PROJECT SUMMARY:  

MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics is a USAID funded program initiated in September 2020 and active through June 2026. Through a consortium of partners led by EngenderHealth, this project expands awareness of, equitable access to, and appropriate use of quality, voluntary surgical maternal health (MH) and family planning (FP) services that are essential to reducing maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity and promoting reproductive health (RH). MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics focuses on surgical obstetric care, including safe and indicated cesarean delivery (CD) and peripartum hysterectomy; prevention and treatment of obstetric and iatrogenic fistula; and voluntary long-acting reversible contraceptives and permanent methods (LARCs/PMs). MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics will carry over lessons from EngenderHealth’s history of successful program implementation with government and civil society partners in the region through the USAID Fistula Care project and Health Services Delivery (HSD) project and in Benin through projects addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights and gender-based violence.   

JOB SUMMARY: 

The Senior Clinical Advisor is responsible for supporting the programmatic and technical implementation of the project, including service delivery, training, supervision and improvement of the quality of care.  In the MOMENTUM Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics Benin project, these activities will support health system strengthening in surgical obstetric care, including safe and appropriate caesarean delivery; prevention of obstetric and iatrogenic fistula, including rehabilitation and reintegration. MSSFPO will address these specific technical areas while embedding principles of gender, youth, and social inclusion (GYSI) across program interventions. Under the supervision of the Benin Country Representative, the Senior Clinical Advisor will work closely with medical authorities in project-supported states and staff in supported sites to provide technical assistance for interventions related to fistula prevention, screening, referral, repair, post-repair reintegration and psychosocial support; and delivery of safe surgical obstetric procedures in accordance with national, state, and EngenderHealth standards and guidelines.  The clinical specialist is responsible for guiding the programmatic and technical direction of the project, including service delivery, training, supervision and improvement of the quality of care.  

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:  

• Provides technical support for clinical capacity building and health systems strengthening activities, including maternal health; safe obstetric surgery; improvement of health data collection and use; fistula prevention, screening, referral and repair, and reintegration/rehabilitation.   
• Assist the Country Representative and/or the global team in the development of interventions, work plans, and reporting for the project   
• Provide guidance for country training and supervision plans, including the adaptation of training modules and supervision tools.  
• Support assessments of the capacity of health facilities and providers to provide high-quality surgical obstetric and fistula care and guide determinations of targeted procurement needs for essential equipment and supplies.  
• Support development of partnerships and scope of collaboration with local partner organizations, including other USAID bilateral project implementers and local civil society organizations.   
• Participate in capacity building of supervisors and service providers in the technical areas of the project.  
• Participate in local and national project meetings, technical working groups, and communities of practice.  
• Conduct post training follow-up of the trained service providers to provide onsite individualized mentoring support to reinforce skills learned at the initial training.  
• Conduct regular supportive supervision visits to facilities to identify gaps in program focus areas service delivery and to rectify them with the help of staff and health officials at facility, and state level to improve the quality of care.   
• In collaboration with the Country Representative and HQ and regional  staff, facilitate collection of data at baseline and at periodic intervals and help collating, analyzing and interpreting the data collected. Help facility staff make decisions for quality improvement based on the data.  
• Document project activities, including those implemented by partner organizations, prepare assigned progress reports, prepare presentations for review meetings organized by EngenderHealth / government and provide input for the quarterly and annual project’s reports.   
• Represent organization at facility, state, and national level data and quality of care review meetings.  
• Keep up to date on technical approaches and programmatic priorities through self-study.  
• Provide technical assistance to local partner organizations with respect to service delivery, training, quality of care improvement and other interventions as defined by the project  
• Any other task assigned by the supervisor from time to time.  

REQUIREMENTS:  

• MD with diploma in Public Health, MCHN  or equivalent field    
• At least 8 years’ experience in the field of maternal or reproductive health  
• Two or more years of experience of working on safe obstetric surgery, reproductive health/SRHR, and quality assurance   
• Experience as a MNCH provider and formal certification as a MNCH trainer is desirable   
• Experience in facilitating training is desirable  
• Experience of working with international and domestic NGOs, district administration, public health facilities will be an advantage.  
• Experience in supportive supervision, quality improvement, and data collection and use for decision making.  
• Good knowledge of Benin Health system  
• Ability and willingness to travel to the field 2-3 weeks per month within the project provinces   

ESSENTIAL SOFT SKILLS   

• Committed to EngenderHealth’s core organizational values of reflection, inclusion, integrity, respect, and transformation  
• Excellent French and professional English language writing and communication skills   
• Well organized and flexible with ability to work on multiple activities under deadline pressure  
• Able to work in a team setting as well as to work independently without direct supervision  
• Strong communication, facilitation, liaison, and motivation skills and Interpersonal skills  
• Good time management and prioritisation skills with the ability to plan ahead to meet tight deadlines without compromising standards.   
• Ability to build good relationships with staff and external partners  

PREFERRED SKILLS, ABILITIES AND FUNCTIONS:  

• Ability to collect data; expertise in compilation; analysis of data and writing reports  
• Capacity to work confidently with computerised datasets.  
• Computer skills - MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Microsoft Office Suite  
• Good organisational skills with the ability to plan and execute a number of overlapping activities.  
• Good knowledge of quality improvement and quality assurance of health services  
• Positive attitude and flexible approach to working; able to re-organise tasks as appropriate in response to changing demands.   

Disclaimer  

The above statements describe the general nature and level of work being performed by the person(s) assigned to this job. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. All personnel may be required to perform duties outside of their normal responsibilities as needed and assigned.  

EngenderHealth provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment, without regard to race, creed, ancestry, citizenship, religion, color, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, political belief, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a survivor of domestic violence, marital status, pregnancy status, disability or any other protected characteristic or status under applicable federal, state and local laws.   

EngenderHealth complies with applicable federal, state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in the United States in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.  

EngenderHealth is committed to safeguarding all people, particularly children, vulnerable adults and beneficiaries of assistance from any harm that may be caused due to contact with EngenderHealth.  This includes harm arising from the conduct of staff, associates and partners; and the design and implementation of programs and activities.