The Caribbean Sub-regional Resource Facility (SURF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is seeking to identify interested international consultants for a twelve (12) months assignment in Guyana, South America, as a Total Quality Management/Continuous Quality Improvement (TQM/CQI) Specialist. Terms of Reference for the post are listed below.

This vacancy is being posted on behalf of the UNDP Guyana country office which is currently supporting a project titled "Integrated Health Sector Development Programme", executed by the Ministry of Health, Government of Guyana. The Ministry of Health would like to fill the vacancy on an urgent basis, since the project is due for completion during mid-2001.

Interested persons are requested to submit an electronic copy of their most recent CV, to the Caribbean SURF to [log in to unmask] Queries can also be directed to this address. Pls note that the final selection will be made by UNDP Guyana and the Government of Guyana.


Thomas Gittens, 
Deputy Coordinator
Caribbean SURF
UNDP
Trinidad and Tobago


TOTAL QUALITY MANAGEMENT (TQM) SPECIALIST

A.  Specific Tasks:

Under the overall supervision of the UNDP Resident Representative and the direct supervision of, and in collaboration with the Director, Technical Services and Standards, the specialist in Total Quality Management/Continuous Quality Improvement will perform duties using a bottom-up approach.

Develop TQM policy and strategy for appropriate use in the Health Sector based on a health needs assessment of what pertains presently;
Conduct a survey of the physical facilities and plant as well as the functional capacity of the institutions (regional and district hospitals and health centers) of the Health Sector so as to include them in the TQM/CQI strategy;
Conduct technology assessment and ensure that regulatory functions are effectively undertaken; 
Develop standards for use in clinical and non-clinical areas in health care activity;
Implement quality systems and monitoring of processes in the health sector;
Facilitate the establishment of teams/committees and develop a sustained monitoring system for follow-up on a regular basis;
Conduct training sessions for staff involved, teams/committees in health care in respect of the application of appropriate tools necessary to continuously improve quality of health care;
Sensitize key members in the health care delivery system on the importance of establishing quality systems in the process of institutional care;
Stimulate the development of quality programmes by education and guidance;
Play key role in establishing quality systems in institutions;
Formulate means of monitoring and evaluation of the related processes and outcomes;
Develop TQM standards, protocols, procedures and regulations in the form of manuals for medical care, nursing care, para-professional and specialist care.


B.  Required Qualifications:

i.  Field of Expertise/specialization:

        Total Quality Management/Continuous Quality Improvement.

ii.  Educational and Technical background:

The specialist must have a University education including formal training in TQM/CQI.

iii.  Additional/Desirable skills and experience:

Must be able to teach related subject area to health professionals; must be versed in management and computer skills, statistics, organizing/conducting seminars or workshops.

The specialist must have at least three (3) years of continuous work experience in quality management in health care institutions. 

Fluency in English is essential.


C.  Duration of Post:

        Twelve (12) calendar months.


D.  Duty Station:

        Georgetown, Guyana, with job-related travel to other parts of the country