bCPAP Project Mentor

The bCPAP Project Mentor is responsible for providing regular on-site clinical mentorship, coaching and quality improvement support to healthcare providers in project-supported health facilities. The role aims to strengthen the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver evidence-based newborn care, improve adherence to national clinical standards and protocols, and enhance the quality of care for small and sick newborns, contributing to improved neonatal survival and long-term health outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Lead knowledge strengthening efforts through clinical competencies, confidence, and performance of healthcare providers delivering care to small and sick newborns through structured mentorship, coaching, supportive supervision, quality improvement initiatives, and continuous skills reinforcement
• Drive sustainable improvements in newborn survival by embedding evidence-based clinical practices into routine service delivery while strengthening local ownership and facility-based capacity through onsite LDHF
• Provide regular on-site mentorship to healthcare workers in Essential Newborn Care, Small and Sick Newborn Care, advanced newborn care, respiratory distress management including initiation and care on bCPAP
• Support initiation and implementation of Quality Improvement initiatives and committees for sustainable quality newborn service delivery such as Kangaroo Mother Care and Infection Prevention and Control
• Support monitoring of all implementation activities including neonatal equipment availability, maintenance, safe and appropriate use based on standards
• Support facilities to strengthen clinical documentation, case management, adherence to service delivery guidelines and SOPs including newborn district referral systems, clinical audits, perinatal mortality reviews and infection prevention standards
• Ensure integration of gender equality, safeguarding, disability inclusion and child rights throughout implementation
• Support health workers to improve documentation quality, interpret routine health data, monitor newborn outcomes, and use data proactively to inform newborn care quality improvement initiatives
• Support implementation of all project capacity strengthening components including Social and Behaviour Change Communication theory and practice
• Keep updated a repository of all capacity building activities for project and organizational shared learning
• Support implementation of competency-based capacity strengthening strategies such as Training of Trainers and Low Dose High Frequency mentorships
• Promote leadership development among facility champions to foster sustainable evidence-based Quality Improvement initiatives
• Participate in planning and conducting project baseline and facility readiness assessments, capacity strengthening and procurement planning
• Develop and maintain strong working relationships with stakeholders including MOH mentors, Vayu Global Health technical advisors, Pediatric Association of Zambia, academic institutions and Church volunteer clinicians
• Ensure all implementing partners undergo legal vetting and capacity assessment prior to commencing work with Save the Children
• Represent Save the Children during technical working groups, steering committees and coordination meetings
• Ensure monthly mentorship reports, action plans and Quality Improvement updates to monitor healthcare worker competencies
• Conduct competency assessment reports based on clinical practice and LDHF sessions
• Support correct documentation of success stories, lessons learnt and provide timely feedback to project management
• Ensure timely submission of high-quality monthly mentorship and capacity strengthening progress reports
• Support district and facility level advocacy for children and other vulnerable groups
• Build strategic networks, coalitions and alliances on project related key advocacy issues
• Ensure Advocacy for children is integrated in programme and project operations and plans
• Document lessons and learnings from advocacy engagements
• Work closely with partners in the districts to foster synergy and visibility for the organisation
• Work with Child Safeguarding Focal persons to ensure all CO staff are trained in Child Safeguarding
• Closely review documents and agreements to ensure all partners, contractors, visitors, volunteers comply with Child Safeguarding and code of conduct standards

Requirements

• Degree in Public health, social sciences, Nursing or other related Health degree
• Post graduate qualification in Public Health or related field will be an added advantage
• Minimum of 5 -7 years of experience in leading implementation and managing donor funded programs
• Previous working relationships within donor funded programs and with key multilateral agencies, and bilateral donors
• Demonstrated ability to work within a multi-faceted health development program in collaboration with MOH personnel at provincial, district and health facility levels, and local partners
• Experience with use of data/evidence for priority setting / decision making and targeting interventions
• Experience and skills in managing and motivating teams to deliver results
• Demonstrable financial, planning and budget management skills a MUST
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an international environment with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Demonstrated knowledge of international and local policies and frameworks relating to their thematic area is necessary
• Certification or proven experience in project management methodology
• Strong record of fostering new and effective partnerships, team building and collaborative implementation
• Proven ability to develop and oversee implementation of program work plans and coordinate/manage field staff implementing these plans
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform
• Ability to work independently and as a team leader/member with diverse team of partners and counterparts
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (oral, written and presentation)
• Excellent computer skills and experience working with Microsoft Office applications
• English fluency (verbal and written) required
• Proven leadership, strategic thinking, organizational, team-building, and representational skills
• Strong knowledge of the Zambian health system
• Previous experience working in Central, Lusaka Southern Provinces

Skills

• Public Health
• Donor-Funded Programme Management
• Health Program Implementation
• Data Driven Decision Making
• Team Management
• Finance Management
• Budget Management
• Cultural Awareness
• International Health Policy
• Project Management Methodology
• Partnership Building
• Program Work Plan Development
• Field Work Coordination
• Microsoft Office Suite
• Clinical Mentorship
• Quality Improvement
• Newborn Clinical Care
• Health Systems Knowledge
• Strategic Thinking
• Communications Skills

Languages

English