UNICEF Lodwar Health Officer (M&E) Job in Kenya

United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF)
 

Kenya Country Office

Vacancy Announcement “KCO/HLTH/2014-070”

Duty Station: Lodwar
 

Vacancy: Health Officer (M&E), NO-B

Type of Contract: Fixed Term

Reference # 90646

Date of Issue: 21 October 2014

Closing Date: 03 November 2014

Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Fixed Term position of Health Officer in UNICEF Kenya Country Office (KCO) based in Lodwar Field Office.

Purpose of the Post:  Under the supervision of the Chief, Field Office and additional support from the Nairobi-based Planning and M&E Specialist and M&E Officer, the incumbent will be responsible for routine monitoring of maternal and new-born health programs in Turkana County, including joint monitoring exercises, data collection and verification, and logistical support for operational research studies.

Major Duties and Responsibilities: 

1. Programme Performance Monitoring 

• Provide technical support to ensure that the Country Office has quality information to assess progress towards expected results established in annual work plans, and to manage financial and programmatic risks.
• Provide technical support to ensure that monitoring systems are in place and accurately monitoring changes in supplies, demand, coverage and quality of maternal-new-born health services in Turkana. This task will require both technical assistance to county-based personnel and direct involvement in periodic data collection and data quality audits;
• Conduct spot-checks to verify the correct placement and management of UNICEF-procured supplies;
• Support the collection and verification of quarterly programme reports from partners and conduct site visits to verify the accuracy of information.

2. M&E Capacity Building

• Provide technical support to ensure that the monitoring and evaluation capacities of Field Office staff and county partners government and civil society are strengthened enabling them to increasingly engage in and lead monitoring and evaluation processes.
• Contribute to the M&E capacity building strategy for county-level partners and institutions and corresponding activities for implementation in the context of the MNH M&E Plan;
• Provide technical support for implementation of capacity building strategies as a joint commitment with other developmental partners.

3. Integrated Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Planning (IMEP)

• Provide technical support to ensure that the Lodwar Field Office and county partners use a well-prioritised and realistic plan of research, monitoring and evaluation activities that will provide the most relevant and strategic information to manage the Maternal-New-born Health Component of the UNICEF Country Programme, including tracking and assessing  UNICEF’s distinct contribution to improving maternal and new-born health outcomes.
• Make contributions to and provide technical assistance for the planning and establishing the research, monitoring and evaluation activities for the UNICEF Health Section, with particular emphasis on maternal and new-born health programmes operating in Turkana County.
• Ensure that M&E plans and methods are effectively communicated to UNICEF’s maternal-new-born health partners at county levels, and that these partners are prepared and supported to contribute appropriately;
• In humanitarian response situations, within the first month, support data collection on the health situation of pregnant women, mothers and new-borns, and draft and recommend a simple one-month data-collection plan to cover key data gaps as required for the initial emergency response.  After the initial humanitarian response, support management of the medium-term response with a revised IMEP.

4. Situation Monitoring and Assessment 

• Provide technical support to ensure that the Lodwar Field Office and county partners have timely and accurate measurement of change in conditions affecting the health of pregnant women, mothers and new-borns to facilitate planning and to draw conclusions about the impact of programmes or policies.
• Support management and improvement of available baseline information on key indicators through established databases at county levels (e.g., DHIS, community health information systems and maternal and perinatal death review and response system) for easy access and use;
• Support the preparation of county- level statistical reports on the status of maternal and new-born health issues, and provide technical support to fulfil donor reporting obligations;
• Support the MOH and partners to use available evidence to draft evidence-based plans and budgets for MNH programmes towards the attainment of national and county MNH objectives.
• In humanitarian response situations, provide technical support for a rapid assessment (inter-agency or independently if necessary) to be carried out within the first 48-72 hours, focusing on the health status and needs of pregnant women, mothers and new-borns. Provide rapid and accurate information on emergency programme’s coverage, coordination and coherence.

5. Evaluation

• Provide technical support to ensure that a well-prioritised and strategic selection of evaluations for maternal-new-born health programmes are carried out with quality and that evaluation results are useful to the intended audiences. 
• Provide logistical support for evaluations and operational research;
• Ensure that county-level partners, particularly the County Health Management Teams, are involved in the planning and implementation of evaluations and operational research;
• Support effective participatory feedback, including to community and civil society stakeholders in the focus counties.

6. Communication and Partnerships 

• Provide technical support to ensure that all of the above tasks are carried out and accomplished through effective communication and partnerships, as elaborated below:
• Organize and contribute to joint monitoring and evaluation activities with county partners;
• Provide synthesis of M & E results to the Field Office senior management, and to the Planning and M & E Specialist in the Kenya Country Office;
• Ensure that evaluation recommendations are communicated to the relevant county partners for implementation, with advice on follow-up action for future programming.

Required Qualifications:

• University degree in public health or a related social science, with particular emphasis on monitoring and evaluation and research.   

Experience:

• Two years of relevant professional work experience, including field work experience, preferably in the area of maternal, new-born and child health;
• Professional work experience in public health programme development and implementation including monitoring and evaluation activities; and
• At least one instance of exposure to emergency programming, including preparedness planning. Active involvement in a humanitarian crisis response programme preferred.

Language: 

• Fluency in English and another UN working language required.  
• Knowledge of local working language of the duty station an asset.

Competencies:
 

i)  Core Values (Required)

• Commitment 
• Diversity and Inclusion 
• Integrity 

ii) Core Competencies (Required)

• Communication [Level II] 
• Working with People   [Level I]      
• Drive for Results   [Level I]  

iii) Functional Competencies (Required)

• Formulating Strategies and Concepts [Level I]
• Analyzing   [Level II] 
• Applying Technical Expertise [Level II]
• Learning and Researching [Level II] 
• Planning and Organizing [Level II]

Interested and suitable candidates should ensure they forward their applications along with their curriculum vitae, P11 (CLICK HERE to download) (internal candidates should attach copies of their last two Performance Evaluation Reports), to:

The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org

Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/HLTH/2014-070” in the email subject.

“Qualified female candidates are encouraged to apply”
 

Zero tolerance for sexual exploitation and abuse  
 

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