Quality Improvement Officer

The Institute of Health Programs and Systems (IHPS) is a South African non-profit company (NPC) born out of the PEPFAR CDC Track 1 transition of the ICAP, Columbia University, Multi-country AIDS Program (MCAP) in South Africa in 2010. IHPS was established with a mission “to strengthen health and development systems through program implementation and partnerships” and, the vision is to ensure “optimal and sustainable health and development outcomes”. IHPS is a current Global Fund (GF) Subrecipient (SR) under the National Department of Health (NDoH), tasked to implement the Tuberculosis (TB) Program in the Johannesburg (JHB) Health District in Gauteng Province (GP) and Kenneth Kaunda District in the Northwest (NW) Province starting April 2022 ending March 2025. As such, IHPS seeks to recruit for the position outlined below, to be based at Johannesburg Health District.

Full Time
  • Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract
  • Start Date:April 2024
  • Remuneration: R52 599.06
  • Level of Effort: 100%
  • Closing Date: 11 March 2024
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Overall Responsibility The Quality Improvement Officer will work closely with the sub district/ district team and District Health Management Team. They will review processes in health facilities within the sub district focusing on DS-TB, DR-TB and TB/HIV and use of the QI methodology to close the gaps within the TB care cascade.
Key Performance Areas:
  • Assist with baseline data collection, Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) and analysis for district and facilities.
  • Work with the facilities to conduct baseline assessments to determine the TB Care cascade gaps.
  • Develop a joint workplan with the sub district/ district team.
  • Building capability on QI methodology and facilitation of learning sessions. 
  • Ensure that facilities have all the necessary documents for quality improvement.
  • Ensure standardization of QI tools implemented in facilities.
  • Coordinate training of facility personnel data capturers where skills gaps have been identified.
  • Provide clinical training for facility personnel to address skills gaps.
  • Provide onsite mentorship to facility QI teams through joint facility visits with the sub district TB managers using the standardized supervisory tools.
  • Provide support in spreading best practices between facilities in the sub district. 
  • Monitor progress through data reviews at facility level and assist facilities to refine change ideas, PDSAs, process measures and data analysis. 
  • Facilitate presentation on TB-QI progress in monthly cluster and district meetings to share experiences, successes, and challenges of implementation.
  • Document good practices for sharing with other facilities/ sub districts.
  • Submit monthly activity reports to assigned sub district/ district supervisor and SR supervisor.
  • Contribute to the district quarterly report (narrative and data reports).
Qualifications:
  • Bachelor’s degree, NQF level 7 or equivalent in the relevant field. A master’s degree will be an added advantage. 
  • Experience working in public health sector is desirable but not essential.
  • Training in QI methodology or an equivalent course.
  • A minimum of 2 years of working with improvement teams/ working on QI projects of similar scale.
  • A minimum of 2 years of experience teaching the concepts, methods and tools to teams. 
Experience
  • Strong project management skills, including the use of Gantt charting and other program evaluation review techniques and the ability to deliver reliable results within agreed upon timelines. 
  • Ability to communicate effectively with senior leaders, managers and front-line staff.
  • Ability to work independently and be able to fit into team-based assignments.
  • Ability to balance project resources while being sensitive to changing client demands.
  • Good oral presentation skills and comfort in presenting to small and large groups.
  • Good writing skills which allow the individual to write for a variety of publication.
  • Relevant computer software skills (at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
  • Willingness to travel domestically. 
Behavioural Competencies
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, as well as public speaking
  • Proven project coordination, planning and organizing skills
  • Good presentation and facilitation skills 
  • Decision-making and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrated ability to work under pressure, prioritize, meet deadlines, and hold self and others to account.
  • Ability to work in a team 
  • Innovative thinking and the ability to take initiative without needing to be prompted

Employer’s Rights

This position description may not list all the duties of the job. If an offer is made, you will be presented with a detailed job description. Applicants will be evaluated based upon their demonstrated ability to perform the tasks listed above, their education and work experience. The employer reserves the right to revise this posting at any time.

How to Apply

Qualified candidates should apply by e-mail only to HR@ihps-sa.org. Subject line should be the Position and District you are applying for, and a cover letter and resume or curriculum vitae (CV) should be attached. Submissions which do not follow the above instructions will not be considered.

Due to the extremely high volume of CVs expected, only those selected for interviews will be contacted. NO PHONE CALLS about these positions will be accepted.

Closing Date:  11 March 2024