Save the Children in Tanzania Health Programme Advisor Job in Dar es Salaam

Job Title:    Health Programme Advisor

Place of Work:    Based in Dar Es salaam — with frequent travel to field locations

Grade:    3 – Non-Accompanied

Reports to:    Director of Programme Quality and Advocacy

Reporting to position:    NA

Budget Responsibility:    NA

Child Protection Level:    3. 

Ensure the way you carry out your work and behave is not putting children at risk (or further risk) – this means constantly scrutinizing your work and behaviour through a child safeguarding lens and talking to children about possible design/implementation “flaws”. Understand and fulfil specific and additional responsibilities in achieving compliance of Save the Children’s Child Safeguarding Policy standards.

Introduction

Save the Children in Tanzania is a unified save the Children programme, with Save the Children UK as a managing member and Save the Children US as participating member.  Save the Children is the world’s largest independent movement for children, making improvements for children and works in over 111 countries, advocating for the rights of children on an international level alongside sharing programming and practical experience between 26 member organisations.

Save the children in Tanzania has been in Tanzania since 1986, initially in Zanzibar and then introducing a programme on the mainland in 1994 in response to the Rwandan refugee crisis.  To achieve this long-term objective, we work on specific objectives in four core thematic areas:

• Right to Health – All children survive and grow up healthy
• Right to Freedom from Hunger – All children grow up properly nourished
• Right to Protection – All children are protected from exploitation and abuse
•  Right to Participation – All children participate in making decisions that concern them

The current Country Strategy is characterised by strong integration of all aspects of our work (Food security and livelihoods, Nutrition, basic services (Education and Health) and Children’s Rights and Participation, and Poverty Reduction Strategies) at all levels of intervention (Community, District and National).

Particular attention is paid to the cross cutting issue of HIV and AIDS, ensuring integration and mainstreaming of HIV and AIDS throughout the programme.

Save the Children’s Newborn and Child Survival programme

Every year, 154,000 children die in Tanzania from preventable and treatable illnesses before reaching their fifth birthday and more than a quarter of these children die within the first 28 days.  Approximately 16 percent of children under-five are underweight and 42 percent stunted.  Malnutrition is a contributory factor to about half of all under-five deaths, and it arises from the interplay of socio-economic, cultural, and health factors at the community, household, and intra-household levels.  Child mortality is also strongly linked to maternal health and mortality.

The high presence of anaemia among pregnant women leads to low birth weight and stillbirths and a significant percentage (20%) of new HIV infections are due to mother to child transmission.  The Maternal Mortality Ratio (454 per 100,000 live births) has not improved over the past decade and is one of the highest in Africa – between 8,000 and 13,000 women die annually of pregnancy or childbirth related causes.

The country’s health sector is encountering structural and operational barriers that negatively affect coverage at scale of essential health services and packages as well as the enabling environment for sustainably addressing the multiple causes of child mortality.  The sector is faced with a lack of qualified human resources and essential supplies and equipment, limited/inequitable health care financing and access to services (geographic and economic), and weak information systems.

Implementing capacity of health and sectoral institutions is also hampered by insufficient coordination, parallel implementation arrangements, and the duplication of generic functions.  Community knowledge of health risks and rights is insufficient, confidence in health personnel and services is waning, and, consequently, the demand for services is poor.  Additionally, gaps in relevant policies and strategies hinder positive MNCH outcomes.

Promoting social protection strategies to improve access to health care is translated through current government policy on complete and free basic health coverage for certain groups – i.e. pregnant women and children. However, this strategy is not adequately applied in practice.

There is an absence of a pro-poor approach in agricultural and food security policies and strategies, the latter relying on primarily crop assessments as a basis for analysing vulnerability.  These sectoral policies do not sufficiently take into account the needs of certain marginalised groups, such as women and HIV and AIDS affected households, in particular in terms of time and labour constraints and adapted productive inputs.

Although malnutrition contributes to 50 percent of under-five deaths as an underlying cause, the problem has only started to attract political attention and action, Tanzania being early riser country for Scaling Up Nutrition initiative.  Lastly, despite the growing evidence on the multiple links between HIV and AIDS and child mortality – including through mother to child transmission, maternal morbidity/mortality and child care constraints, nutrition, and the erosion of livelihoods leading to poverty and food insecurity, there has been little progress in actually mounting a multi-sectoral effort to address the epidemic.

Save the Children’s health and nutrition programmes are strategically defined by the SC Newborn and Child Survival campaign (Every one). Through our Every One campaign, Save the Children in Tanzania will work in the following four programme and policy change areas:

1. Increased transparent and sustainable budget allocation to maternal, newborn, and child health, with a particular focus on newborns;
2. Reduction in malnutrition (underweight and stunting) among children under five and pregnant women and adolescent girls and lactating mothers;
3. Increased access to quality MNCH services for 150,000 children and 45,000 mothers in SC operational areas by 2015
4. Empowered communities to claim their rights to access to high quality health  and nutrition care by 2015

Health programme is in line with Tanzanian National Road Map Strategic Plan to Accelerate Reduction of Maternal, Newborn and Child Deaths in Tanzania 2008-2015 and Health Sector HIV and AIDS Strategic Plan 2008-2012. Nutrition programme is currently advocacy based, and promotes implementation of the National Nutrition Strategy.

In Tanzania, Save the Children is leader of Kangaroo Mother Care model for low birth weight babies, and is conducting this work at national scale. Also, there are child health and nutrition programmes in Lindi, as well as PMTCT programme in Shinyanga. Save the Children is facilitating establishment and development of the platform of civil society organisations (Partnership for Nutrition) as one of the key actors in Scaling Up Nutrition initiative.

Job Purpose

The Health Programme Advisor will be responsible for the strategic development and quality assurance of the health programmes in Tanzania, including nutrition and HIV programmes that have health components.

Core accountabilities include:

• Strategic development of the health programmes and health components of nutrition and HIV/AIDS programmes
• Capacity support and capacity development for health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS programme staff
• Providing technical guidance and ensuring quality of the health programme and health components of nutrition and HIV/AIDS programmes
• Health related advocacy and profile raising, nationally and internationally
• Fundraising for health programmes

Reporting Structure

The Health Programme Advisor will be line managed by the Director of Programme Quality and Advocacy. The Health Programme Advisor is part of the EVERYONE Campaign core team, and as such will be working very closely with the EVERYONE Campaign Manager and other members of the campaign core team.

The Advisor will also work very closely with the Director of Programme Implementation, programme managers covering thematic areas of health, newborn and child survival, HIV/AIDS and nutrition, as well as Monitoring and Evaluation Manager and Media and Communications Coordinator. The Advisor will also ensure regular communication and maintain good linkages with the Regional Health Advisor for East and Southern Africa and Save the Children’s Head office Health team.

Key Accountabilities

Programme Development, Planning and Implementation

• Lead on the development of the health programmes (and health components of other programmes) and ensure compliance with Save the Children strategies and priorities.
• Ensure that the programme has a clear sense of purpose and direction and delivers on its goals set out in the EVERYONE plan.
• Ensure the programme links into the Save the Children Goals and objectives.
• Ensure programme development meets Save the Children Guidelines, as well as other agreed protocols on best practice at all stages of the programme’s development.
• Develop and maintain a detailed understanding of the health, nutrition and HIV sector in Tanzania; including national policy development, key players in government, INGOs, UN and national civil society organizations.
• Ensure the programme conforms to relevant plans, policies, strategies, standards, guidelines and protocols of the government.
• Ensure proper assessment of the health situation (as related to Save the Children’s programme) in the country in general and in the intervention areas in particular, to identify gaps and unmet needs and to establish database and baseline data for programme and project development.
• Create and maintain good relationships with donors and potential donors.
• Make follow-up on calls for proposals, identify potential funding opportunities and lead process and actions for fund raising.
• Produce high quality concept notes and proposals (including budget) for donors based on the Every One plan.
• Participate in planning for emergency preparedness.

Technical Support and Technical Capacity Development

• Function as the senior technical resource person on health and basic health related nutrition and HIV/AIDS initiatives for Tanzania Programme.
• Provide technical support to health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS programme staff to ensure appropriate standards, protocols and technical qualities are observed and maintained in programme implementation.
• Identify gaps and staff development needs with regard to the technical capacity of the health nutrition and HIV/AIDS programme staff.
• Initiate and facilitate technical capacity development for staff; including providing on the job training if required.
• Ensure the programme staff are kept abreast of current public health issues.

Learning and Reporting

• Supporting and ensuring proper documentation of experiences, lessons, achievements and challenges in the health programme (works closely with the Monitoring and Evaluation unit on this issue).
• Lead on various studies that have been identified as part of the strategic development of the health as well as nutrition and HIV/AIDS programme.
• Ensure good quality reports are prepared and timely submitted to donors and partners.
• Ensure that regular and effective communications are maintained within the programme, with other programmes, with the regional office and relevant London based staff, including through active participation in Save the Children UK monthly web meetings and SCI regional/global technical meetings as appropriate.
• Provide technical support to ensure that health programmes and health components of nutrition and HIV/AIDS programmes have M&E plans developed and implemented from the beginning of the programme for monitoring the programme quality and promote accountability and link with M&E Advisor in HQ when necessary.

Advocacy (this function is delivered in close working relationship with the EVERYONE Campaign Manger)

• Ensure an integrated approach to advocacy and programme work, particularly in the area of health and nutrition financing.
• Identify policy gaps and issues for advocacy in line with Save the Children’s global goal and strategy, the country programme strategy and the Every One programme plan.
• Support the EVERYONE Campaign manager in developing advocacy strategy and plans for the Tanzania health and nutrition programmes.
• Support the health and nutrition team and the EVERYONE core team on advocacy work on health and nutrition.

Networking and Representation

• Strengthen and maintain links with relevant key task forces and coordination mechanisms through actively participating and facilitation of meetings.
• Review current and develop new strategic health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS partnerships with government, UN and other agencies.
• Facilitate and maintain good relationship with government (especially the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare) to ensure collaboration and smooth implementation of the health and relevant health components of programmes.
• Identify gaps and possible support areas for the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
• Facilitate and coordinate collaboration and joint work with other organizations working in the health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS sectors.
• Represent Save the Children to government, UN organizations, INGOs, local NGOs and donors in health, nutrition and HIV/AIDS related issues to ensure coordination and collaboration.
• Ensure that Save the Children advocacy issues are integrated into all core issues and are reflected during representation.

Emergency Responsibilities

Save the Children Tanzania (SC) will respond to any emergency situations that puts at great risk the survival, protection, and well-being of significant numbers of children, resulting from natural disasters, conflicts, population movements and where particularly vulnerable communities are found to be in acute need.

In executing an emergency response, SC will endeavour to respond within 72 hours of a sudden catastrophic event. With this SC through the line manager at any point of emergency may assign the post holder with emergency responsibility role outside of the normal JD or area of work if required, however no staff will be forced against their will to work anywhere that they deem unsafe or insecure.

Child Safeguarding Responsibilities

The post holder has the responsibility to fully understand the provisions of Child Safeguarding Policy and its 3 complimentary policies (Child Participation, Local Procedures and Reporting Abuse); to conduct him/herself in accordance with the Policy rules and to ensure that the way the work is carried out does not put children at risk.

Other

• Work closely with other teams (Child Protection and Child Rights Governance) to ensure programme integration and sharing of experiences and learning.
• Support the Tanzania programme in general on health related issues. This may include providing technical input on health components of other Save the Children projects, etc.
• Undertake other tasks that may be assigned by the Director of Programme Quality and Advocacy commensurate with capacity and skills.
• Comply with all relevant Save the Children policies and procedures with respect to child protection, health and safety, security, equal opportunities and other relevant policies.

Person Specification

• Qualified health professional (preferably with MPH) with solid background in primary health care delivery and maternal and child health in developing countries.
• Experience or formal qualification in HIV/AIDS and nutrition programmes is desirable.
• 5-7 years of relevant experience in international development programmes, including demonstrated experience in strategic planning and policy advocacy work.
• Strong skills and experience in all aspects of programme cycle management – design and development, implementation, and monitoring and evaluation.
• Good experience in project proposal writing.
• Proven skills in advocacy and policy influencing at national level, and experience in working collaboratively with national government and other stakeholders, including donors.
• Good experience in project/programme report writing.
• Strong analytical and conceptual skills and the ability to think and plan strategically.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication and presentation skills and commitment to staff capacity development.
• Understanding of social relations and commitment to integrate gender, diversity and other power related issues into programme activities.
• Ability to be self sufficient and resourceful.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children’s vision, mission, values and principles.
• Ability and willingness to travel to projects and stay in basic conditions when necessary.
• Computer skills
• Training/facilitation skills (desirable, but not essential)
• Knowledge/familiarity with Tanzania and the East Africa region (desirable but not essential)

To apply to this position, please visit our website www.savethechildren.org.uk/en/jobs.htm job ref 6646.

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