TB Quality Improvement Officer X 1

POSITION: TB Quality Improvement Officer X 1

LOCATION: King Cetshwayo District

Nkandla Sub-district

SUPERVISOR: Assistant Programme Manager

EMPLOYMENT TYPE: Fixed Term Contract

CONTRACT DURATION: (Contract until 31 March 2025)

Isibani Development Partners is a South African-registered NGO, launched in 2011 to become a leading local technical assistance provider, systems strengthening, and grants manager for health and social services in Southern Africa. Isibani is appointed by the National Department of Health to serve as one of the Sub-Recipients (SRs) for the GLOBAL FUND TB/HIV Program in Ekurhuleni district (Gauteng Province), King Cetshwayo and UGU health districts (Kwa-Zulu Natal Province), from 01 April 2022 to 31 March 2025. Isibani seeks to appoint a TB Quality Improvement Officer in the King Cetshwayo District. The position will be based at the sub-district level.

Job Overview:

The role of the Quality Improvement Officer is to provide practical knowledge transfer to facility staff on how to use QI methods to improve clinical outcomes. This involves overall planning for implementation in a phased manner to achieve 100% coverage over the three-year grant period. The QI officer will be directly reporting to the Assistant Program Manager in the district who will monitor day-to-day activities and approve timesheets. In addition, the QI officer will work closely with the sub-district TB or HAST Manager and provide reports to the direct supervisor and sub-district manager.

Key Responsibilities Include:

Technical / Management

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).
Develop overall sub district work plan for the TB quality improvement with clear roles, responsibilities and timeframes.
Work hand in hand with the sub-district teams in preparations for training and overall implementation of QI
Build capacity for facility and sub district staff to ensure standardization of QI implementation.
Provide ongoing mentorship through regular joint facility visits with the sub district TB manager, prioritizing underperforming facilities.
Monitor progress against the TB care cascade targets through facility data reviews.
Identify, address or escalate challenges that arise during the improvement process to remove barriers.

Required Knowledge, skills and abilities.

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.
Excellent interpersonal communication skills, analytical and problem-solving skills.
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).

Good TB and HIV clinical management skills.
Good quality improvement skills.

Qualification and Experience

An appropriate 3-year national diploma/degree in Health Sciences or Social Sciences.
Experience working in public health sector is desirable but not essential.
Training in QI methodology or an equivalent course and experience in quality improvement implementation.
At least 2 years’ experience in training or facilitation.
At least 2 years’ experience in health programme management.
Clinical experience in the management of TB and HIV co-infected patients.
Administrative and management skills.
Experience in Stakeholder management.
Valid driver’s licence.