Senior Health Systems Advisor

The Senior Health Systems Advisor is a subject matter expert in health systems strengthening for sexual and reproductive health programs. They are responsible for developing evidence-based strategies and providing technical assistance to Ipas country/regional programs to improve comprehensive abortion care, including self-managed abortion, and contraceptive care. This position works within the Technical Exchange Collective (TEX), a global team of SRH experts, and works in partnership with Ipas programs across the Ipas Network, external technical agencies, professional organizations, and Ministries of Health to develop and disseminate best practices and support health systems strengthening in low resource and restrictive settings. The Senior Health Systems Advisor provides technical assistance to Ipas Programs and supports development and monitoring of network quality standards and develops guidance for ensuring high quality health systems programming across the Ipas Network.

Hiring range for a US-based candidate is $105,000 to $115,000.00. Compensation for this position will be determined by the prevailing market rate in the employee's country* and the applicable statutory laws, in addition to Ipas's own pay philosophy and other factors, such as the employee's experience level and expertise.

*This position may work remotely from any of the following US states: AZ, CA, CO, DC, FL, GA, IL, MD, MA, MI, NJ, NY, NC, PA, SC, TX, VA, WA. Additionally, the position may work remotely from any of the following countries outside of the US: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya/Alliance locations, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Africa, and Zambia.

TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE and LEADERSHIP

• Collaboratively develops and monitors standards and policies related to quality of care to ensure high quality health systems programming across the Ipas Network
• Reviews and synthesizes evidence from the global SRH field and develops user-friendly, adaptable technical resources and training materials, such as job aids and training curricula, in consultation with technical experts across the Network, and leads dissemination and training on new materials/approaches
• Reviews SRH/abortion/contraception national or regional guidelines, as needed
• Supports knowledge sharing and exchange of best practices to foster quality of care by leading the internal Health Systems Community of Practice and other virtual/in-person cross-country exchanges
• Provides technical assistance to Ipas programs to design, implement and evaluate health systems strengthening programs, including review, analysis and use of data for program improvement, in alignment with the Ipas Strategic Framework
• Models adult learning techniques and effective training approaches to enhance the technical capacity of Ipas Country Program staff, trainers, and clinical mentors
• Supports knowledge management through documentation and dissemination of Ipas intervention outcomes/learnings, field innovations, and evidence
• Provides strategic technical input into strategic development, project design, proposals, and reports
• Leads periodic Values Clarification and Attitude Transformation (VCAT) workshops (virtual or in-person) for internal staff and partners and VCAT Training of Trainer workshops focused on VCAT facilitation for local health system actors, including health workers, to reduce stigma related to abortion care
• Engages in continuous collaboration across TEX (e.g., with monitoring and evaluation and policy staff) to ensure comprehensive and relevant approaches to strengthening the Sustainable Abortion Ecosystem in Ipas program countries

Partnerships

• Nurtures collaborative professional networks with relevant global and regional organizations and stakeholders
• Represents Ipas at professional meetings and disseminates results of technical work in publications and presentations
• Demonstrates respect, effective communication and conflict resolution in working relationships with internal and external colleagues

Other duties as assigned

Minimum Requirements:

• Advanced degree in relevant discipline (public health, nursing, medicine, etc.)
• 10 + years relevant experience
• Demonstrated leadership, strategic planning, and technical support skills in health systems strengthening
• Effective facilitation and training skills grounded in adult learning principles, including experience designing and leading training of trainers (TOTs)
• Experience with Values Clarification facilitation and other sensitization approaches
• Experience working in health systems in low resource settings
• Excellent communication and writing skills, with ability to simplify complex information
• Self-starter with strong time management and organizational skills
• Demonstrated success in building rapport and trust with colleagues across various cultural backgrounds
• Proposal development and report writing skills
• Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft applications, virtual meeting applications, and other computer technology related skills
• Fluent in English and French
• Ability to travel up to 20%

Preferred:

• Experience building health system resilience in the context of climate change and other crises
• Experience working in humanitarian settings
• Supply chain knowledge
• Experience leading a community of practice
• Language skills in Spanish, Portuguese, or other language from Ipas locations

Competencies:

Collaborative spirit- We want someone who actively listens and communicates.  Who can connect easily with people across the organization and gain their trust and respect.

Communication Skills- You listen with empathy and attention.  You are not shy to speak up when you have something to say. You are an excellent writer.

Agile -Reacts with curiosity and enthusiasm to shifting situations, can adapt and creatively problem-solve with changing environment.  Added bonus if you can energize others to co-create innovative solutions.

Capacity Builder- You have experience in building institutional and local technical capacity. 

Ipas is strongly committed to providing a work environment that is free from all forms of harassment, discrimination, and inequity.  We recruit, employ, train, promote, and compensate our personnel without regard to race, age, sex, religion, national origin, color, creed, ancestry, citizenship, caste, ethnicity, regional identity, tribal identity, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, gender identity, transgender status, sexual orientation, or any other personal characteristic protected by law or outlined by Ipas policy. Ipas acknowledges that these personal characteristics may differ in different contexts.