Health Officer, LodwarNO-B
Duration: 12 months
Temporary Appointment
Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Temporary position in the Health Section, UNICEF Kenya, to be based in Lodwar.
Justification
Turkana County and other northern areas of Kenya continue to experience the effect of cyclic droughts and poor health systems manifested by poor health indicators including routine immunization coverage and high maternal mortality rates.
The impact of poor health indicators has been observed previously for instance in the 2011 drought emergency through high malnutrition rates and consequent upsurge of epidemic prone diseases including high case load of diarrhea diseases.
In 2009, 18 confirmed cases of the wild polio virus were reported in the county which made the government and partners implement 5 rounds of supplementary immunization campaigns to contain the transmission. Additionally, the county has had episodes of cholera outbreak; the worst occurred late 2009 to mid-2010.
In 2012, UNICEF Kenya health section invested in supporting the government to implement long term programmes at county level through support to strengthen county health sector coordination, scale up of community health services through recruiting and training community health workers and procurement of tools.
Additionally, UNICEF supported county health teams in generating evidence using health systems data from Turkana County to guide county teams in developing quality plans.
In 2013, the focus of UNICEF will be to support county teams develop investment plans for the county that incorporate disaster risk reduction priorities in plans, focus to prioritize phased implementation of the priorities identified starting with cost effective high impact interventions that require minimal funding but yield higher results; development of maternal and newborn health strategy for northern Kenya; roll-out of integrated community case management of diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria.
UNICEF will also focus in strengthening partnerships to leverage resources for sustained implementation of community based maternal and newborn interventions, using community health strategy as a platform for service delivery in the counties that have very few health facilities, and acute shortage of human resources for health.
The support to the long term investments is already on-going, and close monitoring to ensure adherence to quality assurance and risks are managed as they arise for optimal achievement of results. Continuity of the technical support to Lodwar field office is critical. The recruitment of a health specialist TA will ensure the priority Maternal, Newborn and Child Health priorities are implemented and systems put in place for sustainability through the government structures supported by partners.
In light of support to the investments listed, UNICEF has planned to have a sustained technical expertise as TA to support Lodwar sub office for a period of 12 months.
Scope of Work
Health emergency response
Overall, the TA will oversee the programming of key MNCH priorities in Turkana County. Working under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (Head of office), Lodwar Field Office, and technically guided by Health Systems Specialist based in Nairobi. Specifically the TA will dedicate 100% of the time on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, paying attention to health disaster risk reduction (DRR) and health systems strengthening due to the chronic cyclic emergency experienced in the region to undertake the following.
1. Participate in mapping of partners and support in the strengthening of the Turkana county health coordination mechanisms and share UNICEF support with the County health team and other sector partners.
2. Support finalization of Turkana county MNCH investment plans. Support coordination of the Community Health Strategy Technical Working Group to ensure effective and efficient scale up of community strategy through mapping, recruitment and training of community health workers, community health committees and operationalization of community health units;
3. Support plans for roll out of iCCM, focusing on diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria management and community based maternal an newborn care;
4. Participate in the development of maternal and newborn strategy for northern Kenya through stakeholders sensitization and consensus building and support implementation;
5. Undertake end user monitoring of selected health supplies- including antimalarial, indicating the number of people covered by the supplies on monthly basis to guide in further prepositioning;
6. Undertake drafting regular situation reports, on bi-weekly and monthly basis that are required by the office for information sharing and also as part of the resource mobilization strategy
7. Ensure DRR and emergency interventions by UNICEF and partner agencies conform to the norms and standards. Undertake field monitoring visits in Turkana to evaluate the progress to Disaster Risk Reduction/Management
8. Draft a final report on health disaster risk reduction/management situation and programming as part of the hand over report
9. Support fundraising efforts through drafting of proposals and technical input when required to do so.
RWPPCR/IRs areas covered
UNICEF will contribute to increasing number of women and children have equitable Access to and Use of Quality Essential Social and Protection Services and practices with focus on vulnerable groups and the most marginalised regions of Kenya by 2013
Majorly:
IR3: Health policies, strategies and systems supportive of MNCH scale-up and mitigation of emergencies; and:
IR 1: Increased proportion of women and children receiving quality evidence-based essential integrated maternal and child care services by December 2013
IR 2: Increasing number of households practicing improved health care practices with focus on reaching the un-reached by 2011 and sustained after that
Expected Deliverables
Output Deliverable Time
Coordination
1.Monthly stakeholders coordination meetings and reports that guide implementation of disaster risk reduction priorities in Turkana 10%
2.Performance of essential health services in the County reviewed periodically (monthly/quarterly) by districts and partners
3. Harmonized Annual plan for joint supervision, monitoring and evaluation available
Implementation of Community Health Strategy
1.Community health workers mapped by partners, capacity, trained, community units created and interventions offered 25%
2.Partners briefed on the plan and status of Community Health Strategy roll out
3.40Community Health Units created through training of District Health Management Teams, Community Health Extension Workers, Community Health Committees, and Community Health Workers trained on Community Strategy and implementation initiated in each county.
Maternal, Newborn and Child health Investment plans
1.MNCH Investment plans finalized, presented to the county health management, and interventions prioritized 20%
2. Implementation of key interventions initiated
3. Availability of seed resources for outbreak response and joint monitoring visits
MNH strategy for northern areas
1.Desk review of Turkana county health data to influence development of MNH strategy for northern areas 15%
2. Turkana (MOH) review and make recommendations to stakeholders through regional/county retreats/workshops to address maternal and neonatal mortality
3. Stakeholders reach consensus on MNH Strategy for Turkana county
Prepositioning and utilization of emergency drugs, supplies and equipment
1.Periodic end user monitoring informs utilization and gaps in essential commodities 10%
Disaster risk analysis and situation reports
1.Analytical reports comparing morbidity and utilization of the essential drugs on monthly basis compiled 10%
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree in Public Health or a health related field.
Experience
Two years of relevant professional work experience at the national and international level in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field.
Demonstrated competency in disaster risk reduction/emergency coordination and response, and also knowledge in SPSS shall be useful.
In addition, the incumbent should:
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in English with others to effectively convey information.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage maternal and emergency health programmes, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Have a strong capacity to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
• Operate with minimal support, good initiative and ability to apply technical knowledge creatively to ensure conflicts and disputes are resolved between consultants, contractors and beneficiaries.
• Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications, including knowledge of SPSS and EpiInfo.
Competencies
• Communication
• Drive for Results
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Working with People
• Planning and Organizing
Languages: Fluency in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili would be an asset.
Conditions (Important)
Position will be based in Lodwar, with frequent field visits to the six districts of the county.
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications along with their curricula vitae, to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/HLTH/2013/016” in the email subject.
Interested candidates should also complete the Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded from the UNICEF Kenya website (http://www.unicef.org/kenya).
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE. UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
Applications are hereby invited from suitably qualified candidates to fill the above Temporary position in the Health Section, UNICEF Kenya, to be based in Lodwar.
Justification
Turkana County and other northern areas of Kenya continue to experience the effect of cyclic droughts and poor health systems manifested by poor health indicators including routine immunization coverage and high maternal mortality rates.
The impact of poor health indicators has been observed previously for instance in the 2011 drought emergency through high malnutrition rates and consequent upsurge of epidemic prone diseases including high case load of diarrhea diseases.
In 2009, 18 confirmed cases of the wild polio virus were reported in the county which made the government and partners implement 5 rounds of supplementary immunization campaigns to contain the transmission. Additionally, the county has had episodes of cholera outbreak; the worst occurred late 2009 to mid-2010.
In 2012, UNICEF Kenya health section invested in supporting the government to implement long term programmes at county level through support to strengthen county health sector coordination, scale up of community health services through recruiting and training community health workers and procurement of tools.
Additionally, UNICEF supported county health teams in generating evidence using health systems data from Turkana County to guide county teams in developing quality plans.
In 2013, the focus of UNICEF will be to support county teams develop investment plans for the county that incorporate disaster risk reduction priorities in plans, focus to prioritize phased implementation of the priorities identified starting with cost effective high impact interventions that require minimal funding but yield higher results; development of maternal and newborn health strategy for northern Kenya; roll-out of integrated community case management of diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria.
UNICEF will also focus in strengthening partnerships to leverage resources for sustained implementation of community based maternal and newborn interventions, using community health strategy as a platform for service delivery in the counties that have very few health facilities, and acute shortage of human resources for health.
The support to the long term investments is already on-going, and close monitoring to ensure adherence to quality assurance and risks are managed as they arise for optimal achievement of results. Continuity of the technical support to Lodwar field office is critical. The recruitment of a health specialist TA will ensure the priority Maternal, Newborn and Child Health priorities are implemented and systems put in place for sustainability through the government structures supported by partners.
In light of support to the investments listed, UNICEF has planned to have a sustained technical expertise as TA to support Lodwar sub office for a period of 12 months.
Scope of Work
Health emergency response
Overall, the TA will oversee the programming of key MNCH priorities in Turkana County. Working under the supervision of the Programme Specialist (Head of office), Lodwar Field Office, and technically guided by Health Systems Specialist based in Nairobi. Specifically the TA will dedicate 100% of the time on Maternal, Newborn and Child Health, paying attention to health disaster risk reduction (DRR) and health systems strengthening due to the chronic cyclic emergency experienced in the region to undertake the following.
1. Participate in mapping of partners and support in the strengthening of the Turkana county health coordination mechanisms and share UNICEF support with the County health team and other sector partners.
2. Support finalization of Turkana county MNCH investment plans. Support coordination of the Community Health Strategy Technical Working Group to ensure effective and efficient scale up of community strategy through mapping, recruitment and training of community health workers, community health committees and operationalization of community health units;
3. Support plans for roll out of iCCM, focusing on diarrhea, pneumonia and malaria management and community based maternal an newborn care;
4. Participate in the development of maternal and newborn strategy for northern Kenya through stakeholders sensitization and consensus building and support implementation;
5. Undertake end user monitoring of selected health supplies- including antimalarial, indicating the number of people covered by the supplies on monthly basis to guide in further prepositioning;
6. Undertake drafting regular situation reports, on bi-weekly and monthly basis that are required by the office for information sharing and also as part of the resource mobilization strategy
7. Ensure DRR and emergency interventions by UNICEF and partner agencies conform to the norms and standards. Undertake field monitoring visits in Turkana to evaluate the progress to Disaster Risk Reduction/Management
8. Draft a final report on health disaster risk reduction/management situation and programming as part of the hand over report
9. Support fundraising efforts through drafting of proposals and technical input when required to do so.
RWPPCR/IRs areas covered
UNICEF will contribute to increasing number of women and children have equitable Access to and Use of Quality Essential Social and Protection Services and practices with focus on vulnerable groups and the most marginalised regions of Kenya by 2013
Majorly:
IR3: Health policies, strategies and systems supportive of MNCH scale-up and mitigation of emergencies; and:
IR 1: Increased proportion of women and children receiving quality evidence-based essential integrated maternal and child care services by December 2013
IR 2: Increasing number of households practicing improved health care practices with focus on reaching the un-reached by 2011 and sustained after that
Expected Deliverables
Output Deliverable Time
Coordination
1.Monthly stakeholders coordination meetings and reports that guide implementation of disaster risk reduction priorities in Turkana 10%
2.Performance of essential health services in the County reviewed periodically (monthly/quarterly) by districts and partners
3. Harmonized Annual plan for joint supervision, monitoring and evaluation available
Implementation of Community Health Strategy
1.Community health workers mapped by partners, capacity, trained, community units created and interventions offered 25%
2.Partners briefed on the plan and status of Community Health Strategy roll out
3.40Community Health Units created through training of District Health Management Teams, Community Health Extension Workers, Community Health Committees, and Community Health Workers trained on Community Strategy and implementation initiated in each county.
Maternal, Newborn and Child health Investment plans
1.MNCH Investment plans finalized, presented to the county health management, and interventions prioritized 20%
2. Implementation of key interventions initiated
3. Availability of seed resources for outbreak response and joint monitoring visits
MNH strategy for northern areas
1.Desk review of Turkana county health data to influence development of MNH strategy for northern areas 15%
2. Turkana (MOH) review and make recommendations to stakeholders through regional/county retreats/workshops to address maternal and neonatal mortality
3. Stakeholders reach consensus on MNH Strategy for Turkana county
Prepositioning and utilization of emergency drugs, supplies and equipment
1.Periodic end user monitoring informs utilization and gaps in essential commodities 10%
Disaster risk analysis and situation reports
1.Analytical reports comparing morbidity and utilization of the essential drugs on monthly basis compiled 10%
Required Qualifications
Advanced degree in Public Health or a health related field.
Experience
Two years of relevant professional work experience at the national and international level in programme management, monitoring and evaluation, in a related field.
Demonstrated competency in disaster risk reduction/emergency coordination and response, and also knowledge in SPSS shall be useful.
In addition, the incumbent should:
• Have the ability to communicate effectively in English with others to effectively convey information.
• Proven ability to conceptualize, develop, plan and manage maternal and emergency health programmes, as well as to impart knowledge and teach skills.
• Have a strong capacity to use logic and analysis to identify the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches.
• Operate with minimal support, good initiative and ability to apply technical knowledge creatively to ensure conflicts and disputes are resolved between consultants, contractors and beneficiaries.
• Good analytical, negotiating, communication and advocacy skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships both within and outside the organization.
• Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications, including knowledge of SPSS and EpiInfo.
Competencies
• Communication
• Drive for Results
• Formulating Strategies and Concepts
• Applying Technical Expertise
• Working with People
• Planning and Organizing
Languages: Fluency in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili would be an asset.
Conditions (Important)
Position will be based in Lodwar, with frequent field visits to the six districts of the county.
Interested and suitable candidates should ensure that they forward their applications along with their curricula vitae, to:
The Human Resources Manager
UNICEF Kenya Country Office
Email address: kenyahrvacancies@unicef.org
Please indicate Reference No. “KCO/HLTH/2013/016” in the email subject.
Interested candidates should also complete the Personal History (P11) form, which can be downloaded from the UNICEF Kenya website (http://www.unicef.org/kenya).
“QUALIFIED FEMALE CANDIDATES ARE ENCOURAGED TO APPLY”ZERO TOLERANCE FOR SEXUAL EXPLOITATION AND ABUSE. UNICEF IS A SMOKE-FREE ENVIRONMENT
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