Quality Improvement Advisor at Catholic Relief

Job Summary:**

Reporting to the Senior Technical Advisor (STA) OVC, the Quality Improvement (QI) Advisor will work closely with Department of Children Services (DCS) and Local Implementing Partners (LIPs) to support improvements in OVC program areas. S/he will be responsible for advancing the science of improvement in OVC service delivery at both county, sub-county and location levels. The QI Advisor will ensure that MWENDO imbeds Improvement Methodology at all intervention levels.

The QI Advisor will oversee training for MWENDO consortium project staff, DCS and partners on QI. S/he will assist all project partners to effectively implement strategies to ensure that QI approaches are mainstreamed into all project interventions. S/he will provide monitoring and technical backstopping to field staff to help address barriers to implementing the QI strategy.

Specific Responsibilities:**

Coordination

· Advise and support the MWENDO project on the implementation of the QI framework

· Engage with DCS at County, Sub-county level and Implementing Partners to support quality improvement work in line with the Kenya Quality Improvement standards

· Support existing or help establish functional QI infrastructure at all levels

· Develop and update materials for QI trainings, continuous education, learning sessions and coaching visits at the sub-county and LIP

· Capacity building for county, sub-county and LIP to be quality improvement coaches.

· Mentoring Quality and Work Improvement Teams and QI coaches at health facilities.

· Conducting routine healthcare facility audits on quality improvement.

· Prepare monthly reports and support documentation of QI activities

· Participate in the design, development and implementation of integrated project work plans together with other technical staff

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)

· Support the use of data in tracking improvement in QI interventions.

· Ensure indicators are appropriately selected to track specific QI interventions and present results in covered in the CRS/project MEAL system.

· Review OVC reports and ensure they capture required level of gender disaggregated data and gender specific success stories.

· Build Capacity of MEAL staff in QI and support them to monitor QI interventions

· Support and guide the Organization learning sessions with different QI teams and disseminate the results in conferences and other foras.

· Coordinate with the COP and the STA OVC on the inclusion of QI as part of the learning agenda of CRS Kenya staff’s annual Learning and Development Plans.

Partnership

· Take lead in providing technical support to local implementing partners (LIPs) in implementation of QI interventions.

· Assist partner staff and DCS to Coach QI Teams and use the evidence gathered in improving future OVC interventions Capacity Building and Supervision

· Support relevant training and learning opportunities for partner staff to advance knowledge and skills in QI

· Implement capacity building plans and strategies for LIPs.

Representation

· Represent CRS and participate in relevant fora, conferences and trainings aimed at sharing and learning in regard to QI integration.

· Contribute to improvement knowledge networks through identification of best practices and lessons learned.

Agency-wide Competencies (for all CRS Staff):

These are rooted in the mission, values, and guiding principles of CRS and used by each staff member to fulfill his or her responsibilities and achieve the desired results.

• Serves with Integrity

• Models Stewardship

• Cultivates Constructive Relationships

• Promotes Learning

Competencies Relevant for the Specific Position:

These are rooted in the mission, values, and principles of CRS and used by the QI Advisor to fulfill his or her responsibilities and to achieve the desired results:

· A broad grasp of socioeconomic policy issues with respect to social/economic development, OVC and HIV/AIDS in both rural and urban settings;

· Detailed understanding and experience of QI and diversity issues and commitment to addressing quality of the interventions;

· Experience working with government line ministries, private sector partners, civil society, donors, and local communities;

· Training/coaching skills;

· Supervision skills;

· Understanding of development/relief issues;

· Commitment to humanitarian principles and action;

· Strategic thinking and vision.

Supervisory Responsibilities (if none, state none):

None

Key Working Relationships:**

Internal: The QI Advisor is a key member of the MWENDO project management and technical team. S/he will report to the STA OVC, and collaborate with other management and technical staff to ensure a holistic, integrated, and comprehensive project.

External: Key functions include representing CRS in various forums and forging relations with the GOK, IPs, other stakeholders, and the community. The QI Advisor will ensure the CRS mandate of skills building, mentorship and skills transfer are implemented.

Required Qualifications and Experience:**

Education

• Master’s degree with holder with 5 years solid experience in one of the following disciplines: social sciences, gender, international development, development economics or another related field

Knowledge

• At least 5 years solid progressively responsible professional work experience in holistic programming and Quality Improvement (QI),
• In-depth knowledge of QI frame works and linkages and referral of OVC to array of service providers
• Solid analytical, writing and communication skills (including documentation of promising and best practices in the QI agenda)
• Sound knowledge and skills in training and facilitation
• Experience in the development of strategic and tactical plans in collaboration with others (stakeholders) who may represent a wide range of interests and needs
• Strong knowledge of the health and social service sector in Kenya
• Proven collegial and cooperative approach to management and decision-making
• Ability to develop productive working relationships with counterparts in other agencies and organizations
• Ability to work in a complex environment with multiple tasks
• Recent experience working in international implementing organizations

Skills and Abilities

• Experience in implementing donor-funded projects
• Demonstrated ability to motivate and inspire teamwork among diverse partners, without direct supervisory responsibilities
• Ability to transfer skills and knowledge through, training, mentorship and accompaniment
• Excellent written, oral communication
• Excellent computer skills (Microsoft Office)
• Demonstrated ability to foster integration in programming approach
• Excellent understating of GOK, and CRS operating procedures

· Strong conceptual and analytical skills

· Ability to think innovatively and strategically