Quality Assurance Nurses at Save the Children

ROLE PURPOSE: 

The Quality Assurance Nurses will be responsible for day-to-day implementation of ICCM+ CMAM operational research project aiming to investigate the implementation of iCCM-CMAM in Turkana, Kenya. Specifically, it seeks to evaluate the capability of trained, supervised, and well-equipped Community Health Providers (CHPs) in correctly executing iCCM-CMAM. The study is expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of iCCM-CMAM in improving access to appropriate care for acutely ill children in remote areas. The findings will inform the Kenyan Ministry of Health and county health management team in guiding practical implementation steps. The role holders will play a critical role in promoting delivery of quality implementation research in collaboration with CHPs, health and nutrition teams within Save the Children, the research consultants and key stakeholders including Turkana county department of health.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Health Officer

Technical Report : Research coordinator, Save the Children

Staff directly reporting to this post: None

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme.

• Provide technical assistance to CHPs towards implementation of integrated community case management and integration with uncomplicated acute malnutrition.
• Support training and mentorship for Community Health Promotors on Integrated Community iCCM, Basic modules, uncomplicated CMAM.
• Supervise routine data collection and commodity accountability by the CHPs and Community Unit CHEWs
• Consolidate activity reports and ensure timely submission to supervisor for onward submission.
• Ensure quality of programme data by interacting often with project data base.
• Closely work with the principal investigator(s) and provide the necessary requirements they need to successfully implement the research.
• Work with MOH to strengthen Community Health Service delivery and the community – facility linkage and referrals.
• Help to provide evidence that a trained CHP can classify, diagnose and treat Pneumonia in children under 5 years by review Pneumonia cases identified by CHPs at house hold level to a certain the Diagnosis.
• Follow-up visits of all children treated by CHPs at home

Monitoring and Evaluation.

• Participate in the design, development and implementation of an M&E framework for health related activities.
• Document the process of implementation, lessons learnt, case studies and good practice to ensure information is widely disseminated.
• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.
• Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs and project MEAL focal person to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards.
• Ensure the compilation of quality and timely activity and monthly reports for the project.
• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team

Supervision

• Develop a comprehensive plan for supervision of all the field health and nutrition activities to ensure implementation adheres to develop monthly work plans. 
• Support regular review meetings with the community health promoters, sub county community strategy focal person and community health assistants. 

Network and coordinate with the relevant sectors and agencies implementing health activities at national and community level.

• Identify areas of synergy in the field with the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies working with communities. 
• Come up with a comprehensive plan of activities within the identified areas of synergy with the actors named above.

Implement Community Mobilization Activities.

• Liaise and establish strong links with existing community structures including mother to mother support groups, community units, youth groups, village elders and religious leaders.
• Support community dialogue and action days.

Strengthen Community – Health Facility Referral system and Linkage.

• Work with Ministry of Health to strengthen a referral system at community level and implement activities to strengthen the community –facility linkage. 

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values
• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same
• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others
• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters
• Values diversity, sees it as a source of competitive strength
• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• develops and encourages new and innovative solutions
• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse
• At least two (2) years’ work experience in health and nutrition programming including monitoring and evaluation. 
• MUST be registered with Nursing Council of Kenya.
• Fluency (written and verbal) in English, Swahili, and Local dialects in Turkana County.
• At least two year working experience in a health facility.
• Willing to work in a rural set up and perform house hold visits on a daily basis
• Good inter-personal, report writing and communication skills
• Strong capacity to work with initiative, flexibility and without close supervision
• Ability to meet strict deadlines
• Strong research and data analysis skills. 
• Experience in community mobilisation within the development context. 
• Experience working with programmes on community health strategy and community health services delivery is an added advantage.
• health stakeholders, opinion leaders and integration of donor funded programmes into county plans.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations.
• Experience of and commitment to utilizing participatory approaches. 
• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathise with children.
• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field.
• Proficiency in intermediate computer skills especially basic office applications including MS office (word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook) is a MUST