Project Managements Support Senior Officer - Health System Quality, Safety & Innovation at UNOPS

UNOPS

Position: Project Managements Support Senior Officer - Health System Quality, Safety & Innovation

Background Information - Job-specific

Organizational Context

UNOPS supports the successful implementation of its partners’ peacebuilding, humanitarian and development projects around the world. Our mission is to serve people in need by expanding the ability of the United Nations, governments and other partners to manage projects, infrastructure and procurement in a sustainable and efficient manner. 

Working in some of the world’s most challenging environments, our vision is to advance sustainable implementation practices, always satisfying or surpassing our partners’ expectations. 

With over 7,000 personnel spread across 80 countries, UNOPS offers its partners the logistical, technical and management knowledge they need, wherever they need it. 

A flexible structure and global reach mean that we can quickly respond to our partners' needs while offering the benefits of economies of scale. 

Ethiopia Multi-country Office (ETMCO) sub-region currently consists of an established Operation Centre in Addis Ababa which manages a portfolio of engagements in four (4) Horn of Africa countries (Ethiopia, Djibouti, Sudan and South Sudan). ETMCO focuses on Infrastructure, Procurement, Project Management, HR and Transactional Services, and Fund Management services across a wide range of sectors including Health, Education, Agriculture, and Resilient infrastructure among others.  

Our goal is to support countries, help people in need and enable our partners through delivering on our mandate of infrastructure, procurement and project management in the countries in the Horn of Africa. Building on our global experience of successfully delivering projects in complex operating environments, a healthy pipeline of engagements is at various stages of discussion with our priority partners.  

Project Background

UNOPS has signed a project agreement with the Ministry of Health to strengthen the Capacity of the Ministry for the Realization of Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) on selected priorities. This project will be implemented in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and the overall objective/purpose is to contribute towards the realization of selected strategic priorities of the Health Sector Transformation Plan (HSTP-II) which is more on project management focusing on institutional capacity building, technical assistance etc. UNOPS is selected to manage and implement the project by creating a project management unit (PMU).

This unit will be formed by a group of experts and specialists in the relevant matters that will be in charge of delivering the outputs.

The Project Management Support - Senior Officer will have a dual line of reporting. First and foremost to the UNOPS Project Manager, with a functional reporting line for deliverables produced under the assignment to the client institution: Office of the State Minister-Health System Capacity Building Wing

Strategic Initiative:  

• Enhance the provision of equitable and quality comprehensive health services

• Enhance informed decision-making and innovation

Scope of Work/ Objective

The main objectives of this technical assistance are to strengthen the capacity of the State Minister’s Office of Health System capacity building wing to enhance the design execution, monitoring and learning of various health system quality, safety, and innovation initiatives to realize the medium-term development and investment plan.

Functional Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of national healthcare quality and safety strategy by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and subnational structures. 

• Function as the focal person on the quality agenda to the office of State Minister and ensure the respective lead executive office gets high-level technical guidance and. 

• Ensure the mainstreaming of quality and safety in the strategic and annual plans as well as technical documents. 

• Collaborate with other sectors, organizations, and projects to ensure synergy and strengthen inter-sectoral effort and coordination to address health system quality and safety initiatives.

• Support the MOH and Regional Health Bureaus (RHBs) in developing documents such as tools and guides that foster innovation and help improve healthcare quality and safety. 

• Work with other Lead Executive Offices (LEOs) to organize national quality and safety summits to create high-level advocacy on quality, safety, and innovation and promote learning. 

• Regularly monitor the progress of the healthcare quality and safety strategy implementation. 

• Support documentation of lessons from the implementation of various quality and safety improvement initiatives and organize for wider dissemination. 

• Support the coordination of the national healthcare quality and equity steering committee. 

• Support and advocate the national health facilities accreditation. 

• Identify challenges in the implementation of quality and safety initiatives timely and work on solutions innovatively. 

• Support the development of innovative processes, products, and digital tools for major bottlenecks in the health system. 

• Technically support the development of the health innovation hubs. 

• Work closely with the health system innovation and quality LEO coordinates the health innovation think-tank group.

• Support with identifying and developing initiatives, partnerships, and/or activities that strengthen innovations and their application to national health challenges. 

• Support the designing of new initiatives for critical health system challenges.

• Represent the state minister's office of HSCB when assigned. 

• Carry out other duties as assigned and within the scope of the role.

Expected Deliverables

• Improved health services quality.

• Increased innovative interventions. 

• Improved coordination of the National Healthcare Quality Steering Committee   

• Increase the number of facilities enrolled in the national accreditation framework. 

• Increased lessons documented.

• Improved Informed Decision Making  

• The above deliverables are only indicative and are subject to change within the scope of the role.

Education/Experience/Language requirements

Education

• Advanced University Degree (Master’s Degree or equivalent) in Public Health, Healthcare Quality and Safety, or MD (Doctor of Medicine) with a specialty certificate is required. OR

• First-level University Degree (Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent) in Public health, Healthcare quality and safety with an additional two (2) years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of the advanced degree.

• An academic background in quality management is desirable

Experience 

• A minimum of two (2) years experience in healthcare quality and safety management, leading strategic and policy document preparation and implementation at the national level is required

• Knowledge and experience of the Ethiopian health system is an asset.

• Strong writing and analytical skills demonstrated through published academic papers in reputable journals are an asset. 

• Routine use of G-Suites, internet and email systems, and use of statistical software is desirable.

• Experience in public health management, mentoring and coaching is an asset.

• Experience in working with/guiding national-level technical working groups, developing donor relationships, and working with government partners and development partners is an asset.

• Able to travel to abroad and remote areas in the country as deemed necessary

Language 

• Fluency in spoken, written and reading English is required.

• Knowledge of another UN official language is an asset.

Competencies

• Treats all individuals with respect; responds sensitively to differences and encourages others to do the same. Upholds organizational and ethical norms. Maintains high standards of trustworthiness. Role model for diversity and inclusion.

• Acts as a positive role model contributing to the team spirit. Collaborates and supports the development of others. For people managers only: Acts as a positive leadership role model, motivates, directs and inspires others to succeed, utilizing appropriate leadership styles.

• Demonstrates understanding of the impact of own role on all partners and always puts the end beneficiary first. Builds and maintains strong external relationships and is a competent partner for others (if relevant to the role).

• Efficiently establishes an appropriate course of action for self and/or others to accomplish a goal. Actions lead to total task accomplishment through concern for quality in all areas. Sees opportunities and takes the initiative to act on them. Understands that responsible use of resources maximizes our impact on our beneficiaries.

• Open to change and flexible in a fast-paced environment. Effectively adapts own approach to suit changing circumstances or requirements. Reflects on experiences and modifies own behavior. Performance is consistent, even under pressure. Always pursues continuous improvements.

• Evaluates data and courses of action to reach logical, pragmatic decisions. Takes an unbiased, rational approach with calculated risks. Applies innovation and creativity to problem-solving.

• Expresses ideas or facts in a clear, concise and open manner. Communication indicates a consideration for the feelings and needs of others. Actively listens and proactively shares knowledge. Handles conflict effectively, by overcoming differences of opinion and finding common ground.

Contract type, level and duration

Contract type: Local Individual Contractor Agreement (LICA)

Contract level: LICA-9 (ICS9)

Contract Duration: One year, with the possibility of extension.

For more details about the ICA contractual modality, please follow this link:

https://www.unops.org/english/Opportunities/job-opportunities/what-we-offer/Pages/Individual-Contractor-Agreements.aspx 

This is a local position and hence is open to Ethiopian nationals only.

Additional Information

• Please note that UNOPS does not accept unsolicited resumes.

• Applications received after the closing date will not be considered.

• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process, which involves various assessments.

• UNOPS embraces diversity and is committed to equal employment opportunity. Our workforce consists of many diverse nationalities, cultures, languages, races, gender identities, sexual orientations, and abilities. UNOPS seeks to sustain and strengthen this diversity to ensure equal opportunities as well as an inclusive working environment for its entire workforce. 

• Qualified women and candidates from groups that are underrepresented in the UNOPS workforce are encouraged to apply. These include in particular candidates from racialized and/or indigenous groups, members of minority gender identities and sexual orientations, and people with disabilities.

• We would like to ensure all candidates perform at their best during the assessment process. If you are shortlisted and require additional assistance to complete any assessment, including reasonable accommodation, please inform our human resources team when you receive an invitation.

Terms and Conditions 

• For staff positions only, UNOPS reserves the right to appoint a candidate at a lower level than the advertised level of the post. 

• For retainer contracts, you must complete a few Mandatory Courses (they take around 4 hours to complete) in your own time, before providing services to UNOPS. 

• All UNOPS personnel are responsible for performing their duties in accordance with the UN Charter and UNOPS Policies and Instructions, as well as other relevant accountability frameworks. In addition, all personnel must demonstrate an understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a manner consistent with UN core values and the UN Common Agenda.

• It is the policy of UNOPS to conduct background checks on all potential personnel. Recruitment in UNOPS is contingent on the results of such checks.

How to apply:

• Register using the following link CLICK HERE

To apply for a vacancy, please create a UNOPS Jobs Account using the below apply button. This involves submitting details such as personal information, education, experience, languages, skills and other information