Technical Advisor I - Continuous Quality Improvement

Job Posting Organization:
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Established to save, protect, and transform lives in need, CRS operates in more than 100 countries, providing assistance without regard to race, religion, or nationality. The organization focuses on various sectors including emergency response, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding. CRS is committed to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation, and it welcomes individuals from all faiths and secular traditions who share its values and commitment to serving those in need. The agency's work culture is collaborative and mission-driven, aiming to improve the lives of the poor throughout the world. CRS has a strong emphasis on personal accountability, integrity, trust-building, collaboration, and a willingness to learn among its staff.

Job Overview:
The Technical Advisor I for Continuous Quality Improvement will play a pivotal role in the anticipated CDC-PEPFAR health systems strengthening project. This position involves delivering expert guidance and hands-on support to government ministries, departments, and agencies to enhance health systems through continuous quality improvement (CQI) processes. The advisor will facilitate and coach facility-based quality improvement teams, drive rapid learning cycles, and support the development and implementation of effective measurement strategies and change packages. The role also includes fostering collaborative learning environments that advance high-quality health outcomes within Nigeria’s health sector. The advisor will engage in both remote and on-site activities to ensure the effective application of standards and best practices, ultimately contributing to the delivery of high-quality health services.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The duties and responsibilities of the Technical Advisor I include supporting the development and implementation of strategies, standards, tools, and best practices for improving operational processes. This involves engaging partners, donors, and governments effectively. The advisor will provide advisory support to strengthen the capacity of facility-based teams through targeted coaching, practical tools, and on-site mentorship. They will guide teams in strategic planning and the application of best practices to ensure high-quality service delivery. The advisor will also support stakeholders in lean measurement, ensuring efficient systems that track key performance indicators such as waiting times and patient refills. Additionally, the advisor will develop learning strategies to document successful changes and facilitate collaborative learning sessions across facilities. They will lead rapid learning cycles to identify root causes, design and test changes, and assess impacts. Maintaining relationships with donors and peer organizations, participating in health systems strengthening forums, and promoting CRS’ work are also key responsibilities.

Required Qualifications:
The position requires a Bachelor's degree in public health, Health Services Management, or related health sciences. A Master's degree in a relevant field is preferred. Candidates should have a minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience with progressive responsibilities, ideally within an international NGO. At least five years of field-based experience in continuous quality improvement is essential. Proficiency in MS Office packages, web conferencing applications, and information management systems is required. Candidates should possess strong relationship management skills, strategic and analytical thinking abilities, and excellent technical writing and presentation skills. Experience in project design, proposal development, and program monitoring and evaluation is also necessary.

Educational Background:
Candidates must hold a Bachelor's degree in public health, Health Services Management, or related health sciences. A Master's degree in a relevant field is considered an advantage and may enhance the candidate's qualifications for the position.

Experience:
The ideal candidate should have a minimum of eight to ten years of relevant work experience, with progressive responsibilities in the field. This experience should ideally be with an international NGO, including at least five years of relevant field-based experience specifically in continuous quality improvement. The candidate should demonstrate a strong understanding of capacity-strengthening best practices and have experience in networking and building relationships with donors and partner organizations.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is essential given the international nature of the organization and the role. Additional language skills relevant to the local context may be considered advantageous but are not explicitly required.

Additional Notes:
The position includes supervisory responsibilities and involves working closely with project teams and other CRS staff. The role is based in Abuja, Nigeria, and may require both remote and on-site engagement. CRS offers a comprehensive benefits package for U.S.-based staff, including medical, dental, life insurance, vision, and a retirement savings plan. For candidates employed outside the U.S., benefits packages are based on the country of employment. The successful candidate is expected to adhere to CRS’ Code of Conduct and safeguarding policies, reflecting the agency's commitment to protecting program participants and community members from exploitation and abuse. The agency prioritizes candidates who are citizens or permanent residents of the countries where CRS operates.