Interactive Research and Development South Africa (IRD SA NPC) is a South African Section 21 not-for-profit entity and an affiliate of Interactive Research and Development Global (IRD Global), and has fully operational offices in Johannesburg (Gauteng) and in Durban (KwaZulu-Natal). CDC-South Africa Optimizing Performance by Improving Quality (OPIQ) project in Eastern Cape Province (Amathole, OR Tambo and Chris Hani Districts). The project is in the first year of a five-year cooperative agreement with CDC-South Africa, working in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, with funding from the US President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). Interactive Research and Development South Africa (IRD SA), University of California, San Francisco- Global Health Sciences (UCSF- GHS) and HEALTHQUAL bring complementary expertise to the consortium. GHS brings expertise in data visualization, informatics, and expertise in implementation science as it relates to the harvesting and standardizing of best practices for change interventions. HEALTHQUAL provides expertise and rich experience designing and implementing improvement collaboratives, national and sub-national learning networks; QI coaching mentorship, QI coach curriculum development and adaptation; QI knowledge management; and the development of change packages. IRD SA has extensive expertise designing, leading, and implementing site level QI activities in South Africa at the district and facility level; a rich network of contacts at PEPFAR partners, DOH and other NGOs; and on the ground experience implementing public health initiatives in collaboration with national and sub-national DOH.
IRD seeks to appoint a Quality Improvement Coach to be based in kwaZulu Natal.
Employment Type: Fixed term contract
Reports to: The Country Director
KwaZulu-Natal (EThekwini, UMgungundlovu, UThukela, and Zululand Districts)
The purpose of this position is to be responsible for providing on-site and hands on QI coaching to mentors and area managers as well as assist in the coordination and management of all QI projects within a district.
Responsibilities:
Collaborate closely with CDC-South Africa PEPFAR District Support Partners (DSPs), maintain close collaboration with Department of Health (DOH), other agencies and local NGOs, institutions to provide QI methodology support to DOH stakeholder teams:
Analyse and interpret data to identify opportunities for improvement
Support and monitor quality improvement projects in stakeholder-based TB programme
Build a quality improvement environment with stakeholders
Conduct training and learning sessions
Provide technical assistance to stakeholder QI teams
Coach all QI-linked staff in order to transfer skills and conduct interventions towards achieving the multi-facility QI project aims including:
Use data to identify bottlenecks and underlying causes
Develop, test and disseminate change ideas to close gaps
Track data over time to draw periodic reports
Display QI activities and run charts at facility-level
Assist facilities to develop SOP’s for implementing successful change ideas
Write reports, maintain records of all working procedures, development and implementation of new procedures and standards
Responsibilities
Guide stakeholders in the development, implementation and measuring of QI initiatives
Lead coordination and management of all QI projects within a district
Maintain regular communication with IRD SA Quality Improvement Advisor, UCSF Technical Director, HEALTHQUALT Senior Technical Advisor, and IRD SA technical teams and managers
Work with DSPs to ensure that facilities have up to date QI tools and relevant QI tools prominently displayed
Facilitate training and learning sessions as per work plan and stakeholder needs
Ensure regular communication with DOH management where necessary
Identify and report on QI methodology successes and challenges and ensure there are remedial actions in place
Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Health Sciences or post-basic nursing education qualification
2 years post-basic experience in QI methodology within the district health system
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Experience in TB and HIV prevention and management
A proven track record in delivering QI methodology activities and successes
Proficiency in district health data management systems (i.e.TIER.net, Web-DHIS, THIS data)
Fluent in English, isiZulu and isiXhosa
Valid driver’s licence
Clear criminal record
Ability to travel within the district
Previous work experience in NGOs or funded programmes Key skills and competencies
Conversant with South Africa’s National Strategic Plan on HIV, TB and STIs 2017-2022 (NSP)and the Treatment and Retention Acceleration Plan (TRAP)
Knowledge of government guidelines and protocols for HIV and AIDS management
Previous work experience in NGOs or funded programmes, specifically in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal provincesMust have experience in TB and HIV prevention and management
A proven track record in delivering QI methodology interventions
Very good interpersonal and negotiation skills
Ability to trouble shoot and problem solve
Please send all Applications through e-mail, indicating Position being applied for and the location to [email protected].
For more about Interactive Research and Development South Africa, refer to www.irdresearch.org