The Regional Technical Advisor – Advanced Newborn Care role is crucial for providing technical assistance and leadership in the design and implementation of context-appropriate Small and Sick Newborn (SSNB) interventions. This role primarily focuses on hospitalized SSNB populations in secondary (level 2) facilities across regional programs.
Responsibilities
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.
