CAMRIS is an international development and research firm that realizes innovative solutions to health and development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective program and research management services. With experience working in more than 80 countries, we combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve the lives of people around the world.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has contracted through Social Solutions International partnered with CAMRIS, to recruit and hire qualified individuals for the following position:
United States Agency for International Development, Bureau for Global Health, Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition, Maternal and Newborn Health Division (GH/MCHN/MNH)
Title: Senior Maternal Health Advisor
GS: 14 - Equivalency
Application Deadline: Open until Filled
BACKGROUND
More women and children are surviving today than ever before, but despite this progress there are significant inequalities that remain. According to new WHO and UNICEF estimates, child deaths have been reduced by nearly half and maternal deaths by over one-third since 2000. In order to meet the 2030 global goals, the rate of improvement must increase dramatically. Significant work remains to increase coverage of high-impact interventions, strengthen the health systems that support these interventions, improve quality, and address equity gaps that are bottlenecks to ending preventable maternal deaths.
In 2014, with technical input from USAID, a 2030 global target of fewer than 70 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births was adopted by WHO. In June of that year, USAID outlined its support for this goal in the report Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality: USAID Maternal Health Vision for Action. The Vision emphasizes equity, sustainability, country ownership, capacity building, innovation, and collaboration across disciplines and sectors to end preventable maternal mortality. An update of a Maternal Newborn Health Vision for 2020-2015 is underway that will emphasize the USAID Journey to Self-Reliance.
The Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Division of the Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) within USAID’s Bureau for Global Health (GH) provides technical leadership and supports strategic planning, innovative program design, and monitoring and evaluation in maternal, newborn, child and environmental health programs globally and in USAID field Missions. The MNH Division plays a central role in technical leadership and management of USAID’s efforts to prevent maternal and newborn deaths and other similar global commitments and initiatives.
The Senior Maternal Health Advisor will be assigned to the Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Division within USAID’s Office of Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition (MCHN) in USAID’s Bureau for Global Health (GH). S/he will report to the Maternal Health Team Lead and provide program support, and policy and technical guidance for MNH awards, as well as provide technical advice to the maternal and newborn health teams. and the Advisor will work in collaboration with other MCHN Divisions, GH Offices and Centers, and USAID Bureaus and Missions through USAID management and technical teams to promote maternal and newborn survival and health.
Provide technical leadership to the Agency on Maternal Health (MH) issues, including enabling and mobilizing individual and communities, advancing quality respectful maternity care, strengthening related health systems, and continuous learning:
* Provide expert leadership and guidance regarding MH issues, priorities and strategies, with attention to care across the maternity cycle and relevance to perinatal health and survival, and the major causes of maternal death and morbidity;
* Provide expert technical advice for antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum quality care based on current evidence;
* Analyze complex situations in order to assist in the development of USAID strategic plans and assess the impact of host-country policies and practices on U.S. Government (USG) or USAID programs in the health sector;
* Collaborate with USG partners, bilateral donors, multilateral organizations, foundations, universities, and nongovernmental/private voluntary organizations in policy and programming related to maternal health;
* Participate in global efforts to advance Ending Preventable Maternal Mortality (EPMM), including participation in global technical working groups;
* Support the policy oversight and management of MH and related projects and activities;
* Bring new findings from technical literature to the attention of USAID Health Officers, through webinars, presentations, the MNH Division’s Maternal & Newborn Health Breaking News e-newsletter and the USAID website;
* Contribute to education and communication, including e-learning courses, social media and reports to Congress; and
* Perform other relevant duties as assigned.
Provide technical assistance to field Missions, GH offices, regional bureaus, and implementing partners:
* Serve as a maternal health expert resource for GH offices, regional bureaus, and individual countries to advance maternal survival and health, including healthy behaviors, care seeking, provision of quality care, monitoring and evaluation;
* Provide short-term maternal health expertise to designated priority countries in design and evaluation of MH programs and long-term support as a team member or GH country coordinator for a selected country(ies);
* Provide expert maternal health technical assistance as needed to USAID’s implementing partners;
* Provide expert maternal health technical assistance and support coordination with other USG partners;
* Respond to internal and external requests for information, prepare background and briefing documents, and serve as a technical mentor and member of working groups and technical committees, as necessary;
* Provide guidance on strengthening health systems as it relates to MNH;
* Provide technical input and advice to guide MH research, with emphasis on qualitative and implementation research; and
* Bring new findings from technical literature to the attention of USAID and implementing partners.
* An advanced degree/certification or equivalent in the field of obstetrics, midwifery or advanced nursing practice that includes maternity care, with 9 years of relevant public health and clinical experience;
* A minimum of five years’ experience in design, implementation and evaluation of public health programs, of which two-three years were in international or resource-poor settings;
* An in-depth understanding of health systems issues related to maternal care in low and middle income (LMIC) countries;
* Demonstrated skill in conducting critical analysis and evaluation of technical and programmatic aspects of programs;
* Ability to think and operate strategically and programmatically;
* Excellent understanding of current issues in international maternal and neonatal health programs;
* Demonstrated experience in working directly with host-country governments, developing country program clinicians, managers and policy makers in the field of newborn health;
* Basic understanding of programs and organizational aspects of major international donors, multilateral agencies, and nongovernmental/private voluntary organizations supporting the social sector, with a focus that includes maternal health;
* Excellent interpersonal and diplomacy skills and experience in working effectively in an independent capacity and as a member of a team;
* Excellent verbal and written communications skills, including ability to write technical documents and give presentations on the technical and public health advances in maternal health to colleagues in and outside of USAID;
* Good computer skills;
* Willingness to travel internationally
* Applicants selected will be subject to a background investigation and must obtain and maintain a favorable adjudication as applicable to their position/duties.
This is an opportunity for employment or a contract, but we reserve the right to make no selection or award.
Social Solutions International and CAMRIS International offer competitive salaries and comprehensive benefits. Please submit your resume online at www.camris.com
Social Solutions and CAMRIS are Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.