Position: Implementation Support Assistant (ISA)

Duration of work: 3 months with possible extension

Tentative Start Date: Immediately 

 Required Number: 2 

Duty Station: Jimma, Shashemene

Back Ground

The Center for Implementation Sciences (CIS) in Health at the School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, and Addis Ababa University seeks to accelerate translation of effective policies and evidence-based practices into public health and development benefits through influencing policies, strategies, programs and practices at different levels of the health system. The CIS shall work, through its multidisciplinary teams and in close collaboration with relevant governmental and non-governmental stakeholders, to develop, implement, and evaluate strategies, methods, approaches, and models to promote the adoption, implementation, sustainment, and scale-up of evidence-based policies, practices, and programs in the fields of public health.

The center is looking for a qualified and enthusiastic Implementation Support Assistant (ISA) with relevant qualifications and experience for the Scale-up of Antenatal corticosteroid for preterm births Implementation Researches in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO).

The Implementation Support Assistant (ISA), under the guidance of the Implementation Support Coordinator, study site coordinator, and study manager will: 

• Work closely with the Oromia Regional Health Bureau, Zonal/ woreda/ city health Bureaus, health facilities and health managers to support the implementation of the interventions included in the model at the health facilities and community levels

• Assist the training and mentorship of health facility leadership, facility senior physicians, general practitioners, nurses, midwives, health extension workers and the health development army on the project objectives and expectations with the research team 

• Support early identification of pregnant woman, early ANC and ultrasound scan services, identification of women who are at high risk of preterm birth and eligible for ACS use; provision of safe ACS, referral of pregnant women with possible preterm birth to ACS facility and promotion of facility delivery

• Support the identification of preterm/LBW births, and the provision of Small and Sick Newborn Care (SSNC)

• Collect data using SSNC forms on paper and REDCap from the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) through direct observation of care, and by reviewing medical records and registers

• Plan monthly visits of mentor (pediatrician/ neonatologist), discuss on assessments completed before the visit, assist mentor, and work along with mentor in collection of data, report writing

• Plan and support the SSNC strengthening implementation activities at the hospitals

• Facilitate regular online meetings among mentors, Health Care Workers in NICU at the Hospitals, and the research team to discuss progress, challenges, and for troubleshooting  

• Be active in WhatsApp/Telegram group – troubleshooting with champions/HCPs, and to share updates 

• Facilitate & coordinate Quality Improvement (QI) cycles in collaboration with the mentor

• Support the identification of effective and ineffective strategies to provide early ANC, early ultrasound scan, ACS use, improve referral, and provision of Small and Sick Newborn Care 

• Arrange regular supportive supervision and mentorship of implementation sites and service providers at the health facility and community levels 

• Support the health facility QI team to discuss early ANC and ultrasound scan, ACS use, and Small and Sick Newborn Care 

• Conduct regular assessments of the ACS IR activities at the health facility and community level through regular follow-up and report to the study site coordinator  

• Attend regular meetings with the research and implementation support team

• Distribute project equipment and supplies, ensure their proper installation, and use (equipment and supplies, devices, guidelines, protocols, registers, job-aids etc.) by the study sites 

• Contribute to the development of periodic plans, reports, and papers 

• Work closely with the study site coordinator, implementation Support, outcome measurement, and Program learning Coordinators

• Execute other tasks given by the implementation coordinators, study site coordinator and study managers 

• The Implementation Support Assistant (ISA) will be based in Shashemene and Jimma towns with scheduled travel to the study sites to lead the implementation component of the project

Job Requirements

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, or Midwifery required, with up to 2 years of relevant experience.

• Experience with the Ethiopian health system, Ethiopian Ministry of Health and Regional Health Bureaus.

• Positive attitude

• Work as a team leader

• Collaboration and communication abilities

• Ability to analyse data

• Communication abilities

• Strong interpersonal skills to work with the Ministry of Health, regional health bureau, woreda health bureau, health facilities, stakeholders, and research team. 

• Basic Microsoft skills, such as MS word, power point, and excel

• Basic Google services, such as email, Google meet, Google calendar and Google drive

• Knowledge and skills in high quality quantitative data collection using paper based and electronic data collection tools.

• Ability to work with electronic data collection (ODK, REDCap) and demonstrated experience managing databases.

• Fluency in written and spoken Afan Oromo and English is required, along with proficiency in spoken and written Amharic. 

Additional Qualifications:

• Excellent problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills are necessary. Ability to handle and prioritize multiple project activities, balance conflicting priorities, and handle confidential information appropriately. Must exhibit tact and diplomacy in inter-cultural settings. 

How To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates for the above-mentioned positions are invited to apply within 8 working days of this announcement. Applications for the Shashemene site should be sent to sultanshallo4@gmail.com or rediet.gezahegn@aau.edu.et, and for the Jimma site to nebsozinabu@gmail.com or rediet.gezahegn@aau.edu.et. Please clearly indicate the preferred duty location in your application. An applicant is requested to attach the following documents

• Letter of application 

• Updated CV 

• Copies of degrees, and other relevant documents