Senior Program Officer, Maternal and Newborn Health, Emergency Referral Systems

Job Posting Organization:
The Clinton Health Access Initiative, Inc. (CHAI) is a global health organization founded in 2002, primarily in response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Its mission is to save lives and reduce the burden of disease in low- and middle-income countries by supporting governments and the private sector in creating and sustaining high-quality health systems. CHAI operates in over 40 countries and employs a diverse team dedicated to addressing various health challenges, including infectious diseases, maternal and child health, and non-communicable diseases. The organization emphasizes the importance of sustainable impact and government-led solutions, ensuring that programs are designed for national scalability and global knowledge sharing. CHAI is committed to diversity and inclusion, recognizing that a diverse workforce enhances its mission and effectiveness.

Job Overview:
The Senior Program Officer for Maternal and Newborn Health, Emergency Referral Systems will play a crucial role in addressing the preventable maternal and newborn deaths in Zambia, particularly in the Copperbelt and Southern Provinces. This position involves coordinating the national-level implementation of the Emergency Referral Systems (ERS) project, which aims to strengthen referral pathways, improve ambulance availability, and enhance communication and coordination among health facilities. The successful candidate will work closely with the Ministry of Health and various stakeholders to translate strategies into actionable plans, ensuring timely access to lifesaving services for patients experiencing critical health conditions. The role requires strong program coordination and analytical skills, along with practical experience in maternal and newborn health and health systems.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The Senior Program Officer will be responsible for a wide range of duties, including:

• Program implementation and operational coordination: Developing regular activity work plans and budgets, ensuring timely delivery of milestones, coordinating national-level ERS activities, and planning and delivering trainings and workshops.
• Referral-system strengthening and policy coordination: Assessing existing ambulance availability, designing referral mechanisms, updating referral protocols, and coordinating national policy engagements related to ERS.
• Community and stakeholder engagement: Identifying training priorities for healthcare workers, coordinating community engagement approaches, and ensuring effective communication between communities and health facilities.
• Performance monitoring, learning, and reporting: Preparing technical updates, contributing to assessments and evaluations, and documenting program progress and lessons learned.
• Undertaking additional responsibilities as requested by the Technical Advisor or Senior Program Manager.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess a Bachelor’s degree in public health, community health, health or social sciences, supply chain, logistics, or a related field. A relevant master’s degree is considered an advantage. Additionally, candidates should have at least five years of relevant experience in public health program implementation, particularly in maternal and newborn health, emergency referral systems, or community health. Demonstrated experience in coordinating complex programs and working with government entities to develop policies and guidelines is essential. Strong analytical, planning, problem-solving, and communication skills are required, along with the ability to build effective relationships with various stakeholders.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as public health, community health, health or social sciences, supply chain, or logistics. A master’s degree in a related area is advantageous and may enhance a candidate's qualifications for the role.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of five years of relevant experience in public health program implementation. This includes experience in maternal and newborn health, emergency referral systems, patient transport, or community health. Candidates should have a proven track record of coordinating complex programs and engaging with multiple stakeholders at both national and subnational levels.

Languages:
While the job description does not specify mandatory languages, proficiency in English is likely essential given the nature of the role and the need for effective communication with various stakeholders. Knowledge of local languages may be beneficial for community engagement and outreach efforts.

Additional Notes:
This is a full-time position based in Lusaka, Zambia, with frequent travel required to the Copperbelt and Southern Provinces. The role involves working closely with the Ministry of Health and other partners, and candidates should be prepared to manage competing priorities effectively. CHAI is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to diversity and inclusion in its workforce.