ROLE PURPOSE:

The Quality Assurance Nurses will be responsible for day-to-day implementation ICCM-CMAM implementation research project in Mandera County. The project will conduct a hybrid type 1 implementation-effectiveness trial utilizing a cluster randomized 2x2 factorial design. Implementation will be in four arms which will provide different interventions under investigations as follows: 1) iCCM, 2) CMAM, 3) iCCM-CMAM, and 4) Control group. Trained, supervised, and well-equipped Community Health Promoters (CHPs) will be responsible for delivering iCCM-CMAM for sick children aged 2-59 months. The interventions being investigated include 1) iCCM, 2) CMAM, 3) iCCM-CMAM, and 4) Standard of Care. CHPs will receive training, resources, and supervision to administer iCCM-CMAM for sick children aged 2-59 months, employing a comprehensive five-pronged approach involving sensitization, training, commodity provision and accountability, supervision, and monitoring and evaluation.

The study is expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effectiveness of iCCM-CMAM in improving access to appropriate care for acutely ill children in remote areas delivered by CHPs. The findings will inform the Kenya Ministry of Health and county management teams, guiding practical implementation steps. The operationalization of iCCM-CMAM has the potential to enhance health outcomes and reduce child mortality in low-income countries. By integrating community-based management of acute malnutrition into iCCM, a more comprehensive approach to child care can be extended to those in hard-to-reach areas. The role holders will play a critical role in promoting delivery of quality implementation research in collaboration with CHPs, Mandera county department of health, health and nutrition teams within Save the Children, the research consultants and key stakeholders including. In close liaison with MEAL, support in the research implementation fidelity, collection, processing, and verification of reports/forms and maintains programme/projects databases.

SCOPE OF ROLE: 

Reports to: Nutrition Coordinator

Dimensions: Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since the 1950s, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners. Current programming focuses on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV/AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH. In 2012, as part of a global reorganization process, Save the Children combined the programmes of SC UK, SC Canada and SC Finland to create a single operation in Kenya. In Feb 2014, we completed a second transition, which saw us join forces with the British INGO, Merlin, and merge their health and nutrition programmes with our own. Save the Children now has an operational presence in Bungoma, Dadaab Refugee Camp, Garissa, Mandera, Turkana and Wajir and a footprint in Kakamega, Kisumu, Migori and Kitui. In 2016, Save the Children established a new project office in Madagascar whose operations are managed by the Kenya CO. 

Staff directly reporting to this post: None. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:

Programme:

• Provide technical assistance to MoH and CHPs towards implementation of integrated community case management and integration with uncomplicated acute malnutrition.


• Support training and mentorship for Community Health Volunteers on Integrated Community Case management implementation (ICCM), Basic modules, Community based Management of uncomplicated acute malnutrition (CMAM).


• Coordinate with the health records and information officers to ensure the data   submitted by facilities is complete by regular quality checks   to ensure completeness of the records of the children in the study.


• Organize and coordinate trainings for CHPs in consultation with County health authorities.


• Supervise routine data collection and commodity accountability by the CHPs in liaison with Community Health Assistants 


• Closely work with the principal investigator(s) and provide the necessary requirements they need to successfully implement the research.


• Follow-up visits of all children identified as malnourished by CHPs treated by CHPs at home within.


• QA nurse shall visit the home of the child identified with malnutrition within 24-48 hours to verify classification and management.


• QA nurse together with the CHAs shall verify every 10th child reported with suspected SAM and MAM, pneumonia, malaria cases managed by a CHP at home or referred to a health facility.


• QA nurse shall conduct follow-up visit one week and two weeks after the initial diagnosis and management to assess for treatment failure.


• Shall ensure children discharged as cured from SAM and/or MAM are followed for 6 months and the MUAC and weight are taken every month.


• Ensure Children treated for diarrhoea, malaria and pneumonia will be followed up 2 days after initiating treatment to assess treatment progression and thereafter post-discharge follow up will be done for 3 months.


• Ensure all children on post-discharge follow up will be assessed for ICCM conditions, MUAC and weight every month.


• Monitoring and Evaluation:


• With the support of MEAL team ensure project performance is tracked and quality standards adhered to.


• Ensure the compilation of quality and timely activity and monthly reports for the project.


• Document the process of implementation, lessons learnt, case studies and good practice to ensure information is widely disseminated.


• Support regular review meetings with the community health promoters, sub county community strategy focal person and community health assistants. 


• Coordinate regular project monitoring and supervision in liaison with the SCHMTs and project MEAL focal person to ensure quality project implementation according to agreed standards.


• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with MEAL team.


• Network and coordinate with the relevant sectors and agencies implementing health activities at national and community level.


• Identify areas of synergy in the field with the Ministry of Health and other implementing agencies working with communities. 


• Liaise and establish strong links with existing community structures including mother to mother support groups, community units, youth groups, village elders and religious leaders.


• Support community dialogue and action days.

BEHAVIOURS (Values in Practice)

Accountability:

• Holds self-accountable for making decisions, managing resources efficiently, achieving and role modelling Save the Children values.


• Holds the team and partners accountable to deliver on their responsibilities - giving them the freedom to deliver in the best way they see fit, providing the necessary development to improve performance and applying appropriate consequences when results are not achieved.

Ambition:

• Sets ambitious and challenging goals for themselves and their team, takes responsibility for their own personal development and encourages their team to do the same.


• Widely shares their personal vision for Save the Children, engages and motivates others.


• Future orientated, thinks strategically and on a global scale.

Collaboration:

• Builds and maintains effective relationships, with their team, colleagues, Members and external partners and supporters.


• Values diversity sees it as a source of competitive strength.


• Approachable, good listener, easy to talk to.

Creativity:

• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.


• Willing to take disciplined risks.

Integrity:

• honest, encourages openness and transparency; demonstrates highest levels of integrity.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Kenya Registered Community Health Nurse 


• At least two (2) years’ work experience in health and nutrition programming including monitoring and evaluation. 


• MUST be registered with Nursing Council of Kenya.


• Fluency (written and verbal) in English, Swahili, and Local dialects in Mandera County.


• At least two-year working experience in a health facility.


• Mature, responsible, dependent, highly organized and motivated persons


• Willing to work in a rural set up and perform household visits on a daily basis.


• Good inter-personal, report writing and communication skills.


• Strong capacity to work with initiative, flexibility and without close supervision.


• Ability to meet strict deadlines.


• Strong research and data analysis skills. 


• Experience in community mobilisation within the development context. 


• Experience working with programmes on community health strategy and community health services delivery is an added advantage.


• Good understanding and experience working with MOH and county health departments, health stakeholders, opinion leaders and integration of donor funded programmes into county plans.


• Experience in training and capacity building.


• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills. Demonstrated ability to build and maintain relationships with a wide array of organizations.


• Excellent oral and written communication skills and a willingness to be respectful, kind, sensitive and empathise with children.


• Good knowledge of the nutrition and health field.


• Proficiency in intermediate computer skills especially basic office applications including MS office (word, excel, PowerPoint, outlook) is a MUST.


• Good presentation and persuasion skills.


• Willingness and capacity to be flexible and accommodating when faced with difficult and frustrating working conditions.


• Prepared to live and work in an uncertain security environment.


• Ability and willingness to frequently travel and stay at the field.


• Experience in project and donor report writing is an added advantage. 


• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s aims, values and principles