Requirements

Additional Requirements

At least 3 years of experience as IPC focal.

Experience:

• Previous experience in infection prevention and control, preferably in low resource settings or with vulnerable populations.

Knowledge:

• Familiarity with IPC guidelines, protocols, and best practices.

Communication Skills:

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively train and educate healthcare workers and community members, considering potential language and cultural barriers.

Languages:

• Proficiency in English and local languages is preferred for effective communication.

Cultural Sensitivity:

• Demonstrated cultural sensitivity and ability to work with diverse communities and refugee populations.

Responsibilities & Context

IPC Program Implementation & Oversight:

• Lead the development, implementation, and monitoring of IPC protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs) specific to maternity care, labor, and delivery.
• Ensure alignment with national IPC guidelines and WHO standards.

Surveillance & Risk Assessment:

• Conduct regular IPC risk assessments in maternity wards, delivery rooms, operating theaters (C-sections), and neonatal units.
• Monitor and report healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) with a focus on maternal sepsis, neonatal infections, and surgical site infections (SSIs).

Training & Capacity Building:

• Organize regular IPC training sessions for healthcare staff, including midwives, nurses, obstetricians, cleaners, and support staff.
• Conduct bedside coaching and on-the-job mentorship on hand hygiene, aseptic technique, PPE use, and safe injection practices.

Hand Hygiene & Cleanliness Promotion:

• Monitor hand hygiene compliance using WHO's "5 Moments for Hand Hygiene" approach.
• Coordinate regular hand hygiene audits and feedback sessions.
• Oversee environmental cleaning and disinfection protocols in labor and delivery areas.

Supply & Waste Management:

• Ensure availability and proper use of IPC materials (PPE, hand hygiene products, disinfectants).
• Monitor safe medical waste segregation and disposal practices, especially in labor, delivery, and surgical areas.

Quality Improvement & Documentation:

• Participate in maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality review meetings, providing IPC input and recommendations.
• Maintain IPC documentation, including audit reports, training records, and HAI surveillance data.

Collaboration & Reporting:

• Collaborate with hospital leadership, nursing supervisors, and quality assurance teams to strengthen overall IPC practices.
• Report regularly to the hospital management and district/regional IPC committees. 

Activities:

• Conduct daily IPC ward rounds in labor, delivery, postnatal, and neonatal units to identify and address infection risks.      
• Observe and document staff compliance with hand hygiene, PPE use, and safe injection practices.
• Facilitate monthly IPC training sessions for clinical and non-clinical staff, including cleaning personnel.
• Perform weekly audits of environmental cleaning, sterilization of instruments, and linen management processes.
• Monitor and report all suspected healthcare-associated infections (e.g. postpartum sepsis, neonatal sepsis, SSIs) using surveillance tools.
• Lead root cause analyses and provide IPC-related recommendations following maternal or neonatal infection-related complications or deaths.
• Coordinate the implementation of “Five Moments for Hand Hygiene” campaign, including hand rub availability and poster displays.
• Oversee the correct segregation, collection, and disposal of medical waste in all maternity-related departments.
• Ensure that labor and delivery rooms are equipped with necessary IPC supplies (e.g. gloves, gowns, antiseptics, masks).
• Review and update IPC SOPs specific to maternity services annually, or as needed.
• Develop an IPC committee, arrange monthly meetings, and report monthly IPC indicators and progress.
• Support sterilization units to ensure proper functioning of autoclaves and adherence to decontamination protocols.
• Track and report stock levels of critical IPC supplies, flagging shortages early to avoid disruptions.