MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH (MNH) ADVISOR

Job description

OVERVIEWJhpiego is an international, non-profit health organization affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University. Jhpiego develops innovations to enhance the capacity of health care workers, strengthening health systems and improve delivery of care towards improving the health and well-being. Jhpiego has been collaborating with the Government of Malawi and various partners in implementing a wide-range of interventions in maternal, newborn and child health, family planning, HIV/AIDS prevention and care and treatment, since 1999.Jhpiego is seeking a highly qualified Maternal and Newborn Health (MNH) Advisor to be responsible for the technical coordination and oversight of Maternal and Newborn Health interventions across the Malawi MNH program, ensuring integrated and high-quality service delivery and technical assistance. This role will also be responsible for the technical guidance and supervision of MNH staff based in districts. The MNH Technical Advisor will work in close tandem with the Child Health Advisor and Nutrition Advisor and other relevant technical and programmatic staff and partners to ensure seamless and integrated MNH-N activity implementation.Application Deadline: Friday, 16th October 2026POSITION: MATERNAL AND NEWBORN HEALTH (MNH) ADVISORJOB TYPE: Full TimeKEY REQUIREMENTSRequired Qualifications:Advanced degree (MPH, MD, or equivalent) in Public Health, Medicine, or Nursing.Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, implementing, and coordinating MNH programs, preferably in Malawi or similar low-resource settings.Demonstrated experience in providing technical assistance and on-the-job training to healthcare providers on MNH-related topics.Proven experience in supervising or managing technical staff, particularly in a decentralized program structure.Experience working with government health structures, health facilities, and local partners.Deep technical knowledge of evidence-based MNH interventions across the continuum of care (including antenatal care, skilled delivery, postnatal care, emergency obstetric and newborn care, child health, and integrated child illness management).Proficiency in developing and delivering training and quality improvement programs for health care workers.Strong understanding of data utilization for program monitoring, quality improvement, and informed decision-making in MNH.Knowledge of strengthening referral systems within health facilities and between facilities and communities.RESPONSIBILITIESTechnical Leadership & Skills Development:Provide strategic direction and technical oversight for integrated MNH activities, ensuring alignment with national priorities and evidence-based practices.Support Malawi's Ministry of Health and local partners in developing, updating, and adapting training materials, standards, job aids, curricula, and supervisory systems to improve MNH service delivery.Lead innovative approaches to implement targeted MNH services and improve quality of care across the continuum—from preconception to early childhood.Mentor and build capacity of project staff, health workers (doctors, nurses, midwives), professional associations, and local partner staff at individual, organizational, and facility levels.Facilitate on-the-job training, simulation exercises, and quality improvement initiatives for healthcare providers on MNH protocols.Strengthen referral linkages and feedback loops between community, primary, and referral health facilities for lifesaving services.Provide and facilitate mentoring and capacity building at the facility level to support health facilities to provide and sustain quality health services.Lead on aspects related to project implementation, demand generation, and procurement support for MNH commodities across project sites as required.Lead the formulation of innovative approaches for implementation of targeted MNH services.Work closely with the MOH and the relevant national authorities and key stakeholders to improve quality of care.Coordinate closely with other relevant U.S. Government (USG) and non-USG projects to identify synergies for improving MNH quality of care.Work closely with Monitoring & Evaluation colleagues to ensure quality in data collection, data use for decision-making, and prioritization of interventions aligned with quality improvement practices.Program Implementation & Coordination:Lead the development and execution of technical implementation plans, work plans, and monitoring frameworks in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, donors, and stakeholders.Coordinate implementation of high-impact MNH interventions, including ANC, facility readiness for labor and delivery, newborn care, postnatal care, and integrated child illness management (IMNCI).Collaborate with Child Health, Nutrition, and MEL teams to ensure integrated planning, implementation, and monitoring of MNH activities.Ensure effective use of MNH data for program monitoring, review, and adaptive manag