Regional Technical Advisor – Advanced Newborn Care

Jhpiego; Thaba Chweu Local Municipality; On-site; ZAR 300 000 - 400 000; Full time

Job summary

A leading health organization is seeking an advanced newborn regional technical advisor based in Africa. This role involves providing technical expertise in newborn health, particularly for small and sick newborns, and requires significant clinical experience in neonatal care. The ideal candidate will lead health improvement initiatives and work collaboratively with various health programs. Preferred qualifications include advanced training in neonatal care and prior experience in low- or middle-income countries.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive employee benefits package

Qualifications

• 9–10 years of experience in neonatal/SSNB programs, including ≥5 years clinical experience.
• Experience with government-led advanced newborn health programs in Africa.
• Fluency in English required.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance for SSNB interventions.
• Lead adaptation of global best practices for SSNB programming.
• Strengthen stabilization at birth and neonatal resuscitation.

Skills

Clinical expertise in neonatal care

Interprofessional teamwork

Data-driven decision making

Strong communication skills

Education

Advanced clinical degree (Pediatrician/Neonatologist)

Job description

Overview

Jhpiego is an international non-profit health organization affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego is seeking an Africa-based regional technical advisor to provide technical expertise and leadership in the design, implementation and oversight of advanced newborn, including small and sick newborn (SSNB) health activities, as part of comprehensive maternal, newborn and child health and nutrition (MNCH-N) programs in several countries.

The advanced newborn regional technical advisor will optimally be based in a country in Africa with Jhpiego presence and will work closely with Jhpiego staff (global, regional, country) and country counterparts in several countries to strengthen small and sick newborn health care services, including in countries participating in two global mechanisms funded by the U.S. government and led by Jhpiego (MOMENTUM Country and Global Leadership program and the Reaching Impact Saturation and Epidemic Control (RISE) program). The small and sick newborn program activities will focus heavily on increasing coverage and quality of a family-centered package of care for hospitalized small and sick newborns in level 2 or secondary care facilities. This package of care will be adapted contextually from the Global Small and Sick Newborn Model of Care, which includes a standardized “Content of Care” package for level 2 facilities, paired with strategies to promote sustainability and scale.

This role will provide technical assistance to several country programs in Africa, so s/he should have experience supporting SSNB services in at least one African country. S/he should have an understanding of global SSNB guidelines and best practices that can be adapted and contextualized to various settings. S/he should have experience working with governments, UN/INGO partners and professional associations in a low- or middle-income setting, supporting the design, implementation and scale-up of neonatal/small and sick newborn services. S/he should have direct clinical experience and expertise in the provision of specialized neonatal services, as part of interprofessional caregiving teams, at secondary care hospitals (Level 2/district level).

This position will be based in Africa, with a preference for countries where Jhpiego has large active newborn and child health programs (Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, or Sierra Leone).

Technical Leadership in Small and Sick Newborn (SSNB) Care

• Provide technical assistance for the design and implementation of context-appropriate SSNB interventions, primarily focusing on hospitalized SSNB populations in secondary (level 2) facilities.
• Lead the adaptation and application of global best practices and national guidance for SSNB programming and support development/revision of national SSNB policies, protocols, job aids and tools.
• Oversee planning to implement essential elements of small and sick newborn care at level 2 facilities: thermal care; respiratory support including initiation/safe monitoring of bubble CPAP; oxygen therapy and pulse oximetry; breastfeeding and alternative methods for feeding breastmilk to SSNB’s; hypoglycemia prevention/management; jaundice screening/phototherapy; infection prevention and management of neonatal sepsis; pain management; respectful, infant and family-centered developmental care (IFCDC); referral; discharge and follow-up.
• Guide introduction, procurement and optimization of essential SSNB equipment (e.g., bubble CPAP systems, oxygen sources/concentrators, phototherapy, radiant warmers/incubators, etc.) and ensure usability, safety, and maintenance systems are in place.
• Strengthen stabilization at birth, neonatal resuscitation and immediate post‑resuscitation care in maternity/newborn corners and newborn units, ensuring seamless linkage with intrapartum services and referral pathways.
• Provide strategic direction in fostering cross‑program integration with maternal health, intrapartum/newborn care, child health, nutrition (including breastfeeding and feeding of small infants), and infection prevention and control.

Capacity‑strengthening and Quality Improvement

• Oversee the development and/or revision and rollout of competency‑based SSNB trainings, mentorship and clinical coaching for nurses, midwives, medical officers, pediatricians, and biomedical technicians.
• Collaborate with MEL and Quality Improvement teams at global, regional and country levels to improve and monitor quality of small and sick newborn health services, using routine health information data as feasible.

Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement

• Represent Jhpiego in strategic engagement with Ministries of Health, professional associations, UN agencies, donors, and implementing partners to align SSNB strategies and resources.
• Foster strong relationships with USG and non‑USG partners working in small sick newborn care (global, regional and country levels).

Knowledge Sharing, Learning & Reporting

• Regularly synthesize and share key evidence, publications, and global and regional SSNB health resources.
• Oversee preparation of technical reports, case studies, learning briefs, and presentations of project SSNB health activities and results.
• Lead and contribute to cross‑country learning exchanges to capture and disseminate best practices and innovations in small and sick newborn programming.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced clinical degree (e.g., Pediatrician/Neonatologist; Medical Doctor with neonatal experience; Registered Nurse/Midwife with advanced neonatal training and experience).
• 9–10 years of experience in neonatal/SSNB programs, including ≥5 years providing clinical specialized newborn care in LMIC settings (preferably secondary hospitals/Level 2 neonatal units).
• Demonstrated experience supporting government‑led advanced newborn health programs in at least one African country (guideline development, training/mentorship, QI/measurement).
• Experience supporting interprofessional teamwork and communication in small and sick newborn care settings.
• Up‑to‑date knowledge of global SSNB evidence and guidance.
• Strong skills in data use for decision‑making and QI.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to lead, mentor, and coach technical staff, and model respectful and compassionate communication and care.
• Ability to work independently and with team members and partners at all levels; strong analytical and strategic thinking skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Ability to travel up to 40% to support country programs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Neonatal and advanced neonatal sub‑specialty training and certification, optimally as a trainer (e.g., Essential Newborn Care/Helping Babies Breathe, S.T.A.B.L.E., ETAT+, NRP, KMC, infant feeding, IFCDC, etc.).
• Track record introducing context‑appropriate neonatal equipment and maintenance systems and working knowledge of biomedical/oxygen systems.
• Strong proficiency or fluency in French.
• Residence in a country with established Jhpiego presence and newborn/child health programming (currently Kenya, Rwanda, Madagascar, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone).

Compensation and Benefits

Total compensation will be based on the country of hire and Jhpiego’s local compensation plan.

Jhpiego offers competitive salaries and a comprehensive employee benefits package.

How to Apply

Please apply at www.jhpiego.org/careers

Applicants must submit a single document for upload to include: cover letter, resume, and references.

For further information about Jhpiego, visit our website at www.jhpiego.org

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Jhpiego is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

Jhpiego, a Johns Hopkins University affiliate, is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, marital status, pregnancy, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, other legally protected characteristics or any other occupationally irrelevant criteria. Jhpiego promotes affirmative action for minorities, women, individuals who are disabled, and veterans.

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