To be considered for this position, candidates must have legal authority to live and work in Mozambique. Assistance with work permits and international relocation will not be provided. Applicants must submit a CV in English.
PATH is an international nonprofit organization that transforms global health through innovation. We take an entrepreneurial approach to developing and delivering high-impact, low-cost solutions, from lifesaving vaccines and devices to collaborative programs with communities. Through our work in more than 70 countries, PATH and our partners empower people to achieve their full potential.
PATH’s Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition Program (MCHN) works to apply effective, innovative approaches to broadening access to and use of key Maternal and Child Health and Nutrition interventions that address the most pressing causes of maternal and child deaths, poor health and poor nutritional status.
PATH seeks a Community Health and Development Associate (CHDA) to support a three-year maternal child health and development project in Maputo Province. The project focuses on improving the health and development of children less than two years old by working in partnership with local government cadres providing child health and development services, as well as with Non-Governmental and Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) along with other community based structures. The position will primarily provide support to Boane district with linkages to PATH program activities in Matutuíne and Namaacha districts. The CHDA will provide field support to enhance quality of implementation of community-based project activities, and to strengthen capacity of and linkages between health and other child focused institutions and structures and communities.
Specifically, s/he will provide technical support and follow-up on health and child development related activities of the Agentes Polivalentes Elementares (APEs) program and to the activists of the CBO projects supported by PATH. S/he will work with and support community leaders, structures and members, such as Health Committees, Community Leaders Councils, Traditional Birth Attendants (TBAs), etc. to promote MCHN health and child development practices and promote the demand for MCHN services as required. Additionally, s/he will provide support and work in coordination with the district health authorities (SDSMAS) and health facilities (HF) in the community mobilization area. The successful applicant will preferably have a community health background and will have professional demonstrable experience in working in health and nutritionsector with communities.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Collaborate on mapping of existing community-based stakeholders and resources, including CBOs, Health Committees, Comités de Co-gestão, Community Leaders Councils, TBAs, etc.
- Collaborate on planning and design of project community-based activities and ensure timely implementation of PATH project planned community-based activities.
- Work closely with the District Health APE supervisor to provide technical guidance and follow-up to ensure implementation of high-quality routine field activities of APEs program and CBO activists in Boane district, especially on the areas of health, child development and community education and mobilization, ensuring achievement of specific targets.
- Collaborate on identification of training needs of APEs and CBO activists, especially on the domains of health and community education and mobilization, and participate on organizing and delivering training packages and contents.
- Collaborate with SDSMAS and partner organizations to build the capacity of CBOs, APEs and staff from across government ministries to provide high-quality, integrated services
- Participate on APEs program supervision activities including monthly meetings held in health facilities and field supervision visits at HF, district and province levels, and provide technical support and follow-up in coordination with supervisors
- Organize and participate on meetings with existing community-based structures, including Health Committees,Comités de Co-gestão, Community Leaders Councils, etc. Provide technical support for better definition and performance of role and responsibilities of these structures and their members and support building stronger links between these structures and the health system.
- Collaborate closely with other community-based projects and initiatives of other district partner organizations working in similar areas to harmonize materials and approaches.
- Prepare and submit monthly working plans, activities reports and monthly activity data as requested,
- Work in close collaboration and maintaining excellent working relationship with other PATH team colleagues, SDSMAS staff, CBO partners and other project stakeholders.
- Support similar activities in Matutuíne and Namaacha districts when requested
- Perform other related tasks as requested by PATH Mozambique Program Manager.
- Ability to establish excellent working relationships with community groups and district health staff.
- Fluent in Portuguese and Changana or Ronga.
- Ability to ride a motorcycle or willing to learn (this will be the principal means of transport)
- Working knowledge of and familiarity with Boane District desired
- Strong English oral and written communication skills will be an advantage.
- Ability to work on an independent manner with low supervision.
- Flexible personality and willingness to work irregular hours on occasion.
- IT skills for proficient use of Microsoft programs (Word, Excel, Power Point, Outlook)
- Ability to travel up to 80% of working time within project target district areas in Maputo province.
- Enthusiastic commitment to PATH’s mission, values and projects.
Técnico Medio or Básico in Curative Medicine, MCH or Preventative Medicine or secondary school with extensive demonstrable professional experience on community health mobilization. At least 5 years of relevant demonstrable experience on implementation of community-based health projects. Professional experience on MCHN projects will be an advantage. Extensive demonstrable experience on working on health sector with community-based agents and groups. Demonstrable professional experience on training and capacity building activities, with focus on community health education and mobilization.
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