Placement Organization: Reach Out Mbuya
Placement Location: Kampala, Uganda
Eligible Citizenship: American

 

About: Reach Out Mbuya Parish HIV/AIDS Initiative (ROM) is a community faith-based organization under Our Lady of Africa Church Mbuya, and was founded in May 2001 to offer treatment to people living with HIV/AIDS within Mbuya Parish. It was founded by a physician working in collaboration with the parish priest of Mbuya, who realized a need to respond to the growing numbers of people who were infected and dying from HIV/AIDS related complications within this community.

Reach Out Mbuya started with 14 clients but now cares for over 5,000 clients through 11 comprehensive health and social support programs. Over the years, the need for Reach Out to expand its activities to other areas has seen us replicate our model of care to Luweero District about 100km North of Kampala District. In this area, over 600 clients are accessing our services including antiretroviral therapy (ART).

 

We provide a unique model of care which includes medical, social, emotional, and spiritual support. Our target population of about 95,000 people is characterized by high poverty levels and a high HIV/AIDS prevalence of about 9%. Women form 63% of the persons we serve, most of whom are single, widowed or elderly with minimal schooling and/or no source of regular income in their households. We have over 230 full-time employees and volunteers and 49% of these are clients themselves.

Reach Out received a Best Practice Award from the civil society in recognition of our contribution towards the restoration of hope and dignity of people infected and affected by HIV/AIDS.

 

Position Overview:

  • Monitor and ensure compliance with the established quality management standards for all program areas at Reach Out
  • Plan and direct Quality Improvement programs and strategies to ensure compliance with the standard quality assurance measures
  • Take part in program evaluation at Reach Out

 

Responsibilities:

  • Ensure compliance with strategic plans, supervise quality assurance activities and ensure funds & other resources are available for quality assurance
  • Liaise with heads of sections to ensure that SOPs remain relevant to the organization functions
  • Develop and disseminate Quality Improvement indicators for the different sections to guide the process of QI
  • Develop innovative Quality Improvement strategies from information generated to guide service provision
  • Perform data quality audit for the different reports produced in the organization before dissemination
  • Assess the utilization of primary data capturing tools
  • Develop and maintain quality assurance management tools & work plans for the organization
  • Ensure that new information obtained through quality assurance processes is clearly communicated to those individuals involved in QA process
  • Work with Senior Internal Auditor & M&E coordinator to carry out specific program audits of RO activities
  • Liaise with human resources to ensure training gaps of different sections are identified and bridged to ensure quality of services
  • Assess the quality of productions from ROM’s income generating activities (IGA)s and the competitiveness of the market values
  • Promote the vision, mission and the values of Reach Out as expressed in the policies, regulations & guidelines of the organization
  • Ensure health, safety, and security in area of operation
  • Undertake any other quality improvement duties assigned by the immediate supervisor

 

Required Skills and Experience:

  • Bachelor’s degree in any biomedical science related field
  • Knowledge in making annual and other audit plans and the attendant work plans and budgets
  • Program management, audit and reporting knowledge
  • Knowledge research methods and program evaluation
  • Program auditing skills, report writing skills, analytical skills, communication,
  • Knowledge data analysis packages
  • Quick judgment, observation qualities, integrity, assertiveness
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • Proven English language writing and editing skills
  • Strong interest in global public health
  • Ability to work in a team environment, but with self-sufficiency and self-motivation
  • Strong interpersonal skills coupled with excellent communication skills
  • Ability to multi-task: flexible and capable of working under pressure and tight deadlines with demonstrated ability to prioritize across multiple projects and relationships

 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

  • 1 year Quality Assurance related field in a reputable organization preferably an NGO providing health services
  • Thorough knowledge of Quality and Environment Management Standards, particularly ISO 9000 and ISO 14000 family of standards
  • Additional training in Quality Improvement or any related field is an added advantage

 

Living Conditions: Fellows will be provided with housing, health insurance and a living stipend of $550/month. Fellows will also receive an award of $1500 upon successful completion of the fellowship year.  Flights to and from the placement site and all other costs associated with GHC programming are included. Fellows will be based in the ROM office in Mbuya and will be provided with work stations/computers. ROM will provide the necessary transportation to complete tasks in other satellite sites. Fellows will be provided with daily meals (breakfast and lunch) in our staff dining hall.