LEAP Program Description

Global Solutions Ventures (GSV) – a joint-venture partnership between ZemiTek, LLC and Dexis Consulting Group – is implementing the Long-term Exceptional Technical Assistance Project (LEAP Global), a mechanism originally used by USAID to battle against infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases, and pandemic influenza. As of July 1, 2025, LEAP Global transitioned to the U.S. Department of State (DOS). This initiative aims to address the complex human resource challenges faced by national infectious disease programs in the USA-supported countries.

The intervention of this project is to hire and embed technical expert advisors and subject matter experts within government entities. By directly embedding the technical expertise within the national programs, LEAP provides long-term, sustainable lifesaving support to empower host governments to lead and manage key aspects of their infectious disease portfolios and improve coordination between the U.S. Government and the host country.

About the Position

The Senior Maternal and Child Health (MCH) Advisor will support the implementation of life-saving interventions in full alignment with the directives of the new Presidential Executive Order (EO) directives.  The advisor's primary focus will be providing technical support with an emphasis on the areas of maternal, newborn, and child health to reduce maternal, newborn and child morbidity and mortality which impact public health.

The Senior MCH Advisor will support the Ministry of Health (MSHPCMU) and the Programme Nationale de Sante de la Mere et de L’Enfant (PNSME) in effectively implementing high-impact interventions that accelerate national progress and enhance the capacity of health institutions to deliver sustainable, quality health services.

Key lifesaving areas of intervention include providing safe delivery services, preventing and managing postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), such as through the scale-up of the E-MOTIVE bundle, and eclampsia, maternal nutrition, providing essential and small and sick newborn care, preventing and managing malaria during pregnancy, delivery of quality child health services in primary health care (PHC), from community to secondary level and  identifying and immunizing under-vaccinated and zero-dose children—particularly in underserved urban settings. The advisor will also seek opportunities to integrate relevant nutrition, TB, malaria, GHS and HIV interventions in the MCH platforms, such as through strategies related to the elimination of mother-to-child transmission and addressing key drivers of maternal and child morbidity and mortality. The advisor will receive directions from the PSNME staff, who will serve as onsite Manager/Supervisor.  Familiarity with US Department of State (DOS) /Health Programs Office programming and C/AOR experience is highly desirable as the advisor is expected to support the implementation of the MCH portfolio.  The advisor will report to the DOS/ Health Programs Office weekly and monthly.

Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership:

• Support MSHPCMU through PNSME in effective delivery of life-saving interventions
• Setting organizational direction and developing strategies to improve maternal and child health outcomes.
• Work with the MSHPCMU, and USG implementing partners to develop interventions that accelerate country progress and strengthen health institutions’ abilities to provide health quality services, by extending lives of women, babies, and children.

Program Management:

• Oversee the implementation of MCH programs, ensuring technical quality and impact. 
• Provide technical support and actively engage with field work to implement programmatic interventions at national and sub-national levels.
• Assist in monitoring the progress of MCH program implementation and provide recommendations for improvements in service delivery.
• Conduct regular conference calls with multisectoral stakeholders, Health Programs Office Mission/US Embassy/Washington to review progress, discuss activities and address emerging issues.
• Collaborate closely with the Activity Manager/AOR/COR as well as the Department of State (DoS) implementing partner on program implementation of MCH activities.

Technical Expertise:

• Provide expert technical guidance on MCH topics, including infant mortality, pre- and postnatal care, newborn care, child health. 
• Provide support to the appropriate stakeholders and partners in identification of performance gaps, potential barriers and bottlenecks, and facilitate consensus on targeted interventions to improve performance of key indicators.
• Participate in and provide technical expertise during national MCH technical working group meetings.

Data Analysis & Evaluation:

• Analyze MCH data to inform policy, monitor progress, and produce reports and presentations. 
• Promote the dissemination of best practices and effective models nationwide.
• Provide technical assistance to develop and strengthen the host country’s capacity in data collection, analysis and reporting for decision making.
• Help develop a dashboard for program activities at the facility and community levels.
• Develop and submit monthly reports to the Health Programs Office US Embassy/DOS with copy to the NMCHP Director.

Partnership Building:

• Collaborating with healthcare professionals, community stakeholders, and other departments to foster strong partnerships. 
• Help organize regular discussions among the multisectoral stakeholders, relevant donors, FBOs, the private sector and partners to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective MCH portfolio.
• Help organize regular discussions among the relevant multisectoral stakeholders, Ministries, and donors, and DoS to ensure alignment of technical approaches in the respective MCH portfolios.
• Consult relevant stakeholders on required technical assistance

REPORTING:

The Senior MCH Advisor will provide a detailed monthly report to the DOS/Health Programs Office submitted by the 5th day of the following month.   Additionally, the Advisor will submit a weekly progress report to the DOS/ Health Programs Office and participate in weekly Health Programs team update calls.

Qualifications 

• A Master’s or Doctoral degree in public health, medicine, nursing, social sciences, or a related field is required. Specialization in maternal and child health or global health is highly preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressively responsible experience in health programs including maternal and child health program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• At least 5 years of USG experience as well as partner management.
• Proven ability to lead teams, manage complex projects, and coordinate with multiple stakeholders, including government agencies, donors, and implementing partners.
• Deep knowledge of evidence-based interventions in health programs, deep knowledge of CDI health system, data analysis for decision making, including maternal and child health, newborn care and immunization.
• Ability to develop and implement strategies to improve maternal and child health outcomes at the national level.
• Proficiency in designing and using M&E frameworks to assess program impact and ensure accountability.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and French (French is essential for Côte d’Ivoire).
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with government officials, donors, NGOs, and community organizations.
• Sensitivity to cultural norms and practices in Côte d’Ivoire, particularly regarding maternal and child health.