United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF) works in some of the world’s toughest places, to reach the world’s most disadvantaged children. To save their lives. To defend their rights. To help them fulfil their potential. Across 190 countries and territories, we work for every child, everywhere, every day, to build a better world for everyone.
We are recruiting to fill the vacant position below:
Job Title: Health Consultant (Newborn)
Job Number: 527162
Location: Nigeria
Work Type: Consultancy
Background
The Newborn Situational Analysis reports of the past 10 years have led to the introduction of the Nigerian Every Newborn Action Plan nationally and the domestication of this document to an implementable State Every Newborn Action Plan. The vision, which is to end preventable stillbirths and newborn deaths by accelerating the progress and scale up of evidence based high impact and cost-effective interventions, guided by the principles of Leadership, Integration, Accountability, Equity, Human rights innovation and research. 2019 has seen some major shifts and achievements in the health sector in Nigeria, namely, launch of the National Strategic Health Development Plan II (2018-2022) (NSHDP), the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) and the Minimum Service Package and the Action Framework for accelerating reduction of preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths in Nigeria.
There is focus on having an operational plan for the NiENAP across the states and UNICEF is working with select States towards moving forward with developing The SENAP (State Every Newborn Action Plan). We see implementable actions at the primary Health Care and Community levels linked with every child alive campaign.
We see an opportunity and an urgent need towards further strengthening the foundation set by the ongoing work in the States on using data for action and results. Capacities have been built towards developing and using score cards across RMNCAH+N indicators and tracking progress at State/LGA/Health facility levels quarterly. All these with priority focus on the new born will be geared towards improved service delivery for the newborn.
We propose to work with the Federal Ministry of Health, the NPHCDA, and the respective State counterparts including all partners and stakeholders towards developing an annual operational plan/action framework, as well as, investment plans across these states. These will guide implementation of Every New Born Action Plan, understanding bottlenecks, and other components like infrastructure, HR, supplies etc.
Specific Project Objective to which the consultant is related:
- The health system at all levels have strengthened capacities and improve utilization of essential high-impact maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health interventions.
- The purpose of this consultancy is to work with states to develop operational plans for the NiENAP as well as Newborn investment plans across the States. UNICEF is working with select States towards moving forward with developing the SENAP (State Every Newborn Action Plan). We see implementable actions at the primary Health Care and Community levels linked with every child alive campaign.
- We see an opportunity and an urgent need towards further strengthening the foundation set by the ongoing work in the States on using data for action and results in addition to giving technical expertise to the SEMCHICs through the NEMCHIC. Capacities have been built towards developing and using score cards across RMNCAH+N indicators and tracking progress at State/LGA/Health facility levels quarterly. All these with priority focus on the new born will be geared towards improved service delivery for the newborn.
Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks
Rapid Assessment, Data Analysis and Mapping:
- Desk-review research, literature review, Analysis, Requirements gathering calls and virtual meetings.
Newborn Health Policy, Programming, and Service Delivery With Innovative and Proven Approaches:
- Technical assistance on newborn health and management of the three major killers of newborns – intrapartum related complication, newborn infections and preterm births in supported States.
- Support States to implement PSBI in selected LGAs
- Support States to implement Kangaroo Mother care in selected LGAs
- Support states in the scale up of CHX for cord care
- Support states in the implementation of their annual workplan as concerns newborn health
- Support States in the implementation of quality of care in selected States.
- Support states to develop investment plans for the SENAP
Provide technical support to NEMCHIC and SEMCHIC:
- Guide the emergency approach to addressing newborn issues and fast-tracking CBNC and ENCC
Primary health care and Newborn:
- Integration of newborn health interventions into the 1 PHC/ward in selected States
- Creation of functional newborn resuscitation corners in PHC
- Creation of KMC corners in PHC.
Capacity building for HCWs on CBNC and ENCC.:
- Using existing tools, facilitate capacity building.
- Develop a draft framework for implementation of ENCC at the facility level and CBNC at the community level.
Develop framework to address gaps and implement newborn service delivery through CBNC.:
- Finalize draft framework for ENCC and CBNC implementation including investment plan.
- Extraction of existing operational plan for newborn/develop AOP if non-existent.
Implementation and Result Tracking on Newborn:
- Tracking of Global, National and State indicators.
- Field test of AOP.
Strengthening of Partnership and Networking:
- Strengthen on-going partnership with professional associations and academic institutions (NISOMN, PAN, SOGON…etc.) and create new ones on newborn issues.
Documentation and Reporting:
- Prepare and submit quarterly reports.
- Document best practices and lessons learnt
- Contribute to the development of publications for peer-reviewed journals.
Requirements
To qualify as an advocate for every child you will have…
- An Advanced University Degree in Public Health/Nutrition, Paediatrics, Family Health, Health Research, Global/International Health, Health Policy and/or Management, Environmental Health Sciences, Biostatistics, Socio-Medical, Health Education, Epidemiology or other health related Sciences is required.
- A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in public health/nutrition planning and management and/or in relevant areas of maternal and neonatal health care, health emergency/humanitarian preparedness, at the national and/or international level some of which preferably in a developing country is required. Relevant experience in health/nutrition program/project development and management in any UN system agency or organization is an asset.
- Fluency in English is required. Knowledge of another official UN language or a local language is an asset
- Knowledge of use of LiST and or other analysis tools
- Knowledge of DHIS 2.0 platform for health data collection and collation.
- Ability to make timely and quality judgments and decisions and very good training skills.
- Computer skills, including internet navigation and various office applications.
- Demonstrated ability to work in a multi-cultural environment and establish harmonious and effective working relationships, both within and outside the organization.
- Willingness to travel to remote LGAs and communities
For every Child, you demonstrate…
- UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
- View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Job Title: Communication for Development Specialist (NERICC), P4
Job Number: 527169
Location: Abuja
Work Type: Temporary Appointment
Key Functions, Accountabilities and Related Duties/Tasks
- The holder incumbent will be expected to provide technical support to NERICC and NEMCHIC activities related to social mobilization, demand generation and related functions.
Strategic Direction & Coordination:
- Support NERICC and NEMCHIC to determine strategic directions for communication for development (advocacy, social mobilization, community engagement and behaviour change technical working groups) team and ensure the strategies are in line with Nigeria Country Programme Document (CPD) as well as the Rolling Work Plan (RWP) to achieve Routine Immunization coverage targeted in NSIPS as well as contribute to improvement of CSD indices.
- Make viable recommendations and decisions on appropriate communication for development strategies to achieve the NERICC’s and NEMCHIC’s goals and objectives, and to support UNICEF’s mission in the country.
- Coordinate different fora mainly GAVI sub groups for demand generation, BMGF MOU states community engagement working groups and CSM communication groups.
- To provide expert advice and assistance to the NERICC and NEMCHIC team by attending several task teams including core group on attitude and behaviour change modalities that contribute to changing mindsets and are culturally sensitive and tailored to generate demand for routine immunization (RI) services and maternal and child health (MCH) development.
Demand Generation:
- Ensure that NERICC and NEMCHIC task groups are supported to develop plans and activities to increase demand for RI and MCH services
- Develop, maintain and update the C4D strategy for NERICC and NEMCHIC with approaches, plans and activities geared towards increasing demand for RI and other primary health care (PHC) services.
- The strategy should be founded on sound evidence based on studies with clear objectives, approaches, plans, activities, as well as monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.
- Ensure approaches used is all inclusive, consultative and participatory to carry along all stakeholders.
Promotion of Appropriate use of Communication for Social Development:
- Provide advice on appropriate use of communication and approach for social development, aimed at both individual behaviour change and collective action as well as policy advice.
- Provide expert advice, coordination and technical support to government counterparts and other partners in the development and strategic use of communication for social development to ensure optimum leverage and impact of communication activities on programme, policy and advocacy activities.
- Collaborate with the Federal Government officials, NPHCDA, community leaders, other UN bodies, and bilateral agencies and NGOs in the organization of activities, operational research, advocacy and exchange of information and ideas supportive of NERICC’s and NEMCHIC’s communication goals and strategies.
- Jointly with other UNICEF and government officers, designs and manages/facilitates the implementation of communication plans of action aiming at: (a) behaviour development/change at individual/household levels; (b) social mobilization of civil society organizations; (c) increased community participation in RI and PHC; and (d) policy issues that require advocacy to impact RI and PHC uptake.
- Support state teams to design and implement strategies for hard to reach, nomadic and minority groups at the LGA and ward levels, informed by the equity analysis and aligned with coverage and equity plans.
- Monitors and evaluates activities on the basis of applied targeted communication research and frequent visits to project sites. Disseminates communication research findings, ensures exchanges of experience and new methods to government officials, programme staff, and other UNICEF partners.
- Collaborate with, advise and/or consult internal partners, to design of culturally relevant C4D strategies, including formulation, production and pre-testing materials and/or to organize C4D events and activities to ensure engagement and participation of key audiences, and maximum outreach and impact on behavioral and social change.
- Confirm/verify the technical quality, consistency and relevancy of communications strategies, including materials that are developed, produced and disseminated to target audience and recommend appropriate multiple media formats. Oversee the production and implementation of multi-media initiatives for compliance with targets and plans that integrate the latest evidence.
- Carry out C4D advocacy activities with/for a wide range of constituents, stakeholders, partners, communities, such as religious groups, traditional leaders, teachers, artists and other organised groups at national, state, zonal, Local Government Areas (LGA) and community levels, as well as civil society organizations etc. to orient them on behavior and social mobilization models, strategies, approaches, routine immunization as well as MNCH+N; and solicit their involvement in the implementation of the overall initiative; also to encourage/promote engagement and dialogue, inclusion, self-determination and participation in mobilizing social, political, behavioral and cultural change to achieve sustainable program results for polio eradication, improved routine immunization, and children and women’s rights, equity and well-being. Develop/select materials and other communication tools for C4D events.
- Identify, establish and maintain active interaction/relations with media, academia and other strategic partners to communicate/advocate UNICEF’s competencies and achievements to ensure their engagement, interests and support in promoting social/political engagement for political action on polio eradication, and measurable changes in social and behavioral outcomes.
- Conduct and/or participate in M & E (Monitoring and Evaluation) and Evaluation exercises, including country program previews, meetings and mid-term/annual reviews to assess/report on efficacy/outcome of C4D on UNICEF and Nigeria Country Office (NCO) Strategic Plans/Goals. Recommend timely action to ensure the achievement of results as planned and allocated. Integrate/disseminate lessons learned in development planning and improvements.
- Monitor and evaluate programme activities on the basis of applied qualitative behavioral research and frequent visits to project sites.
- Analyse and evaluate data to ensure compliance and achievement of objectives and recommend corrective action, when necessary, to meet programme/project objectives. Prepare monitoring and evaluation reports in accordance with the established guidelines, methods and procedures. Provide technical advice to programme staff, government officials and other counterparts, and coordinate and manage the evaluative elements of country programme milestone meetings, such as mid-term reviews, strategy meetings, previews and reviews and annual reviews.
Capacity Building for Sustainability:
- Provide advice on capacity building of communication for development teams, both within NPHCDA and among counterparts.
- Oversee and advise on the development of goals, strategy, approaches, plans as well as training materials and activities to build up capacity in participatory and behaviour change communication for personnel involved in the planning, implementation and evaluation of communication for development intervention, in support of RI and PHC
Resource Mobilization and Management:
- Participate in the budget planning & review process, and ensure the optimal resources from UNICEF and other partners towards C4D initiatives to support NERICC
- Establish programme work plans, allocation of resources, and monitors progress and compliance.
- Take appropriate actions to optimize use of programme funds and mobilize resources; improve programme efficiency, quality and delivery through a rigorous and transparent approach to programme planning, monitoring and evaluation.
- Oversee the overall allocation and disbursement of programme funds, making sure that funds are properly and effectively coordinated, monitored and liquidated.
Requirements
Education:
- Advanced University Degree in the Social/Behavioural Sciences, (Sociology, Anthropology, Psychology, and Health Education) with emphasis on strategic communication planning for behaviour development, social mobilization, and participatory communication, and research, training/facilitation and impact evaluation of communication interventions.
- Training in communication for development and implementation in communication for development, social mobilization and behavioral change. Training in inter-disciplinary approach in programme communication.
Experience:
- Minimum 8 years relevant professional work experience in the planning and management of social development programmes, including 2 years in with practical experience in the adaptation and application of communication planning processes to specific programmes.
Language Requirements:
- Fluency in English and another UN language. Local working language of the duty station an asset.
For every Child, you demonstrate:
- UNICEF’s core values of Commitment, Diversity and Integrity and core competencies in Communication, Working with People and Drive for Results.
- View our competency framework at: http://www.unicef.org/about/employ/files/UNICEF_Competencies.pdf
Deadline: 31st October, 2019 by 23:55:00 GMT+0100 (West Africa Standard Time).
How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Note
- UNICEF is committed to diversity and inclusion within its workforce, and encourages all candidates, irrespective of gender, nationality, religious and ethnic backgrounds, including persons living with disabilities, to apply to become a part of the organization.
- UNICEF has a zero-tolerance policy on conduct that is incompatible with the aims and objectives of the United Nations and UNICEF, including sexual exploitation and abuse, sexual harassment, abuse of authority and discrimination. UNICEF also adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.
- Mobility is a condition of international professional employment with UNICEF and an underlying premise of the international civil service.
- Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and advance to the next stage of the selection process.
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