Deputy Director (FS) - CARE India (Apply by: 31 Mar 2014)

Position: Deputy Director (Facility Strengthening)

Grade/Level: C/Senior Management

Project/Unit: Bihar TSU

Reports to: Director, Program Performance Support

Location: Patna, Bihar

Project Duration: 4 Years

Project Background: 

The confluence of four key factors creates a pivotal opportunity to accelerate progress toward achieving the government of Bihar’s (GoB) 2017 targets for reductions in rates of mortality, fertility and malnutrition, and increases in immunization coverage.

These factors include:

a) Consistent political support from GoB to improve the health of women and children, exemplified most recently by the launch of the Human Development Mission (Manav Vikas Mission) under the chairmanship of Chief Minister in the state;
b) Recent launch of the government of India’s (GoI) RMNCH+A strategy;
c) Success of the Ananya program in identifying strategies and developing solutions that support these goals; and
d) Recognition by the Health Department and Social Welfare (ICDS) Department of the value of the work of Ananya and other development partners in Bihar.

To capitalize on this opportunity, CARE will lead the establishment of a Technical Support Unit (TSU) constituted with major development partners[1] (DFID/BTAST, UNICEF, UNFPA, NIPI and WHO/NPSP), that will closely work with and support the Health and Social Welfare (ICDS) Departments of the GoB in their endeavour to achieve rapid and sustainable change in health and nutrition.

The proposed TSU will provide catalytic support to the two departments to refine policies, systems and processes, transform capabilities and behaviours, and build ownership to unlock the potential of both public and private sector providers to effectively implement solutions.

The work of the TSU will focus on effective technical interventions in maternal and child health, family planning and nutrition. Key drivers of change will include the transfer of skills and building ownership of approaches and solutions by Health and Social Welfare (ICDS) Departments.

The Program Performance Support (PPS) Unit of the TSU will consist mainly of public health managers and technical resources to facilitate implementation of effective strategies at the block level through existing GoB programs and resources at district and block levels.

Job Summary

Deputy Director (Facility Strengthening) will be overall responsible for ensuring quality delivery of program interventions across the state. The key role will be to help facilities improve overall quality of RMNCH care and particularly to help facilities reach and sustain BEmONC and CEmONC functionality. This will include strategic visioning, on-going mentoring and techno-managerial support in the areas of planning, budgeting and fund flow, logistics and supplies, human resources and information systems for GoB from block till divisional level through TSU teams deployed at each level. Ensure effective contribution of program performance support team and leverage support of state machinery and development partners at various. Ensure that all TSU resources are used effectively and transparently in meeting project objectives. Ensure Sound control, Full compliance, best practice and effective and efficient management of all financial resources.

S/he will closely work with the Technical team and the M&E Cell under the guidance of Director PPS to ensure the technical integrity of interventions and promote data driven management within project and in government systems.

Contract/Key Relationships: Will be closely working with other cells of TSU and key counterparts in GoB and development partners

Key Responsibilities

Core Responsibilities

• Deputy Director Facility Strengthening along with Program Managers, Regional Technical Coordinators, and Block Managers from divisional till block level will support Director PPS in ensuring that GoB health programs deliver high quality services across the state of Bihar.
• Will be directly responsible for supporting the Health program with the implementation of effective facility level strategies and solutions to improve the overall quality of RMNCH services and also to help facilities reach and sustain BEmONC and CEmONC levels of functionality, as appropriate.
• To achieve this, the key responsibilities will include:
o To develop (with the technical team) and roll out a comprehensive plan to support facilities to attain BEmONC and CEmONC levels of care and high access and quality of FP services .
o Help plan and organize initial and ongoing capacity and skill building activities for all constituents of the PPS team
o Mentor Regional Technical Coordinators (doctors) located in regional teams and guide their efforts in supporting the improvement of quality of care in individual facilities
o Organize the development of tools and materials required by the PPS team and by facilities for effective implementation of key interventions
o Track progress of the Quality Improvement processes in individual facilities, particularly the targeted achievement of certification under the Family Friendly Hospital Initiative
o Develop and use effective approaches for the analysis, interpretation and use of data from various sources, in close coordination with the Concurrent Monitoring and Learning team.
o Periodically review program progress and interim results to ensure alignment with the project goals and objectives. Ensure understanding, ownership and competence of the PPS team to use data driven management; and, effective implementation of data-driven management to promote use of data for decision making by functionaries at each level
o Strengthen and enhance the technical quality of all program components through continuous and close coordination with the technical team at the state level, and also provide the latter feedback on the operational challenges of technical interventions and packages faced by regional teams.
• Network with Government functionaries, other key players and development partners at the regional and district levels.
• Represent the program at all relevant forums at the district, regional and state levels as required for sharing of ideas and best practices.
• Stay abreast of changes on National Programs, best practices and innovations taking place in the sector.
• Will require to travel at least 50% of time
• Support the Director PPS for executing people and Leadership Responsibilities:
o Provide supportive supervision to reporting line managers, ensure timely submissions of deliverables to the TSU and support implementation of the annual action plans.
o Hiring, Orientation and effective deployment of quality manpower resources with the help of the HR Team.
o To effectively motivate team members for promoting their urge to constantly innovate new strategies and approaches for implementation.
o To mentor and coach direct reports and help develop their career paths with suitable organizational succession plans.

Qualification & Experience

Essential:

i. MBBS or MHA or MPH degree
ii. At least five years direct experience in mentoring doctors/nurses/hospital managers in improving quality of care in facilities
iii. Demonstrated ability in managing teams

Preferred:

i. Postgraduate medical degree in ObGyn/surgery/pediatrics/anesthesia
ii. 10+ years of experience in providing and managing clinical care in reputed facilities
iii. 3+ years of experience in designing and implementing quality improvement procedures in health care contexts, particularly for strengthening facilities
iv. Deep familiarity with concepts and practice of BEmONC/CEmONC level care, as well as Family Planning procedures and services
v. Demonstrated experience in working with PHCs and CHCs, preferably in Northern States of India
vi. Demonstrated understanding of the health administration setup in Bihar

Preferred Skills & Competencies

i. Proven ability to identify problem areas, analyze, plan, innovate and execute ideas, as well as impart knowledge and skills
ii. Ability to analyze and interpret quantitative and qualitative health program monitoring and evaluation data, and communicate analyses effectively to inform programs
iii. Ability to train/mentor nurses and doctors for building clinical and managerial skills, and to mentor subordinates to be good mentors in turn.
iv. Possess the belief that large government-run health programs can raise their performance to high levels
v. Demonstrated ability to mobilize Government systems to strengthen national programs
vi. Demonstrated ability to identify programmatic issues that require immediate attention, prioritize and take appropriate and timely action
vii. Demonstrates efficient decision making and problem solving skills
viii. Ability to travel extensively to gather first hand information on performance of PHCs
ix. Excellent negotiation skills
x. Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills
xi. Demonstrated learning agility, pro-activeness and openness to embrace new technologies at work.
xii. Demonstrated Leadership skills and ability to build, develop and manage a diverse team.
xiii. Ability to function effectively as a team member and respect diversity in a team
xiv. Fluency in English and knowledge of local working language (Hindi) is essential .
xv. Accountability and Managing performance.

Candidates should visit http://apps.careindia.org/eis/Recruitment/frmCareerOptions.aspx to apply for the positions online.

The last date of receiving applications will be 31st March 2014. Only short-listed candidates would be contacted.

“CARE India is an equal opportunity and diversity promoting employer. Therefore Women, persons differently abled, SC/ST/ OBC candidates are especially encouraged to apply”