Newborn Health Technical Specialist

About the role

The Newborn Health Technical Specialist will support the Small and Sick Newborn (SSNB) component of the US Government‑funded Momentum Country and Global Leadership (MCGL) project in Nepal. Working under the Newborn Technical Lead, the specialist will help design, implement and scale up quality newborn care services across five provinces.

Key responsibilities

• Provide technical assistance to the Family Welfare Division and provincial health directorates for planning and implementing newborn programs, especially Level II Special Newborn Care Units (SNCU).
• Participate in national and sub‑national newborn technical working groups, contributing to revisions of the comprehensive SNCU Level II package and scaling up quality SSNB care.
• Co‑lead quality‑improvement initiatives, build capacity of health workers to use QI indicators, and train staff on safe oxygen use and titration to prevent retinopathy of prematurity.
• Support on‑site training of nurses, doctors and paramedics in life‑saving SSNB care and assist with monitoring, documentation and data management of technical activities.
• Represent MCGL at provincial and national forums, update donors and government partners on progress, and assist the Project Director in presenting results to stakeholders.

Required profile

• Medical degree as a pediatrician, preferably with an advanced degree in public health or health sciences/management.
• 3–5 years of progressive experience in newborn health projects within INGO, bilateral or multilateral agencies.
• Experience working with government bodies and professional societies; experience in USG‑funded programmes is a plus.
• Strong written and oral communication skills in English and ability to travel up to 50 % of the time.
• Willingness to be based in Kathmandu and work in a complex, deadline‑driven environment.

Required skills

• Proficiency with standard computer software: word processing, spreadsheets and PowerPoint.
• Technical report writing and documentation of program activities.
• Clinical skill in safe oxygen administration and titration for newborns.
• Capacity to train and mentor health workers on newborn care protocols.