University Research Co., LLC (URC): URC is a global company dedicated to improving the quality of health care, social services, and health education worldwide.

With a non-profit affiliate, the Center for Human Services (CHS), URC manages projects in over 45 countries, including the United States.

Established in 1965, URC offers a range of technical assistance to strengthen health and social systems and service quality by empowering communities and health workers to identify and scale up locally appropriate solutions to critical problems.

Internationally, we expand access to and improve the quality of services addressing maternal, newborn, and child health; infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS, TB, and malaria; reproductive health and family planning; food and nutrition; and vulnerable children and families.

In the US, we focus on improving communication related to issues like substance abuse, with a particular focus on reaching underserved populations.

URC’s mission is to provide innovative, evidence-based solutions to health and social challenges worldwide. Please join us in carrying out our mission (http://www.urc-chs.com/).

Division & Project Overview: The URC Quality & Performance Institute (QPI) is a division of URC which serves as an organizing force to bring together best practices, staff experience, partnerships, and documentation on improving health care at URC. The USAID Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project is URC’s flagship project in quality improvement.

ASSIST is managed by URC’s Quality and Performance Institute, (QPI), which has implemented quality improvement and operations research programs in health care since 1981 and continues to be at the cutting edge of health care improvement work in countries around the world.

URC is looking for individuals to fill a Kisumu based position of Project Officer-Quality Improvement, Malaria Program for USAID funded project Applying Science to strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST).

The project is a global leader in the implementation, advocacy, development and promotion of cost-effective methods to design and improve healthcare services and systems in developing and middle income countries.

Roles and Responsibilities: Reporting to the Senior Quality Improvement Advisor, The Project Officer- Quality Improvement, Malaria Program will work closely with the Ministry of Health (MOH) officials at county government level and Implementing Partners to build their improvement competencies.

H/She will ensure smooth running of multiple continuous quality improvement efforts through capacity building and coordinated implementation of modern quality improvement initiatives.

The incumbent will;
Work closely with sub-/counties and health service delivery points to facilitate implementation of malaria activities in the work plan and the delivery of programmatic results that meet the project framework targets.
Make sure that the sub-/counties and health facility staff are provided with guidance, support, and training in the areas of program implementation, monitoring and reporting in compliance with USAID/PMI requirements.
Assist in the identification of bottlenecks and upheavals to implementation and propose solutions, and develop specific capacity building interventions for the staff at health facilities.
Monitor, review, and provide feedback to sub-recipients and staff at health facilities.
Review monthly programmatic reports submitted by the sub-/counties and staff at health facilities and prepare consolidated programmatic progress updates, including supporting documentation; and in liaison with the M& E expert and Malaria Technical lead prepare programmatic reports for submission to the USAID/PMI
Promote policies and best practices that enable effective prevention and treatment of Malaria among the target population.
Support in supply chain management and Case management in close consultation with CHMT/other stakeholders in Forecasting and Quantification for Malaria Commodities
Ensure adherence and compliance to the set national standards, procedures and guidelines in the delivery of Malaria services.
Provide malaria project management support in selected counties and districts.
Work closely with Malaria partners and sub county level health management teams within selected counties to support improvement work in line with the Kenya Quality Model for Health (KQMH).
Support regional Trainers of Trainers (TOTs) in quality improvement.
Support Quality Improvement Teams and the Work Improvement Teams in the target counties.
Provide support to develop malaria quality indicators, data collection, analysis and reporting.
Develop and update materials for training, coaching and learning sessions.
Ensure project compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

Minimum Qualifications:
Required Experience & Qualifications
A minimum of degree in Clinical Medicine, Nursing or Public/Environmental Health. Those with additional training in project management will have an added advantage.
Three (3) years’ experience managing National and County health systems.
Hands on skills of health care and health care coverage issues. Those with prior clinical practice and quality improvement process experience will be preferred.
Experience in advising, training and mentoring on improvement efforts.
Desired Experience & Qualifications
Prior experience of working with district/ sub-county health management teams
Demonstrated ability to work independently and in teams.
Proficiency in data analysis and presentation.
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint.
Ability and willingness to travel in the field as and when required.
Exceptional verbal, interpersonal and written communications skills.
Fluent in English and Kiswahili.
Please note: Only candidates who are eligible to work in the Country for an indefinite period without a need for sponsorship will be considered for this position.

To Apply:
For immediate consideration, please visit URC’s Career Opportunities page at www.urc-chs.com/career-opportunities.

Qualified applicants can also send a cover letter and detailed curriculum vitae indicating present employer, and position, daytime telephone number, current salary, names and addresses of three work related referees to hrkenya@urc-chs.com.

The closing date for submitting applications is 30th October, 2015.

You must upload your CV/Résumé and your Cover Letter where indicated.

Also, please complete your application form and attach a completed USAID Form 1420 Contractor Employee Biographical Data Sheet as well.

Due to the large number of inquiries we receive, only candidates who have met the required experience & qualifications for this position will be contacted.

No phone calls please. However, since we are active around the world in the field of public health, we may wish to retain your CV in our database for other/future opportunities, unless you direct us otherwise. Thank you very much for your interest.

URC is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

We value and seek diversity in our workforce.