The Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Technical Advisor, embedded to the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, will provide technical assistance to the FMOH in support of a unified, evidence-based strategy and coordinated approach to strengthen the national IPC program. The incumbent will support the creation of an enabling environment for IPC through systems level changes at the national and regional level including budget advocacy to increase domestic financing for IPC and will support the design and implementation of activities to step up the IPC score as described in the new IPC technical area in the 3rd edition of the Joint External Evaluation. The incumbent will support with ensuring allocated funds for IPC are efficiently and effectively utilized and coordinate IPC activities across partners.
The incumbent will also strengthen the capacity of the IPC focal point at the FMOH, and support task shifting of activities to increase sustainability of the national program beyond the RTSL project. The incumbent will work in collaboration with the FMOH, NGOs, multi-lateral and bi-lateral partners, and other organizations to develop and implement national, district, and community level strategies to improve IPC practices in Ethiopia. In addition, the incumbent will monitor and evaluate IPC implementation to meet national and international standards, support quality improvement initiatives, and conduct supportive site supervision visits as needed. In addition, the incumbent will support FMOH coordination for the RTSL ERPHC initiative and work closely with RTSL’s Senior Program Manager, ERPHI, Regional Health Bureaus, and woreda health offices to strengthen IPC at primary health facilities.
Roles and Responsibilities:
Key duties and responsibilities reporting to the Lead Executive Officer, Health Systems, Innovation and Quality Office, Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health and internal reporting to the RTSL Program Coordinator: Full time 12-month fixed term employment position at the FMOH.
Capacity Building and Technical Assistance
• Provide technical assistance to the FMOH in support of a unified, evidence-based strategy and coordinated approach to IPC implementation
• Develop and enhance IPC skills and knowledge across national, regional, and health facility levels through tailored support (e.g., trainings, supportive supervision visits, etc.)
• Support the development of a one-year annual workplan for IPC with timelines for implementation of key activities based on the national IPC Policy and IPC Strategy and Roadmap
• Strengthen capacity of IPC focal point and staff at the FMOH
• Coordinate high-quality, current, evidence-based training on IPC
• Provide mentorship and ongoing capacity building for health facility-level IPC focal points to ensure appropriate facility monitoring visits are effective and IPC gaps are identified and addressed
• Enhance understanding of the broader IPC context in Ethiopia by reviewing key IPC documents (e.g., policies, guidelines, assessment results, scientific literature)
• With RTSL, MOH IPC staff, regional IPC focal points, and woreda health office staff, conduct periodic quality assurance visits to health facilities
• Synthesize health facility data on IPC and identify existing gaps; work with implementing partners on addressing existing gaps through capacity building, mentorship, and supportive supervision
• Support data use for evidence-based policy and decision-making
IPC Advocacy
• Support creation of an enabling environment for IPC, including advocacy efforts to increase domestic financing for IPC at the national and regional levels and dedicated staff for IPC at the national level
• Ensure effective and efficient use of allocated IPC funding at the national level
Project Coordination
• Participate in bi-weekly meetings with the FMOH and RTSL teams to ensure coordination of activities, including the ERPHC project
• Share a monthly program report with the RTSL team to document progress, bottlenecks, and priorities for the upcoming month
Proactive Stakeholder Engagement and Communication
• Build and sustain strong relationships with stakeholders at all levels, from national to regional levels, ensuring transparent and ongoing communication of progress and insights
• Support change management and sustainability of relevant initiatives
Qualifications:
Educational Requirements:
• MD, Health officer, BSC nursing, Infectious disease specialist, with IPC training, or master’s degree in environmental health, IPC or related disciplines
Required Experience and Skills:
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant experience in infection prevention and control of large-scale health and health service delivery and systems strengthening programs
• Must possess proven knowledge and skills in IPC, including management and implementation of IPC programs at health facilities
• Ability to provide technical exercise in applying IPC principles to unique and different settings
• Experience in advocacy efforts and knowledge of the Ethiopian budget cycle
• Strong organizational and extensive management experience and communication skills including demonstrated ability to work effectively with persons at all levels of the public health system
• Proven ability to multitask across various planning and implementation processes within a highly demanding environment
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written. Strong project management abilities, including organizing workflows, adhering to timelines, and focusing on critical details
• Demonstrated experience in collaborating with various types of partners including Ministries of Health
• Proficiency in MS Office applications
