Senior Program Officer, Quality Improvement

Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Healthcare Initiative

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

AGPAHI is an equal opportunities employer and this position is open to all, but ONLY qualified candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter explaining how the experience detailed in the CV will contribute to the requirements of the position and references to AGPAHI. For those who will send e-copies please send cover letter and CV saved in your names.

VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

The Ariel Glaser Pediatric AIDS Healthcare Initiative (AGPAHI), an affiliate of Elizabeth 

Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF); a dynamic Tanzania based, Tanzanian-led 

organization, committed and focused on pediatric AIDS and healthcare. AGPAHI works in 

collaboration with Tanzania Government Entities through the Ministry of Health and Social 

Welfare and Prime Minister's Office –Regional Administration and Local Government and other 

stakeholders/partners to eliminate pediatric AIDS. At the same time, AGPAHI supports the 

provision of high-quality HIV services and ensures that efforts to reach the shared goal of the 

elimination of pediatric AIDS are well-integrated into existing regional and district health 

systems.

AGPAHI focuses on implementing activities through innovative strategies as a response to our 

country's current approach on HIV/AIDS as stated, "TANZANIA BILA UKIMWI 

INAWEZEKANA," and it is from this slogan that we believe in "doing more, doing it better and 

reaching further with fewer resources" as AGPAHI's role in achieving an HIV free generation.

We would like to work with ambitious, energetic, innovative, qualified and resourceful 

individuals who believe in our cause to support our Government in the provision of quality 

healthcare services and we encourage such individual to apply for the following vacant position 

at AGPAHI;

JOB TITLE: Senior Program Officer, Quality Improvement

LOCATION: Shinyanga

DIRECT REPORTS TO: Regional Program Coordinator

TECHNICALLY REPORTS TO: Program Manager, Strategic Information

Purpose of post:

Senior program officer Quality Improvement (SPO-QI) is a critical member of the AGPAHI 

team in Tanzania responsible for implementing a quality of care strategy and working with other 

members of Care and Treatment and PMTCT teams to provide on-going support to AGPAHI -

supported sites. The SPO-QI has a responsibility to support, co-ordinate and provide technical 

expertise for the implementation of high quality QI initiatives according to AGPAHI's Quality 

Improvement plan. SPO-QI will ensure that AGPAHI -supported sites reach their targets by 

leading efforts to initiate quality improvement cycles in order to improve the quality of service 

delivery. Roles and Responsibilities of SPO- QI 

1. Development and coordination of AGPAHI's QI approach 

 Development, implementation and monitoring -AGPAHI QI plan 

 Development of tools and indicators: 

 Develop and maintain quality improvement monitoring tools that are used by AGPAHI 

staff to monitor AGPAHI supported sites 

 Develop and monitor quality improvement indicators at all AGAPHI supported sites; 

work with departments and program officer to analyze and improve performance based 

on site assessments on those indicators 

2. Capacity building of AGPAHI staff in QI principles 

Training 

 Build the capacity of all technical staff to integrate QI principles into their work and 

various departments 

 Provide on the site QI mentoring (refresher training) for all program officers previously 

trained in QI 

Technical Support

 Work with all departments to facilitate internal program component quality 

improvement by initiating quality improvement initiatives in each department where 

necessary 

 Coordinate regular meetings to share M&E and QI data and patient outcomes so that 

departments know how effective the program is and what are the areas that need more 

support and focus 

 Work with Program Officers PMTCT and C&T to ensure they apply QI principles in 

routine supportive supervision; carry out regular performance measurements at sites; 

analyze QI data; provide QI feedback to site staff, CHMT and RHMT; and attend QI 

meetings at site level when able. 

3. Capacity building of -AGPAHI sub grantees in QI principles 

The SPO QI is responsible for the oversight of QI activities and ensuring systematic use of QI 

principles by all AGPAHI sub-grantees 

Training 

 The SPO QI will be responsible for overseeing site level training and efforts to build site 

capacity to implement quality improvement activities, working in collaboration with QI 

TOTs and appropriately trained AGPAHI staff. Technical Support 

 Lead efforts to conduct site specific assessments of quality improvement capacity and 

monitor program officers' QI activities 

 Initiate QI activities in health facilities that are identified as requiring QI interventions 

based on analysis of C&T, PMTCT/EID, LAB, TB/HIV, PITC, SCM, CL data 

 Oversee data collection activities related to quality improvement efforts. This may 

include, but not limited to, working with AGPAHI M&E staff and working with sites to 

routinely submit agreed upon clinical data. 

 Support RHMT and CHMT QI teams in implementing the National Quality 

Improvement Guidelines and National Comprehensive Supportive Supervision & 

Mentoring Guidelines 

Feedback 

 Manage data and information generated from routine monitoring and evaluation and 

quality of care report and disseminates data/reports as appropriate to RHMTs, CHMTs, 

sites and partners. 

 Work with relevant staff to coordinate regular feedback to and information exchange 

with all stakeholders, including sub-grantees, in partners programs to share experiences 

in order to improve quality in partner's program 

QI meetings

 Ensure regular quality improvement meetings take place at site-level with the program 

officer responsible in attendance (reviewing data, flow charts and setting/following up 

action plans through PDSA cycles) to strengthen QI in existing health management 

structure 

 Conduct routine meetings to review information and data for program quality with M&E, 

CMT, other technical program officers and operations staff where needed 

4. Representing -AGPAHI to MOHSW, DONORS, and other stakeholders concerning QI 

activities 

 Work closely as -AGPAHI's primary liaison person with National AIDS Control 

Program and University Research Company (URC) to support them in implementation of 

National QI program. Participate in meetings and assist in conducting trainings as 

requested when appropriate 

 Use results of QI interventions to develop reports, best practice documents and guidelines 

in collaboration with other -AGPAHI staff; to share with AGPAHI, site staff and partners  Conduct semi-annual QI campaigns by expanding QI initiatives at health facilities, 

synthesizing and analyzing semi-annual data, presenting QI findings and publishing 

literature (e.g. abstracts) in collaboration with QI TOTs and appropriately trained staff.

 Undertake any other duties as assigned by the SIM 

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS

Essential Skills and Knowledge: 

 Energetic, pro-active, independent and self-motivated 

 Excellent analytical, oral, written and interpersonal communication skills 

 Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects while working as part of team 

 Skills and knowledge in capacity building 

 Knowledge on HIV prevention and care 

 Excellent understanding of MS Office 

 Fluency in English, both oral and written 

 Knowledge of Kiswahili language 

 Ability to work at a high level with limited supervision and ability to work well as part of 

a team. 

Desirable Skills and Knowledge: 

 At least three years' experience in implementing quality management program efforts 

 Knowledge of existing in country key stakeholders in QI/HIV related activities 

 Experience in working for NGO 

 Understanding of statistical packages 

 Experience in the writing of guidelines, best-practice documents, abstracts, proposals and 

reports 

Education and Experience 

 A university degree, in clinical medicine or equivalent degree (or proven equivalent 

experience), Master's degree will be of an added advantage

 Knowledge and experience in HIV and AIDS care. Experience with the public sector 

health care system. Preference for clinical or nursing working experience. 

 Proven ability to manage data and familiarity with computer data analysis packages. 

 Experience in program-related work (or public health) with a Masters of Public Health or 

equivalent degree (or equivalent experience) will be an advantage 

 Experience in the development of quality improvement tools and systems in HIV-related 

activities is an advantage 

 Experience in developing and conducting training 

 Ability to travel to the field 50% of the time. HOW TO APPLY

AGPAHI is an equal opportunities employer and this position is open to all, but

ONLY qualified candidates should submit a CV and a cover letter explaining how 

the experience detailed in the CV will contribute to the requirements of the position 

and references to AGPAHI. For those who will send e-copies please send cover letter 

and CV saved in your names.

Submissions may be sent to: 

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, AGPAHI

P.O. BOX 38252 

Plot 373, Mtitu Street, East Upanga

Dar es Salaam, 

Tanzania. Or e-mail: recruitment@agpahi.or.tz

 Website: www.agpahi.or.tz

Closing date: 10th October, 2014

If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks after the closing date, please assume that your 

application was not successful