Health System Strengthening (HSS) Officer- SAY Plus+ Program

Company Description

Amref Health Africa, founded in 1957, is the largest African-based international health development organisation. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Amref implements programmes across 35 African countries, reaching more than 40 million people, with a strong operational presence in Africa and advocacy and fundraising offices in Europe and North America.

Guided by its vision of lasting health change in Africa, Amref’s mission is to catalyse community-led, people-centred health systems and address the social determinants of health. Amref believes sustainable health transformation is driven from within communities and works to strengthen health systems while empowering communities to demand and access quality, affordable healthcare.

Job Description

Program Summary

Amref health Africa in Uganda, with funding from United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Uganda) is implementing the Strengthening Adolescents and Youth Rights and Empowerment Programme (Scaling impact) in Uganda’s Underserved Regions (SAY Plus+) programme in Bukedi (Kibuku and Butebo) and support to the Mbale Regional Referral Hospitals.  The SAY+ project seeks to advance the rights to health of adolescents and young people (10-24years) in underserved regions of Uganda with particular emphasis on girls, refugees, out-of-school/youth not in education, employment and training (NEET), persons with disabilities, women with fistula and other minorities by promoting equitable access to education, health, protection and livelihood opportunities. The programme builds on lessons learned from predecessor initiatives such as WAY, ANSWER, the ongoing SAY and STOP programmes to expand access to comprehensive SRHR services and work toward the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence (GBV). To achieve this, the programme applies a three-pronged, evidence-based approaches; Creating demand for SRHR/GBV/HIV/fistula services and information, building an enabling environment at the community and district levels that upholds SRHR, prevents GBV, and supports young people to exercise agency and Strengthening adolescent-responsive and survivor-centred SRHR, GBV, and HIV services delivery, including differentiated youth-responsive models at the facility, community, and school levels.

JOB PURPOSE

The HSS Officer has a role of leading the implementation of the Health System Strengthening (HSS) component for delivery of adolescent and youth Responsive services and undertake the district coordination role for the SRHR/SGBV project whilst implementing and supporting strategies and approaches that improve the organizational performance on targeted communities, hospitals and health facilities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Program Implementation

• Collaborate with the District Health Office (DHO) to build the capacity of District Health Team (DHMT) to functionalize all health governance structures and strengthen linkages to the community to improve adolescent and youth Responsive SRHR/SGBV services.
• Collaborate with the DHO, DCDO, DEO and partners to develop integrated, multi-sectoral district based work and implementation plans that respond to SRH/SGBV issues within the target districts.
• Collaborate with the LMNS and district technical teams to develop and implement project activities including but not limited to FP/MCH health systems strengthening, joint district planning, support supervision, health worker training/mentorship, service delivery at static outreach sites and by VHTs, community mobilization and engagement, program evaluation in line with MOH guidelines.
• Working closely with the LMNS, district teams coordinate district and health facilities to ensure close monitoring, reporting and availability of the whole range of supplies as well as redistribution for non-interrupted service delivery.
• Support districts and health facilities to adopt and implement and Integrate Continuous Quality improvement initiatives for improved youth and adolescent responsive SRHR/SGBV service delivery.
• Document and communicate findings and key lessons for improved accountability and quality reporting.
• With guidance from the project manager, work alongside the MEARL Officer to support timely and accurate compilation of reports from implementation sites; weekly, monthly and quarterly as required.

District based Coordination

• Oversee all district-based program work; coordinate all project activity implementation ensuring integration with other project partner components.
• Provide logistical and financial oversight to activities by working closely with the program grants assistant and administrative assistant.
• Organize district-based review and management meetings on a regular basis; follow up actions for staff welfare, and program implementation.
• Identify project challenges and inform management accordingly for support.
• Represent the SAY+ program at district level stakeholders’ meetings.
• Promote team accountability, coordination, quality and a sense of urgency with responsiveness to the district, community and health facility needs.
• Request for relevant programmatic documents, policy guidelines, SOPs and logistical needs as required by the cluster.
• Provide administrative and logistical support to the district-based staff and ensuring that the, project assets are properly secured and kept in good working condition.
• Coordinate visits by the donor, MoH, program leadership and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

REQUIREMENTS

Education and Experience

• Bachelors  Degree in Public Health, Clinical Medicine or related field.
• At least 4 years of professional experience working with the government health system.
• Previous experience working on health accountability and governance and SRHR/SGBV service delivery program.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated experience providing technical assistance at individual, health facility and district levels and in-depth understanding of Uganda healthcare system.
• Proven ability to establish and maintain strong interpersonal and professional relationships with local government officials, and other key stakeholders in the health sector
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in strengthening either all or some of the components of the health system.
• Demonstrated knowledge and experience in implementation of Continuous Quality improvement initiatives and supply Chain for strengthened services delivery.
• Demonstrable writing, analytical and quantitative skills.
• Proven skills in networking, collaboration, health facility and organizational development.
• Good reporting, communication and representation skills

Languages

• English

Additional Information

Please submit your  CV or resume highlighting relevant skills and experience along with a cover letter detailing why you are the best fit for this position. The closing date for applications will be Thursday May 21, 2026 at 23:59 (EAT).

Amref Health Africa does not require applicants to pay any money at whatever stage of the recruitment and selection process and has not retained any agent in connection with recruitment. Although Amref may use different job boards from time to time to further spread its reach for applicants, all open vacancies are published on our website under the Vacancies page and on our official social media pages. Kindly also note that official emails from Amref Health Africa will arrive from an @amref.org address.

Amref Health Africa is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff to share this commitment. Amref Health Africa is is dedicated to diversity and is an equal-opportunity employer with a non-smoking environment policy.