healthcare workers in quarantine in South Africa. In COP21, the NDoH's Operation Phuthuma forum launched a revised Operation Phuthuma Handbook to guide provinces, districts, and health facilities in targeted HIV/TB quality improvement program management for the attainment of 95-95-95. PEPFAR SA supports roll-out of the new handbook and guidance at all levels of the health system and continuing into COP23 supports continuation of intense, site level support with key programmatic focus areas. In response to the continuing gaps, theNDOH has undertaken the Nerve Centre Approach as a standardised problem-solving approach that ranges from facility to national level. As part of the strategy to drive improvement across the 95-95-95 cascade, the Nerve Centre Approach with the support of Operation Phutuma will strengthen Nerve Centres across the country to create a culture of improvement that prioritise activities of Nerve Centres to focus on 2 nd and 3 rd 95.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities USAID/South Africa seeks a Quality Improvement (QI) Program Support Advisor to support the Bilateral Health Office (Care & Treatment), who will be responsible for leading, advising, and supporting quality improvement across the program. This will be achieved through programmatic data synthesis, identifying programmatic strengths and weaknesses, and facilitating performance improvement through clear and achievable direction to partners. This will include supporting monitoring and evaluation processes and guiding teams with clear advice on setting up programmatic processes in line with USAID policies and procedures. The role will provide program direction, utilizing prior knowledge of USAID processes and requirements in program procedures. The role will maintain and strengthen partner and stakeholder relationships, participating in and coordinating key meetings, progress reports, ongoing monitoring, and evaluation.

Duties and Responsibilities include: Data Review and Data Use:

Synthesize qualitative and quantitative data to elucidate operational issues and key themes across partners and geographies and disseminate findings to appropriate stakeholders to drive programmatic improvement (including findings from Data Quality Assessments (DQAs)).
Facilitate the review and identification of performance indicators and targets for Care and Treatment programming (in collaboration with the Strategic Information Lead).
Interpret and incorporate program monitoring and evaluation findings into ongoing program implementation.
Program Management:
Guide and lead technical teams in support of QI principles and efforts across the program, including:
develop ing and refin ing logical frameworks
drafting program descriptions and best practices
creating performance management plans, including the identification of project milestones, targets, and performance indicators
Identify and compile data or analyses needed for program QI efforts.
Program Support, Coordination, and Knowledge Management:
Conceptualize, coordinate, facilitate , and contribute to Care and Treatment partner meetings, quarterly performance reviews, and other program monitoring activities.
Coordinate and draft program (work plan) guidance and disseminate strategic information, latest research, and other knowledge products to partners for improved program implementation.
Identify , draft, and disseminate best practices and other program documentation.
Draft, edit, and/or finalize high-quality, routine products for Agency processes such as budgets, memos, and programmatic briefs/updates.
Provide guidance and monitoring for site visit tracking, reporting, and analysis for cooperative agreement management compliance and programmatic improvements. 
Stakeholder engagement and support
Participation and facilitation in relevant stakeholder engagements to support the roll-out of Operation Phuthuma handbook and provide guidance on the OP Nerve Center approach at all health system levels.
Requirements Requirements

Master's degree in medi cine , public health, or other relevant science-based discipline.
8-12 years of experience in international public health programming and experience working in technical oversight, design, and implementation of HIV and AIDS and/or other health programs in developing countries.
Specialized knowledge in the demography and epidemiology of HIV and AIDS and other health areas.
Specialized knowledge and demonstrated expertise in understanding the current evidence base as it applies to HIV and AIDS and other health areas program design, management, and evaluation.
Relevant work experience for this position includes previous work as a technical advisor for the South African Government, other donors, civil society, community health services, or international donors.
Skilled at strategizing, developing, and implementing effective USAID-supported HIV and AIDS and other health area programs, including financial management and/or administrative skills to oversee the performance of implementing partners, technical advisors, and development partners.
Strong quantitative, analytical, and reasoning skills, verbal skills, and ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to technical and non-technical colleagues.
Familiarity with HIV and AIDS and other health area modelling of incidence and prevalence and ability to interpret results for programmatic decision-making/prioritization.
Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to work with individuals from diverse professional backgrounds.
Analytical thinking and attention to detail.
Strong report writing and presentation skills in English.
Strong work ethic and the ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
This position will require travel withi n South Africa .

No telephone inquiries, please. Finalists will be contacted. Pleaseinclude a cover letter and resume. Only applicants who includethe required application components will be considered.

Panagora Group is an equal opportunity employer and prohibitsdiscrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race,color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status,genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, genderidentity or expression, or any other characteristic protected byfederal, state, or local laws.

*Note: Panagora does not offer visa sponsorship.

Panagora Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race or ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, veteran disability or genetic information or any other reason prohibited by law in employment.
#J-18808-Ljbffr