Health jobs in South Africa

CHAI seeks a highly entrepreneurial, energetic, results-oriented, and self-motivated individual to support CHAI’s SRMNH Program to increase uptake of SRMNH services and will be part of a team responsible for supporting the reduction in maternal and perinatal mortality through directly supporting the SRMNH program objectives. The SRMNH Quality Improvement (QI) Associate will join a diverse team to support the DoH in creating evidence-based strategic plans and ensure these plans are translated into strong operational plans and are implemented effectively. The ideal candidate must be technically sound, be self-directed, be conversant with the health sector in South Africa, have a strong commitment to excellence, and be able to adapt to the differing needs of the programs. This role is focused on implementation and will require a very “hands-on” approach. The QI Associate will provide support both strategically and analytically and is expected to work closely with DoH staff at all levels of healthcare, i.e., national, provincial, district and facility level. Due to the nature of the program, extensive travel is expected. The QI Associate will report to the SRMNH QI Project Manager.

• Oversee quality improvement activities and teams
• Identify and prioritise areas for quality improvement interventions
• Analyse data to identify trends, root causes, and potential improvement opportunities
• Design and implement quality improvement projects and initiatives
• Collaborate with the DoH teams and participate in feedback and planning meetings to frame quality improvement, explore the latest evidence-based interventions, document successes and lessons learnt and contribute to the development of standardised project tools and resources
• Conduct data collection and routine data analysis of national and program data by developing and maintaining programme databases and dashboards. Use these tools for performance monitoring and evaluation, and to inform the development of assessments, training materials, reports, and other program materials to ensure effective program execution
• Develop compelling presentations and reports and participate in stakeholder engagements related to program implementation and reporting for internal and external stakeholders
• Liaise with the District Health Information Systems (DHIS) team to ensure SRMNH health information data is routinely validated and can be effectively utilised by DoH for strategic planning, supported using dashboards and tools
• Conduct regular visits to focal provinces, districts, and facilities each month on a rotational basis with comprehensive reports prepared and shared with facility, district and/or national teams
• Assist district support staff and facility teams to strengthen and support referral systems between the community, clinics, and hospitals to ensure patients receive needed care in a timely fashion
• Identify strategic areas for expansion and support proposal development needed for future program development
• Support the QI Project Manager on key deliverables and ad-hoc requirements, as needed.

• Bachelor's degree in nursing, medicine (MBCHB) or Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (BCMP), or a related field;
• Training in Quality improvement methods and approaches in healthcare programmes, knowledge and experience of Quality Improvement in sexual reproductive health, maternal and newborn health, and health systems strengthening;
• Clinical background, particularly in midwifery, sonography or maternal care services, is essential;
• A minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience in public health, in a private or public sector setting and with increasing levels of responsibility and experience;
• Previous work experience in Quality Improvement in health programmes and its institutionalisation in healthcare facilities;
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to build strong professional relationships with a range of stakeholders in a challenging, multicultural environment;
• Demonstrated ability to work independently on complex projects and solve challenging problems in a high-pressure, fast-paced environment;
• Demonstrated ability to multitask with a strong commitment to excellence, both internally and externally, and with limited structural support;
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to prepare compelling presentations;
• High levels of proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint;
• English language fluency, both written and verbal;

• Experience working with DoH stakeholders;
• Demonstrated ability to be effective in high-pressure situations and adapt to fast-paced and changing environments with a strong commitment to excellence, both internally and externally.