Back Upazila TA Coordinator

Job Description

POSITION: Upazila TA Coordinator- 1 position

(FIXED-TERM, initially one-year contract)

LOCATION: Khulna

TECHNICAL MONITOR/SUPERVISOR: Program Manager (Community-based MIYCN project, Bangladesh), FHI 360

FHI 360 is a global organization that mobilizes research, resources and relationships so that people everywhere can access the opportunities they need to lead full, healthy lives. Our staff of over 4,000 experts work in more than 60 countries around the world. We have spent more than 50 years developing bold solutions to global challenges and creating measurable results through research and application of scientific breakthroughs. We listen to, learn from and work with communities to expand social and economic equity, improve health and well-being, and strengthen resilience. For more detail, please visit https://www.fhi360.org

Program Summary

The Strengthening community-based approaches for improved maternal nutrition, infant and young child nutrition and inter-linked health, preventive and promotive practices and services project (with low birth weight management component) aims to establish, with relevant Government of Bangladesh (GoB) directorates, a standardized package of community engagement and accountability interventions that can be evaluated for their impact on improving infant feeding, maternal nutrition (MN) and interlinked maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH) practices and services (antenatal care [ANC] including, birth planning, skilled birth delivery, postnatal care [PNC], essential newborn care and immunizations) at scale.

The project encompasses the platforms, processes and providers involved in the continuum of care of inter-linked MNCH promotive and preventive services being delivered at the household and community levels and the linkages of those services with primary healthcare facilities. The project focuses on four critical technical areas in this GoB systems approach: community engagement through home visits and community-based events; coordination, referrals and linkage systems for MN and IYCF; preventive services integrating MN and IYCF; and system and community accountability for delivering quality preventive and promotive services. The project builds on review, mapping, gap analysis and package development for community-based engagement for strengthened MIYCN, and community management of low-birth-weight babies. This standardized package for strengthening MIYCN and linked primary health care (PHC) services through community engagement and accountability is being piloted since March 2023. A feasibility assessment is completed, and lessons learned documented to inform scale-up and institutionalization.

The project is currently implemented in twelve upazilas in six districts - Ajmiriganj and Baniachong upazila in Habiganj district, Kaliganj and Shyamnagar upazila in Satkhira district, Begumganj and Subarnachar upazila in Noakhali district, Sadar and Daulatkhan upazila in Bhola district, Nageshwari and Ulipur upazila in Kurigram district and Durgapur and Purbadhala upazila in Netrokona district.

Upazila TA Coordinator will directly lead the following activities under this project at Upazila level: 1) Facilitate TA activities at Upazila, union and village levels 2) Manage day-to-day operations of the Upazila level activities, undertake monitoring visits and ensure timely submission of monitoring reports 3) Maintain coordination and communication at sub-district levels with government and all relevant stakeholders for seamless implementation.

Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Program Manager (Community-based MIYCN project), s/he will serve as a key TA provider at implementation sites and provide timely information on decisions for strengthening implementation and TA support. S/he will support completion of jointly agreed upon deliverables in a timely manner. S/he will provide TA and follow up with various GoB offices at Upazila level, including Department of local government, Department of Women Affairs as involved in maternal, infant and young child nutrition (MIYCN) implementation in testing sites. Additionally, the Upazila TA Coordinator is responsible for supporting Program Manager in providing strategic and technical support for implementation of the standard package including social and behavior change (SBC) at national and district levels. S/he will work closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation Lead in ensuring complete, accurate and consistent monitoring activities and timely submission of project monitoring reports. S/he will support the Program Manager and Monitoring and Evaluation Lead in preparing for all Upazila, district and national review meetings.

Major Areas of Responsibility

Under the guidance of the Program Manager and Monitoring and Evaluation Lead the Upazila TA Coordinator will:

• Maintain linkages with the Upazila Health Complex, Upazila Family Planning Office, Upazila Parishad, Union Parishad, Department of Women Affairs, Private sector facilities, Community Clinics, and other government offices for package implementation and monitoring.
• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with relevant government officials district nutrition consultants and non-government partners, including NGOs and nutrition-sensitive sectors.
• Actively participate in the monthly review meetings at ward/union /Upazila level DGHS and DGFP system meetings and provide TA support to incorporate MIYCN issues into the agenda and meeting of minutes.
• Support organization of DGHS-DGFP joint quarterly coordination meeting at Upazila levels, provide TA support to incorporate MIYCN issues into the agenda and minuting of meetings
• provide onsite quality TA support to improve MIYCN services as per monthly activity plan. Rollout of program improvements and training to the DGHS and DGFP supervisors, who will further train the CHWs during monthly review meetings.
• Ensure all the functional equipment, tools, and supplies are available in the service delivery platform
• Provide TA to develop monthly plan for GMP-EPI, satellite clinics, courtyard meetings, home visits and other community-based activities as per package design. Provide TA to develop monthly advance tour plan of FLWs and Supportive Supervision plan for first-line supervisors for DGHS and DGFP staffs at Upazila level.
• Provide TA to FLWs in attempt to reach non-EPI children with GMP services through community-based platforms
• Linkage with upazila-level private sector facilities to identify and report LBW babies on discharge
• Provide handholding support to supervisors on supportive supervision, through observation of supervisory visits feedback, and engagement of upazila managers for promoting supportive supervision. Provide TA support for organization of joint field visits with DGHS and DGFP officials for review and inputs on MIYCN activities at sub-national level.
• To manage day-to-day operations of the Upazila level activities to ensure timely submission of monitoring reports for synthesis by the MLE Lead. Support evaluation partner in securing local approvals for data collection.
• Maintain the complete list of assigned Upazilas with all socio and demographic information and union/ward/CC-wise population of the target groups.
• Any other duties assigned by the supervisor.

  Qualifications

  • 4-5 years working experiences in (a) managing projects at sub-national level, preferably in the health sector (b) TA to or implementation of community level activities with system strengthening and social behavior change communication components; (c) facilitation of training/orientation workshops for government and other partners; (d) support to strengthening data information systems
  • Earlier work experience in Netrokona, Bhola, Kurigram, Habiganj, Satkhira, and Noakhali districts is preferable.
  • Working experience with international organizations would be an added advantage
    • Knowledge of the government health system and facilitation with government health service providers and managers.
    • Proficiency with a variety of Microsoft applications (e.g., MS word, MS excel, MS teams, MS power point)
      • Excellent written and spoken Bangla. Good English speaking and writing skills.
      • Ability to work independently as well as in cooperation with a multi-cultural team
      • Ability to think creatively and strategically
      • Master’s Degree or equivalent in public health, nutrition, social science, management, or related field or at least 4 years' experience in managing health/ nutrition projects/ programs in the field.

        Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. Suitable candidates are requested to submit their application immediately. Top of Form

        This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

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